Tag: The Sister Queens
Discover My Novels with My 2021 Spring Book Trailer!
It’s SPRING AT LAST!!!! And time for springtime refresh on my book trailer.🌷🌷🌷
Voila! ENJOY . . .
If you are looking for a spring-time-afternoon-in-the-garden read and female-centered historical fiction is your passion . . . look no further than one of my novels!
MÉDICIS DAUGHTER—Visit the gorgeous palaces of the Loire valley while their gardens are in bloom with French Princess Marguerite de Valois. But be careful, Marguerite’s mother, Queen Catherine de Médicis is always plotting something . . . and a wrong move could be your last. Oh, and if you are invited to Marguerite’s wedding later this summer. . . you’d better dress for a massacre as well as dancing.
⚜ BUY LINKS FOR MÉDICIS DAUGHTER ⚜
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THE SISTER QUEENS—Spend part of your spring in Paris (is there anything better than springtime in Paris?) with Marguerite, Queen of France, then hop to England and join her beloved sister Eleanor Queen of England in the gardens at Westminster. Raised at the court of their father, the Count of Provence, Marguerite and Eleanor are separated by these royal marriages–but never truly parted. Marguerite is the more patient and perfect of the pair . . . used to being first. She wants to be a good wife and a good Queen, but her husband Louis IX is a religious zealot who denies himself the love and companionship his wife craves. Can Marguerite borrow enough of her sister’s boldness to grasp her chance for happiness in a forbidden love?
♔BUY LINKS FOR THE SISTER QUEENS ♔
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RIBBONS OF SCARLET—Have you ever felt like starting a revolution? You’re in good company. This spring Travel to 18th century Paris and meet seven amazing French women who fomented and fought in the French Revolution. RIBBONS is a breathtaking epic novel illuminating the hopes, desires, and destinies of princesses and peasants, harlots and wives, fanatics and philosophers—unforgettable women who leave their distinctive marks on one of the most tumultuous and transformative events in history. But if anyone offers you a ride in a Tumbril just say NO!
🎀 BUY LINKS FOR RIBBONS OF SCARLET 🎀
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Bookshop Org
All they want for CHRISTMAS is a Sophie Perinot Novel . . . THE 2019 HOLIDAY BOOK TRAILERS ARE HERE!!!
There are only 15 days left until CHRISTMAS! But don’t panic—GIVE BOOKS!
With THREE NOVELS to choose from I have something for every historical fiction fan on your list!!! And to help you chose, voila, my TRIO OF 2019 HOLIDAY BOOK VIDEOS.
First a quick overview of all three of my novels . . . .
So which will it be? Will you invite the wily and wicked Queen Catherine de Médicis home for the holidays with MÉDICIS DAUGHTER?
⚜ ⚜ PRAISE FOR MÉDICIS DAUGHTER ⚜ ⚜
A riveting page-turner skillfully blending illicit liaisons and political chicanery.”―Kirkus Reviews
This is Renaissance France meets Game of Thrones: dark, sumptuous historical fiction that coils religious strife, court intrigue, passionate love, family hatred, and betrayed innocence like a nest of poisonous snakes.” ―Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Huntress
Absorbing… an engrossing read.”―Publishers Weekly
⚜ ⚜ ⚜ Purchase MÉDICIS DAUGHTER ⚜ ⚜ ⚜ on AMAZON, at Barnes & Noble, IndieBound, or wherever books are sold
Or perhaps you have a sister (by blood or by choice) who would love a story of the power of sisterhood as embodied by two amazing medieval queens in THE SISTER QUEENS . . . .
♔♔ PRAISE FOR THE SISTER QUEENS ♔♔
In all of its colorful prose, deep and eccentric characters, and historical brilliance, this book can be summed up with one word: phenomenal. BRAVA!” —The Tulsa Book Review
THE SISTER QUEENS has it all… court life, balls, rivalry, politics, love and lust; with the added element of it seeming so real to the reader as though watching a film!” —Peeking Between the Pages
♔♔♔ BUY LINKS QUEENS♔♔♔ on Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, Indiebound or wherever books are sold
Or you can introduce a friend or family member to the bold, brave and too-often-forgotten women who were at the fore and the heart of the French Revolution with a copy of RIBBONS OF SCARLET. . .
