Online for Authors Episode 8-22-24

​The Crown and the Chaos: A Tale of Intrigue with Author Catherine Butterfield

My guest today on the Online for Authors podcast is Catherine Butterfield, author of the book, The Serpent and the Rose. Catherine was born in Manhattan but raised primarily in Minnesota and Massachusetts. (The Three M's) She was a skinny kid with miserable allergies and spent most of her youth indoors reading books. Her two biggest influences at that point were J.D. Salinger and Anne Frank. Recently, she has written her first novel, "The Serpent and the Rose," about the French queen Marguerite de Valois and her lifelong battle with her mother, Catherine de Medici. She lives in Santa Monica with Ron West and their cat, Pandita. Her daughter is the actress Audrey Corsa.

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In today's podcast episode, I had the delightful opportunity to chat with Catherine Butterfield, author of the historical fiction novel "The Serpent and the Rose." Set in 16th century France, the book follows the life of Margarite de Valois, a French princess who becomes the Queen of Navarre.

What I loved most about this book was the fresh, humorous take on a historical figure. Catherine brings Margarite to life through witty journal entries, allowing us to see the craziness of court life and dysfunctional royal family dynamics through her sharp and often hilarious lens. It's rare to find a historical fiction novel that can make you laugh out loud, but "The Serpent and the Rose" does just that.

Some of my favorite quotes from Margarite in the book:

• "Why exactly are men necessary?"
• "Adversity is solitary whilst prosperity dwells in a crowd."
• On her husband, the King: "Even if he is a thoughtless adult whom I could occasionally like to shove down the stairs. Such, I suspect, is the nature of marriage."

Catherine and I talked about her writing journey, how she stumbled upon Margarite's story while at a writer's retreat in France, and what it was like to give voice to this captivating yet often misunderstood historical figure. We also geeked out over little historical tidbits, like how the game of chess was changed in the 16th century to make the Queen the most powerful piece on the board!

If you love historical fiction with a side of wit and whimsy, definitely check out "The Serpent and the Rose." It's the perfect book to read in small bites, as Margarite's journal entries lend themselves well to savoring over time.

You can learn more about Catherine and her writing at www.catherinebutterfield.com. And if you'd like to hear Margarite's story in Catherine's own voice, an audiobook version is now available!

Thanks as always for tuning in. If you enjoyed this episode, I'd be ever so grateful if you left a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or shared with a friend who loves to laugh and learn through historical fiction.

Until next time, happy reading!

P.S. What's the most unexpectedly humorous historical fiction book you've ever read? Comment and let me know, I'm always looking for recommendations!

Purchase a copy of The Serpent and the Rose:
Paperback: https://amzn.to/3YUp9RZ
eBook: https://amzn.to/3T1twGV
​Audiobook: https://amzn.to/4czwd9F

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.