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Almost a Queen: A Three Graces Novella
Travel back to the court of the French Renaissance
Almost a Queen: Book One of the Three Graces Trilogy
Who wouldn't want to be Queen?
Based on a true story
˃˃˃ Don't miss out!
Marie's story is one for the ages, and one that needs to be told. So don’t wait, scroll up and grab your copy today. You'll instantly be front and center at the world of the Valois court, and all of the danger and splendor of Renaissance France!
Review
“A beautifully written book!”
About the Author
Reading historical fiction was my guilty pleasure when I was a kid. I think I learned more about history from reading Jean Plaidy's novels. It wasn't a big surprise when I decided to go to graduate school and get my own degree in history.
Before I became a writer, I worked full time as an archivist. I spent 40 hours a week talking with full time academics and researchers, secretly envying them for being on the other side of the table. Eventually, I got tired of handing historical documents to other people and decided to write historical fiction full time. Man, am I glad I made that switch!
In school, I researched the Gilded Age and the 1920s of the American South, so French history really wasn't part of my curriculum. I ran across some stories about my ancestor, who I was shocked to learn had a “French sounding last name.” While I researched her and her Huguenot ancestors, I ran across the people of the Valois dynasty. I really never left their era, so you're looking at my refusal to leave.
The Three Graces Trilogy continues with eldest sister, Henriette and will conclude with middle sister Catherine's story.
Almost a Queen: Book One of the Three Graces Trilogy
Who wouldn't want to be Queen?
Cousins to the King of Navarre, the Cleves sisters witness the glamour and danger of the French royal court firsthand. Youngest sister, Marie is trapped in an unhappy arranged marriage with her cousin, Henri, Prince de Conde. Determined to make the best of her situation, she awaits the wedding of the King of Navarre in Paris.
Paris of 1572 boils with religious war, and few will make it out of the wedding celebrations alive. Those that do survive face an impossible choice: convert or die. Will Marie and Conde make the decision to abandon their Protestant faith in order to save their lives? Will it cost them their souls?
Along with the threat of death comes a change for true love with the king's younger son, the Duc d'Anjou. Yet Marie promised to love honor and cherish her husband till death did them part. Will death part them soon? Is it possible to find love in the midst of tragedy?
Based on a true story
The Cleves sisters' story starts with Marie, the youngest sister introduces you to the world of court politics in France of the 1500s. Like most great noble families of the period, the web of intermarriages and alliances made enemies out of blood relatives. It also meant that the stories of the people who served the Valois monarchs were as intertwined and as complicated as their marriages.
Led by the ever-vigilant Catherine de Medici, Queen Mother of France and a force of nature, the members of the court shaped the political and religious future of France of the Sixteenth Century. In upcoming novels, you'll meet the often- derided Charlotte, Madame de Sauve, and enough royal mistresses to satisfy your need for scandal.
˃˃˃ Don't miss out!
Marie's story is one for the ages, and one that needs to be told. So don’t wait, scroll up and grab your copy today. You'll instantly be front and center at the world of the Valois court, and all of the danger and splendor of Renaissance France!
Review
“A beautifully written book!”
About the Author
Reading historical fiction was my guilty pleasure when I was a kid. I think I learned more about history from reading Jean Plaidy's novels. It wasn't a big surprise when I decided to go to graduate school and get my own degree in history.
Before I became a writer, I worked full time as an archivist. I spent 40 hours a week talking with full time academics and researchers, secretly envying them for being on the other side of the table. Eventually, I got tired of handing historical documents to other people and decided to write historical fiction full time. Man, am I glad I made that switch!
In school, I researched the Gilded Age and the 1920s of the American South, so French history really wasn't part of my curriculum. I ran across some stories about my ancestor, who I was shocked to learn had a “French sounding last name.” While I researched her and her Huguenot ancestors, I ran across the people of the Valois dynasty. I really never left their era, so you're looking at my refusal to leave.
The Three Graces Trilogy continues with eldest sister, Henriette and will conclude with middle sister Catherine's story.
180 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 10, 2016
647 people are currently reading
159 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
February 1, 2018
The POV was kind of weird, but it was a fine time.
November 25, 2017
There’s a lot of good and bad here.
It’s very well researched and it’s a very interesting story.
But it’s a VERY short book. The author could’ve made it more interesting and even easier to follow by allowing multiple folks to have a voice instead of only Marie. The number of typos and grammatical errors is disappointing. Also, while I understand that she’s using all the right names and that folks back then did have several names, it gets way too confusing for a regular/non-academic reader to keep up. I mean there’s three Catherine’s, a Henri who is also Anjou who is also the Dauphin, the Queen who is Elisabeth, the Queen who is Margot. It’s too much, consistency could be applied and thus simplification achieved.
Overall, I want to like it more than I actually do like it.
It’s very well researched and it’s a very interesting story.
But it’s a VERY short book. The author could’ve made it more interesting and even easier to follow by allowing multiple folks to have a voice instead of only Marie. The number of typos and grammatical errors is disappointing. Also, while I understand that she’s using all the right names and that folks back then did have several names, it gets way too confusing for a regular/non-academic reader to keep up. I mean there’s three Catherine’s, a Henri who is also Anjou who is also the Dauphin, the Queen who is Elisabeth, the Queen who is Margot. It’s too much, consistency could be applied and thus simplification achieved.
Overall, I want to like it more than I actually do like it.
