From the author of Countess Jacqueline:
COUNTESS JACQUELINE: ‘Queen of Holland’—a captivating story about one of the most courageous, persevering, and passionate Medieval rulers you have never heard of. Based upon true events.
At the young age of thirteen, Jacqueline is wild and independent and the sole heir to the countship of Holland. When Philip, the eldest son of the Duke of Burgundy, arrives to request her hand in marriage, Jacqueline hotly rejects him—a rejection that will haunt her for years. After Jacqueline inherits the countship at sixteen, she disregards her assembly’s demand to choose a husband and leads her army to victory in their first defensive battle. In response, Duke Philip, now the most powerful ruler in Europe, sends his good friend, Renard Borselen, to Holland to trick Jacqueline into marrying the husband of his choosing. Yet, when Renard sees her again, he recalls the day they met years ago. A spark of excitement catches him, the first since that day, and he openly shifts his stance. Now, there is hell to pay for them both.
As Jacqueline continues her great battle for freedom, she is torn between her love for her country...and her love for Renard as she cannot have them both.
First Impressions: Countess Jacqueline grabbed me right away and exceeded my expectations! I was excited to read this book because it focuses on historical characters that aren’t widely known. Also, I enjoy reading stories that have strong female protagonists, especially stories set in time periods and/or cultures where women are dismissed. I couldn’t wait to dive into the drama! Jacqueline’s fiery personality was bound to get her into trouble from the start.
Cover and Setting: The colors on the book cover are beautiful, and I love how we get a glimpse of Jacqueline. The scene is ominous, too: it almost looks like the sky is on fire! The story mostly takes place in Jacqueline’s home or Renard’s castle, although there are several other settings, too. Renard’s castle was especially creepy because of what was hidden in the tower.
Plot: What a fast-paced story! There’s so much drama and intrigue in this book that I was constantly wondering what was going to happen next. It’s not all action, though: the characters are given plenty of time to develop. I really enjoyed this—especially seeing some of the friendships among the characters, which brought an atmosphere of hope to the story. Countess Jacqueline has a perfect balance of backstabbing and devotion! True, there are strategic marriages and political maneuverings and brutal battles, but there are also tender moments. The importance of family devotion surfaces again and again. Also, romance is everywhere!
Characters: The characters in this book pulled me in so many different directions! Some of them were honorable, and some of them were contemptible. The main character, Jacqueline, is a free-spirited young woman who isn’t frightened to stand up for herself. At the same time, she is vulnerable to the schemes of those around her. I felt sorry for her during some parts of the story, but I admired her strength and her ability to cope with unexpected circumstances. Her antagonist, Phillip, is an odious person. Perhaps he had reasons for being that way, but he was so manipulative that I wanted him to come to a bad end! Renard, who is perhaps the most interesting character of all, is caught between Jacqueline and Phillip. I had great fun trying to figure out where his allegiance would ultimately lie.
Final Thoughts: This book is amazing. The characters are deeply flawed and lovable at the same time. The plot was a whirlwind of drama, and the ending was satisfying! If you enjoy reading historical fiction (or if you just love a good romance), I highly recommend Countess Jacqueline.
FTC Disclosure: I received a free copy of the book reviewed above.
Author photograph by Stephanie Dribus
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