Title: Four Princesses from Provence
Author: Amelia V. Rogers
Publisher: LitFire Publishing
ISBN: 978-1635247794
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 156
Reviewed by: Lisa Brown Gilbert
Hollywood Book Reviews
A creative work Inspired and influenced by elements of Dante’s The Divine Comedy, Author Amelia V. Rogers’ Four Princesses of Provence offers a fictionalized impression of Europe’s ascent from the dark ages, told through the lives and loves of the four daughters of the Court of Provence.
Steeped in the historical setting of the middle ages, this work brings to life, a time in European history that culturally allowed for women of noble birth to be utilized as political pawns through strategically planned marriages. Descriptive scenes enliven the narrative which centers on the lives and loves of the four daughters of Raymond Berenger Count of Provence, located in Southern France.
Provence, a beautiful, small and struggling country needed a male heir, but the birth of a fourth daughter Beatrice, potentially meant more harm than good could come to the small country. However, a faith-filled and faithful counselor to the family reveals a vision from God, declaring that Daughters Marguerite, Eleanor, Sancha, and Beatrice, would each eventually become a queen in their own right, thusly bringing hope to a worried prince.
Meanwhile, as time passes three of the four sisters do become Queen in their own right; Marguerite becomes queen of France, Eleanor; queen of England, and Sancha; queen of Sicily, respectively. However, the true protagonist of the story, Beatrice the youngest sister, finds herself at odds when it comes to her ascension to Queendom. Beatrice falls in love and pines for a political adversary, but eventually is forced to marry an uncaring man in a marriage of political convenience.
I enjoyed Four Princesses from Provence. I found the book to be an absorbing, well-detailed narrative provided by author Rogers, who aptly provides both a literate and entertaining view of a time in history; the knowledge of which, seems to shrink further and further away with the passage of time. Because of her particular background in history, author Amelia V. Rogers, proffers readers an overall story which owns an authenticity and expertise that shines through the characterizations. Her vernacular, nuances, culture, and affairs of state, create for readers, a journey in time, which provides an intriguingly enmeshed culmination of the history, culture, and politics of the era aptly portrayed via the creative expansion of the lives. Relationships of the four attractive and charming, daughters of the court of Provence are memorable. Also, included in the Epilogue, are brief summaries of the history of the sisters and their reigns as Queens. Four Princesses from Provence is definitely an intriguing read for fans of history.