A Lover's Pinch, by J Ravencourt
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A Lover's Pinch, by J Ravencourt
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Henriette d'Entragues arrives at the Court of Henri IV in 1598. After years of religious wars, France is at last at peace, but Henri desperately needs an heir. His estranged queen is imprisoned far away and the Vatican is in no hurry to grant him a divorce. As Henri negotiates with the Pope, his ambitious mistress, Gabrielle d'Estrees will stop at nothing to ensure that she will be his next queen. Deception and intrigue are everywhere; murder is never far away. When Henriette develops ambitions of her own, she and Gabrielle are drawn into a ruthless fight to take the crown, but there are forces moving behind the scenes more powerful then either of them has realised. Those who would challenge the mighty House of Medici may expect no forgiveness. For a promise, even from a king, is worth nothing unless you live long enough to collect on it.
A Lover's Pinch, by J Ravencourt- Amazon Sales Rank: #5843494 in Books
- Published on: 2015-05-26
- Original language: English
- Dimensions: 9.00" h x .62" w x 6.00" l,
- Binding: Paperback
- 272 pages
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Most helpful customer reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful. The marriage of art and history - and the conundrum of a famous painting(s) By Grady Harp European author Jean Ravencourt embraced a career in scientific research before acknowledging his passion for writing - especially novels that re-visit history. Born in Fontainebleau, France the son of a Belgian mother and British father, Jean inherited his obsession with history and only now has stepped into the role of chronicler of his life long desire to commit his stories to paper - and we, his readers, are the fortunate recipients of his decision.Jean understands history. Sound trite? Then read this book and understand why he is likely to become one of our more important authors of historical fiction. He seduces us with the cover of his book - a famous painting of mysterious origin, and bases his book on that initial core: bare-breasted players in a long-forgotten scene - Henriette nonchalantly pinches Gabrielle's nipple in a painting by an unknown artist, and intended to send an important warning to someone, for behind those crimson curtains, foreign powers were scheming and dealing to make sure that France stayed under their influence. In very fine style he opens his story with a telling prologue: `February 1633 - Sometimes, at night, I sit alone in the parlour and look again at this strange collection of paintings. My life in three images: first the innocent child, docile and compliant; then the scheming manipulator, hopelessly outflanked by greater intriguers than herself; and finally the duped fool, blinded by her obsession to the tragedy taking place right beside her. When at last I stand before the Almighty to answer for my life, I will agree with His scowling face that my sins on earth were many, but I will ask, in my defence, that if He would only take the time to study these works He would understand that my transgressions were not all my fault. I fear it will not be long now until this celestial confrontation must take place. I am old and tired. Tired of this lonely life. I shall miss these curious tableaux though. Hidden in their symbols are the events that make up my memories. In them I see my crimes and my great loves, my rise and then my fall. My companions from those days are all long dead and I am the last to know the story of these wonderful paintings. Long after I am dead and rotted, and my children too, what will our descendants make of these strange bathers? Two bare-breasted ladies staring blankly from their be-crimsoned surroundings. Forgotten players in forgotten scenes. How could future generations know what were our desires and motivations? Who would ever guess the part of these paintings in the story of my life?' Writing rich in detail, seductive in nature, polished in execution.'The story takes us back to the year 1598, proceeds on a monthly (for chapter headings sake) to 1600 that adds 10 years to close the tale. In outline form, `Henriette d'Entragues comes to Court in 1598 when Gabrielle d'Estrees is at the height of her power as the king's favourite. Like Gabrielle, Henriette is exceptionally beautiful and intelligent, and like Gabrielle, she rises easily to prominence in the Court of Henri IV. Perhaps too easily? Observing Gabrielle's bid to become queen, Henriette develops ambitions of her own, and is drawn into a deadly fight for the crown of France. But as both ladies discover to their cost, political scheming is a dangerous game when you are competing with the mighty Medicis. Told through the eyes of Henriette, this is a tale of love and deception, murder and intrigue, where the innocent girl must evolve into the wiley stateswoman to survive - but at what cost?'Throughout Jean's book he places the many variations of the painting that instigated this story - many never really known before, adding at the end some chronological data that seals the story, and it is just this type of attention to detail and enhancement of this story that shares his importance as a new writer. An impressive debut and Highly Recommended to lovers of European history and art. Grady Harp, March 15
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. A Tantalizing Tale of Greed, Lust and Debauchery By Marta Cheng A Lover’s Pinch is a richly-woven tapestry of historical fiction that tempts the reader’s senses of sight, sound and smell as the author, Ravencourt, effortlessly weaves his tale of greed, lust and debauchery. Marie Touchet, once held to be the “favorite” in the affections of the former King of France, is now married to a lesser nobleman who has fallen from grace. She takes her daughters, eighteen-year-old Henriette and sixteen-year-old Blanche, to Paris for an extended stay in the hopes of finding good matches for her young daughters. Breathtakingly beautiful Henriette catches the eye not only of the current king, Henri IV but also that of his mistress, Gabrielle, Duchess of Beaufort, Royal Favorite to the reigning monarch. However, Gabrielle has her sights on becoming the next Queen of France and enlists the help of Henriette’s scheming mother – with the proviso that their combined union would benefit Henriette as well. For anyone who has ever read historical fiction involving the French aristocracy, you’ll know that greed, lust and debauchery were commonplace. A Lover’s Pinch has all of these narcissistic gems and so much more! Ravencourt’s prose is elegant, refined and effortlessly casts its spell, giving the reader an enjoyable tale, very well told.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Quite a delight to read on a lazy, rainy day By Vinny Author Jean Ravencourt has done a very nice job with this historic fiction novel A Lover's Pinch. A well researched and well written work from the late 1500's set in Paris, France. A classic story line of power, greed, love, deception and murder kept me interested and engaged throughout the book and most importantly, wanting more as I realized the book was ending.This tale fits well within the time period with enough details to draw you in, but not overly done so as to bore you to tears. Although there were a couple of points that the story slowed down, the author did a fine job of picking up the pace again. I believe that what really helped was the fact that it was written from the first-person point of view. I've read other works of historic fiction written from the third-person that simply missed the mark. Fortunately, this was not one one of them. Instead, what I found in Jean Ravencourt's story was quite a delight to read on a lazy, rainy day.If it were not for a friend's prodding and then the other positive reviews for this book, I probably wouldn't have given this title a second glance other than the book cover. My past experiences with historic fiction had me quite jaded to this genre. I'm pleased to say that I wasn't again disappointed. If you are a fan of historic fiction works, I'm sure you'll be pleased as well with this author's debut novel.
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