The Sister Queen's by Sophie Perinot Review and Giveaway

SYNOPSIS

Like most sisters, Marguerite and Eleanor were rivals.  They were also queens.

Raised at the court of their father, Raymond Berenger, Count of Provence, Marguerite and Eleanor are separated by royal marriages--but never truly parted.

Patient, perfect, and used to being first, Marguerite becomes Queen of France. But Louis IX is a religious zealot who denies himself the love and companionship his wife craves. Can she borrow enough of her sister's boldness to grasp her chance for happiness in a forbidden love?

Passionate, strong-willed, and stubborn, Eleanor becomes Queen of England. Henry III is a good man, but not a good king. Can Eleanor stop competing with her sister and value what she has, or will she let it slip away?

The Sister Queens is historical fiction at its most compelling, and is an unforgettable first novel.

AUTHOR BIO

Sophie Perinot writes historical fiction. In Spring 2012 her debut novel, The Sister Queens, will be released by NAL. Set in 13th century France and England, The Sister Queensweaves the captivating story of medieval sisters, Marguerite and Eleanor of Provence, who both became queens – their lifelong friendship, their rivalry, and their reigns


Ms. Perinot has both a BA in History and a law degree. She left the law to pursue artistic interests, including writing. An avid reader, especially of classic literature, and life-long student of history, it seemed only natural that Sophie should write historical fiction. As someone who studied French abroad and a devotee of Alexandre Dumas, French history was a logical starting point. An active member of the Historical Novel Society, she has attended all of the group’s North American Conferences.

Active among the literary twitterati as @Lit_gal (a moniker she also uses at Agent Query Connect www.agentqueryconnect.com), Sophie is a regular contributor to the group writers' blog "From the Write Angle" http://goog_2004292005/com. Find her on facebook at www.facebook.com/sophie.perinot.author.

For more information, please visit Sophie Perinot's WEBSITE.  You can also find Sophie on her blog, Facebook and Twitter.

Link to tour schedule:  http://hfvirtualbooktours.blogspot.com/2012/02/sophie-perinot-of-tour-for-sister.html
Links for author Sophie Perinot:  WEBSITE | BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER
Twitter Event Hashtag:  #SisterQueensVirtualBookTour 

My Thoughts:

Eleanor and Marguerite of Provence, sisters who would be queens. Eleanor Queen consort of England and Marguerite Queen consort of France are the main characters of The Sister Queens by Sophie Perinot. Eleanor was  married to King Henry III in 1236 at the age of 13 and they had five children. Marguerite married the King of France also at the age of 13 and they had 11 children. The sisters were separated by marriage but had kept up with each other through their correspondence even though they were rivals.  They also had two other sisters, Beatrice and Sanchia who married brothers of King Henry and King Louis bonding the relationships between England and France which eventually led to the Treaty of Paris. 

Marguerite accompanied her husband on his first crusade and was instrumental with coming up with the monies to free King Louis and his men from the infidels....Eleanor was not especially popular with some of the barons in King Henry's court but she was a loyal and supporting wife to her husband. I love historical fiction and I have to say that this was another favorite. I have not read a lot about these two sisters so it was refreshing to read something different.  

Sophie Perinot tells a very compelling story of two very diverse but strong women. In the writing of this book, I could tell that there was extensive research into the lives of these two women and their families and they were portrayed as very real women who adored their children and would do anything to keep them safe and protect their heritage. I highly recommend this book to all lovers of England's history. 

Thanks to Historical Fiction Virtual Book tours for a copy of this book and I was not monetarily compensated for my review.

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