Before Versailles: A Novel of Louis XIV

Koen, Karleen

3.8

2,889 ratings by Goodreads

9781441789891: Before Versailles: A Novel of Louis XIV

ISBN 10: 1441789898 ISBN 13: 9781441789891

Publisher: Blackstone Pub, 2011

Assuming the responsibilities of governing France after the death of his prime minister, Louis XIV embarks on a love affair with his sister-in-law, Henriette, triggering a scandal that is complicated by a finance minister's growing power and a mysteriousboy with an iron mask.

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Review:

"In this magnificently written and researched novel, Karleen Koen brings to vibrant life the early years and loves of the future Sun King."--Jean M. Auel author of "The Clan of the Cave Bear" & "The Land of Painted Caves
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"A baroque cornucopia spilling over with intrigue, passion, jealousy, ambition, and rich historical detail, "Before Versailles" offers a glittering glimpse of the crucial months that shaped Louis XIV into Europe's most powerful monarch."--Eleanor Herman, author of "Sex with Kings
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""Before Versailles" presents a grand yet intimate glimpse into the lifestyles of the rich and royal at the court of the young, virile King Louis XIV. Words to describe the cast of characters cannot do them justice: moral yet decadent; powerful yet endangered; larger than life yet completely human. But there is an apt word to describe Karleen Koen's latest novel: Brilliant!"--Karen Harper, author of "The Irish Princess
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""Before Versailles" captivated me from start to finish! With exquisite finesse, Karleen Koen weaves history and myth into a sumptuous portrait of young Louis XIV, his intrigue-laden court, and the passionate, ambitious, often dangerous women who loved him."--C.W. Gortner, author of "The Last Queen" and "The Confessions of Catherine de Medici
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"Following solidly in the footsteps of Dumas, Koen ("Dark Angels") reveals independent-spirited Louise to be a modern heroine in period costume, and, with her focus on the time just before Louis becomes the unrivaled Sun King, she finds the era ripe for intrigue and romance, not to mention possible sequels."--"Publishers Weekly
""[T]his is a powerful, rich telling of a few months in the life of King Louis XIV. How clever to pick these particular months when so much is changed. . . . It's enthralling, fascinating and wonderful story telling. Karleen Koen does it again. Can't go wrong reading anything of hers. Bravo!"--"Romance Reviews
""Rich with detail and action..."--"Libra

"A book for the lovers of French history. Love, lust, betrayal and intrigue.
" - Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell

" I have been a fan of Karleen Koen for many years since I read the first book Through a Glass Darkly and she did not disappoint me with this book. A historical fiction novel that will appeal to readers who love the genre. I thoroughly enjoyed it. " - Celtic Lady's Reviews

"I read this book on sunny afternoons during the summer with a tall glass of iced tea while I sat under the tree in the backyard. And once in a while, when the breeze blows I can almost imagine myself transported to Versailles as vividly described as it is in the book. The description of the characters and their setting is so colorful that I easily got lost in that world, immersed in the intrigues and machinations of court life. Just my kind of book for a summer escape!" - Found Not Lost

"This book is a veritable feast for anyone interested in 17th century France and its star, Louis XIV. " - Thoughts from Lady Tess

About the Author:

Karleen Koen is interested in history, particularly women's place in it. Love and hate, gender issues, and spiritual quests are themes she explores in her fiction. She lives in Houston and is also the author of Dark Angels and Now Face to Face. Her blog, called Writing Life, is at www.wordpress.karleenkoen.com.

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