🎀 🎀 PRAISE FOR RIBBONS OF SCARLET 🎀 🎀
HERstory at its finest” —Melanie Benjamin, New York Times bestselling author of The Aviator’s Wife
VERDICT Sure to appeal to devotees of historical fiction, feminists, and those looking for a stirring #metoo read.” —Library Journal
🎀 🎀 🎀 Purchase RIBBONS OF SCARLET 🎀 🎀 🎀 on Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, through IndieBound, or wherever books are sold.
Whichever novel you chose you will give someone a portal to the past–an adventurous trip full of intrigue, war and powerful women!
Happy Holidays readers! May Santa leave many many books under your tree!
Introducing My New Video: Discover the Novels of Sophie Perinot . . .
So readers, what do you think? Feedback gratefully welcomed. And if you love it–or loved either of my novels, Médicis Daughter or The Sister Queens–please share this video with your friends who are avide readers of historical fiction.
SCENES FROM THE WORLD OF THE SAVOYARDS: Chateau Chillon
he main characters in THE SISTER QUEENS, Marguerite and Eleanor, may have been the daughters of the Count of Provence, but much of their real power and attraction as royal brides lay in another family connection. These remarkable 13th century women were related through their mother to the house of Savoy. The Savoyards were celebrities in the High Middle ages—a family of considerable political and marital power, whose members were renowned for their personal attractiveness. People wanted to be like the Savoyards, and people (even kings and popes) wanted to be seen with them.
Eleanor had a particularly close connection with her Uncle Peter, Count of Savoy. In December of 1240 Peter arrived in England to advise and support his niece. Henry III of England took to Peter immediately and made much of him—eventually knighting him and granting Peter the Honor of Richmond.
From this point on Peter spent significant time in England, but ever a Savoyard, he did not sever his relationships with his native territory nor with his powerful brothers. Peter owned the legendary Chateau Chillon on the banks of Lake Geneva. He gained this stronghold—and with it control of the road from Burgundy to the Great Saint Bernard Pass and a fleet of ships on Lake Geneva—beginning in 1234 (when he and all the Savoyard brother’s met there upon the death of their father to negotiate a settlement which recognized Amadeus as the head of the house and allowed them to work together to the aggrandizement of all Savoyards rather than turning on each other and diminishing the house through infighting).
I first visited Chateau Chillon when I was 20 years old. It is a marvelously memorable fortress. Here today are some pictures of “Uncle Peter’s place” courtesy of my middle-child who (in her mother’s footsteps) was there today.
It is time for UN GRAND MERCI!!!
Today is the 5th anniversary of the release of my debut novel, The Sister Queens!
Over the past 5 years, YOU, THE READERS, have shown the novel a lot of love! You’ve also given is some great reviews—80% of Amazon reviewers have awarded The Sister Queens a 4-star or 5-star rating—reviews like like this:
THE SISTER QUEENS is historic fiction at its absolute finest. . . . In all of its colorful prose, deep and eccentric characters, and historical brilliance, this book can be summed up with one word: phenomenal. Brava!
~ The Tulsa Book Review
At it’s core, THE SISTER QUEENS is a book about sisterhood—specifically the bond between Marguerite and Eleanor of Provence. . .
Raised together at the 13th Century court of their father, Raymond Berenger, Count of Provence, Marguerite and Eleanor are separated by royal marriages—but never truly parted.
Patient, perfect, reticent, and used to being first, Marguerite becomes Queen of France. Her husband, Louis IX, is considered the greatest monarch of his age. But he is also a religious zealot who denies himself all pleasure—including the love and companionship his wife so desperately craves. Can Marguerite find enough of her sister’s boldness to grasp her chance for happiness in the guise of forbidden love?
