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Paul C.R. Monk
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Merchants of Virtue: A Historical Fiction Novel (The Huguenot Chronicles Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Paul C.R. Monk (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 1,228 ratings
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Amidst the opulence of Louis XIV's France, a story of defiance and faith unfolds.

In a time where faith and freedom clash, Jeanne Delpech de Castanet and her husband Jacob, stand as pillars of courage amidst the turmoil of Louis XIV's reign of intolerance.

Their life of privilege is under siege as the king's soldiers ruthlessly target the Huguenot "heretics." With their home ransacked and their children's safety hanging by a thread, the couple's resolve is pushed to its limits. Will their unwavering belief in their principles and liberty of conscience be enough to shield their family from the harrowing consequences of their defiance?

Witness the struggle for faith, the fight for freedom, and the undying spirit of a couple who refuse to surrender their convictions.

Merchants of Virtue is more than a novel—it's a journey through the rich tapestry of history, inspired by true events. It's the first gripping installment in the Huguenot Chronicles that promises adventure, historical depth, and an inspirational tale of resilience.

Embrace the adventure, feel the courage, and discover the power of conviction. Get your copy of Merchants of Virtue today!

Also available in print and audiobook formats.

What Amazon readers are saying:

★★★★★ "Compelling and enlightening, a must-read for lovers of historical fiction."

★★★★★ "As a Huguenot descendant, delighted by this meaningful story. Highlights the importance of family."

★★★★★ "Spell-binding! Couldn't wait to continue reading after work."

★★★★★ "Great novel with well-drawn characters and an interesting historical background."

★★★★★ "An emotional journey through history, beautifully blending fact with fiction."

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  1. Book 1 of 4
    The Huguenot Chronicles
  2. Print length
    249 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    December 24, 2016
  5. File size
    2.2 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Bundle price: Kindle price
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Bundle price: Kindle price
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Editorial Reviews

Review

A selection of reviews taken from Amazon readers:

"Wonderful historical fiction. This story has it all - love, religious persecution, mystery - you name it." By Jacqueline L Spencer on Amazon ★★★★★

"A well written , highly researched, historical drama. It leaves you wanting to find out more about this time period and the major issues in it." By Linda Longo on Amazon ★★★★★

"An excellent and skillfully crafted story about the persecution and political upheaval during the reign of King Louis XIV and the French Huguenots. Families separated, homes destroyed and livelihoods shattered - artfully and beautifully portray the choices made in life even today, that make or break an individuals character and will." By Bee Bee Amazon ★★★★★

"I find the storyline of this book to be lingering in my mind even as I have finished it and moved on to read other things. A great read!" By Sayprin on Amazon ★★★★★

From the Author

This novel is based on a true story. I came across the original journal the trilogy was inspired by while living in France. The journal was short but I was immediately pulled in by its powerful drama that spanned the globe...
While continuing my career as a scriptwriter, I spent the next 20 years researching the period and events. But this is not a history book, it is a historical novel, one that follows the life and struggles of a 17th family caught up in a world where religion was hijacked by men of power. 

I hope you enjoy reading this book and the others in the series as much as I've enjoyed writing them.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01N6KF6JN
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bloomtree Press (December 24, 2016)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 24, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.2 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 249 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 0993444261
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 1,228 ratings

About the author

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Paul C.R. Monk

Paul C.R. Monk

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PAUL C. R. MONK has worked as a linguist, teacher and script writer. It was while working as a script writer that in 2014 he published his first novel, Strange Metamorphosis, which won the Literary Classics Eloquent Quill award. He has since staged a number of plays, and has been busy completing his historical fiction serial set in the 17th century. The Huguenot Connection trilogy, which includes Merchants of Virtue, Voyage of Malice and Land of Hope, takes the reader from King Louis's France to the Caribbean, and from London to colonial New York, with drama-filled stops in the Rhine Valley and war-torn Ireland...

From his stay in China during the global pandemic comes a contemporary novel: Love in a Forbidden City.

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
1,228 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book a captivating historical fiction set in 1686- 1688. They appreciate the well-researched and detailed historical context. The characters are praised for their strong character development and beliefs. Many readers describe the story as heartwarming and kind. However, opinions differ on the writing style - some find it well-written and quick to read, while others feel it's poorly written with crass vocabulary.

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Historical accuracyResearch qualityCharacter developmentHeartwarmingWriting style
19 customers mention "Historical accuracy"19 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the historical accuracy of the book. They find the story engaging, with an interesting historical context and meaningful period of life. The book is based on a true story that explores religious persecution in 17th-century France.

"...I look forward to the rest of the story. A great combination of history and fiction done by Paul Monk!" Read more

"Good story set in 1686 - 1688. Sad it compares to what happen 200 years later to the Jews from the Nazi. How horrible...." Read more

"...A very sad, heart wrenching Tim in history. Now on to book 2." Read more

"...in terms that clearly describe the tragedy to so many innocent, God fearing people. Readers connect with the family, and yearn to know their fate...." Read more

9 customers mention "Research quality"9 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's research quality. They find it well-researched and full of historical detail, providing new information about a little-known period of history. The book provides a window into a rich and prescient world.

"A slow start but it gets better as you go. A window into a little known world I would recommend it particularly for anyone who has this ancestry" Read more

"(Reviewed by my wife) I loved these books! They are very well researched and give you the "feel" of the time period...." Read more

"I'm enjoying the unfolding story of this time period. It is new information to me. I like the characters very well and am rooting for them...." Read more

"...This book is obviously well researched and full of historical detail. Well-written, memorable characters...." Read more

6 customers mention "Character development"6 positive0 negative

Customers like the characters and their strong character development.

