Henri IV was a favorite among French kings-for good reason. Born a Huguenot in southwestern France he was centuries ahead of his time in his ideas about religious tolerance. Like his friend the philosopher Michel de Montaigne he fought for Protestants and Catholics to live peacefully together and succeeded in ending decades-long civil wars. However his lust and driving sexuality often threatened to upset his high ideals. The Royal Huguenot takes place during the struggle for power among the Bourbon Guise and Valois families in 16^th century France and tells the often lurid and surprising story of the five most prominent women in his life.
Nelda Hirsh lives in New York City and Boulder, Colorado, with her husband. After a career in human resources she turned to what she loves to do-historical research and writing. Choosing subjects of special interest to her she has written two historical novels and a non-fiction art history/biography book about a woman artist in California around the turn of the last century. The books are meticulously researched and vividly bring to life important figures in American and French history.