Passionate, strong-willed, and stubborn, Eleanor becomes Queen of England. Her husband, Henry III, is neither as young nor as dashing as Marguerite’s. But she quickly discovers he is a very good man…and a very bad king. His failures are bitter disappointments for Eleanor, who has worked to best her elder sister since childhood. Can Eleanor stop competing with her sister and value what she has, or will she let it slip away?”
On this special anniversary I hope that all of my readers know how much it means to me that you took Marguerite and Eleanor to your hearts. Thank you, from the bottom of mine!
To celebrate the day in grand style I am offering a Sister Queens GIVEAWAY–Five (5) copies of the book (one each to 5 separate winners). See the rafflecopter below to enterm and perhaps share the giveaway with a friend or two who have yet to make the acquaintance of Eleanor and Marguerite.
Give the Gift of History and Adventure
Here we are, four days until Christmas. Personally, I am about to make one last run to pick up some missing gift items. How about you? Done for the season? Are you going to be giving books this year? Getting them?
Books were a go-to gift for me long before I wrote them. What’s changed is the excitement I feel when someone writes to tell me that they received one of my novels as a gift and loved it. So I guess I get a second Christmas out of my involvement with writing.
If you have a friend or family member who enjoys historical fiction, please consider sharing Médicis Daughter or The Sister Queens with them. Or share the video trailer below with your fellow historical-fiction aficionados. They may thank you and I CERTAINLY will.
Holiday Giveaway!!!
Ho, ho, ho, ’tis the season for a HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY
Would you like to win SIGNED COPIES of both of my historical novels to give as gifts (or to enjoy yourself)? NOW IS YOUR CHANCE.
There are multiple ways to enter daily from now until MIDNIGHT on Friday DECEMBER 9th. Here are a pair of videos you can share to earn a significant number of extra entries: A Hot Read for the Cold Weather or Celebrate Christmas with the Valois. But never fear, there are loads of other ways to enter as well! GOOD LUCK ALL!!!
A Handy Holiday Catalog of My Books for Giving [2016 Edition]
I am downsizing our gift-giving around here this year but that does NOT mean I am not buying books! SEVEN arrived this weekend alone. Some for stocking-stuffers, some to give friends who I think will enjoy them as much as I did.
In honor of CYBER MONDAY Barnes & Noble is running a 15% off your entire order promo (today only). The code is BNCYBER16 
If you’d like to give a little Perinot this season, here are the brief descriptions and links for my titles at both B&N (use that coupon code!) and Amazon. Of course the novels are also available at your neighborhood bookstore!
MÉDICIS DAUGHTER (B&N) (AMAZON)
Winter, 1564. Beautiful young Princess Margot is summoned to the court of France, where nothing is what it seems and a wrong word can lead to ruin. Known across Europe as Madame la Serpente, Margot’s intimidating mother, Queen Catherine de Médicis, is a powerful force in a country devastated by religious war. Among the crafty nobility of the royal court, Margot learns the intriguing and unspoken rules she must live by to please her poisonous family.
Eager to be an obedient daughter, Margot accepts her role as a marriage pawn, even as she is charmed by the powerful, charismatic Duc de Guise. Though Margot’s heart belongs to Guise, her hand will be offered to Henri of Navarre, a Huguenot leader and a notorious heretic looking to seal a tenuous truce. But the promised peace is a mirage: her mother’s schemes are endless, and her brothers plot vengeance in the streets of Paris. When Margot’s wedding devolves into the bloodshed of the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre, she will be forced to choose between her family and her soul.
THE SISTER QUEENS (B&N) (AMAZON)
Like most sisters, Marguerite and Eleanor were rivals. They were also queens.
Raised together at the 13th Century court of their father, Raymond Berenger, Count of Provence, Marguerite and Eleanor are separated by royal marriages—but never truly parted.
