Susan Carroll
This was an enjoyable, engaging book that I found I couldn’t put down. Susan Carroll’s novel is part history, part fiction, part fantasy, and part romance, making for an all-around good read. I expected the novel to be more historical fiction, and while it had bits of history, the plot was influenced more by the fantasy genre, which I liked. The novel is set in France, 1575. The main character, Gabrielle Cheney, is a beautiful courtesan, influencing men in the high court with her good looks, while at the same time, making some dangerous enemies, including the Queen of France, Catherine de Medici. While Gabrielle believes her future is to become the powerful mistress of Henry of Navarre, the future king of France, she can’t hide her feelings for Nicholas Remy, a poor knight who loves Gabrielle, despite her faults. Gabrielle must decide whether to pursue money and power or to follow her heart.