Véronique’s Journey
2023 Ippy Award for Best Adult Fiction E-book
In 18th century France, the choices for a young black woman of modest means are slim.
Véronique Clair loves her parents and their small home in the countryside of Burgundy but dreams of using her talent for sewing and embroidery to make her own way, without having to rely on a man.
When Véronique’s well-meaning parents find her a suitor of elevated station their happiness turns into her despair. Véronique must make the difficult choice between agreeing to an arranged marriage–with its promise of elevated status in society–or embark upon an unpredictable journey across France and into a world she’s never known.
…for a young woman of honor, only the heart can guide the way.
Historical Fiction
Véronique’s Moon
How does the journey end?
Véronique Clair’s story continues as the Frenchwoman from Burgundy joins two other apprentices on a journey across France to the home of Madame Jeanne du Barry, former mistress to deceased King Louis XV. Motivated by her dream of sewing for the wealthiest women in France, Véronique soon finds that dream side-tracked as she struggles to fit into this new world. Everyone at the Chateau du Barry—from fellow servants to the abusive house manager, the head cook, the arrogant black man they call the Governor of Louveciennes, and the Madame herself—finds a way to remind her of her limited place in society.
With barely a moment to sew there is somehow plenty time for regret. Was this new chapter worth sacrificing her parents’ peace of mind and a comfortable—if loveless—arranged marriage? Is the Chateau where she’s meant to be or has she, foolishly, made an impetuous decision to upend her life for no good reason?
Set in idyllic Louveciennes, France, come with beloved character Véronique Clair to the land that inspired Monet, Renoir, and Pissarro in this follow-up novella to Véronique’s Journey.
…Sometimes you have to chase the moon to find your destiny.
Historical Fictionl
The Greatest Thing
Available Now!
In France’s Ancient Regime, kings marry for power but take mistresses for love. So revered was the coveted role of mistress to the king, the woman chosen was referred to as the king’s Favorite. In 1771, King Louis XVth gifted his Favorite, the Madame Jeanne du Barry, with a black child to serve as her personal servant and page. Years later, that child, Louis-Benoit Zamor, would send the last official French Favorite to her death.
Inspired by the life of Louis-Benoit Zamor.
~~
His mother told him he was God’s greatest thing. Then he was stolen, sold, shipped to France, and re-named Louis-Benoit Zamor. Stripped of his esteem as efficiently as a fox’s coat in a royal hunt, Zamor is reared by Du Barry—with a love as false as her smile—and a king with unsavory proclivities. He soon realizes his mother lied. Because, in this place, King Louis XV is the world’s greatest thing, second only to God.
But Zamor was loved, once. This fact, alone, makes the bitter pill of a lifetime of small nothingness impossible to swallow. Even if false, a mother’s words don’t die easily.
First, he must survive childhood. Then, if the world thinks the debauched, degenerate king is its greatest thing, the answer is simple: Zamor will have to change the world.
Vive le roi. Long live the King … and all that.
The Last Favorite’s Page Trilogy: Book One
Historical Biographical Fiction
The Devil’s Berries
Pre-order today!
In France’s Ancient Regime, kings marry for power but take mistresses for love. So revered was the coveted role of mistress to the king, the woman chosen was referred to as the king’s Favorite. In 1771, King Louis XVth gifted his Favorite, Madame Jeanne du Barry, with a black child to serve as her personal servant and page. Years later, that child, Louis-Benoit Zamor, would send the last official French Favorite to her death.
Inspired by the life of Louis-Benoit Zamor.
~~
Serving Madame du Barry by day and rubbing shoulders with revolutionaries at night, Louis-Benoit Zamor is ready to find his greatness. In this, his time in the sun, he will lend his voice to the revolutionary movement and love like he’s never dared.
But the Ancient Régime isn’t done with him, yet.
Much like the deadly devil’s berries, Madame’s bitter anger takes root at the chateau. Zamor will discover that when facing the devil in disguise only one thing is for sure:
Every fox must survive its own hunt … and all that.
The Last Favorite’s Page Trilogy: Book Two
Release June 15, 2024
Historical Biographical Fiction
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