Patient, perfect, reticent, and used to being first, Marguerite becomes Queen of France. Her husband, Louis IX, is considered the greatest monarch of his age. But he is also a religious zealot who denies himself all pleasure—including the love and companionship his wife so desperately craves. Can Marguerite find enough of her sister’s boldness to grasp her chance for happiness in the guise of forbidden love?
Passionate, strong-willed, and stubborn, Eleanor becomes Queen of England. Her husband, Henry III, is neither as young nor as dashing as Marguerite’s. But she quickly discovers he is a very good man…and a very bad king. His failures are bitter disappointments for Eleanor, who has worked to best her elder sister since childhood. Can Eleanor stop competing with her sister and value what she has, or will she let it slip away?
A DAY OF FIRE (AMAZON)
Pompeii was a lively resort flourishing in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius at the height of the Roman Empire. When Vesuvius erupted in an explosion of flame and ash, the entire town would be destroyed. Some of its citizens died in the chaos, some escaped the mountain’s wrath . . . and these are their stories:
- A boy loses his innocence in Pompeii’s flourishing streets.
- An heiress dreads her wedding day, not knowing it will be swallowed by fire.
- An ex-legionary stakes his entire future on a gladiator bout destined never to be finished.
- A crippled senator welcomes death, until a tomboy on horseback comes to his rescue.
- A young mother faces an impossible choice for her unborn child as the ash falls.
- A priestess and a whore seek redemption and resurrection as the town is buried.
Six authors bring to life overlapping stories of patricians and slaves, warriors and politicians, villains and heroes who cross each others’ path during Pompeii’s fiery end. But who will escape, and who will be buried for eternity?
Book Trailer for THE SISTER QUEENS
Long before Marguerite de Valois walked the halls of the Louvre, another Marguerite was Queen of France. And her sister, Eleanor, was Queen of England. If you enjoyed Médicis Daughter, I would like to introduce you to The Sister Queens, my debut novel from a few years back . . .
Maundy Thursday in History and in my Books . . .
Today is Maundy Thursday. The final Thursday before Easter, Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper—the event which established the Holy Eucharist. Historically Maundy Thursday is associated with powerful figures washing the feet of the marginalized (a King might wash the feet of a pauper—see the stained-glass depiction below—and this year Pope Francis will wash the feet of a dozen refugees) as Jesus washed the feet of his disciples. Evidence of the rite of Pedilavium (the Church’s term for this ceremonial foot washing) goes back to very ancient times and is considered a joyous rather than a solemn ceremony. The word “Maundy” comes from Latin for “command” and refers to Christ’s commandment to his disciples to “love one another as I have loved you.” 
I cannot say when or why exactly I became slightly fixated on this particular religious observance, but Maundy Thursday makes multiple appearances in my work. It was included in the original draft of The Sister Queens (Louis, seen at the right, was a hugely penitent man who not only frequently washed the feet of the less fortunate but liked to eat the leftovers of meals consumed by his favorite leper). King Charles IX and Queen Catherine de Médicis observe the Lenten foot-washing tradition in Chapter 2 of Médicis Daughter. An occasion that finds a teenage Margot in no very good mood:
“Why do you pout?” My brother sidles up to me where I stand, watching Charles and Mother receive basins and ewers from the Cardinal de Bourbon. Nearby, a collection of Troyes’s paupers—mostly women and children—sit on a long bench, prepared to be the objects of royal Lenten piety.
“I did not realize I would be left out of some of the grandest ceremonies of the journey.”
Yesterday the King made a magnificent Entry into Troyes—riding beneath a canopy supported by dignitaries past elaborate set pieces and stopping to hear recitations of poetry written for the occasion. The residents of the city, from the wealthiest to the urchins roaming its streets, were permitted to witness it all. I was not. It seems the women of the court, even the Valois women, are not included in the proceedings that constitute a Royal Entry.
As for What’s Next . . . I can tell you this, Chapter 4 of my latest novel begins with a mumbled, “Last Supper” and Maundy Thursday marks some very dramatic events.