Budapest Romance, Serbian edition, just out by Vulkan Press

Rozsa Gaston - Author

Budapest Romance, Serbian edition, just out July 2019.

A tale of two foreigners falling in love in Budapest’s thermal bath spas.

http://lrd.to/Budapestromance #contemporary#romance#Serbian#edition#newrelease by #Vulkan#press#Budapest#thermalspas#serbia

http://lrd.to/Budapestromance

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A Study in Queenship ~ How Queens Exercised Power

The Freelance History Writer

My current writing project includes a section on queenship.  Because the study of how queens exercised power is a relatively new discipline, it is challenging to define.  If we look up the word queenship in the dictionary, the meaning is “the state, office, or dignity of a queen”.  The dictionary states the first time the word appears is in 1530-40 but doesn’t cite an actual reference to support this.

In the last several years, much new scholarship has arisen in queenship and the true meaning of the word is not as simple as that given in the dictionary.  If we look up the word “kingship”, there is an additional definition saying “kingship” is an “aptitude for kingly duties”.  This could be changed to say an “aptitude for queenly duties” and be considered a more apt definition for queenship.

What constitutes queenship?  What are some examples of women in history exercising…

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Mary, Queen of Scots

Get read to see Mary, Queen of Scots with this well-written blogpost by Susan Abernethy of The Freelance History Writer.

The Freelance History Writer

Many know the story of Mary, Queen of Scots. While telling the story of Margaret Tudor, Queen of Scotland I was struck by the similarities between her and her granddaughter, Mary. They both had three husbands and had a child named James who became King of Scotland when they were just babies. Both women allowed their private lives to influence their public life contributing to a loss of political credibility. It’s time to revisit all the incredible and memorable adventures of Mary, Queen of Scots.

There are a few things to keep in mind when recounting the story of Mary. The first is Mary started at a young age to consider herself the Queen of England and even had the symbol of England quartered on her coat of arms. Queen Elizabeth I would never forgive her for this affront. Mary felt Henry VIII had made a mistake in naming the…

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NYT bestselling author Eleanor Brown selects Anne and Louis by Rozsa Gaston for BookLife Prize finals

Rozsa Gaston - Author

Anne and Louis joins Sense of Touch and Anne and Charles in the Anne of Brittany Series.  Learn from early Renaissance ruler Anne of Brittany the power of self-possession and self-confidence.

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Anne and Louis at top of 2018 BookLife Prize Semifinalist List

Rozsa Gaston - Author

Oct. 1, 2018

Anne and Louis has been named the top-seeded Semifinalist in General Fiction for the BookLife Prize from Publishers Weekly.

Finalists will be announced November 1, 2018. Thank you to Booklife and Publishers Weekly for bringing my story to today’s readers.—Anne, Duchess of Brittany, twice Queen of France

Anne of Brittany, image by Nurycat

Book Two of the Anne of Brittany Series, Anne and Louis is the story of the first years of Anne of Brittan’s marriage to Louis XII, King of France. Cast of characters include Cesare Borgia, Christine de Pizan, Marie de France, Machiavelli and more. Pre-order Anne and Louis here. Out Nov. 29, 2018.

Statue of Anne of Brittany (1477-1514), Nantes, France

Receiving a 10.00 out of 10 in four categories, the story of Anne of Brittany’s marriage to Louis XII, King of France, is Book Two of the Anne of Brittany Series.

Anne of…

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Anne of Brittany’s self-confidence was fueled by her father’s support for her.

Rozsa Gaston - Author

A two minute discussion of the basis of Anne of Brittany’s self-confidence
with Michael Dandry of WVOX 1490 AM, New Rochelle, NY, Mar. 12, 2018

http://bit.ly/AnneofBrittanyselfconfidence

Statue of Anne of Brittany (1477-1514), Nantes, France

Find Anne and Charles here.

Find Sense of Touch here.

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Magnificent Magritte – second sun artist

One of the best European history blogs, @hemmahoshilde, weighs in on the mysterious Magritte.

hemmahoshilde (@Hilde's home)

To pick the second artist was almost more difficult than the first, because I challenged myself to not only come up with 26 artist but roughly half of them should be modern ones. I don’t actually like modern art that much so this was a lot more difficult than the classic ones. The one I picked is a surrealist called Rene Magritte. Normally I’m not a fan of surrealism because it has a tendency to be quite dark and creepy and mysterious in kinda an attention seeking way but Magritte’s work tends to be lighthearted or at least witty. He even signed a manifesto written by his friends called surrealism in full sunshine.

You probably think you don’t know who this Magritte is but there is a good chance you know one of his most famous works where he painted a pipe and under it it says this is not…

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Must-see Mucha – first sun artist

Alphonse Mucha – one of my favorite 19th century artists.

hemmahoshilde (@Hilde's home)

I have been in doubt about which artists too include in my project about sun & art but I finally picked the first one! Alphonse Mucha a Czech artist that got famous for his beuatiful art nouveau designs.

Mucha came from a big family and they struggled to pay for his school fees, but thanks to his talent he eventually got the support of a count who took him under his wings and let him study art in Paris. There he got the support of a famous actress at the time Sarah Bernardt for whom he made many posters to promote her plays.

His style is now synonymous with art nouveau but at the time it was actually known as le style mucha, Mucha’s style because it was so individual. Mucha did a lot of commercial work  when he lived in Paris, in particular the 1890’s,  but the public got…

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Anne and Charles: Passion and Politics in Late Medieval France

ANNE AND CHARLES

Passion and Politics in Late Medieval France: The Story of Anne of Brittany’s Marriage to Charles VIII

Book One of the Anne of Brittany Series

by Rozsa Gaston

Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2018
Publisher: Renaissance Editions
357 pps.
eBook, paperback, audiobook by Tantor Media coming spring 2018

A historically sharp and dramatically stirring love story. — Kirkus Reviews

A historical dramatization of the 15th-century marriage between Anne of Brittany and Charles VIII of France.