"...It is new information to me. I like the characters very well and am rooting for them...." Read more

"...I like the characters. They are kind and strong during a horrible time in their lives...." Read more

"...Well-written, memorable characters. I was held captive throughout and can’t wait to read the rest of the series." Read more

"...Mr. Monk presents the information smoothly and interestingly through characters, plot, and exposition. I look forward to carrying on with the series!" Read more

3 customers mention "Heartwarming"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the book heartwarming. They mention it has love, religious persecution, mystery, and kindness during a horrible time.

"...I like the characters. They are kind and strong during a horrible time in their lives...." Read more

"Wonderful historical fiction. This story has it all - love, religious persecution, mystery - you name it." Read more

"Harrowing and heartwarming..." Read more

12 customers mention "Writing style"8 positive4 negative

Customers have different views on the writing style. Some find it well-written and engaging, presenting information smoothly through characters and plot. Others feel it's poorly written, with crass vocabulary and little dialogue.

"...This was a great, quick read, and I cannot wait to read the next chapter!" Read more

"...The one negative I have in the writing is that there are times the vocabulary is crass and seems out of place when considering the narrative is..." Read more

"...How horrible. But why leave in a Cliff Hanger? Was fast reading and did leave you wanting to read more." Read more

"...The writing style and the storyline is good so far. On to book two!☺" Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • SarahC
    5.0 out of 5 stars Historical book
    Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I love this series ! I highly recommend
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  • Bonnie J. Miller
    4.0 out of 5 stars Detailed, rich and oddly prescient
    Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I have an ancestor who was a Hugenot refugee from the time period of this taut tale, and this brought me closer to understanding her experience than anything has. It's so hard to believe that actions such as these really took place, and harder to believe they are still happening!

    Paul C.R. Monk has brought the time, and this harrowing experience, to life. You feel for the this family, for their losses and humiliations, and are drawn into the stories of their lives. I defy you not to care about these people, to not be angry at what is happening to them, and to question what you would do in a similar situation.

    This was a great, quick read, and I cannot wait to read the next chapter!
    14 people found this helpful
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  • Mary-louise Long
    3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting history
    Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I liked the book and may order the next one, however, I wasn't as enthralled with it as some other reviewers have been.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Arlene P. Ross
    5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing strength of character & beliefs
    Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I was invited to read this novel for an honest review and I thought it started off slow, the names of the characters were long and hard to remember. But as I continued to read the characters developed and the author did a fantastic job of describing the treatment they received. Their faith never wavered and I wanted to continue reading to find out how things turned out. This was a very sad time in history and as a Catholic I was appalled at the treatment given to those who were not. My heart was heavy with the sadness of the families torn apart and what they had to endure to survive. I look forward to the rest of the story. A great combination of history and fiction done by Paul Monk!
    17 people found this helpful
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  • rkkc2407
    4.0 out of 5 stars worth your time
    Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    A slow start but it gets better as you go. A window into a little known world I would recommend it particularly for anyone who has this ancestry
    Helpful
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  • Debbie N.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Review first book
    Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Good story set in 1686 - 1688. Sad it compares to what happen 200 years later to the Jews from the Nazi. How horrible. But why leave in a Cliff Hanger? Was fast reading and did leave you wanting to read more.
    One person found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • paul gliva
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful books!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 29, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    (Reviewed by my wife) I loved these books! They are very well researched and give you the "feel" of the time period. I had ancestors who were Huguenot, moving from France to England and on to America; gave me an idea of the hardships they faced.
    Helpful
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  • Mary E. Nichols
    4.0 out of 5 stars Huguenot History
    Reviewed in the United States on August 28, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I'm enjoying the unfolding story of this time period. It is new information to me. I like the characters very well and am rooting for them. The one negative I have in the writing is that there are times the vocabulary is crass and seems out of place when considering the narrative is about religious people. In spite of that, I am looking forward to the next volume.
    9 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • L.Personnet
    5.0 out of 5 stars Merchants of Virtue
    Reviewed in France on October 16, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This poignant story of love, faith, and courage has inspired me to read the follow-up books. The story is an excellent read giving insight to this period in history.
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  • Gabrielle
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 9, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    This is the story of the persecution of the Huguenots in France. Jeanne's family life is disrupted and her story is interesting and well written. I look forward to reading the next book in the series
    Report
  • Amazon Customer
    1.0 out of 5 stars an in complete book
    Reviewed in India on October 19, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    It is apparent that this is a part of a larger volume. The end is so abrupt that it leaves you wondering what happened. Disliked this
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  • roz goddard
    5.0 out of 5 stars Could not put the book down
    Reviewed in Australia on October 20, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    It took me a little while to get into the book, most probably because of all the foreign names/places. But once i got my head around that i could not put the book down. It held my interest so much that i bought books 2 & 3.
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  • Mrs. B. A. Crompton
    4.0 out of 5 stars A chilling tale of religious persecution
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 1, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    A chilling tale of the religious persecution of the Protestants carried out in France in the 17th century. The torment caused between religions has probably caused more grief between members of the human race than anything else and books like this are a worthy reminder of the futility of trying to force the change from one set of beliefs to another. The story is good but I didn’t fully immerse myself in it in quite the way I had expected to - as this is very much my favourite genre of novel. I read it and quite liked it, but I am not compelled to read the sequels. I think maybe the characters are not quite rounded enough for me as in being either goodies or baddies. The bad ones have no saving graces and the good ones no defects. There is some modern language in there as well which, for me, jars in this setting. I was kindly given a free copy of the book in return for my honest review.
    Report

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