The importance of sons : chronicles of the House of Valois

Whose Son Will Be King? In 1491, France conquers Brittany. As part of the peace treaty, fifteen-year-old Duchess Anne must marry the young French king. Only her pride sustains her after she arrives in France, defeated, friendless, and homesick. Her principal duty as queen is to provide an heir. All France rejoices when Charles-Orland is born—except one woman. Countess Louise d'Angoulême resents the tiny, beguiling Queen Anne from the moment they meet. The countess is determined that her son shall reign. When the king sets off for Italy, his sights set on conquest, he appoints his sister as regent. Countess Louise, using her considerable skills for intrigue, grasps the opportunity to challenge the queen. Can Anne make a home for herself in her enemy's court? Can she befriend her husband's sister, who orchestrated the defeat of Brittany, and regain control of her beloved duchy? Can she protect her children from Louise's determination that her son will be the next king? And whose son will succeed to the throne? An irresistible tale of intrigue, rivalry and friendship filled with fascinating characters and a compelling plot. The Importance of Sons transports the reader back to the 15th century Brittany. The honourable and well-meaning Anne of Brittany is the leader of a defeated nation. To preserve a fragile peace for the sake of the country she loves, Anne must enter into a marriage of convenience with King Charles of France. Louise, Anne's rival, is consumed with envy and will stop at nothing to see her own son on the throne in place of Anne's heir. Riveting characters, well drawn and well-motivated, vie to preserve their wealth and power in the cutthroat politics of the royal court. Keira Morgan is an historian by education and a writer by instinct. She has a sharp ear for setting. The abundance of historical detail is captivating. The Importance of Sons is a delightful read from beginning to end. —Roberta Rich, Internationally bestselling author of The Midwife of Venice Trilogy Claude is queen in name only. Can she outwit her rival, win her husband to her side, save her sister, and assert her power? . . . Danger lurks beneath the glitter of the sixteenth century French court. The queen lies dying; the king has but months to live. Their two daughters, Claude and young Rene are heiresses to the rich duchy of Brittany. Countess Louise, their guardian, schemes to steal their inheritance. For years she has envied the dying Queen Anne, the girls' mother. She plots to marry wealthy Claude to her son. Her unexpected guardianship presents a golden opportunity, but only if she can remove their protectress Baronne Michelle, who loves the princesses and safeguards their interests. As political tensions rise, the futures of Princess Rene and the Baronne hang in the balance, threatened by Countess Louise's designs. Will timid Claude untangle the treacherous intrigues Countess Louise is weaving? Can she outflank the wily countess to protect young Princess Rene? And can she find the courage to defend those she loves?