Rozsa Gaston

A historical fiction biography of Renaissance ruler Margaret of Austria.

Governor of the Netherlands and Early-16th-Century Europe's Greatest Diplomat

Margaret of Austria

Passion and Politics in Late Medieval France: the Story of Anne of Brittany's Marriage to Charles VIII

Anne and Charles

Paris Adieu is a coming-of-age tale of life lessons, romance, and self-empowerment all wrapped in the sights, sounds, and smells of Paris. The first time Ava Fodor visits Paris as a nineteen-year old au pair, she has no idea who she is. Paris introduces Ava to the type of woman she'd like to become. Her French boyfriend introduces her to the concept of being comfortable in her own skin. She's intrigued. If only she knew how... When she gets into Yale, she returns home, but four years later she's back for an encounter with a Frenchman that awakens her to womanhood. If only she could stay... Five years later, Ava returns to Paris as a singer/pianist. She meets Arnaud, a foreign correspondent, who captures her heart, but tortures her with long absences. While he's away, she throws herself into songwriting where she achieves an authenticity she doesn't feel onstage. With the help of Arnaud's childhood friend Pierre, who appreciates Ava's original songs in a way Arnaud doesn't, Ava takes the reins of her own future. Armed with the lessons Paris has taught her, she bids adieu to Arnaud, Pierre and her very first love-the City of Light. But will the one man who truly understands her follow?

Paris Adieu

In 1501, Anne of Brittany devises the perfect match for her only child by Louis XII, King of France. Their daughter will become the most powerful woman in Europe if she marries the future Holy Roman Emperor. But Louis balks. Instead, he wishes her to marry his successor. How else to keep his own bloodline on the throne? Anne is incensed. Why should her daughter not rule Brittany one day as her successor? Better to be a decision maker as ruler of Brittany, where women are not forbidden to rule, than only to sit next to France's future king as queen-consort, bereft of political power. Anne wants Louis to stay out of Italy, but Louis is determined to gain a foothold there for France. Joining Ferdinand of Spain in a secret pact to partition southern Italy, Louis soon discovers, with devastating results, the age of chivalry is over. As lovers, Anne and Louis are in accord. As rulers, their aims differ. Who will prevail? Book Three of the Anne of Brittany Series brings alive Anne of Brittany's story to modern readers in an accessible and historically accurate way. This late medieval to early Renaissance ruler of Brittany provides a strong role model to women in leadership positions today. A rigorous proponent of the education of women, Anne of Brittany was also one of Europe's biggest patrons of the arts, largely responsible for bringing the Italian Renaissance to France and to Brittany, which was an independent realm during her lifetime, from 1477-1514. She is the only woman in history who was twice crowned Queen of France. Anne of Brittany's story should be included in any European historical fiction collection. The Anne of Brittany Series should be categorized with historical fiction works by authors such as Philippa Gregory, Alison Weir, and Antonia Fraser. Readers of Tudor history, in particular, will enjoy expanding their knowledge of historical figures in Brittany and France who ruled during the Tudor era. It is interesting to note that Anne of Brittany's father, Francis II, Duke of Brittany, provided shelter and support to Henry Tudor during his years of exile in Brittany before ascending the English throne in 1485, marking the start of the modern age. Brittany itself maintains a strong Celtic identity since the 8th century when it was settled by explorers from Wales and Cornwall.

