This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Heather Stockard for Readers' Favorite
The year is 1498. Anne, Duchess of Brittany and widow of the late Charles VIII, is deeply in love with Louis, the married king of France. While Louis is tied up in annulment proceedings, Anne returns to the duchy she inherited from her father but was not allowed to rule after her marriage to Charles. Anne is determined to claim her rightful place as sovereign of Brittany and ensure its continued independence. Her eventual marriage to Louis is happy but hardly smooth. Louis is not as easily manipulated as Charles was, and he and Anne frequently disagree on matters of state and family. Their main quarrel is that Louis will marry their daughter Claude to the young Francis, who stands to inherit the French throne if Anne cannot produce a son. That will spell the end of Brittany’s independence, for which Anne has fought so hard.
Anne and Louis: Passion and Politics in Early Renaissance France, the second book in Rozsa Gaston’s Anne of Brittany series, is well-written and thoroughly researched. Gaston expertly captures Anne’s personality and brings depth and nuance to her portrayal. She is at once haughty and vulnerable, loving and stern. She is a strong female character, but still very much a woman of her time. Gaston’s depiction of Anne’s relationship with Louis is realistic and interesting. Set in the glittering French court, this book is filled with complex characters and fascinating historical figures such as Cesare Borgia and Machiavelli. It is sure to please any lover of history and romance.
