The Courtesan by Susan Carroll

The grounds of the Louvre had been transformed into something out of the tales of Camelot, colorful tents erected, pennants snapping in the breeze. Knights sprouted instead of flowers, stalwart young men in various stages of donning armor called greetings and taunts to one another while their squires flew about polishing weapons. ~ The Courtesan, page 287 ~

Paris, 1575. The consort of some of Europe's most influential men, Gabrielle Cheney is determined to secure her future by winning the heart of Henry, the Huguenot king of Navarre. As his mistress, Gabrielle hopes she might one day become the power behind the French throne. But her plans are jeopardized by Captain Nicolas Remy, a devoted warrior whose love Gabrielle desires - and fears - above all. She will also incur the malevolence of the Dark Queen, Catherine de Medici, whose spies and witch-hunters are legion, and who will summon the black arts to maintain her authority. With the lives of those she loves in peril, Gabrielle must rebel against her queen to fulfill a glorious destiny she has sacrificed everything to gain.

This is the 2nd book in the Cheney Sisters trilogy. I enjoyed this one as much as I enjoyed book 1 and book 3 which I'm currently reading. Where the 1st book was much more of a romance this book is filled with intrigue, danger, daring and evil. Gabrielle is more of a risk-taker than Ariane. Her actions and motives place her in harms way on a regular basis. Of course we shouldn't fear for her because where Gabrielle is, Remy is. While Gabrielle and Remy finally get their act together there's plenty of action to keep them, and the readers, occupied along the way. I love the cast of characters this author has created from the sisters to sinister, yet redeemable, Le Balafre. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.