THE RELUCTANT QUEEN

A brand-new historical novel from a well-loved storyteller - Sixteenth-century France. Gabrielle dEsres one wish is to marry for love, but her mother sells her as a mistress to three different men before she catches the eye and the heart of Henry of Navarre, King of France. Henry promises to marry her, but Gabrielles difficulties have just begun . . . for Henrys wife will only divorce him if he promises not to marry Gabrielle. Is the love of a king enough to secure her both the happiness and respectability she craves and a crown for their son as the next dauphin of France? The story of Gabrielle d'Estrées is one of love, betrayal, intrigue and tragedy. All she wanted was to marry for love, and enjoy the respectability of a happy marriage. But in the court of sixteenth century France, she was sold by her own mother to three different lovers before catching the eye of a king