The 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
Source: Review copy provided by the publisher. No compensation was received for this review and all opinions are my own.
Thank you for reviewing my book.
This book sounds intriguing and special.
Would love to read this book, have heard so many good things about it.
Thanks for the giveaway.
What a wonderful subject for a book.
I’ve read a few reviews on this book and they all say read it! I would love to win this book.
I tweeted.
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
What a interesting book. Would love to read
Did tweet this….Thank you for the giveaway.
A historical which interests me since it is unique. Thanks for this feature.
Captivating and fascinating novel. Many thanks.
Interesting. I’ve never heard anything about Napoleon’s family before.
Ann
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.
Sounds like fantastic historical fiction! I have never heard of Betsy Bonaparte.
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
Sounds very interesting!
I am intrigued by this one! Thank you for the giveaway. I am keeping my fingers crossed!
melback at cebridge dot net
I saw a documentary that mentioned this branch of the Bonaparte family. I was curious and would like to read this.
Read another good review of this book and would love to read it!
Tweet
https://twitter.com/pmernick1/status/454347739241779200
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
Shared on Facebook as Anita Yancey.
ayancey1974(at)gmail(dot)com
Book sounds perfect for me.lomazowr@gmail.com will tweet @rhondareads.
I would love to know more about Bonaparte.
lag110 at mchsi dot com
Tweeted: https://mobile.twitter.com/lag32583/status/455673548493684736
What a great review. Can’t wait to read this.
pjames330 at aol dot com
https://mobile.twitter.com/pj436/status/458639591231086592?p=v
Tweet
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