Before Versailles Review and GIVEAWAY!

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Before Versailles Review and GIVEAWAY!

I especiallly love this period of French history and with Louis XIV as my absolute favourite king, it was easy for me to dive head first into Before Versailles. First of all let me say that the research in this book must have been of the most meticulous! The juicy parts and descriptions that entail mystery and kept me fascinated were impeccable in accuracy. I loved reading about palace life and the very details of day to day- the glamour, the splendour of this time- truly sweeps you off your feet. Koen is master at doing this in Before Versailles.

Having read loads of history on this fabulous king, I must say that such a detailed look at the period and events in his life (taking place over only a few months!)- was practically like having been there myself-true indulgence! So much detail (history buffs and lovers of all that is French will be in heaven:)

There is so much to this book; an iron-masked boy; mystery, intrigue and somewhat of a love triangle. About that- there’s just something I had a little trouble with; Henriette’s character portrayal. Let’s just say that I’m more used to reading about her kindness and some frivolity- yes of course...but for the most part she is the darling of this period. It's really her husband that history rather portrays as being the all-around awful one with a deceiving and warped mind along with kinky male preferences. So I had some adjusting to do when it came to reading of Henriette as a little on the scandalous side. But since the book is so well researched, I will attribute this all-time party girl portrayal on the fact that the story takes place in such a brief time span. I should also mention that there were most tender and very touching moments where I got teary more than once..

So, not only is this book an absolute extravaganza into French history in all of its glory, the other thing that is for sure; Before Versailles has made me fall in love with Louis XIV even more! Awhile back I read Koen’s: Dark Angels and was absolutely enthralled by it- Well- apparently Before Versailles is its prequel. So, if you can, try to read both of these (I’m going to reread Dark Angels again for sure!) Talk about a mega dose of delicious Louis XIV.

Excellent!

Giveaway of this perfect French historical!!

To Enter please follow my blog and also get extra points every time you post on FB or Tweet about it- Blog Sidebar and posts too:)

Open to residents of USA and Canada only

Winner announced on July 25^th

Good Luck!

Go Check out what others have to say

Karleen Koen’s TLC Book Tours TOUR STOPS:

Tuesday, July 5th: 2 Kids and Tired Book Reviews
Wednesday, July 6th: Broken Teepee
Thursday, July 7th: The Bookworm
Friday, July 8th: Historical-Fiction.com
Monday, July 11th: In the Hammock
Tuesday, July 12th: Living Outside the Stacks
Wednesday, July 13th: The Maiden’s Court
Thursday, July 14th: Royal Reviews
Monday, July 18th: Unabridged Chick
Tuesday, July 19th: Enchanted by Josephine
Wednesday, July 20th: Laura’s Reviews
Thursday, July 21st: Historical Tapestry AND Adventures of an Intrepid Reader
Friday, July 22nd: Books Like Breathing
Monday, July 25th: Stiletto Storytime
Tuesday, July 26th: Hist-Fic Chick
Wednesday, July 27th: Life in Review
Thursday, July 28th: Reading, Reading & Life

25 comments:

Literary Chanteuse said...: AHHHH! I really want this one! Thanks!!!

Margaret
singitm@hotmail.com; July 19, 2011 at 8:17 AM
Unknown said...: I'm like Margaret, I really want this one. I placed the giveaway in my sidebar here, http://themusingsofabookjunkie.blogspot.com/

Thanks!
Allisonmharper@hotmail.com; July 19, 2011 at 8:34 AM
Linda said...: I've read Dark Angels and other novels by this author. I'd love to win this book. Thanks for the giveaway.
And I follow your blog through Google Reader.
lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com; July 19, 2011 at 9:05 AM
4everQueen said...: I believe my first post didn't go thru... Please count me in, thank you!
-Bella

Nunezbella at hotmail dotcom; July 19, 2011 at 10:51 AM
May said...: Hi Lucy- it's always so cheerful to see posts from you and I love your love of all things French and literary!; July 19, 2011 at 11:57 AM
Rachel said...: I'm a follower- thanks for the giveaway!

