Book Chat with Author Eva Stachniak of THE SCHOOL OF MIRRORS

March 19, 2024 / drbethnolan / Leave a comment

I’m super excited to share with readers the opportunity for a zoom book chat with author Eva Stachniak regarding her novel: The School of Mirrors.

Here’s the overview from Amazon:

“A riveting epic, keenly observed and shining with lush historical detail. You’ll never forget this journey.”–Cara Black, New York Times bestselling author of Three Hours in Paris

“A sweeping tale of tumult and tragedy— intricate, absorbing, and impeccably depicted, The School of Mirrors will linger in your imagination long after you turn the last page.”–Ann Mah, bestselling author of Jacqueline in Paris

A scintillating, gorgeously written historical novel about a mother and a daughter in eighteenth-century France, beginning with decadence and palace intrigue at Versailles and ending in an explosive new era of revolution.

During the reign of Louis XV, impoverished but lovely teenage girls from all over France are sent to a discreet villa in the town of Versailles. Overseen by the King’s favorite mistress, Madame de Pompadour, they will be trained as potential courtesans for the King. When the time is right, each girl is smuggled into the palace of Versailles, with its legendary Hall of Mirrors. There they meet a mysterious but splendidly dressed man who they’re told is merely a Polish count, a cousin of the Queen. Living an indulgent life of silk gowns, delicious meals, and soft beds, the students at this “school of mirrors” rarely ask questions, and when Louis tires of them, they are married off to minor aristocrats or allowed to retire to one of the more luxurious nunneries.

Beautiful and canny Veronique arrives at the school of mirrors and quickly becomes a favorite of the King. But when she discovers her lover’s true identity, she is whisked away, sent to give birth to a daughter in secret, and then to marry a wealthy Breton merchant. There is no return to the School of Mirrors.

This is also the story of the King’s daughter by Veronique—Marie-Louise. Well-provided for in a comfortable home, Marie-Louise has never known her mother, let alone her father. Capable and intelligent, she discovers a passion for healing and science, and becomes an accredited midwife, one of the few reputable careers for women like her. But eventually Veronique comes back into her daughter’s life, bringing with her the secret of Marie-Louise’s birth. But the new King—Louis XVI—is teetering on his throne and it’s a volatile time in France…and those with royal relatives must mind their step very carefully.

I’m reading it now and I love love love historical fiction!

Here’s the scoop on the book chat:

WHEN: Saturday, April 6, 2024

WHERE: My Zoom

TIME: 3:00-4:30 EST

HOW DO I REGISTER?: please email me at bethsbooknookblog@yahoo.com and I will email the zoom link the week of the event. Or if you follow me on Facebook (Beth’s Book Nook Blog) I will post the link there as well.

Online Book Club Event with the Author: Meet Eva Stachniak, author of The School of Mirrors

February 21, 2024 / drbethnolan / Leave a comment

I am SUPER EXCITED to share that I will be hosting an online zoom book club event with Eva Stachniak, author of the historical novel: The School of Mirrors.

Here’s some info from Amazon about the book:

This sounds SO good and I can’t wait!

Our zoom event will be on Saturday, April 6, from 3:00-4:30 EST.

I will send my zoom link closer to the date (as a good reminder, too!). It would be great if folks could RSVP but my zoom is unlimited for time and up to 500 people, so it’s okay if you don’t.

Saturday Snapshot: a few costumes from the Met

July 7, 2018July 6, 2018 / drbethnolan / 3 Comments

When we were in NYC, we went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, one of my very favorite places! One of my top choices there is to see what’s in the basement area – the costume collection. They were having a special exhibit of vestments and clothing from different Popes and no one could take pictures of it (not sure why). However, I came across two other intriguing “costumes” in an exhibition of visitors to Versailles. With my obsession with history, I love reading about Versailles and the opulent life there. I took a picture of a ladies dress from a visitor (not only magnificent, but amazingly well preserved!):

I also took a picture of one of Ben Franklin’s suits. What struck me was that every picture or interpretation I’ve seen of Ben Franklin as an adult has him about 250-300 pounds (with the exception of his large statue at the Franklin Institute in Philly). While his suit was certainly a bit larger than those of his peers in the display, it really wasn’t very large at all (well, by American standards!): (no flash was allowed – sorry!)