Upon the death of Anne’s father, Duke Francis II, she becomes the ruler of Brittany at the tender age of 11. Determined not to have her authority usurped by meddling advisers or foreign powers, she searches for a suitable husband whose allegiance will bring peace and security to Brittany. She’s offered protection—as well as condolences—by King Charles VIII of France, but she rejects his offer as an imperialist scheme to gain dominion over Brittany’s lands. In response to what he perceives as defiance, he attempts to impose French rule by force. Meanwhile, Charles has problems of his own. When his own detestable father died, he was too young to ascend to the throne, and so he labors under the officious rule of his sister, Anne de Beaujeu, the Duchess of Bourbon, who serves as regent until he reaches the age of majority. Charles eventually offers Anne a path to peace. If she marries him, he’ll immediately end his siege of Brittany. She’s filled with resentment, though, over his harsh treatment of Brittany and suspicious of any brokered compromise that surrenders her authority or ensures the future of Brittany will be in submission to a foreign ruler. Also, there’s the thorny problem of her marriage to Maximilian, the Archduke of Austria, who will one day become the Holy Roman Emperor, and an arrangement for Charles to marry his daughter, Marguerite. Gaston’s (Sense of Touch: Love and Duty at Anne of Brittany’s Court, 2016, etc.) research is admirably thorough—she artfully brings to life 15th-century Europe. Also, while the court politics of the day were knottily complex, she disentangles it all with laudable clarity. Gaston’s writing is elegant and historically authentic but also accessible. She doesn’t burden the reader with an endless train of linguistic anachronisms in order to achieve historical accuracy. Further, the romance between Anne and Charles is touchingly presented, one that traveled from suspicion and resentment through sober pragmatism to genuine love.

A historically sharp and dramatically stirring love story.

What’s Anne and Charles about?

Charles VIII of France is king, but he doesn’t feel like one. When he marries Anne of Brittany in a political alliance, he acquires a wife who already feels like a queen and who guides her husband to thinking like the king he already is. The brimming self-confidence of Brittany’s ruler inspires his own, and fans the flames of their attraction into a lasting love. But can they achieve their one most important goal together?

More Praise for Anne and Charles

“The highlights of the reign of King Charles VIII of France are covered in detail as well as his loving marriage to Anne, Duchess of Brittany. A delightful read with sparkling dialogue, Gaston puts a human face on these captivating historical personalities from the French Renaissance.”—Susan Abernethy, The Freelance History Writer

“A true story that reads like a fairytale, Anne and Charles is an evocative portrayal of Anne of Brittany, a feminist avant la lettre, who uses her intelligence and charm to protect the people of Brittany as their prudent ruler. This irresistible read will make you feel like you’re one of Anne of Brittany’s privileged ladies-in-waiting. A marvelous story about a marriage that would change the course of European history.”—Hilde van den Bergh, Hemmahoshilde Blog

“Francophiles, feminists and fans of history and romance alike will delight in Anne and Charles. Gaston returns readers to a world poised to shed one skin, the confines of medieval duchies and kingdoms, and embrace another, one in which France would lead the rest of Western Europe through the Renaissance. This fictionalized account of how Anne of Brittany finds her way and her love amidst this world offers modern readers unexpected lessons on female power and the possibilities that await those who follow their heart.”—Dominique Padurano, Ph.D., Professor of History, City University of New York, Crimson Coaching LLC

“Ms. Gaston masterfully conveys the passion, heartbreak, and determination of this royal couple.”—InD’tale Magazine

  “An engrossing depiction of the meeting and marriage between Anne of Brittany and Charles VIII of France. As in her previous work, Sense of Touch, Gaston paints a colorful and interesting picture of court life in 15th century France. This book excels in humanizing one of the most misunderstood of French kings—his love and admiration for his strong wife and his self-deprecating view of his limitations and weaknesses. This fictionalized account of their complementary relationship is well worth the read.”—RT Review Source

https://www.rtbookreviews.com/blog/139065/meet-new-rt-review-source-authors-january-2018

For foreign and film rights inquiries: please contact Linda Migalti at the Susan Schulman Agency: linda@schulmanagency.com

Audio rights: Audio rights for the Anne of Brittany series have been sold to Tantor Media. Look for Anne and Charles audio edition in early 2018.

Start 2018 right with a dose of history spiced with romance.

Find Anne and Charles here.

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The History of the Château of Langeais

Susan Abernethy’s rich post on the history of Chateau de Langeais, site of Anne of Brittany’s wedding to Charles VIII on Dec. 6, 1491.

The Freelance History Writer

The Château of Langeais (Photo copyright of The Freelance History Writer)

There are many beautiful and historic château in the Loire Valley of France and I was lucky enough to visit a few of them on my recent trip. Each of them has an interesting history and their own unique attraction. Let’s take a look at the history of the Château of Langeais.

Langeais has a history that spans over one thousand years and can be separated into two phases. Towards the end of the tenth century, two powerful men, Foulques III Nerra (the Black), Count of Anjou and Eudes I, Count of Blois fought over the Touraine region of France. Foulques managed to conquer the area known as Langeais which was situated between Tours and Saumur. On a promontory overlooking the Loire River, he initially built a wooden structure in the motte-and-bailey form.

The land where the castle stood…

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