Happy Release Day! That’s not a thing, but it should be. There is a delightful (somewhat terrifying) feeling when a book finally comes before the public. After the writing and the polishing and the fretting and the editing and the proofreading stages and then more fretting, finally, it feels done! Pursued in Paris must sink or swim on its own. I hope you enjoy it. Get your copy here books2read.com/pursuedinparis.
I had great fun researching this book. My Rakes on the Run novels are set in different cities. Naturally, the first was London, our crown jewel of Regency cities. And then a story of a British spy and a deceptive lady floated into my fevered brain. Where would Malcolm be gathering intelligence in 1815? Naturally, in Paris. After decades of war between Britain and France, conflict ended in 1814 with the exile of Emperor Bonaparte to Elba, a little island off the coast of Italy. What could go wrong?
European countries got busy writing up an agreement about who would get what and all that political stuff. Before the ink was dry, about ten months later, Napoleon and some loyal followers got on a boat — because why not give the most formidable man in Europe access to a boat? — and he sailed to the south of France as you’ll read in my book. He blazed a trail north directly to Paris with people hailing his return. The royal armies sent by King Louis XVIII, the re-installed Bourbon king, defected to Napoleon almost upon sight.
Without shedding a drop of blood, he strolled into Paris on March 20th. The Eagle had returned! Vive l’Empereur!
The European armies with Wellington leading the British troops were determined to rout Bonaparte again. Some were uncertain. After all, if the French people welcomed him back, why should other countries determine who would rule France? In the end, the French weren’t given a choice. There’s a fascinating article in the Smithsonian Magazine called “Why We’d Be Better Off if Napoleon Never Lost at Waterloo” by Andrew Roberts. The title says it all, and he might be right. Perhaps Napoleon was ready simply to rule France and was no longer interested in conquering other countries. But the rest of Europe and especially Britain were not willing to take that chance.
In some villages, the French people took a vote on the direction of the country. In this image, you can see all the “yes” votes on the left, simple, pithy, just a signature. On the right is the vote of one M. Bailly, who wrote nearly a pamphlet about why he voted as he did, which was “non”! Must be one of my wordy forefathers. 🙂
My book portrays the torn loyalties of the French people at this time, in the summer of 1815, while weaving in a story of Regency romance and intrigue. My characters visit many landmarks which still exist today, including the shopping area of the Palais Royal, where Malcolm meets Serena, the Louvre (sometimes called the Museum Napoleon because he stocked it so well over the years with appropriated art from his conquests), and the Jardin du Luxembourg, where they have a steamy tryst.
I love to hear from readers. Let me know what you think of my Regency romp through Paris. Pursued in Paris, available here: books2read.com/pursuedinparis.