The French Sultana (The Veil and the Crown)

I enjoyed the two books that told the story of two women that I had no idea were connected. I wonder if all the letters recorded were actually written and saved. I had hoped to see information about Rose's letters to Aimee. It was a good way to document the history of the two in almost real time ( real time of the era, anyway). Now I have to track down Josephine's biography.

Interesting narrative and imagined correspondence tie the two cousins Rose and Aimee together – one becoming lover to two Sultans of the Ottoman Empire and mother to a third, surviving rebellions and civil wars as well as the intrigues of the seraglio’s ambitious odalisques; the other becoming wife to Napoleon Bonaparte. Josephine’s story is documented in France’s history. Aimee’s life is partly documented, but a disputed legend took over the story line at the point of her capture by the Bey of Algiers. However, read as simply a novel about historical persons, the characters rise from the pages to engage our imagination, sometimes challenging us with their flaws and mistakes, sometimes delighting us with their wit and resourcefulness. Kismet, fate, has a lot to do with the patterns of their lives. Unless you think it’s the prophecy controls things.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was quite the story. Two cousins share their life stories, along with the famous Emperor of France. Full of history and intriguing characters. Five stars!

This was an interesting story because it was historical fiction about an uncommon time in history for this sort of book. It lacked a bit of depth for the characters; I didn't really care too much about any of the characters when they were in danger at the climax of the story. I liked how the author pulled from the (very unlikely) possibility that the main character was actually related to Josephine Bonaparte and it made me curious about her. I think if I hadn't had any prior knowledge of how the Ottoman harems worked/a basic history of them, I may have been a bit confused in some parts though. It held my attention but it feels like there are big pieces missing from making it a really good book. I also appreciated how for the villains of the story it was told how they came to become like that (like abuse, and etc.) and they weren't your average bad guys. I think the sultans, just could have used a little more character development so we could really understand. I think a bit more background about the culture would have helped.

This two-book series is filled with the most interesting historical information. I love the background information that comes out in this story. It is exciting, suspenseful, romantic and all based on the real lives of cousins, Aimee and Rose. The fact that a fortune teller accurately foretold the future of these two very impressive women blew me away. I had never heard of Josephine Boneparte's French Sultana's cousin prior to this series and I'm genuinely impressed with the research that had to have gone into the writing if this story. I wholeheartedly recommend this series to history buffs and historical romance fiction readers. Hard to put down!

This is the second book of a two -part series, and it is definitely worth reading both. The first book is The Stolen Girl. It is excellent as well, and I would also rate it a strong 5 stars. The second volume picks up where the first left off. That being said you could read this book standing alone and not miss anything for having not read the first. This is because the author does a great job of writing an informative introduction.The story follows the lives of two cousins who leave colonial Martinique and become influential female rulers in France and the Ottoman Empire respectively at the late 18th to the turn of the 19th century. Their fortunes as predicted by an obeah woman come true over the years, but not in the ways anyone might expect.The book is entertaining, full of adventure, and fascinating to read. The author's command of history, and meticulous research, show through out.

Not being one who liked history, this book opened a new love for history that was never taught to me. I thoroughly enjoyed the story of Rose and Aimee; and the knowledge of the descendants to this day

Sometimes truth IS stranger than fiction and this series of historical fiction is a prime example of that. Wrapped around historical facts that played out for both Rose and Amiee, these two young girls half a world away were given a prophesy that they would each later become a queen of an empire. History indeed becomes a lot more interesting when encased in a good read. My only critique might be that some scenes are a little steamy, just be expecting that especially in Book 1. Otherwise, a fascinating read.

Fascinating historical stories of a well known empress and a lesser known sultana, surprisingly related. 2 great women. Very interesting.

This first volume of a two-part storyline kept me totally absorbedThe story in part one tells of two girl cousins growing up in Martique meeting with a slave "seer" who predicts the fortunes. The predictions are too icredible - an yet they start to come true.TheBut the story of the girls is true.In the late 18th/early the orher 19th centuries, one, Rose, became Josephine Dr Beauharnais Bonaparte, Emress of Frabce; This first volume of a two-part storyline kept me totally absorbedThe story tells of two girl cousins growing uo meeting with a slave "seer" who predicts the fortunes. The predictions are too icredible - an yet they start to come true.TheBut the story of the girls is true.In the late 18th/early the orher 19th centuries, one, Rose, became Josephine Dr Beauharnais Bonaparte, Emress of Frabce; the other, Aimeae Dubocq Dr RRivery lands in the seafloor of the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire

I enjoyed the historical accounts relating to the lives of both women and the way Zia brings the ladies "alive" within the times in which they lived. European history is quite well known to me but I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the Ottoman, & particularly Turkish history, culture and practices especialky as they impacted on women.

This continues the story begun in “The Stolen Girl”. While I found the Stolen Girl to be overly descriptive to the point of distraction, it was not the case here. I appreciate all the research that must have been done to tell this story. Intriguing.

I enjoyed the first novel more as this became a list of historical events that were lightly tied together by characters. Trying to cover so much time meant the narrative was lost and the characters no longer developed. Going from an innocent to managing the harem and being over 40, you’d expect some character change!