September 19, 2018
Enjoyed this Historical fiction book very much
I've read mostly English fiction historical books and I would say that this one dealing with the French court and the Royal family members of this time was fascinating. I have read about Catherine de Medici and of course her reputation but reading about the other individuals such as Marie and her interactions between her sisters and Queen Elisabeth who was married to the French King at the time along with Queen Mother Catherine was a good book. I won't give away the ending but the author does make you choose who you really like and who you dislike. Looking forward to reading the 2nd book of The Three Graves Trilogy.
I've read mostly English fiction historical books and I would say that this one dealing with the French court and the Royal family members of this time was fascinating. I have read about Catherine de Medici and of course her reputation but reading about the other individuals such as Marie and her interactions between her sisters and Queen Elisabeth who was married to the French King at the time along with Queen Mother Catherine was a good book. I won't give away the ending but the author does make you choose who you really like and who you dislike. Looking forward to reading the 2nd book of The Three Graves Trilogy.
March 17, 2018
Death of a Queen in Waiting
It was a well written book that showed how it was possible to love someone with a pure heart and deep respect, and how as a reader you are left to ponder what if she had survived would their love have sustained the test of time or fell by the wayside. I like how the book made history come alive. It will be an enjoyable read for anyone who enjoys historical romances.
It was a well written book that showed how it was possible to love someone with a pure heart and deep respect, and how as a reader you are left to ponder what if she had survived would their love have sustained the test of time or fell by the wayside. I like how the book made history come alive. It will be an enjoyable read for anyone who enjoys historical romances.
October 30, 2017
A great read
A great start to The Three Graces Trilogy. I feel it put Catherine De Medici in an entirely different light as usually you see her cast into the part of the evil villain.
A great start to The Three Graces Trilogy. I feel it put Catherine De Medici in an entirely different light as usually you see her cast into the part of the evil villain.
November 30, 2017
For such a short book, Laura Du Pre did a great job of introducing Marie and her life at court. I felt connected to the story, and couldn't put it down.
For my complete review check out : http://linzthebookworm.blogspot.com/2...
For my complete review check out : http://linzthebookworm.blogspot.com/2...
December 14, 2017
I thought of the narrative as slow and dull at first, but as it progressed I learned a lot and found it interesting; you will too, if you like "the fluid morality [and] the duplicity of the French [royal] court" of the 16th century.
March 21, 2018
Sweet
I have read more on British history and romantic history, when it comes to French history I have recently become interested. It still confuses me in the storyline of time period. All in all a good read. On to the next book in the series.
I have read more on British history and romantic history, when it comes to French history I have recently become interested. It still confuses me in the storyline of time period. All in all a good read. On to the next book in the series.
November 16, 2018
Good story
This was a really good story. I’ve read bits about the Duc of Anjou before but nothing like this. Marie was an interesting person of history even though she did play a large part in the French court.
This was a really good story. I’ve read bits about the Duc of Anjou before but nothing like this. Marie was an interesting person of history even though she did play a large part in the French court.
February 13, 2019
Good Story-telling, but...
The story is there but it needed more editing. Too many overused phrases and typographical errors for me. It felt as though some chapters contradicted others but I wasn't interested enough to confirm it.
The story is there but it needed more editing. Too many overused phrases and typographical errors for me. It felt as though some chapters contradicted others but I wasn't interested enough to confirm it.
August 10, 2017
I was hooked from page one. It has love, betrayal, executions, and is so well written, I felt like I was there. A really good book to read.
November 25, 2017
This story centered around one person, during a very small window of time. It was a quick read and well written. I just wanted more.
February 15, 2018
Great story!!
This is a really great story but really needs some heavy proofing to make it easier to read...I still recommend it
This is a really great story but really needs some heavy proofing to make it easier to read...I still recommend it
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February 18, 2018Slow
March 24, 2018
Interesting book
This book was very interesting. I found the story being told in the first person made it more enjoyable. I would recommend this book.
This book was very interesting. I found the story being told in the first person made it more enjoyable. I would recommend this book.
May 2, 2018
Hard to put down
I enjoyed reading about the French court. I usually read English historical fiction and English history. Looking forward to book #2
I enjoyed reading about the French court. I usually read English historical fiction and English history. Looking forward to book #2
May 6, 2018
Full of grammatical errors unfortunately. Otherwise a good read if not a bit short
May 7, 2018
Spellbinding
Once I started this book, I could not put it down without wanting to immediately pick it back up and continue reading!
Once I started this book, I could not put it down without wanting to immediately pick it back up and continue reading!
May 15, 2018
Good book. I recommend it. It is short, you get to know Marie. I enjoyed the introduction of her I am excited to finish the second and third of the trilogy.
November 24, 2018
Not sure how this got published
I would not recommend this book. Confusion and bad grammar reign. * * * * * * * * *
I would not recommend this book. Confusion and bad grammar reign. * * * * * * * * *
March 26, 2019
Not well written, not worth my time to read further in the series.
August 15, 2019
Great book
August 1, 2020
Ok
Interesting read since I didn't already know the story,but definitely not what I would consider to be a page turner.
Interesting read since I didn't already know the story,but definitely not what I would consider to be a page turner.
July 29, 2019
Read all 3 books of the 3 sisters and each book on one different book of their lives and the lives they lead as sisters!Wonderful story line of how it was way back then to live! Just read stories!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews