Anne and Louis: Rulers and Lovers
by Rozsa Gaston
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Pub Date 12 Dec 2019 | Archive Date 15 Jun 2020
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Description
Anne and Louis: Rulers and Lovers is the stand-alone sequel to Anne and Louis, General Fiction Winner of the Publishers Weekly 2018 BookLife Prize.
Anne of Brittany meticulously orchestrates the perfect match for her only child by Louis XII, King of France. Her daughter will become the most powerful woman in Europe by marrying the future Holy Roman Emperor.
But when Louis abandons her wishes in favor of having their daughter marry his successor, Anne soon finds herself locked in a political struggle with the fate of Europe hanging between them. Things only get worse when Louis hatches a plan to conquer southern Italy.
Anne orders him to stay away from Italy, but Louis is determined to gain a foothold there for France. Joining Ferdinand of Spain in a secret, devious pact to divide southern Italy between them, he plans to secure glory for France and expand his empire. But with rivals on all sides and allies he can’t trust, Louis soon discovers that the age of chivalry is over…
As lovers, Anne and Louis are alive with passion. As rulers, they’re at each other’s throats. The future of Europe rests in their hands. Who will prevail?
Book Three of the Anne of Brittany Series of which Anne and Charles is Book One, Anne and Louis is Book Two.
A Note From the Publisher
Anne of Brittany was unique among French queens in twice being queen, having her own source of power and authority as duchess of Brittany, and exerting robust influence over her husband. Louis XII, the only king to receive the title of “Father of the People” from the Estates General in 1506, was among the best-loved French kings.
With this book, the third in a series on the life of Anne of Brittany, Rozsa Gaston makes a major contribution to English-language historical works on Louis XII and his queen. It covers the middle period of both Louis’s reign and their marriage, which were virtually concurrent. It presents them as secure in both authority and marriage, after complications of Louis’s succession to the throne and his prior marital problems and before the disappointments of their last years, in particular their failure to produce a son to succeed him.
Gaston’s well-crafted imagining of the private life of Anne and Louis is historical fiction, but one that is based on a solid foundation of historical fact.
—Frederic J. Baumgartner, author of Louis XII
Professor Emeritus of History, Virginia
Polytechnic Institute and State University
Advance Praise
“Fresh and original … Fast-paced and filled with marital drama and court intrigue, this book will please any lover of historical fiction.”—Publishers Weekly Booklife Prize
“In this engrossing volume of the Anne of Brittany Series, the author deftly recreates the complex political landscape of Europe … Her mastery of the historical period is superb, and her portrayal of the social nuances of the day painstakingly authentic. This is a delightful blend of historical rigor and dramatic entertainment, delivered in easily companionable prose.”—Kirkus Reviews
"A powerful historical read that requires no prior knowledge of the era or the preceding books in the series to prove satisfyingly engrossing to newcomers—even those who rarely read historical fiction.”—Midwest Book Review
“In this scintillating imagining of the private life of Anne of Brittany and her husband, French King Louis XII, Rozsa Gaston utilizes a solid foundation of historical fact to fashion a must-read for anyone interested in the French court at the turn of the sixteenth century and the life of a uniquely powerful woman of that era.” —Frederic J. Baumgartner, author of Louis XII, Professor Emeritus of History, Virginia Tech
“Gaston's evocative portrayal of Louis XII and Anne of Brittany as the ultimate royal Renaissance power couple is enjoyable and highly satisfying. Details on Anne de Beaujeu, Louise de Savoy, and Germaine de Foix provide a historically accurate glimpse of women who held political power in the first decade of 16th century France.” —Susan Abernethy, The Freelance History Writer
"An engaging glimpse into the world of the medieval French court.” —Tony Riches, author of The Tudor Trilogy
“Anne and Louis: Rulers and Lovers offers an intriguing insight into the life and times of Anne of Brittany and Louis XII of France. Realistic and vivid.” —Judith Arnopp, author of The Beaufort Chronicle
“A fascinating portrait of two complementary rulers with conflicting aims who steered France into the modern age. An engaging read from the very start.”—Claire Ridgway, author of The Anne Boleyn Files, Founder, UK Tudor Society
Marketing Plan
It is the intent of the Anne of Brittany Series to bring alive Anne of Brittany's story to modern readers in an accessible and historically accurate way.
This late medieval to early Renaissance ruler of Brittany provides a strong role model to women in leadership positions today. She has been largely overlooked due to French mistrust of her as a foreign queen who favored Brittany's interests over those of France. She is the only woman in history who was twice crowned Queen of France.
A rigorous proponent of the education of women, Anne of Brittany was also one of Europe's biggest patrons of the arts, largely responsible for bringing the Italian Renaissance to France and Brittany, which was an independent realm during her lifetime, from 1477-1514.
Anne of Brittany's story should be included in any European historical fiction collection. The Anne of Brittany Series should be categorized with historical fiction works by authors such as Philippa Gregory, Alison Weir, and Antonia Fraser. Readers of Tudor history, in particular, will enjoy expanding their knowledge of historical figures in Brittany and France who ruled during the Tudor era.
It is interesting to note that Anne of Brittany's father, Francis II, Duke of Brittany, provided shelter and support to Henry Tudor during his years of exile in Brittany before ascending the English throne in 1485, marking the start of the modern age. Brittany itself maintains a strong Celtic identity since the 8th century when it was settled by explorers from Wales and Cornwall.
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9781732589940 |
| PRICE | US$15.95 (USD) |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Drew B, Reviewer
Ann and Louis: Rulers and Lovers is the third in Rozsa Gaston’s Anne of Brittany series.
