The Sun King, Louis XIV of France, was a man that was used to getting what he wanted, and he wanted the most beautiful, buxom blonde in the land, Athénaïs. Never mind that Athénaïs was very much wanted by her own husband, Louis-Henri. Poor Louis-Henri, he was desperately in love and doomed for failure (It's not easy going up against a man called, 'The Sun King' you know).
Gallic books has published Monsieur Montespan (the story of poor Louis-Henri, his wife Athénaïs, and her sugar daddy, Louis XIV) and have sent me a copy so that I may read it and tell you what I think. Well I think it's a fantasticly bawdy, naughty, romp of historical fiction (if you like that sort of thing, and I do). In the words of Gallic Books:
The Marquis de Montespan and his new wife, Athénaïs, are a true love-match- a rarity amongst the nobility of seventeenth-century France. But love is not enough to maintain their hedonistic lifestyle, and the couple soon face huge debts. When Madame de Montespan is offered the chance to become lady-in-waiting to the Queen at Versailles, she seizes this opportunity to turn their fortunes round. Too late, Montespan discovers that his ravishing wife has caught the eye of King Louis XIV. As everyone congratulates him on his new status of cuckold by royal appointment, the Marquis is broken-hearted. He vows to wreak revenge on the monarch and win back his adored Marquise.
The author, Jean Teulé has captured the essence of the period brilliantly in this historical novel full of all the things I like best about the genre; real figures, real events, eloquent pose, and descriptive imagery, all with a dash of 17th century naughtiness. And since I would like you too to have a chance to spend evenings curled up with a glass of wine and a bawdy, naughty, romp, I'm giving away three copies of Monsieur Montespan for your reading pleasure.
And I'm giving you three opportunities to win one of the three copies: 1st entry: What's your favorite book genre? Leave a comment telling me. 2nd entry: Be a follower and let me know by leaving a comment. 3rd entry: Like me on Facebook and leave a comment to let me know that you like me (I want you to like me).
To recap:
1 comment for one entry.
2 comments for two entries.
3 comments for three comments.
It's that simple.
(oh and contest closes Saturday 5th March,
and winner will be picked on Sunday)
(oh and contest closes Saturday 5th March,
and winner will be picked on Sunday)
I enjoy history, factual or fictional.I am a follower and did the FB thing. Can I get a fourth entry for disliking NGZs?
ReplyDeleteI am in LOVE with historical fact. LOVE! And I am a follower, but I too do not have a FB account. Okay, I have a fake FB account so I can follow some swanky stores in my area, but otherwise do not do the book of the face. Am I still in?
ReplyDeleteMy favorite book genre is science fiction!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy Canadian fiction, not beacuse it is better than other countries, but there is only so much time to read and I like to support my Canadian authors.
ReplyDeleteAnd I follow you....
ReplyDeleteI like mystery- it keeps me in suspense. I've never read historical fiction before, so maybe this book will be a great start ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm a romantic, a real softie - anything that gives me a warm squishy feeling as I read it! I also like to learn something every now and then!
ReplyDeleteI also 'LIKE' you on FB!
ReplyDeleteand Follow you here and for a bonus point link to you from the Links page on my site!
ReplyDeleteI already liked you on FB and now I am following you. :)
ReplyDeleteAs for genre, Book in English ;)
ReplyDeleteSeriously though, now that I have my Kindle, I love all books! Not a huge Sci-Fi fan but I have read a couple that aren't too bad.
i like fiction. and weird science books that explain life. strangggge. but i love reading!!
ReplyDeleteI'm a follower! of course Sara (:
ReplyDeleteMy favorite book genre? Historical romance, hands down. And oh, Louis!! What wonderful furniture you had! I'd give my eye's teeth for a roll-top secretaire from that era.
ReplyDeleteAm really into the nonfiction travel books right now - comes in phases.
ReplyDeleteOf COURSE I'm a stalker! Oops - I mean follower!
ReplyDeleteAnd of COURSE I like you on facebook - The crazy Valerie with the wine glass in her hand - yep, that's me...
ReplyDeleteHmmm...favourite genre...that's a tough one.
ReplyDeleteI think I like non-fiction the best. But I read just about anything that sounds interesting, really - From Harry Potter and Hunger Games to Memoirs of a Geisha and Eat, Pray, Love.
I am a devoted follower of yours from way back...and loving every minute of it
ReplyDeleteI never knew you had a FB page, but I have totally liked it!
ReplyDeleteHistorical fiction tends to be my favorite. Though there are lots of non-fiction things I like, just depends on the subject.
ReplyDeleteAnd of course I'm a follower and FB liker. How could I not be?!
Okay, so this sounds like an amazing, amazing book! I really like historical fiction, and need to get more into it.
ReplyDeleteI love fiction, but I don't know how to categorize my tastes more specifically. I also read way too many children's books, with my job and everything.
Ahh, crossing my fingers on this one!
I'm also a follower of your amazing blog! :)
ReplyDeleteAh, historical fiction is always a fascinating afternoon. Monsieur Montespan sounds as if it will also need a glass of French wine (maybe, La Gramiere) in hand!
ReplyDeletei like historical fiction and factual books.
ReplyDeletei already follow you & have liked you on FB
ReplyDeleteI love historical books and biographies, as well as historical fiction. Anything I can get my hands on, I love history!
ReplyDelete2.) I'm already a follower!
3.) I liked you on FB!
1. I'm a huge historical fiction reader. I just got done reading about Katherine, the first queen of Henry VIII.
ReplyDelete2. I've been following you for a few months
3. You're officially liked on Facebook by me!
1) historical fiction or whodunit
ReplyDelete2) Of course, I follow the lovely Sara, Fifty, the husband and all the Honeys!
3) opps, didn't know you had a page. Will have to look for it.
What a generous giveaway! thanks
My favorite book genre is "Fast-Read" This looks like one. GIVEITTOME! : )
ReplyDeleteAlready a follower. You know this. GIMME.
ReplyDeleteWheeee, a giveaway! I'll read just about any genre, as long as it's a good book.
ReplyDeleteI Love fiction books, but then autobiography's too!
ReplyDeleteso much to read so little time!
xxx
I liked, followed and FB'ed you - so that's 3 entries then? :)
ReplyDeleteI love historical fiction! I am addicted :)
ReplyDeleteI also follow on google :)
I love giveaways!!! I am a follower and I love reading the classics :)
ReplyDeleteI'm already a follower...so...beach reading is usually crime novels, and I love historical fiction...things like Pillars of the Earth. One of my favorite books of all time was, believe it or not, Clan of the Cave Bear. There! I'm entered!
ReplyDeleteI love mysteries;). I'm a follower. And like you in fb too! Yehey!
ReplyDeleteI heart historical fiction, esp. WWII stories. I'm following and a FB fan :)
ReplyDeleteHi Sara, I'm a follower and my favourite genres are mystery, historical fiction, adventure, fantasy... and probably some other ones but I can't think of them at the moment. =)
ReplyDeleteI love to read about France or anything French:)
ReplyDeleteI am a follower!! I love to read anything about France or the French!!
My favorite genre of books is historical fiction. I love getting lost in them!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm a follower!
ReplyDeleteAnd I "like" you on facebook!
ReplyDeleteHey! I follow you on here! :)
ReplyDeleteHey! I like you on facebook!
ReplyDeleteHey! I like books! My favorite genre is dark humor and/or beatnik!
ReplyDeleteI love historical fiction. :)
ReplyDelete