Review, Tour and Giveaway: The Confessions of Catherine de Medici by C.W. Gortner (Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours)

C.W. Gortner has once again written a fabulous historical fiction book filled with amazing details of the period, this time, focused on Catherine de Medici, giving her a sense of realism and  humanity that history books don't offer.

Catherine de Medici (1519-1589), married at the age of 14, is known for her almost ruthless ruling as Queen after the death of her husband, King Henri II of France, as she raises three of her sons up to fill their father's shoes as King.

I love that Gortner made her more than simply a ruthless queen, but rather showed her in a light that painted her as a mother struggling to keep her family safe, to safeguard their future and the future of the monarchy. At times, Catherine's story is heartbreaking, and at others I wanted to cheer!  The book is written from the perspective of Catherine, and I felt it lent strength and truth to her character.

The insights C.W. Gortner brings to the family and every day life of such a historic family is amazing.  I found myself engrossed and utterly unable to put the book down.  This book is sure to be favored by fans of historical fiction, those who like to read about the kings and/or queens throughout history, and will be a great book to read for book clubs.  The book also includes a great Reader's Guide as well as Questions and Discussion Topics.




The Confessions of Catherine de Medici
by C.W. Gortner
Ballantine Books (May 24, 2011) ~ 432 pages
Fiction / Historical Fiction

Edition Reviewed: Paperback - Review copy received courtesy of the publisher, many thanks to both the author and the publisher for sending me a copy to review for this Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tour!

About the Book: (From the Book Tour)

The truth is, not one of us is innocent. We all have sins to confess. So reveals Catherine de Medici, the last legitimate descendant of her family’s illustrious line. Expelled from her native Florence, Catherine is betrothed to Henri, son of François I of France. In an unfamiliar realm, Catherine strives to create a role for herself through her patronage of the famous clairvoyant Nostradamus and her own innate gift as a seer. But in her fortieth year, Catherine is widowed, left alone with six young children in a kingdom torn apart by the ambitions of a treacherous nobility. Relying on her tenacity, wit, and uncanny gift for compromise, Catherine seizes power, intent on securing the throne for her sons, unaware that if she is to save France, she may have to sacrifice her ideals, her reputation, and the secret of her embattled heart.

About the Author: (from the book tour)

C. W. Gortner, half-Spanish by birth, holds an M.F.A. in writing, with an emphasis on historical studies, from the New College of California and has taught university courses on women of power in the Renaissance. He was raised in Málaga, Spain, and now lives in California.

For more information please visit C.W. Gortner's WEBSITE and BLOG.

Tour Information:

To visit more tour stops, please visit Amy at Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours here! 

Giveaway Details:
One lucky Wendi's Book Corner reader will win a copy of C.W.Gortner's The Confessions of Catherine de Medici!

To Enter: (Leave a comment for each, please include your email so I can contact you if you win!)

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This giveaway is open to the United States.  The drawing will be held Wednesday June 15th. Winner: I will send you an email, please reply with your address so I can forward it to Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours!

~ Wendi


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