I appreciate what she has done here so much. The pace of the dialogue is what makes scenes like the triumphant victory believable. Carroll has a dialogue pace that is remarkable. And I was with her every step of the way on this Phoenix Rising From The Ashes triumph over that trauma. I have earned the right to say that her portrayal of past violation and sexual trauma was absolutely spot on. I used to be a librarian and I'm ashamed to say I judged readers of romance, but no more. I had to look it up online to confirm genre. Then.I realized on page 70 that it was a romance novel. So I cranked out the first two to really concentrate on this one.

I knew I liked the historical references, but knew I needed to focus on this book especially because of the Downton-Abbey-esque attention to historical object detail. Took it home from the library where it sat until last on my list of 3. I didn't realize this was a romance novel when I selected it. With the lives of those she loves in peril, Gabrielle must rebel against her queen to fulfill a glorious destiny she has sacrificed everything to gain.Īlive with vivid period detail and characters as vibrant as they are memorable, The Courtesan is a sweeping historical tale of dangerous intrigues, deep treachery, and one woman’s unshakable resolve to honor her heart. She will also incur the malevolence of the Dark Queen, Catherine de’ Medici, whose spies and witch-hunters are legion, and who will summon the black arts to maintain her authority. But her plans are jeopardized by Captain Nicolas Rémy, a devoted warrior whose love Gabrielle desires–and fears–above all. As his mistress, Gabrielle hopes she might one day become the power behind the French throne. The consort of some of Europe’s most influential men, Gabrielle Cheney is determined to secure her future by winning the heart of Henry, the Huguenot king of Navarre. Skilled in passion, artful in deception, and driven by betrayal, she is the glittering center of the royal court–but the most desired woman of Renaissance France will draw the wrath of a dangerous adversary.

The Courtesan by Susan Carroll