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May Stuart: A Historical Adventure Novel

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A standalone novel set in the thrilling world of the Huguenot Chronicles trilogy.

She’s done spying. He’s tired of his privateer pretence. Up to their necks in murderers, can they flee the open seas for a chance at love?

Port-de-Paix, 1691. May Stuart is ready to start a new life with her young daughter in care in Charleston. No longer content with her role as an English spy and courtesan, she gains passage on a merchant vessel under a false identity. But her journey to collect her beloved child is thrown off course when ruthless corsairs raid their ship.

Former French Lieutenant Didier Ducamp fears he’s lost his moral compass. After the deaths of his wife and daughter, he sank to carrying out terrible deeds as a pirate. But when he spares a beautiful hostage from his bloody-minded fellow sailors, he never expected his noble act would become the catalyst for a rich new future.

In return for his kindness, May offers them both an escape with a reward of hidden plunder. But ripples of war, cannibalistic natives, and backstabbing booty-hunters are waiting to tear them apart on the shores…

Can May and Didier set sail for a prosperous life together, or will they face betrayal at the sword-points of their cutthroat crew mates?

May Stuart is a standalone novel set in the world of the thrilling Huguenot Chronicles trilogy of historical novels. If you enjoy unlikely romance, period-authentic details, and rip-roaring tales of redemption, then you’ll love Paul C. R. Monk’s tale on the high seas.

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223 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 27, 2019

323 people are currently reading
71 people want to read

About the author

Paul C.R. Monk

15 books64 followers

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5 stars
137 (49%)
4 stars
92 (32%)
3 stars
39 (13%)
2 stars
8 (2%)
1 star
3 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
12.7k reviews189 followers
December 3, 2019
An absolutely delightful story. May is done being a spy. All she wants is peace to be with her daughter. Things don’t always work the way you want. Can’t wait for the next one.
483 reviews5 followers
December 29, 2019
Reinvent yourself!
Interesting characters who try to reinvent themselves, while facing the adventures and dangers in the new world. This is an easy to read, very detailed, original story. Looking forward to more wonderful books from this world.
Profile Image for Rose Marie.
85 reviews1 follower
July 7, 2025
I’m actually only 52% though this book and have to say I’m not loving it at all - and quite simply don’t understand the wonderful reviews!

I read and enjoyed the Huguenot Chronicles by Mr Monk, but this one simply lacks anything that draws me into the dialogue. The story comes across as crass, vulgar and brutal with the outcome being that the more I read the less I like!

It’ll be a wonder if this one ever gets finished!
Profile Image for Lois.
4 reviews1 follower
June 6, 2020
I enjoyed this book immensely. It was good to have a strong female figure as the main character in a book written about this period in history. Like with the Huguenot Trilogy it was so difficult to put down and the history is woven into it beautifully.
Profile Image for Beth Peakall.
11 reviews1 follower
June 11, 2020
A good read - although it has swash buckling adventure, this is a backdrop to the main story: the spiritual development of the two main characters. Didier Ducamp featured in the Huguenot Chronicles; we find him continuing his spiritual development through this. May is a new person; she is on a single minded mission: rejoin her daughter. The book charts how these two come together, changed by life and each other. It is a stand alone book; it does reference the Huguenot Chronicles, but you don’t need to read those to read this. Having said that, do read The Huguenot Chronicles!
Profile Image for Iris Seefeldt.
17 reviews
September 27, 2020
Engrossing epic tale to keep one engaged for hours on end.

When contemplating the trilogy, start with May Stuart first. The characters are well thought out and the continuity flows. Well written.
2 reviews
June 27, 2020
Excellent read, good characters and a real page turner, I was sorry to get to the end and eagerly await the next chapter of May and Didiers story
807 reviews8 followers
October 26, 2020
Good book

Enjoyed this book immesly. I had read your series and remembered this male character. I will recommend this book with great twist and turns.
388 reviews4 followers
September 23, 2022
Loved it!

So happy to have read this book about May and Didier! Their thrilling adventure with pirates, Native Americans, lost treasure and found treasure! Great read!
Profile Image for Jill.
468 reviews
November 29, 2019
I truly enjoyed this book. It had a very interesting story line and it was full of adventure. I found it to be a very unpredictable plot, which I loved. Mr. Monk really has a gift of writing, and can really bring history alive. I enjoy that the book is a fictional account but has some historical truth contained within the pages. I think that definitely adds to the authenticity of the story and makes it that much more entertaining. I am looking forward to reading more by this author. Whether or not a person is a history fan, I think they would still enjoy reading this entertaining novel.
Profile Image for Jeanne.
932 reviews
November 27, 2019
Monk delivers an engaging tale in the novel, May Stuart. This well-researched adventure brings to light some of the perils of sea travel in the 17th century. Privateers and pirates abound in this exciting and fascinating story. A good historical fiction.
I received a copy of this book for an honest review.
371 reviews3 followers
November 28, 2019
I have read this book and giving my honest review.
Could not put this down to the end.
Great adventure surprises and I did laugh in one part.
Romance and the high seas.
I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews

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