BLOG TOUR - REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: The Sisters of Versailles by Sally Christie

The Sisters of Versailles (Mistresses of Versailles, Book One) 

by Sally Christie

Publication Date: September 1, 2015 

Publisher: Atria Books/Simon & Schuster 

Formats: Ebook, Paperback 

Pages: 432 

ISBN-10: 1501102966 

Genre: Historical Fiction

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Blurb

 A sumptuous and sensual tale of power, romance, family, and betrayal centered around four sisters and one King. Carefully researched and ornately detailed, The Sisters of Versailles is the first book in an exciting new historical fiction trilogy about King Louis XV, France's most "well-beloved" monarch, and the women who shared his heart and his bed. Goodness, but sisters are a thing to fear. Set against the lavish backdrop of the French Court in the early years of the 18th century, The Sisters of Versailles is the extraordinary tale of the five Nesle sisters: Louise, Pauline, Diane, Hortense, and Marie-Anne, four of whom became mistresses to King Louis XV. Their scandalous story is stranger than fiction but true in every shocking, amusing, and heartbreaking detail. Court intriguers are beginning to sense that young King Louis XV, after seven years of marriage, is tiring of his Polish wife. The race is on to find a mistress for the royal bed as various factions put their best foot - and women - forward. The King's scheming ministers push Louise, the eldest of the aristocratic Nesle sisters, into the arms of the King. Over the following decade, the four sisters:sweet, naive Louise; ambitious Pauline; complacent Diane, and cunning Marie Anne, will conspire, betray, suffer, and triumph in a desperate fight for both love and power. In the tradition of The Other Boleyn Girl, The Sisters of Versailles is a clever, intelligent, and absorbing novel that historical fiction fans will devour. Based on meticulous research on a group of women never before written about in English, Sally Christie's stunning debut is a complex exploration of power and sisterhood; of the admiration, competition, and even hatred that can coexist within a family when the stakes are high enough.

My Review

I don’t think that I can say enough great things about “The Sisters of Versailles” by Sally Christie. It has been awhile since I have read a book that I was unable to put down. A book where I became completely wrapped up in the character’s lives, and felt as though I really knew the characters intimately as I read. The author really brought this time period to life for me. I have read a few books that took place in France during the time of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, but this is the first book that I have read about the life of King Louis XV and his mistresses. In the books I have read where he has been mentioned, it has always been later in his life, when he was basically an old lecher. This novel gave me the chance to see him as he was as a young king, and also to get to “know” the women who kept him company outside of his marriage (and in the bedroom). It just so happened that out of five sisters, four ended up becoming his mistress, and any time one man has had relationships with four sisters, there is bound to be drama and intrigue. The author did an excellent job with regards to the conflict and the action within the story. One might think a book about a king’s mistresses might not have enough action to hold a reader's interest, but the author’s ability to describe the different sisters, and their extremely different relationships with the king, made the book impossible to put down. The sisters were all completely different people; from shy and naïve to loud and boisterous, all of these women had qualities that made them unique and interesting, especially to the king! I love that the author did not skimp on any of the sister's stories. Each sister has their own story with the king, and the author mad sure that each of their stories were interesting and exciting. I definitely feel more knowledgeable about this time period after reading this novel. I also felt that I was able to connect with each sister individually, though I did not necessarily like or agree with every sister’s actions, I do feel that I got to “know” them. The main characters are all complex and well-rounded, and for me to really enjoy a novel, I have to be able to connect with the main characters.

There is nothing negative to say about this novel, I loved it! I will definitely be looking for more novels by this author. This is a great work of historical fiction, but also has enough romance in it, without be raunchy, for those who enjoy historical romance. If only all the novels I read were as spectacular as “The Sisters of Versailles.” I wish I could get it more, but a FIVE out of FIVE stars will have to do!

ADVANCE PRAISE

“A stunning breadth of period detail, offered in a fresh, contemporary voice.” —Juliet Grey, author of the acclaimed Marie Antoinette trilogy 

 "Sally Christie's The Sisters of Versailles is an intriguing romp through Louis XV's France. Filled with lush backdrops, rich detail, and colorful characters, fans of historical fiction will enjoy this glimpse into the lost golden era of the French monarchy." – Allison Pataki, author of The Accidental Empress

AMAZON US | AMAZON CAN | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOKS-A-MILLION | CHAPTERS | ITUNES | INDIEBOUND | KOBO

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I'm a life-long history buff - and I mean life-long. One of the first adult books I read was Antonia Fraser's masterful Mary, Queen of Scots. Wow! That book just blew my little ten year old mind: something about the way it brought the past right back to life, made it live again on the page. I date my obsession with history to that time, but I'd been writing ("writing") ever since I was able to hold a pencil. If you'd told my 12-year old self that I'd not be a writer when I grew up, I would have laughed you out of the tree house. With a few detours along the way, to work overseas in consulting and development, as well as to go to business school, I've finally come full circle to where I think I should be. I currently live in Toronto and when I'm not writing, I'm playing lots of tennis; doing random historical research (old census records are my favorite); playing Scrabble, and squirrel-watching (the room where I write has French doors leading out to a deck; I avidly follow, and feed, a scruffy gang). For more information please visit Sally Christie's website. You can also find her on Goodreads and Pinterest.

BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE

Monday, September 14
Review at Reading the Past
Tuesday, September 15
Review at Book Lovers Paradise
Interview & Giveaway at Mina's Bookshelf
Wednesday, September 16
Review at Bookish
Thursday, September 17
Review at The Book Binder's Daughter
Friday, September 18
Review & Giveaway at The True Book Addict
Review at History From a Woman's Perspective
Saturday, September 19
Spotlight at Romantic Historical Reviews
Monday, September 21
Review at Leeanna.me
Tuesday, September 22
Spotlight at Historical Fiction Connection
Wednesday, September 23
Review & Giveaway at History Undressed
Thursday, September 24
Spotlight & Giveaway at Passages to the Past
Friday, September 25
Spotlight at Historical Readings & Views
Monday, September 28
Review & Giveaway at View From the Birdhouse
Tuesday, September 29
Review at So Many Books, So Little Time
Thursday, October 1
Review at Genre Queen
Review at bookramblings
Friday, October 2
Review at Curling Up By the Fire
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Review at Ageless Pages Reviews
Tuesday, October 6
Review at Just One More Chapter
Wednesday, October 7
Review at The Lit Bitch
Thursday, October 8
Interview & Giveaway at Reading Lark
Friday, October 9
Review & Giveaway at Historical Fiction Obsession

Giving away ONE PAPERBACK COPY of "The Sisters of Versailles"! 

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Giveaway ends 10/21/15