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The Ambitious Madame Bonaparte by Ruth Hull Chatlien & Giveaway (US/Canada)

April 9, 2014 by Darlene

The-Ambitious-Madame-BonaparteThe Ambitious Madame Bonaparte is the debut novel of Ruth Hull Chatlien and is based on the true story of Elizabeth Patterson Bonaparte who was known as Betsy Bonaparte. While most of us have heard of Napoleon and Josephine Bonaparte numerous times Betsy is the much less known American wife of Napoleon’s younger brother Jerome. Weaving fact with fiction Ruth Hull Chatlien brings this woman alive for us in a novel sure to please historical fiction fans.

Betsy Patterson longs for more out of life than she has so far experienced. She doesn’t want to follow the rules set out for women of her time and end up married to some merchant having countless babies. Most of all she does not want to live in Baltimore where she is bored silly with all the tedious things that make up her life. It has always been her dream to marry a man from Europe and live there.

When she meets Jerome Bonaparte she is quite sure her dream has come true especially when he asks for her hand in marriage. However his brother Napoleon is adamantly opposed to the marriage but the couple marries anyhow hoping for approval from Jerome’s mother instead. So begins the tumultuous journey from marriage to bearing a son and the great battle to have that son recognized as a Bonaparte.

This novel is one of those that reminds me of why I enjoy historical fiction. It is very well written and while rich in historical detail, the story behind it is captivating as well. The novel breezed by for me and at almost five hundred pages that alone says a lot. It was very interesting to learn about Betsy and I admired her for her determination to be more than what was expected of women at that time in history. I liked Betsy as a character and could feel her pain at the rejection she felt from her father on a regular basis and then having her heart broken. While she frustrated me at times with her headstrong determination in some cases she was still one of those characters who you find yourself rooting for.

The Ambitious Madame Bonaparte captures this time in history perfectly. Well written, exciting, and educational – it doesn’t get any better than that! A must read for historical fiction fans!

 

 

 Other Tour Stops with Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours
Connect with Ruth Hull Chatlien at her website or on Facebook.
Buy at: Amazon, Amazon Canada, and B&N

 

GIVEAWAY (US/Canada)

I have one copy of The Ambitious Madame Bonaparte by Ruth Hull Chatlien to share with my readers.  The book is available in paperback, mobi, or e-pub – winner’s choice.  To enter…

  • For 1 entry leave a comment entering the giveaway.
  • Tweet, share on Facebook, or blog for 2 extra entries.

Open to US and Canadian residents (no PO boxes)
Draw Date April 26/14

 

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Source:  Review copy provided by the publisher.  No compensation was received for this review and all opinions are my own.

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Filed Under: 2014 - 100+ Books, 2014 ARC's, 2014 Book Reviews, 2014 eBooks, Historical Fiction Virtual Blog Tours

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Ruth Hull Chatlien says

    April 9, 2014 at 6:17 am

    Thank you for reviewing my book.

  2. anne says

    April 9, 2014 at 10:13 am

    This book sounds intriguing and special.

  3. Margaret says

    April 9, 2014 at 10:26 am

    Would love to read this book, have heard so many good things about it.
    Thanks for the giveaway.

  4. Sandra Furlotte says

    April 9, 2014 at 10:32 am

    What a wonderful subject for a book.

  5. KATHLEEN BIANCHI says

    April 9, 2014 at 10:38 am

    I’ve read a few reviews on this book and they all say read it! I would love to win this book.
    I tweeted.

  6. Suko says

    April 9, 2014 at 11:17 am

    Thanks for hosting this wonderful giveaway, Darlene! This book sounds positively riveting. I’ll add your giveaway to my blog’s sidebar.

    suko95(at)gmail(dot)com

  7. Diane Castiglione says

    April 9, 2014 at 11:35 am

    What a interesting book. Would love to read
    Did tweet this….Thank you for the giveaway.

  8. ellie says

    April 9, 2014 at 2:14 pm

    A historical which interests me since it is unique. Thanks for this feature.

  9. Diane says

    April 9, 2014 at 4:11 pm

    Captivating and fascinating novel. Many thanks.

  10. Ann says

    April 9, 2014 at 5:46 pm

    Interesting. I’ve never heard anything about Napoleon’s family before.
    Ann

  11. Denise Duvall says

    April 9, 2014 at 6:56 pm

    I tweeted.5:53 PM – 9 Apr 2014@DeniseDuvall2
    I shared on Facebook.https://www.facebook.com/denise.duvall.10
    I never knew the Napolean’s brother Jerome married an American.Thank you for the giveaway. This sounds like a very interesting book.

  12. bookworm says

    April 9, 2014 at 7:04 pm

    Sounds like fantastic historical fiction! I have never heard of Betsy Bonaparte.

  13. Carl says

    April 9, 2014 at 10:21 pm

    I had no idea of the Bonapartes in America. What a great story to tell. Thanks for bringing this book to my attention.

    I tweeted a link to this post: https://twitter.com/carlrscott/status/454111683435175936

  14. Mariag says

    April 10, 2014 at 5:34 am

    Sounds very interesting!

  15. Melanie Backus says

    April 10, 2014 at 5:46 am

    I am intrigued by this one! Thank you for the giveaway. I am keeping my fingers crossed!

    melback at cebridge dot net

  16. Martha says

    April 10, 2014 at 10:57 am

    I saw a documentary that mentioned this branch of the Bonaparte family. I was curious and would like to read this.

  17. Patricia N says

    April 10, 2014 at 1:58 pm

    Read another good review of this book and would love to read it!

  18. Patricia N says

    April 10, 2014 at 1:59 pm

    Tweet
    https://twitter.com/pmernick1/status/454347739241779200

  19. Anita Yancey says

    April 11, 2014 at 7:21 am

    It sounds like a very interesting book. I never knew that Napoleon had a brother. Thanks for having the giveaway.

    ayancey1974(at)gmail(dot)com

  20. Anita Yancey says

    April 11, 2014 at 7:22 am

    Shared on Facebook as Anita Yancey.

    ayancey1974(at)gmail(dot)com

  21. Rhonda says

    April 13, 2014 at 11:40 am

    Book sounds perfect for me.lomazowr@gmail.com will tweet @rhondareads.

  22. Lisa Garrett says

    April 14, 2014 at 5:46 am

    I would love to know more about Bonaparte.

    lag110 at mchsi dot com

  23. Lisa Garrett says

    April 14, 2014 at 5:48 am

    Tweeted: https://mobile.twitter.com/lag32583/status/455673548493684736

  24. Pamela j says

    April 22, 2014 at 10:11 am

    What a great review. Can’t wait to read this.
    pjames330 at aol dot com

  25. Pamela j says

    April 22, 2014 at 10:15 am

    https://mobile.twitter.com/pj436/status/458639591231086592?p=v
    Tweet

  26. Maxie Anderson says

    April 24, 2014 at 1:22 am

    I would like to win this book and read the whole book. I think I will like it. Please put my name in for an entry. Also, I shared it on FB for extra entries. Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com

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