Rachelhwallen@gmail.com; July 19, 2011 at 12:48 PM
Carol N Wong said...: I am a follower and I tweeted;

http://t.co/YD60h61

Already put 'Dark Angels on my wish list. Really love well researched historical fiction and this period would be so great to read about.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com; July 19, 2011 at 1:20 PM
Amy said...: I am so excited about this book! Thanks for the giveaway! :-)
I am a follower.

Amy
tiger_fan_1997 AT yahoo DOT com; July 19, 2011 at 3:26 PM
Unknown said...: Thanks for the review and giveaway! I've been looking forward to this book for a couple months now...

I'm an old GFC follower.
tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/SusieBookworm/status/93463083149836288

susanna DOT pyatt AT student DOT rcsnc DOT org; July 19, 2011 at 4:32 PM
Marg said...: I am reading this at the moment and loving it! I haven't read Koen at all before so will definitely be reading more in due course!

No need to enter me into the contest.; July 19, 2011 at 4:56 PM
Unknown said...: No need to enter me. This was my first read of this king or this time period - surprised?! I am! It was so fascinating to dive into this world and these people. I to loved Dark Angels and hope to get the chance to re-read it again soon. Knowing that it was a sort of sequel, I was hoping to see Alice pop in at the very end, that would have made it perfect for me!; July 19, 2011 at 5:13 PM
Roberta said...: This book sounds lovely and I'd sure love to win this one ;) I'm off to post this giveaway on my sidebar. Fondly, Roberta
rlphilbr13@aol.com; July 19, 2011 at 5:54 PM
Roberta said...: Just added this giveaway to my sidebar: http://con-tain-it.typepad.com/love_shack_nonsense/

Roberta; July 19, 2011 at 5:59 PM
Roberta said...: Just tweeted this giveaway: http://twitter.com/#!/rlphilbr13

Roberta; July 19, 2011 at 6:02 PM
Martha Lawson said...: Sounds great! Please enter me for it.

old follower on gfc

mlawson17 at hotmail dot com; July 19, 2011 at 6:31 PM
BurtonReview said...: I loved this one. I can't wait to read her others, the writing was mesmerizing.; July 20, 2011 at 6:03 AM
Soft Fuzzy Sweater said...: Karleen Koen creates magic in all her novels. I can't wait to read her newest. PLEASE ENTER ME! I already follow you on email. I am tweeting and facebooking this giveaway as well. Thanks for this giveaway.

annfesATyahooDOTcom; July 20, 2011 at 9:01 AM
Amanda said...: Please enter me! I've heard great things about this book!

I posted on Facebook and tweeted @vegasbookgirl

Oh, and I follo you!

Thanks!
Amanda
libraryofmyown at gmail dot com; July 20, 2011 at 10:20 AM
Meg @ A Bookish Affair said...: I'm so anxious to read this book!

abookishaffair(at)gmail(dot)com; July 20, 2011 at 12:25 PM
Darlene said...: Please enter me in the draw!

I'm following you on GFC (Darlene), and my email address is darlenesbooknook at gmail dot com.

Thanks for the giveaway!; July 20, 2011 at 3:02 PM
Darlene said...: +1 for tweeting:

http://twitter.com/#!/DarleneBookNook/status/93803114997616640

My email address is darlenesbooknook at gmail dot com.

Thanks for the giveaway!; July 20, 2011 at 3:03 PM
Darlene said...: +1 for sharing on Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=186976538030348&id=100002541526103

My email address is darlenesbooknook at gmail dot com.

Thanks for the giveaway!; July 20, 2011 at 3:04 PM
Anonymous said...: What a fantastic review! I'm so glad you enjoyed the book!

Thanks for being on the tour. I'm featuring your review on TLC's Facebook page today.; July 21, 2011 at 10:36 AM
Laura's Reviews said...: Great review! I just was on tour for this book yesterday as well. I loved it and keep thinking about it!; July 21, 2011 at 12:23 PM
Taylor said...: I would love to win this book! I really want to read this! Thanks so much for the giveaway!

taylor_ward11@yahoo.com; July 22, 2011 at 6:35 AM