The Queen and the Courtesan

December 15, 2011
It is only a matter of time before Henriette d'Entragues becomes the next queen of France. At least that is what Henriette initially believes. After all, Gabrielle d'Estrees, Henrietta's only real competition for King Henry IV's favor, has just died, and Margot, the current queen, is more than willing to grant Henry a divorce. Henriette even has a signed document from Henry promising that once she gives birth to his first son, she will become queen. Henriette quickly discovers that document isn't worth the paper on which it is written when Henry bows to political pressure and marries Italian princess Marie de Medici. Still, a promise is a promise, and Henriette will do whatever it takes to wrest the crown from that Italian upstart and assume the throne that is rightfully hers. It's the ultimate battle royal in the latest passion-rich installment of Lightfoot's French historical series as two completely different and equally fascinating protagonists fight for feckless Henry IV's love.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)