Opening in 1501, Ann and Louis must arrange their daughters’ future. Salic law prohibits a woman inheriting Louis XII’s crown. Louis is becoming increasingly conscious of the importance of his daughter, Claude’s, future marriage. So much so he begins making secret plans. However, no such law prohibits Claude from ruling Brittany - a priority of Anne’s.
Gender and social politics frame much of this instalment. Our protagonists understand that they are navigating the territory that will have consequences.
I know little of the period but never felt lost as Gaston deftly instructs the reader of the setting, characters and historical basis. With elegant, lucid prose it never overwhelms and the reader - she shows rather than tells. The characters are fully formed, and one can empathise with their situations. I loved the craftsmanship and evident research Gaston does.
I had missed the second instalment, Passion and Politics in Early Renaissance France. For this reason, I spent the last week reading both volumes. I was sad to finish.
I both enjoyed and recommend the series. I've purchased all three for a friend for Christmas. It’s a real joy. I’m grateful to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this series.
Reviewer 246080
This is the third book in the Anne of Brittany series and while I haven't read the other two i found it easy to follow this one and recommend it
Dona B, Reviewer
My first book on the history of the French monarchy and it left me wanting to know more! Well written and easy to follow; couldn't put it down once I started reading.
The only issue I had was that there were some paragraphs in several of the chapters that were not part of the story and could have been left out. Other than that it was a great lesson in French history and I'm on to my next one to learn more!
Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC copy!
Ginger P, Reviewer
The Court is my favorite place to be! I'm sure I was born in the wrong era! Rozsa Gaston makes being in the Court of France so easy and intriguing. This is the third in a series, but each book can be a stand alone. Her books will appeal to Young Adult readers as well as old Royal watchers like myself. Highly recommended!
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley. Thank you, Netgalley!
All opinions are my own.
Virginia W, Reviewer
History buffs will love this tale. Ms. Gaston has brought to life a period in history with great sympathy. Follow Anna as she tries to keep Brittany free from French rule while being married to Louis the king. What a spunky and smart ruler she was! This historical drama is rife with intrigue and castle politics.
Add in Isabella and Ferdinand of Spain and you get a particularly spicy and turbulent dynamic. Ferdinand does not keep his word or treaties whenever he thinks he can get away with it. Marriage intrigue is also a pivotal part of inter-royalty life.
Miscarriages plague Anne and the attempt to provide a male heir to the French throne is heartbreaking. Her daughter loves her step-father Louis but is betrothed at a very young age to a scoundrel. I was amazed at the way Anne tried to get her daughter to learn the fine art of manipulating men. Most men get no preparatory training in the art of manipulating the fairer sex!
Political intrigue throughout the kingdom is a never-ending struggle. It makes me wonder how anyone survived those turbulent times. Historically accurate fiction well written, easily envisioned, and engrossing. Book 3 of the series but can easily be read as an immersive standalone. My hat is off to Rozsa, she did an exemplary job on this book.
We received this digital download from the publisher through NetGalley and appreciated the opportunity to read and review. Totally recommended! 5/5 Stars CE Williams
Erin P, Reviewer
Anne and Louis: Rulers and Lovers by Rosza Gatson~ Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this. I discovered this book quite by accident as I was searching for historical fiction and this certainly delivered. Incredible in-depth detail of what life at court was truly like and well researched. Anne twice crowned queen of France and Louis Xll had an ideal marriage for royals in which not only did they actually like each other but they were in fact passionately in love. Unfortunately though their marriage only has produced one child, a princess and many failed attempts at an heir. Their daughter Claude who is currently betrothed to Charles of Luxembourg is only two and unaware of what expectations will be required of her as she ages. Anne’s deepest wish is that she’ll be able to pass down her Birthright of Ruler in Brittany over to Claude and knows that only this marriage will allow her to do this. When the king becomes severely ill he realizes that he may never have a male heir from his own blood line and in a desperate attempt to achieve this he voids the marriage contract and outlines in his will that she is to marry his current heir Francis d’Angoulême. But what he really fears is just how angry his queen will be when she finds out and if she’ll honor his orders.
Although I very much enjoyed the history and art I was a little put off by the writing style and almost felt as if there were gaps within the chapters. I also felt that Anne was entirely too shallow at times and naive, which may just be how the author portrayed her. Nevertheless I would definitely recommend for an history lover or anyone looking to learn more about French monarchs.
Barbara S, Reviewer
Having read the first two books in the Anne of Brittany series I was very happy to receive the third book from Netgalley in return for a review. I enjoyed this book as much if not more than the first book. The first two books covered Anne from her childhood through her her first marriage with Charles VIII of France and after his death her subsequent marriage to Louis XI.
This book opens with Anne and Louis awaiting the arrival of Philip of Flanders and Juana of Spain. Anne and Louis hope to betroth their daughter the Princess Claude to Philip and Juana's son Charles. The book also relates Louis' wars in Italy and Anne's heartbreaking attempts to try and provide France with an Heir.
Although this is a work of historical fiction it is quite accurate and an excellent and enjoyable read. There is a bibliography if the reader wishes to reader more in depth about Anne of Brittany. There are also numerous illustrations scattered through this book which make this book even more interesting.
Cynthia G, Reviewer
Thank you NetGalley for the digital ARC. I did sit on this book for a bit as i had many to read. I do regret that now. I really enjoyed this book. I am a lover of all things history and luckily i knew Louis' history from before Anne so I was able to follow right along.
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