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This & That June 2019 Not Your Average Fairytale
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When she was eighteen years old, Consuelo was made to marry a man that she did not love. Though pressured into a marriage she wanted no part of, Consuelo tried to make the best of it. As the years wore on, the marriage fell apart. Consuelo was determined to make her own happiness. So, she moved out of the beautiful Blenheim Palace and into an abode in London. Though, their separation and divorce did cause scandal, Consuelo wanted happiness above all. When she runs into an old acquaintance, she realizes that she may have found it.
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A novel of Isabella of Castile by C. W. GortnerAfter the death of her father, Isabel, her mother, and young brother flee to Arevalo, to escape her dreaded older brother, Enrique. When she is old enough, Isabel rejoins the court. Though she tries to make a relationship with Enrique, he seems determined to use her for his own purposes. This Isabel will not allow. Isabel is determined to control her own destiny. After hearing that Enrique wishes her to marry, Isabel seizes her only chance at happiness before her brother can act. Her happiness is short-lived however. For the man she married has a "wandering eye".
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The Kennedy Debutante by Kerri Maher She was the irrepressible sister of JFK. Kathleen "Kick" Kennedy was a force of nature. Though she tried to follow her family's wishes, Kick was a spirit with her own plans and dreams. After she meets William, a man affectionately called Hart, she realizes that she has met her prince. When Hart dies, a part of Kick dies with him. Though she struggles to carry on, she eventually finds love again, only for disaster to strike.
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The accidental Empress by Allison Pataki After receiving an invitation to go to the imperial retreat, Ludovika packs up her daughters, Helene and Elisabeth with the intent to betroth Helene to the emperor. But, when they arrive and meet the emperor and his mother, it is not Helene who has peaked Franz's interest, but Sisi. Almost completely against her will, Sisi finds herself falling for Franz. Though there are protests, neither Franz nor Sisi will hear it. At first, their marriage seems wonderful, but the fairytale slowly falls apart due to Sisi's youth, inexperience, and an interfering mother in law.
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The Heretic Queen by Michelle Moran Nefertari was the last member of the "Heretic's family" to survive the upheaval that occurred after Akhenaten died. The new heir, Ramses, seems determined to woo her despite his family's misgivings about her checkered past. Realizing that various factions at Court wish to keep them apart, Nefertari decides to leave and hide away, to learn what it means to actually be a princess and consort fit for the man she wants. Once her mentors are satisfied with her progress, Nefertari is allowed to return to Court, but she wonders if Ramses will still want her like she wants him?
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The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory Mary is a bright eyed girl newly come to Court. Newly wed to a courtier rising through the ranks, Mary is excited with the new world around her. As her feelings for her husband slowly begin to warm towards affection, she catches the eye of the king. Suddenly, Mary realizes what love is like and cannot get enough. Once she gives the king two children, her affection for the king wanes. After her husband dies, Mary suddenly finds herself a widow with two children. She is still a young woman, a beautiful, young woman. Her final chance at happiness comes knocking and Mary decides to follow her heart.
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The Forgotten Queen by D. L. Bogdan Margaret was the young daughter of the first Tudor king. When a teen, she is sent into the wilds of Scotland, to marry the much older king, James. He sweeps her off her feet, but leaves her a widow with a young babe to look after. The clouds start to depart when she meets Archibald Douglas, a youth whom chases Margaret with abandon. As their affair turns to matrimony, Margaret's world falls apart as the men sworn to be her council turn on her for her choice of husband. Will Margaret survive the brutal Scots Court?
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That Churchill Woman by Stephanie BarronWhen Jennie met Randolph, a fire was ignited inside of her. Though he did not have the title that her parents wished for her, the couple wed. Jennie was not a woman to be tamed. She had numerous admirers and suitors, but her heart belonged to her husband and children. Many things were said about Jennie, but the word least used was loyal. But, she was loyal, especially to those that mattered to her. When Randolph falls ill, Jennie stands by him, even as his symptoms worsen. The dreaded malady slowly takes his sanity, but Jennie refuses to walk away as the man she fell for, is robbed of himself by syphilis.
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Confessions of Marie Antoinette by Juliet Grey When Antonia is a teenager, she is sent to France to marry the heir to the throne. Louis and Antonia are complete opposites. Sometimes, opposites attract, other times they do not. As the conditions of the country worsen, the populace seek a scapegoat. They blame the Queen, for rumors spread about her spendthrift ways and apathetic attitude towards them. Though, the marriage did not start out prosperous, Antonia proves to people that she is not the woman that they were led to believe her to be. As revolution erupts, Antonia proves her love and loyalty by staying by Louis's side.
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The Rivals of Versailles by Sally Christie Louis XV was a man of many tastes, including beautiful women. Though he had a Queen, Louis decided it was time to acquire a mistress. One of his most famous mistresses was Madame de Pompadour. Jeanne came from the middle class. When she was a little girl, she was told that one day she would be Queen. In a way it did come true after she met Louis. She was one of his most trusted and loved mistresses. As time wore on, Jeanne realized that she could no longer perform the traditional duties of mistress, but she continued to be an influential advisor and friend to Louis.
