In the Shadow of the Sun King (Darkness to Light Series, Book 1) [Paperback]

Golden Keyes Parsons (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 14, 2008

Madeleine Clavell--beautiful, fiercely faithful, and...an outlaw.

As Huguenots in 17th-Century France, Madeleine Clavell and her family defy French law daily. Though they live in comfort and happiness in the French countryside, their Protestant Christianity is considered traitorous. But they are wary. Persecution is surely at hand.

Then King Louis XIV's dragoons arrive, forcing the family from their country estate. Madeleine must gather her courage and seek out the king in his royal palace at Versailles.

Because Madeleine has a secret. Though years and a thousand choices have separated them, Madeleine and King Louis have a history together. One she feels certain he has not forgotten. She will risk everything to speak to him again. But will the impetuous king choose to save her...and her family? And if so, at what price?

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Madeleine Clavell, the heroine of this fast-paced if narrow historical (the first in a planned series), is a former lover of Louis XIV and, unfortunately for her and her family, a Huguenot. When her family is harassed by Louis's dragoons, she goes to Versailles to exploit her past relationship with the king, but her plan backfires and soon her husband is a galley slave, her daughter is sent to a convent for Catholic re-education and she and her sons are headed to Switzerland for protection. There, with the help of a courtier and her unshakeable faith, she reunites with her husband and daughter and escapes the influence of Louis XIV without forsaking her religion. While the importance of faith and surrender to God is repeatedly used as a blunt instrument and many of the characters are thin caricatures, Parsons dramatizes nicely the historical period and its religious strife. Parsons is intent on ensuring happy endings for the Clavells, and readers of a similar worldview should enjoy following the family's travails. (Oct.)
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Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (October 14, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159554626X
• ISBN-13: 978-1595546265
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (73 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #973,591 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Golden Keyes Parsons is a popular retreat and conference speaker, author of historical novels and an ordained pastor. Her book, "In The Shadow Of The Sun King," (Thomas Nelson Publishing), first in a four-book series based on her family genealogy, released Fall 2008, and was named a finalist in the ACFW's Book of the Year Debut Author category. The book chronicles the saga of the Clavell family in 17th century France, where, as French Huguenots, they suffer persecution at the hands of Louis XIV's Catholic government. The second book, "A Prisoner Of Versailles," was released September 2009. Book Three, "Where Hearts Are Free" is scheduled to release Fall 2010. Golden can be contacted at www.goldenkeyesparsons.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars High Drama and Adventure, October 2, 2008

By 

Melanie Dickerson "Jane Austen's #1 fan" (Rocket City, AL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In the Shadow of the Sun King (Darkness to Light Series, Book 1) (Paperback)

The Clavell family finds themselves at the mercy of King Louis XIV's merciless dragoons, soldiers who terrorize the Protestant Huguenots and try to force them to convert to Catholicism, the state religion. Madeleine Clavell, who knew King Louis when they were both very young, believes she can persuade him to call off the dragoons. Her husband, Francois, and her mother, Elizabeth, both try to dissuade her from traveling to Versailles, but Madeleine is desperate. Surely the king cannot be heartless. Surely he must remember what they once meant to each other and he will show mercy to her and her family. It is a gamble which could cost her everything.

I had no idea that such persecution went on in France in the 1600's. I found it very intriguing to "experience" through this story what it was like to be persecuted simply for believing a different doctrine. A dramatic story of love, betrayal, and persecution!

This is a powerful, fast-paced story that kept me guessing what might happen until the very end. I thoroughly enjoyed this family's story. I can hardly wait to read the next book in the series! I want to know how things turn out for each of the family members. I highly recommend In the Shadow of the Sun King.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rich historical drama, October 4, 2008

By 

Therese Stenzel "inspirational historical author" (Oklahoma USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: In the Shadow of the Sun King (Darkness to Light Series, Book 1) (Paperback)

From page one I was sucked into this story, reading the pages as fast as I could. What a great drama this author has created. I love a well written, well researched historical book with lots of tension and this one did not disappoint.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Thrilling Debut!, October 29, 2008

By 

James E. Robinson - See all my reviews
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This review is from: In the Shadow of the Sun King (Darkness to Light Series, Book 1) (Paperback)

It's the oldest cliche' of them all...but I couldn't put this book down! Not particularly well-read in the realm of historical romance, I was nonetheless instantly engaged by this story of intolerance and violence imposed upon the Huguenots in 17th century France. Madeleine Clavell proves to be a brave yet complex heroine as she fights to save her family from the persecution imposed by King Louis XIV. Golden Keyes Parsons shows impressive skills as a storyteller, weaving elements of brisk pacing and----even though the book is rich with historical detail----a swift immediacy that carried me along as if I had known this world all my life. A truly fine debut; I eagerly await this author's next work! --James E. Robinson, author of The Flower of Grass