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In this historical adventure novel set in the fascinating, sexy, excessive, and dangerous world of Louis XIV’s court of Versailles, Jeanne du Bois, the daughter of a cruel and controlling comte, fights against an arranged marriage to a weak, ineffectual, effeminate man of her father’s choosing; she fights with a small, dedicated group of Musketeers to save the life of the Queen of France; and she fights for the true love of her life.
Click here to listen to Donna discuss THE COURTIER’S SECRET on the radio with Reading with Robin 920 WHJJ
"**** Four Stars. Morin debuts with a novel as opulent and sparkling as Louis XIV's court and as filled with intrigue, passion and excitement as a novel by Dumas. (A) feast for the senses..."
-RT Book Reviews
"Morin fills her tale with maidens, mistresses and musketeers mired in intrigue...supplying lots of action as Jeanne goes through quick costume changes, one minute a voluptuous virgin about to be raped, another a daring do-gooder, rapier in hand."
-Publishers Weekly
"This story was absolutely enchanting. I found this story to be refreshing and utterly exciting. Obviously a very talented writer, Donna Russo Morin has created magnificent characters that you cannot help but fall in love with; they are so vibrant and full of life. Donna Russo Morin has added a perfect amount of detail; no more and no less would have made this story any better. This is truly one of those stories that will stay in your heart long past reading the last page. I would recommend this book to everyone. I think men and women alike would get a great deal out of this story. Women would find that their hearts are set aflutter with the romance and the courage of this young woman fighting for what will make her happy, and men would smile with satisfaction at the action scenes and the honorable way some of the men were brought up to be.”
-Front Street Reviews
"The Courtier's Secret is Donna Russo Morin's debut book, and it is a wonderfully spun gem of a story. I found myself transported back to 17th century France, and life in Versailles. I find myself looking forward to reading this author's books in the future.”
-Jenny Salyers, Armchair Interviews
"The author has a very good knowledge of the time period, as well as a gift for prose. I like her writing style and her vocabulary. I couldn't put it down. There are several twists I wasn't expecting and that is rare in books I read...I'm giving this one 4 stars****!”
-Historical-fiction.com
"Filled with vivid imagery, delightful dialogue, and highly spirited characters, this page turner kept me up long into the night. Ms. Russo Morin's writing style is as smooth as fine cognac, while the story's plot rolls along like thunder across the French countryside."
-Steven Manchester, Author, The Unexpected Storm and Pressed Pennies
"Exquistely done...fabulous historical research...unforgettable characters! This debut novel by Donna Russo Morin is one of the most exciting and exquisitely penned pieces of genuine historical (with) romance I've read in a long time. Impeccably researched, one can easily become immersed in the hedonistic and promiscuous lifestyle that abounded in Versailles during the reign of Louis XIV. Ms. Russo Morin's prose and detailed research is pure brilliance and can easily be compared to some of the first ladies of the genre including the late Kathleen Woodiwess and Virginia Henley."
-Marilyn Rondeau, Reviewers International Organization
"Compelling…brings vividly to life the constrained life of the noble Frenchwoman, and wraps one rebellious girl's refusal to conform in historical detail a la Robert Louis Stevenson's The Black Arrow--with a twist. The heroine trapped in her era rises to the challenge of her life, and becomes fully dimensional, unforgettable in her desire to be more than her era allows."
-Allie Bates, author Earthchild
"Magnifique!! Donna Russo Morin's debut novel is a delightful dance through the decadent Louis XIV era. The Courtier's Secret is intoxicating! Russo Morin has done her homework-the story moves quickly as the reader zips through this well researched time period."
-Robin Kall, host Reading With Robin 920 WHJJ
THE COURTIER’S SECRET
February 2009
Jeanne's hand reached for her own helmet, but her uncle roughly pushed the protective device back down as he narrowed his eyes with a small, warning shake of his head.
"Are you all right? Are you harmed?"
Jeanne answered with her own shake, realizing that to expose her sex would be to reveal their activities and condemn them both.
"I'm fine," she said, forcing her normally low female voice two octaves lower.
"You were brilliant." A hand slapped Jeanne's shoulder so hard she stumbled two steps forward. Righting herself, she turned to the man behind her.
The golden-haired Musketeer stood with his hand thrust out in greeting. Without a word, Jeanne took it, only to find her arm pumped roughly and repeatedly.
"It would appear I owe you my life. I can not thank you enough." Keeping Jeanne's gloved hand in his, the young man made a deep bow. "I am at your orders, Monsieur."
Jeanne fought against years of training and instead of curtseying, dropped a small bow of her own. "It was my greatest pleasure," she said in her deep voice, almost laughing at the truth of the statement. The thrill of the fight thrummed loudly in her veins and her head buzzed from the surge of power she had experienced for the first time. Jeanne felt her uncle's intent stare as he stood stiffly by her side, but refused to look his way, even as he shook hands with the Musketeer, accepting the younger man’s gratitude.
"Do you train to be a Musketeer?" The soldier asked.
"It has always been my greatest desire," Jeanne replied huskily with complete and utter sincerity.
"Come, Henri, with must get these reprobates to the Bastille." The other Musketeer kept the two criminals in check by sword point and began to lead them back along the cement corridor.
"Oui, Antoine, I am right behind you." Henri raised a hand in acknowledgment but turned back to Jeanne. "To be a Musketeer is your wish, is it? Then I will make you my protégé. Meet us at the Café de le Oiseau tonight. I will buy you dinner and we will see what my friends and I can do for you. The Musketeers are always in need of a sword as talented as yours. Especially now it would seem."
With a rough, masculine cuff to Jeanne's shoulder, Henri made a quick bow and sprinted, sword still in hand, down the hallway, his majestic gray trimmed, royal blue tunic swaying as he went.
Jeanne and Jules stood together watching the cavaliers lead the criminals away. The drip of seeping moisture through a crack in the cement rang in the silence like the gong of a bell.
"You can not do this," Jules whispered, knowing his niece's thoughts all too well.
"I can and I will." Jeanne pulled off her headgear and threw it to the ground. Reaching up, she pulled all the pins out of her coiffure, allowing her hair to fall in waves to just past her shoulders, the loose chocolate brown curls twirling around her face.
"All the young chevaliers wear their own hair, not the periwigs." She turned to face Jules with hands firmly planted on her hips. "How many times have I heard that when I wear my hair down, all I would need is a mustache to look just like Raol?" Jeanne insisted, referring to her older sibling.
"Oui, oui," Jules stammered, "but--"
"No buts, mon oncle, not this time, please." Jeanne grabbed the befuddled man by both shoulders. "If you love me, you will find me a mustache.
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