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The Wild Princess by Mary Hart Perry Louise was a daughter of one of the greatest monarchs to grace the Earth, but she was not one to follow rules. Despite living in the stiff Victorian Era, Louise was determined to live by her own rules, especially when it came to love. No prince or duke for this princess. Louise wanted more and was determined and stubborn enough to fight for what she wanted. Though she could have her pick of any man with a title, Louise picked a man who was considered common. It was true love. Despite the hardships that came their way, Louise and John truly loved one another.
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Lady of the English by Elizabeth ChadwickAfter the death of her husband, Matilda is summoned home to England, for what she does not know. But, she knows her father and that he most likely has a plan up his sleeve. Though, her feelings are completely disregarded, she knows that she must do her duty. Matilda goes home to marry a man who is not like her dear, departed first husband. Her stepmother, Adeliza, tries her hardest to give her husband an heir, but to no avail. After the king dies, Adeliza finds happiness in the arms of another.
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Elizabeth I by Margaret George Elizabeth was not the adored daughter of a monarch. When Anne Boleyn gave Henry a girl instead of the son he so desired, his disappointment was palpable. Despite trying again and again, things fell apart between the two, and Anne's head ended up on the block when Elizabeth was two. Once rid of his wife, Henry sent his baby daughter to the countryside, hopefully forgotten. Elizabeth's childhood was a mostly happy, idyllic one with few ruffles. But, after the death of her beloved brother and the ascension of her older sister, she realizes that she is now heir until Mary gives England an heir. The sisters' relationship is tenuous at best for Mary knows that people prefer her sister rather than herself. After defying the odds, Elizabeth finally attains the throne, but what will it cost her to keep it?
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Queen Hereafter by Susan King After surviving a shipwreck, in order to maintain safety, Margaret is given in marriage to the Scots king, Malcolm Canmore. Though, Malcolm is rough and ready and Margaret is sophisticated, a relationship blossoms between the two. When Malcolm brings home a Celtic bard, who is intent on betraying him and Margaret, their relationship is tested, as is the Queen.
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Four Sisters, All Queens by Sherry Jones Margaret, and her sisters have a wonderful existence in Provence, France, but opportunity comes knocking when the sisters are of age to wed. Though, each makes a match with a man that comes to make them happy, danger lurks behind the crowns they wear in the form of jealous lovers and rivals, that threaten not only the happiness of their respective unions, but their very lives themselves.
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The Price of Blood by Patricia Bracewell Emma was twice Queen of England. The first man she married turned out to be a cowardly frog. As things take a turn for the worst, Emma realizes that her first priority is her child, whom she must protect, even if it is from the man she truly loves. When Vikings invade and safety is threatened, everyone's loyalty and endurance is tested.
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The Tsarina's Daughter by Carolly Erickson Tatiana was one of the beloved daughters of the last Tsar of Russia. Her life was a fairytale with endless laughter, light, and love. Then, her father began to lose control of the country. When revolution engulfs Russia and her family, Tatiana is the only one to survive. She runs away to the West, to America and to a new life, where she hides her past. Tania forms a new identity, hoping that no one ever discovers who she really is.
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Once in a beautiful and majestic land, there lived a king named Ahasuerus, who was wed to a wonderful woman named Vashti. She obeyed her husband in all things until one evening during a party, something happened, and Vashti stood up to her husband the king. Angry at her behavior, Ahasuerus cast her aside and sent out a proclamation asking for eligible maidens to come to Court. He wished to find another wife. He enjoyed the company of a young woman named Esther. She was made his new queen, but their happiness was threatened by an arrogant advisor, who found out the truth about Esther.
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The story of Anne of York by Jean PlaidyAnne Neville was the beloved daughter of Warwick, the kingmaker. After her father's death, Anne finds herself at the mercy of her cruel husband and his wily mother. She begins to wonder what will become of her. After her in laws are defeated by King Edward IV, Anne is given over to her sister and brother in law for protection, but George and Isabel are determined to keep Anne more as a prisoner than as a guest. Realizing that she must escape the bind she finds herself in, Anne appeals to the king's brother, Richard, whom she loves for help.
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My Dear Hamilton by Stephanie Dray Many people have heard of Alexander Hamilton, one of the men who helped forged the USA into a nation, but not many have heard of the woman who stood beside him. The daughter of a trusted general, Eliza was a beautiful woman with a promising future. She could have had any man, but she was intrigued by Alexander, a man with a checkered past. Blinded by her love for Alexander, Eliza begins to realize that he is not the man she thought he was when rumors reach her ears of his sordid past. When she finds out the truth, Eliza wonders if her marriage is strong enough to withstand the storms that seem to constantly barrage it.
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Theodora by Stella Duffy She grew up in the slums of Constantinople as a the daughter of a bear tamer. When her father unexpectedly dies, the family is thrust into poverty. Her mother remarries, but their fortunes do not improve. Theodora takes to the streets to support herself. After acquiring a patron, her future seems secure until an eventual falling out sends Theodora back out into the streets. Realizing that her life is not the life for a child, she goes on pilgrimage and is cleansed for her past sins. After finding the peace within herself, she meets the man who will change her future and her life.
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