Rulers and Lovers

Anne and Louis

A frolicking fun blend of Kay Thompson's old-world, New York elegance with scenes at the Stanhope and Algonquin hotels, and Pulitzer-winning novelist Teresa Carpenter's sultry romance sagas. -- Lee Daniels Laugh out loud at the heart-pounding misadventures of Hint and Jack as they search for the world's most adorable lost dog. When their friends take a cruise to Bermuda, strangers Hint Daniels and Jack Whitby are charged with looking after their dog. Then everything starts to go wrong . . . In the leafy New York suburb of Bronxville, Hint is supposed to hand Percy off to Jack on day five of the ten days their friends are away. But at the handoff, the dog ends up running away. Neither is willing to tell their friends the bad news that Percy is missing. Instead, they spend five frantic days desperately searching for the Schnoodle, with wildly different ideas on how to go about it. Between Jack's heavy-handed approach and Hint's otherworldly style, their personalities clash. Before long they're bickering furiously, even as romantic sparks fly. Will Percy show up before his owners do? And what surprising discovery will Hint and Jack make while looking for him? Just want to remove yourself from life's stresses? This book will take you there.

A Man, a Woman, and a Schnoodle

Dog Sitters

Nicole Saint Sylvain serves at the court of Anne of Brittany, Queen of France, in 1497, at age 15. Working alongside horse trainer Philippe de Bois, she shows skill at diagnosing horses' ailments with her sense of touch. Soon she has fallen in love, but not with the man her father has chosen. Duty pulls Nicole and Philippe in different directions but two years later when the Queen's infant falls ill, she asks Nicole to help save her. If she can, will the Queen grant her her heart's desire?

Love and Duty at Anne of Brittany's Court

Sense of Touch

The fourth and final book of the Anne of Brittany Series, Anne and Louis Forever Bound covers the final years of Anne of Brittany's marriage to Louis XII of France from 1508-1514.

Anne and Louis Forever Bound

Publishers Weekly says "The traditional healing properties and beauty of the thermal spa baths...are the true stars of this thoughtful romance." Two strangers, both recovering from loss, discover each other against the bewitching backdrop of Budapest's thermal spa baths. New York businesswoman Kati Dunai travels to Hungary's capital to settle her father's estate as quickly as possible, so she can return to work. But when she steps into the bubbling warm waters of her hotel's thermal baths, the constraints of her New England background melt away. Kati surrenders to pleasure in Budapest's sensuous waters as she begins to discover the life her father left behind when he fled the city of his youth in the days following the 1956 Hungarian Revolution. Jan, a Dutchman staying at the same hotel, is instantly smitten. As the two grow closer while exploring Budapest, Kati learns that Jan is struggling to heal from scars, both inside and out. A terrible accident has left him recovering from injuries, but it's another's pain for which Jan cannot forgive himself. All too soon, Kati must return to her hectic Manhattan life. Can Kati and Jan's fledgling love survive the challenges of a long-distance relationship?

Budapest Romance

Winner of the General Fiction category of the Publishers Weekly 2018 BookLife Prize, Anne and Louis is the story of the early years of Anne of Brittany's marriage to Louis XII, King of France. Book Two of the Anne of Brittany Series, of which Anne and Charles is Book One.

Passion and Politics in Early Renaissance France

"A romance and an interesting novel about a little-known French queen...a striking story of heartache and forbidden love, of women in the 15th century French court, who fought with passion and determination for what they wanted."--Historical Novel SocietyA gripping tale of two lovers at Anne of Brittany's court, duty-bound to part, their only hopes of happiness pinned to a queen's promise.In July of 1497 Anne of Brittany, Queen of France, gives birth to a son. Within hours the child joins the five dead siblings who came before him.In the mournful weeks that follow, fifteen-year-old Nicole St. Sylvain meets Philippe de Bois, a young horse trainer breaking in one of the queen's stallions. The attraction between the two is immediate, but duty and honor bring their romance to an abrupt halt. They work together to heal the horse's infected hoof, then part ways.As the daughter of a wealthy but untitled merchant, Nicole exists in a precarious social position. Her family has money, she is the sole heir, but she is only noble on her dead mother's side. An arranged marriage to an established noble family will secure her future but dash any hope she has of a life with Philippe.When the queen's only living child falls ill, she remembers Nicole's skill as a healer. If Nicole's healing sense of touch can save the royal child, will the queen reward her with the greatest desire of her heart--marriage to her one true love?

Rozsa Gaston

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