Have a sneak peek between the covers of Will Bashor's intriguing novel — The Bastard Prince of Versailles #HistoricalFiction #LGBTQFiction #BlogTour @WBashorAuthor @cathiedunn

The Bastard Prince of Versailles:
a novel inspired by true events

The King’s Secret Children

by Will Bashor

A historical novel inspired by real events, The Bastard Prince of Versailles, narrates the escapades of a misborn "prince" during the reign of Louis XIV in seventeenth-century France. Louis de Bourbon wasn't a real prince-even though his father was King Louis XIV. 

The illegitimate son of the King and his mistress, Louise de La Vallière, young Louis has been kept far from the court's eyes until summoned to bid adieu to his mother. To atone for her adultery, she joins a convent, abandoning Louis to an uncertain future. 

When Louis is humiliated by his father for his role in a secret gay society, he struggles to redeem himself through heroism and self-sacrifice in the king's army on the battlefield.

Praise for The Bastard Prince of Versailles:

“Will Bashor effortlessly weaves together the threads of fact and fiction, transporting us back to the opulence and intrigue of 17th century France. The author’s research and attention to detail are evident and well applied, never seeming like a dry history lesson but always a hook keeping you turning the pages.

Louis is brought to life with such authenticity that you can't help but empathize with his journey. As he navigates the treacherous waters of courtly politics and yearns for his father's approval, you'll feel a gripping connection to his struggles and triumphs. The rest of the characters are well-crafted as well, each contributing to the rich tapestry of the story.

If you are looking for a unique historical novel that will transport you to another time and leave a lasting impression, this book is an absolute must-read.”

~ International Review of Books

Not expecting him to be on time when the clock chimed twice at the stables, Elizabeth leisurely paced back and forth outside the carriage room. Stable boys can be so unreliable, she thought. But to her surprise a young lad arrived precisely at two o’clock. He dismounted and bowed.

“With your permission, madame duchess,” he said, “just a second to give him some oats before I brush him.”

“Of course, junger Mann.” Elizabeth remembered him from the hunt with Louis at Versailles. She wondered if he was really a stable boy. He was well-groomed, and his linen vest and breeches were unsoiled.

Something is not quite right, she thought.

She entered and looked around the well-swept, orderly stable. The boy’s muddy boots were neatly placed by the door, and all the stable’s tools were hanging on the wall—even the stable broom and pitchfork. From the loft came a fresh breeze through an open door with the sweet aroma of sun-soaked grasses.

The boy hung his empty bucket on a rusty hook, brushed the chaff off his vest, and bowed again. “Madame, my name is Marcel Joubert. I would be honored if I could be Count Louis’ whipping boy.”

“No, Monsieur Joubert.” Elizabeth shook her head. “No, I presume the honor will be ours.”

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Will Bashor

From Columbus, Ohio, Will earned his Ph.D. from the American Graduate School of Paris. In his spare time, he reads memoirs and researches the lives of royals and their courtiers. 

He hopes to share his fascination with the Bourbon dynasty and its quirky inhabitants and, at the same time, weave the historical record with creative fiction. He has written articles for the Huffington Post, Age of Revolutions, BBC History Magazine, and Carine Roitfeld’s CR Fashion Book.

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