Meticulously researched and brought vividly to life by the gorgeous prose of Karleen Koen, Before Versailles dares to explore the forces that shaped an iconic king and determined the fate of an empire. Meticulously researched and gorgeously brought to life by New York Timesbestselling author Karleen Koen, Before Versaillesoffers up a sumptuous, authentic exploration of a time that forged a man into a king. He must face what he is willing to sacrifice for love.īut there are other problems lurking outside the chateau of Fontainebleau: a boy in an iron mask has been seen in the woods, and the king's finance minister, Nicolas Fouquet, has proven more powerful than Louis ever thought-a man who could make a great ally or become a dangerous foe. The untried ruler is coming into his own in 1661, and Louis XIV must face what he is willing to sacrifice for honor and for love. As the love affair between Louis and Princess Henriette burns, it sets the kingdom on the road to unmistakable scandal and conflict with the Vatican. He's still a young man, but one who, as king, willfully takes everything he can get-including his brother's wife. A complete list of all Karleen Koens books & series in order (4 books) (1 series). But what was he like as a young man-the man before Versailles?Īfter the death of his prime minister, Cardinal Mazarin, twenty-two-year-old Louis steps in to govern France. New York Timesbestselling author Karleen Koen offers another delightful historical novel that will transport you to another time and place.

GenresHistorical FictionFranceFictionHistoricalRomance17th CenturyAudiobook. Now Face to Face (1995) Dark Angels (2006) Before Versailles (2011). Meticulously researched and vividly brought to life by the gorgeous prose of Karleen Koen, Before Versaillesdares to explore the forces that shaped an iconic king and determined the fate of an empire. Before Versailles a novel of Louis XIV 1st ed. Karleen Koen (ne Smith) is an American novelist perhaps best known for her 1986 debut. Louis XIV is one of the best-known monarchs ever to grace the French throne. Before Versailles by Karleen Koen, 2011, Crown edition, in English.

New York Times bestselling author Karleen Koen offers another delightful historical novel that will transport you to another time and place.