Synopses & Reviews
Rich in intrigue and scheming, love and lust, Sherry Jones’s vibrant historical novel follows four women destined to sway the fate of nations and the hearts of kings. . . . Amid the lush valleys and fragrant wildflowers of Provence, Marguerite, Eléonore, Sanchia, and Beatrice have learned to charm, hunt, dance, and debate under the careful tutelage of their ambitious mother—and to abide by the countess’s motto: “Family comes first.”
With Provence under constant attack, their legacy and safety depend upon powerful alliances. Marguerite’s illustrious match with the young King Louis IX makes her Queen of France. Soon Eléonore—independent and daring—is betrothed to Henry III of England. In turn, shy, devout Sanchia and tempestuous Beatrice wed noblemen who will also make them queens.
Yet a crown is no guarantee of protection. Enemies are everywhere, from Marguerite’s duplicitous mother-in-law to vengeful lovers and land-hungry barons. Then there are the dangers that come from within, as loyalty succumbs to bitter sibling rivalry, and sister is pitted against sister for the prize each believes is rightfully hers—Provence itself.
From the treacherous courts of France and England, to the bloody tumult of the Crusades, Sherry Jones traces the extraordinary true story of four fascinating sisters whose passions, conquests, and progeny shaped the course of history.
Review
Four Sisters, All Queens draws the reader into the intrigue and drama of the courts of 13th century Europe, delightfully evoking the rich details and vivid personalities of a fascinating era. A feast for fans of historical fiction!” --Gillian Bagwell, author of The Darling Strumpet and The September Queen
Review
"Sherry Jones bursts onto the medieval scene with this enthralling tale of four royal sisters vying for power. Engrossing and vividly rendered, the intrigue and splendor of 13th century Europe are brought to life through the voices of these disparate women, each destined to take the throne and find herself in a dangerous struggle for dominance against her own kin. Family politics, forbidden passion, and heartbreaking sacrifice create a mesmerizing tableau of what it meant to be a queen." --C.W. Gortner, author of The Confessions of Catherine de Medici
Review
"A lively, entertaining tableau that evokes the complexities of court life in thirteenth-century Provence, France, and England as seen through the eyes of four remarkable women." --Mitchell James Kaplan, author of By Fire, By Water
Review
"Sherry Jones brings medieval Europe to life through the extraordinary destinies of the "ladies of Provence." Queens, sisters, rivals... What a tale!"
--Catherine Delors, author of Mistress of the Revolution and For the King
Review
"In Four Sisters, All Queens, Sherry Jones tells an extraordinary story of four extraordinary women, all with royal destinies. In elegant but lively prose, she brings their triumphs and struggles to life."--Susan Higginbotham, author of Her Highness, the Traitor
Review
"Entertaining...Fans of historical fiction about European royalty should enjoy this well-written novel set during fascinating times. The relationship among the sisters is believable and often heartbreaking." --Library Journal
Review
"Jones’s impeccable eye for detail and beautifully layered plot...makes this not only a standout historical, but an impressive novel in its own right, regardless of genre." --Publishers Weekly
Synopsis
From the award-winning author of the controversial international bestseller The Jewel of Medina, a historical novel that chronicles the lives of four sisters, all daughters of Beatrice of Provence—all of whom became queens in medieval Europe. When Beatrice of Savoy, countess of Provence, sends her four beautiful, accomplished daughters to become queens, she admonishes them: Family comes first. As a result, the daughters—Marguerite, queen of France; Eleanor, queen of England; Sanchia, queen of Germany; and Beatrice, queen of Sicily—work not only to expand their husbands’ empires and broker peace between nations, but also to bring the House of Savoy to greater power and influence than before. Their father’s death, however, tears the sisters apart, pitting them against one another for the legacy each believes rightfully hers—Provence itself.
Told from alternating points of view of all four queens, and set in the tumultuous thirteenth century, this is a tale of greed, lust, ambition, and sibling rivalry on a royal scale, exploring the meaning of true power and bringing to life four of the most celebrated women of their time—each of whom had an impact on the history of Europe.
About the Author
Author and journalist Sherry Jones is perhaps best known for her controversial debut novel, the international bestseller The Jewel of Medina, a novel about the early life of the Muslim Prophet Muhammad’s favorite wife, the most famous and influential woman in Islam. When she’s not working on her next books, Ms. Jones is traveling the world, speaking and writing about free speech, censorship, Islam, and women’s rights.