Recent Reads {In the Shadow of the Sun King}

In the Shadow of the Sun King by Golden Keyes Parsons - What caught my attention initially was that this novel is based on the family history of the author.  I was definitely intrigued, and throughout the book found myself wondering how much was indeed fact, and how much was embellished to create this story.  It takes place in seventeenth century France, during the reign of Louis XIV.  It was a time when the Huguenots (Protestants) were being persecuted despite the Edict of Nantes which was supposed to protect them.  Madeleine Clavell and her family are Huguenots, but she also has a past relationship with Louis, and when French dragoons show up at her family estate and threaten their safety and their very lives, Madeleine makes the decision to travel to Versailles to plead personally with Louis for her family.  The story is gripping and intense, and highlights the faith and sacrifice of the Protestants during this time.  I highly recommend it to readers who like historical fiction.