"Girl On The Golden Coin" by Marci Jefferson~Gorgeous Debut

SUMMARY :

In 1660, the Restoration of Stuart Monarchy in England returns Frances Stuart and her family to favor. Frances discards threadbare gowns and goes to gilded Fontainebleau Palace, where she soon catches the Sun King’s eye. But Frances is no ordinary court beauty—she has Stuart secrets to keep and her family to protect. King Louis XIV turns vengeful when she rejects his offer to become his Official Mistress. He sends her to England with orders to seduce King Charles II and help him form an alliance with England. The Queen Mother likewise orders Frances to become her son's mistress, in the interest of luring him away from the Protestant mistress he currently keeps.
 

Armed in pearls and silk, Frances maneuvers the political turbulence of Whitehall Palace, but still can’t afford to stir a scandal, determined to keep her family from shame. Her tactic to inspire King Charles to greatness captivates him and the two embark on a tenuous relationship. Frances survives the Great Fire, the Great Plague, and the debauchery of the Restoration Court, yet loses her heart to the very king she must control. A startling discovery will leave her with no other choice but to break his heart, while the fate of England hangs in the balance.
 

In the tradition of Philippa Gregory, debut author Marci Jefferson brings to life a captivating woman whose beauty, compassion, and intellect impacted a king and a nation, in Girl on the Golden Coin.


PARTICULARS OF THE BOOK :

Published by:  St. Martin's Press/Thomas Dunne Books
Pages:  311
Genre:  Historical Fiction
Author:  Marci Jefferson
Website:  http://www.MarciJefferson.com


ABOUT THE AUTHOR :

 

MARCI JEFFERSON grew up in an Air Force family and so lived numerous places, including North Carolina, Georgia, and the Philippines. Her passion for history sparked while living in Yorktown, Virginia, where locals still share Revolutionary War tales. She lives in Indiana with her husband and children. This is her first novel.


THE BOOKISH DAME REVIEWS :

It's no secret that I enjoy a well-written historical fiction.  But, when I was asked to review this new one by an unknown author...a debut novel, I had my reservations.  Then, after just one chapter, I was hooked until the end.  Marci Jefferson is a wonderful author who sorts out time, carrying you off to another place and scene with all the aplomb of a seasoned historical fiction author.  I loved her book!

While we are taken up by the gorgeous courts of France and England during the Restoration Period, Marci creates an atmosphere alive in details.  The settings are splendid, and the costumes are finely described.  I'm an absolute fan of any book that does this sort of thing.  It sets me right down in the time frame and makes me see vividly the people within.  Perfection!

The characters Ms Jefferson carves out for us are just as detailed.  They are lively and spirited.  Frances Stuart is the girl/woman we all want to be...alluring, intelligent and beautiful...the center of two kings' attention.  The kings are wonderfully drawn in their own courts and times.  The period detail with these characters as centerpieces is such a joy to read.  It's difficult to highlight all my favorite characters here, as there are so many who were sensational.

Marci Jefferson's writing style is easy and fast paced.  She builds her plot swiftly,  holding our attention throughout the story.  I found it difficult to put the book away, and always enjoyed coming back to it.

Readers who pick up this book are going to discover a heartwarming novel, but also will find one full of fine details in history and in design and setting.  This is a treasure of a book.  Beautifully written...

I'm thrilled to be one of the early ones to introduce you to this new historical fiction author whom I feel certain will be high on our favorites list this year and in those coming!

5 stars                       Deborah/TheBookishDame

Below is a long list of other places you can read more about this book:

Marci Jefferson’s GIRL ON THE GOLDEN COIN Blog Tour

 

1/29 – giveaway, Devourer of Books: http://www.devourerofbooks.com/

1/31 – interview/giveaway, Literary, etc: http://literaryetc.com/

2/1 – review, A Bookish Libraria: http://abookishlibraria.blogspot.com/

2/3 – review, The Bookish Owl: http://thebookishowl.wordpress.com/

2/4 – review/giveaway, Writing the Renaissance: http://writingren.blogspot.com/

2/5 – interview, Writing the Renaissance: http://writingren.blogspot.com/

2/6 – interview, Between the Sheets/Heather Webb: http://www.heatherwebbauthor.com/category/blog/

2/7 – interview, Spann of Time: http://www.susanspann.com/

2/8 – review/giveaway, Passages to the Past: http://www.passagestothepast.com/

2/9 – review, Royal Reviews: http://theroyalreviews.blogspot.com/

2/10 – Picture This, SheReads: http://www.shereads.org/

2/10 – review/giveaway, The Lit Bitch: http://thelitbitch.com/

2/11 – review, Reading the Past: http://readingthepast.blogspot.com/

2/11 – interview/on-sale announcement, Enchanted by Josephine: http://enchantedbyjosephine.blogspot.com/

2/11 – Three Favorite Things, USA TODAY’S Happy Ever After: http://www.usatoday.com/blog/happyeverafter/

2/12 – review/giveaway, Enchanted by Josephine: http://enchantedbyjosephine.blogspot.com/

2/12 – review, Muse/Erika Robuck: http://www.erikarobuck.com/Blog.html

 2/13 – review, Unabridged Chick: http://unabridged-expression.blogspot.com/

2/13 – interview/giveaway/excerpt, Harlequin Junkie: http://harlequinjunkie.com/

2/14 – interview, Unabridged Chick: http://unabridged-expression.blogspot.com/

2/15 – review, Historical Fiction Obsession: http://historicalfictionobsession.blogspot.com/

2/16 – review, Lesa’s Book Critiques: http://lesasbookcritiques.blogspot.com/

2/17 – review/interview, A Bookish Affair: http://abookishaffair.blogspot.com/

2/18 – review, Let Them Read Books: http://letthemreadbooks.blogspot.com/

2/19 – interview, Let Them Read Books: http://letthemreadbooks.blogspot.com/

2/20 – review/giveaway, The Maiden’s Court: http://themaidenscourt.blogspot.com/

2/21 – review/giveaway, No More Grumpy Bookseller: http://nomoregrumpybookseller.blogspot.com/

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“Jefferson’s intoxicating first novel superbly draws readers into the mischief and maneuverings, loyalties and treacheries, and lust and hostility of powerful 17th century kings and scheming court sycophants…this is an exciting, solid debut.”

—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

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