The Queen's Fortune: A Novel of Desiree, Napoleon, and the Dynasty That Outlasted the Empire

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A sweeping novel about the extraordinary woman who captured Napoleon's heart, created a dynasty, and changed the course of history-from the New York Times bestselling author of Sisi. As the French revolution ravages her country, Desiree Clary and her family stand in the shadow of the guillotine. But a chance encounter with Napoleon Bonaparte, the ambitious and charismatic young military prodigy, provides her an escape. When her beloved sister Julie marries his brother Joseph, Desiree and Napoleon's futures become irrevocably linked. After a passionate courtship, they become secretly engaged and vow to meet in Paris once his career has been secured. But Desiree's newly laid plans turn to heartbreak, due to the rising star of Parisian society, Josephine de Beauharnais. Swept to the French capital, Desiree is plunged into the inner circle of the new ruling class, becoming further entangled with Napoleon, his family, and his Empress. But her fortunes shift once again when she meets Napoleon's confidant and star general, the indomitable Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte. When these two men become political rivals and military foes, Desiree will have to choose the love of her new husband or the love of her nation and its Emperor. In order to survive in this treacherous world, Desiree must learn to rely upon her instincts-and her heart.

Reviews

History, romance, and the dangerous intrigue of revolutioncombine to make coming of age a high-stakes game in Allison Patakis richly reimagined accountof a woman seeking not only to manage her circumstances but to triumph over them and rise to the throne of a country that will become her own.This was a piece of history I knew very little about. Patakis latest effort brings a fascinating time and place fully to life.Lisa Wingate, #1New York Timesbestselling author ofBefore We Were Yours

InThe Queens Fortune, Allison Pataki chronicles Desiree, the secret lover of Napoleon Bonaparte. When Napoleon chooses Josephine over her, the heartbroken Desiree finds herself entangled with Napoleon, Josephine and the new ruling class.Pataki deftly weaves a tangled web of passion, deception and intrigue, set against one of the most tumultuous periods in history, making fora heady cocktail which readers will devour.Pam Jenoff, New York Timesbestselling author ofThe Lost Girls of Paris

Allison Pataki is a masterful historical author at the top of her game. From the very firstlyricallines ofThe Queens Fortune,I was wholly swept into theentrancingworld of Desiree Clary Bernadotte.Painstaking research and page-turning proseplaced me directly at the side of this remarkable yet lesser-known figure, journeying from innocent girlhood to seasoned royalty, a survivor of guillotine threats, palace politics, and strains of the heart.I absolutely loved this book from beginning to end.Kristina McMorris, New York Timesbestselling author ofSold on a MondayandThe Edge of Lost

Its not everyone whos jilted by Napoleon and winds up queen of Sweden. Allison Patakiprovidesan intimate portrait of a tumultuous timeand of an ordinary woman who captivated two of the great men of her day and became the mother of a dynasty.Lauren Willig, New York Timesbestselling author ofThe Summer Country

This impeccably researched, expertly rendered historical from Pataki gloriously re-creates the personal dramas surrounding Napoleon Bonaparte. . . . Patakis skill in chronicling Napoleons transformation from an idealistic young soldier to a ruthless, callous leader drives the story, and her sumptuous scenes allow the reader to easily examine the political machinations and extreme luxury of the monarchy. Readers who enjoy Elizabeth Chadwick will want to take a look.Publishers Weekly

Patakis ability to flesh out imperial grandeur and foibles with telling detail, on full display in her Habsburg novels, is equally evident here.Kirkus Reviews

Author Bio

Allison Pataki is the New York Times bestselling author of The Queen's Fortune, The Traitor's Wife, The Accidental Empress, Sisi- Empress On Her Own, Where the Light Falls, as well as the nonfiction memoir Beauty in the Broken Places and two children's books, Nelly Takes New York and Poppy Takes Paris. Allison's novels have been translated into more than a dozen languages. A former news writer and producer, Allison has written for The New York Times, ABC News, HuffPo, USA Today, Fox News and other outlets. She has appeared on the TODAY show, Fox & Friends, Good Day New York, Good Day Chicago and MSNBC's Morning Joe. Allison graduated Cum Laude from Yale University with a major in English and spent several years in journalism before switching to fiction writing. A member of The Historical Novel Society, Allison lives in New York with her husband and family.