The Courtier's Secret

By Donna Russo Morin

Book Overview

France, 1680. Louis XIV, the Sun King, is at the height of his power. The court at Versailles is a paradise for privileged young women. Jeanne Yvette Mas Du Bois is unlike most other courtiers. Her thirst for knowledge often incurs her father's brutal wrath. But her uncle encourages Jeanne's independence, secretly teaching her fencing in the palace's labyrinthine basement. . . When two of the king's Musketeers are beset by criminals who are mere feet from Jeanne's fencing lesson, she intervenes, saving one of the Musketeers' lives. Hidden behind her mask, Jeanne is mistaken for a man. As "Jean Luc," Jeanne is admitted to an inner circle where she learns of an assassination plot against the Queen. As Jean Luc, she is permitted to bring her intelligence and swordsmanship to bear. And as Jean Luc, she is free to love the man of her choosing. . .even if she can never have him. Now, with the Queen in jeopardy, and her own double life making her privy to the tangled intrigues at court, Jeanne is in a powerful--yet increasingly perilous--position. Brimming with lush period detail and vivid, unforgettable characters, "The Courtier's Secret" takes readers into a fascinating, intriguing world of pageantry, adventure, betrayals, and secrets. "Exquisitely done. . .fabulous. . .unforgettable characters." --Marilyn Rondeau "Compelling. . .brings vividly to life the constrained life of the noble Frenchwoman." --Allie Bates, author of "Earthchild" Reading Group Guide Inside

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0758226918
• ISBN13: 9780758226914
• Release Date: February 2009
• Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corporation
• Length: 369 Pages
• Weight: 0.83 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.6" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

LOVED THIS BOOK!

I am an avid reader but this was my first historical novel. I couldn't wait to find out the ending! I disagree with the other reviewers; the minute details made the book! It showed how much research Russo Morin must have done and I believe she took fencing lessons as well. That shows dedication to her work. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and actually wished we had seen more of Uncle Jules. The story flowed right along and was full of suspense. I'm glad it wasn't a bodice ripping romance novel. However, it did have plenty of steamy scenes with Henri. I think Russo Morin has a bright future and I look forward to getting to know her future characters.

Shhhh....it's a good one!!

Magnifique!! Donna Russo Morin's debut novel is a delightful dance through the decadent Louis XIV era. The Courtier's Secret is intoxicating! Russo has done her homework- the story moves quickly as the reader zips through this well researched time period. Ooh,la la -Let them eat cake!! Robin Kall host of "Reading With Robin" [...]

engaging seventeenth century Musketeer romance

When Jeanne Du Bois turned seventeen, the convent where she lived for a decade kicked her out due to a lack of payments by her odious dad. She goes to the court of the Louis XIV in Versailles, where her family is in attendance as part of the Sun King's retinue. Her abusive father Gaston decides to marry her off to some pathetic noble over the objection of his wife Adelaide whom he considers a womb-loser; however her Uncle Jules encourages her to be all that she can be. He gives her fencing lessons, male garb and a mustache. Ergo Jean-Luc is born. Jean Luc joins the musketeers as a loyal comrade to Henri and Antoine. Meanwhile Jeanne falls in love with her brother in arms Henri; he reciprocates though remains ignorant that Jeanne is Jean. As Jean-Luc turned to Uncle Jules, Jeanne turns to courtesan Madam de L'Enclos for advice with men. However, as she struggles with both identities, she learns of a plot to assassinate Queen Marie-Therese. The three musketeers vow to save their queen even at risk to their lives. The spins to this engaging seventeenth century Musketeer romance are the gender bending Jeanne and the fact most of the support cast including the heroine's father are nasty hedonistic sociopaths although there are those who are kind to Jeanne like her uncle and courtesan. The story line is fast-paced from the moment Uncle Jules trains his niece and never slows down as Jeanne falls in love when she was a young man. Harriet Klausner

Fabulous - Terrific Historical Background

Sent home from the convent the rebellious young Jeanne Yvette Mas Du Bois found the useless life in the court of King Louis XIV to be repugnant. Jeanne's father despised her independent and rebellious nature. Jeanne's greatest desire had been to become a Musketeer. Her beloved uncle Jules, one of the king's fencing partners, was teaching her to fence in the labyrinth of the castle where her natural fencing abilities were honed to a fine edge. While practicing with her uncle, a commotion outside their door drew their attention. Discovering two Musketeers outnumbered by masked assailants Jeanne jumped into the fray and saved the life of Henri Boucher D'Aubigne. Still masked Jeanne accepted the thanks of Henri who admired Jean Luc's (a hastily made up name) fighting ability and invited `him' to become his protégé. Knowing that this would be an opportunity to "live" before her despicable father completed his plans to marry her off to a simpering sycophant, Jeanne disguised herself as a man and grasped the opportunity. Though she could disguise her appearance to look and fight like a man, Jeanne had more trouble hiding her growing love for Henri as treachery and danger swirled about them. *** This debut novel by Donna Russo Morin is one of the most exciting and exquisitely penned pieces of genuine historical 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 the some of the first ladies of the genre including the late Kathleen Woodiwess and Virginia Henley. One can only applaud Russo Morin for making this story exciting, adventuresome and romantic without using explicit sexual scenes between the two leads. The heroine Jeanne was portrayed as an absolutely marvelous character and her rebelliousness came through remarkably well without her being seen as an obnoxious brat. Rather, Jeanne was portrayed kindly, loving and compassionate to her two best friends while showing extreme strength when standing up to her hateful and cruel father. The secondary characters, real and fictionalized were blended in perfectly with the story letting the reader see the beauty and pageantry at the court of Versailles, right along with the pettiness, gluttony, waste and ruthlessness of those jostling for position to the King. The details of that period were absolute eye-openers and for me, thoroughly enjoyable. Bottom line - This is in my mind an elegantly drawn story of fact and fiction sure to please the most discriminating lovers of historical romance. Marilyn Rondeau, Official Reviewer for www.ck2skwipsandkritigues.com

Five Stars...you won't put it down...a captivating story

Wow. Despite having several manuscripts to read for work, I picked up the Courtier's Secret and put all work aside for the two days I read this book for pure pleasure. The characters and scenes of Versailles come alive in Donna Russo Morin's vivid prose. It's a truly fun read--what's not to like about the intrigue of a courtier desperate to escape her confining role who becomes, in secret, the only female musketeer. The historical detail is well-researched and comes to life on the page. My only regret is that there's no sequel...yet. I look forward to anything this new author writes..and I'm imagining the movie already... perhaps Kira Knightely as Jeanne, Johnny Depp would be the perfect sun king (I wouldn't be surprised if he's already on top of this one--what a role to score), Catherine Deneuve as Jeanne's mother, and as her uncle Jean Reno.