Synopsis: In her illuminating debut novel, Aimie K. Runyan masterfully blends fact and fiction to explore the founding of New France through the experiences of three young women who, in 1667, answer Louis XIV’s call and journey to the Canadian colony.
They are known as the filles du roi, or “King’s Daughters”—young women who leave prosperous France for an uncertain future across the Atlantic. Their duty is to marry and bring forth a new generation of loyal citizens. Each prospective bride has her reason for leaving—poverty, family rejection, a broken engagement. Despite their different backgrounds, Rose, Nicole, and Elisabeth all believe that marriage to a stranger is their best, perhaps only, chance of happiness.
Once in Quebec, Elisabeth quickly accepts baker Gilbert Beaumont, who wants a business partner as well as a wife. Nicole, a farmer’s daughter from Rouen, marries a charming officer who promises comfort and security. Scarred by her traumatic past, Rose decides to take holy vows rather than marry. Yet no matter how carefully she chooses, each will be tested by hardship and heartbreaking loss—and sustained by the strength found in their uncommon friendship, and the precarious freedom offered by their new home.
My Thoughts: I love finding books about historical happenings that I am not aware of! I had never heard of the 'King's Daughters' before reading this book and that fact made the story even more interesting. This is also one of those books that I expected to like but ended up loving and I am so excited that it's the first in a series.
After reading my fill of Tudor era books, it makes me so happy to read about 'new to me' historical periods and events. The idea of sending groups of women to the Canadian wilderness to help build a success colony is just fascinating. I loved how the author took the concept of the "King's Daughters" and built a great story with really neat characters.
I normally don't like all the characters in a book but I can honestly say that I loved everyone in this book. By the end of the book, I truly cared about each one and where they ended up. Each character had their own unique background and characteristics...there was not a single cookie cutter character in the whole book. I will say that I especially loved Rose but I think that was because she had such a difficult past to overcome and I enjoyed watching her learn to love and trust again.
Overall, this was a great read! I can't wait to read the next one! 4 stars.
I received this book from HFVBT in exchange for an honest review.
About the Author:
Aimie K. Runyan, member of the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers and Women’s Fiction Writers Association, has been an avid student of French and Francophone Studies for more than fifteen years. While working on her Master’s thesis on the brave women who helped found French Canada, she was fortunate enough to win a generous grant from the Quebec government to study onsite for three months which enabled the detailed research necessary for her work. Aimie lives in Colorado with her husband and two children.
For more information please visit Aimie’s website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads.
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