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Paperback Publication Date: February 24, 2015 | St. Martin's Griffin | Paperback; 336 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
In 1660, the Restoration of Stuart Monarchy in England returns Frances Stuart and her family to favor. Frances discards threadbare gowns and goes to gilded Fontainebleau Palace, where she soon catches the Sun King's eye. But Frances is no ordinary court beauty-she has Stuart secrets to keep and her family to protect. King Louis XIV turns vengeful when she rejects his offer to become his Official Mistress. He sends her to England with orders to seduce King Charles II and help him form an alliance with England. The Queen Mother likewise orders Frances to become her son's mistress, in the interest of luring him away from the Protestant mistress he currently keeps. Armed in pearls and silks, Frances maneuvers the political turbulence of Whitehall Palace, but still can't afford to stir a scandal, determined to keep her family from shame. Her tactic to inspire King Charles to greatness captivates him, and the two embark on a tenuous relationship. Frances survives the Great Fire, the Great Plague, and the debauchery of the Restoration Court, yet loses her heart to the very king she must control. A startling discovery will leave her with no other choice but to break his heart, while the fate of England hangs in the balance. In the tradition of Philippa Gregory, Marci Jefferson brings to life a captivating woman whose beauty, compassion, and intellect impacted a king and a nation.
Praise for Girl on the Golden Coin
"Jefferson's intoxicating first novel superbly draws readers into the mischief and maneuverings, loyalties and treacheries, and lust and hostility of powerful 17th century kings and scheming court sycophants. Frances Stuart, a young distant cousin of King Charles II, and other historical figures reveal the essence of Restoration England in this captivating story....Jefferson aptly recounts the passionate affair and resulting potential 'political calamity,' the queen's infertility, the mistresses and illegitimate children, and the turmoil of London's devastating plague, the great fire and the Dutch war....this is an exciting, solid debut." (Publishers Weekly (starred review))"Jefferson fictionalizes the life of a little-known--yet exceedingly familiar--historical figure in her authentically detailed debut...Faced with some difficult choices regarding love, loyalty, family, and duty, Frances staunchly follows her own path into the annals of history as she poses as a model for the visage of Britannia, destined to grace coins, medals, and statues for centuries. This small leap from the Tudors is a must-read for Alison Weir-Philippa Gregory fans." (Booklist)
"Jefferson's first novel focuses on a woman and time that recent historical novelists have overlooked: Restoration England." (Library Journal)
"Scheming, unscrupulous Lady Castlemaine, Charles' wilful sister, the easy-going king himself and even Frances' rather sweet husband who makes just brief appearances are well-drawn characters who add to the novel's charm. Jefferson is an accomplished writer, and Girl on the Golden Coin is an excellent debut that sets a high standard for any future works." (Roanoke Times)
"Written with spirit and insight, the novel reveals both the glamour and the dirt of court life while peering into the soul of a woman who is one of the unsung heroines of English history." (Historical Novels Review)
"Marci Jefferson's debut novel Girl on the Golden Coin paints a rich and vivid portrayal …A juicy vacation read when you want to become embroiled in an entirely different world…Once the first page turns, you won't want to come up for air." (Daily Press)
"A novel as rich and golden as the coin she graced. Frances Stuart's face was truly her fortune and left its mark on history, a rare achievement." (Margaret George, New York Times bestselling author of Elizabeth I: The Novel)
"A delicious story of court intrigues, affairs and vibrant personalities, Jefferson's novel is sure to please fans of historical fiction of all kinds." (Madeline Hunter, New York Times bestselling author of The Counterfeit Mistress)
"In her wonderfully evocative debut, Marci Jefferson recreates the fascinating story of Frances Stuart, whose influence over England's Charles II became the talk of a nation. As vibrant and delightful as the woman it's based on, Girl on the Golden Coin is a jewel of a novel!" (Michelle Moran, national bestselling author of The Second Empress)
"Beauty is not always a blessing, as young Frances Stuart finds out when her lovely face pits her between the desires and politics of rival kings Louis XIV and Charles II. Frances makes an appealing heroine, by turns wary and passionate, sophisticated and innocent, as she matures from destitute young pawn to the majestic duchess whose figure would grace Britain's coins for centuries. Her struggles to support her loved ones, uncover her family secrets, and somehow find a life of her own amid the snake-pit courts of the Sun King and the Merry Monarch make for lively, entertaining reading in this lush Restoration novel by debut author Marci Jefferson." (Kate Quinn, national bestselling author of Mistress of Rome)
Girl on the Golden Coin is a sexy, exciting tale featuring vivid characters, rich historical detail, scintillating court intrigue, and a complexly rendered heroine in Frances Stuart, Maid of Honor to the Queen of England, who will capture the reader's heart--as will the man she loves, that rascal King Charles II. (Sherry Jones, internationally bestselling author of Four Sisters, All Queens)
"Fans of historical fiction featuring interesting but previously overlooked women have reason to celebrate the release of Girl on the Golden Coin. With a deft hand, Marci Jefferson brings to vivid life Frances Stuart, Duchess of Richmond--a woman with the charms of Josephine Bonaparte and style of Marie Antoinette, who captured the hearts of Kings on both sides of the channel. Frances is a thoroughly likeable heroine who puts duty to her King, her country, and her family before the desires of her own heart. But Frances, as written by Jefferson, is no paper-saint. She is a flesh and blood woman who modern readers will recognize and identify with. The balance of the novel's characters are equally well drawn--full of nuance and complexity. Do not miss this marvelous debut!" (Sophie Perinot, author of The Sister Queens)
"Marci Jefferson spins a spirited yarn in Girl on the Golden Coin, a Restoration novel packed with beribboned courtiers and ebullient dialogue and the utterly likable and cunning Frances Stuart, distant cousin of King Charles II. A realistic view of court intrigue, this story of merry-making and mischief and the ultimate test of honor will delight readers and keep them turning pages long into the night." (Heather Webb, author of Becoming Josephine)
"Girl on the Golden Coin is a fantastic novel. I couldn't put it down. The plot is fast-paced and compelling, with intriguing characters, lush settings and captivating narrative voice. Jefferson's debut paints an intriguing portrait of Frances Stuart, a novel worthy of the determined, golden spirit of the woman whose face became the model for Brittania herself." (Susan Spann, author of Claws of the Cat)
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About the Author
Years after graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University, immersing herself in a Quality Assurance nursing career, and then having children, Marci realized she’d neglected her passion for history and writing. She began traveling, writing along the way, delving into various bits of history that caught her fancy. The plot for GIRL ON THE GOLDEN COIN evolved slowly after a trip to London, where she first learned about the Stuart royals. Marci is a member of the Historical Novel Society. She resides in the Midwest with her husband, making hair-bows for their daughter, trying not to step on their son’s Legos, and teaching a tiny Pacific Parrotlet to talk.For more information visit Marci Jefferson's website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads.
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