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A thrilling and passionate debut about a sheltered landowner’s wife whose life is turned upside down when she visits the royal court in seventeenth-century Mexico.
When Josefina accepts an invitation from the Marquessa to come stay and socialize with the intellectual and cultural elite in her royal court, she is overwhelmed by the Court’s complicated world. She finds herself having to fight off aggressive advances from the Marquessa’s husband, but is ultimately unable to stay true to her marriage vows when she becomes involved in a secret affair with the local bishop that leaves her pregnant.
Amidst this drama, Josefina finds herself unexpectedly drawn to the intellectual nuns who study and write poetry at the risk of persecution by the Spanish Inquisition that is overtaking Mexico. One nun in particular, Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz, teaches Josefina about poetry, writing, critical thinking, the nature and consequences of love, and the threats of the Holy Office. She is Josefina’s mentor and lynchpin for her tumultuous passage from grounded wife and mother to woman of this treacherous, confusing, and ultimately physically and intellectually fulfilling world.
(blurb from Goodreads)
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Ah historical fiction, how I’ve missed you. I won a copy of this book in Claudia Long’s Facebook party for another one of her books. I had finished up a book, had nothing new on my kindle so I picked up Josefina’s Sin. I honestly had a hard time putting it down. It made me remember how much I miss reading historical fiction, and that I should go read some more of it.
Josefina is a strong woman, especially for her time. At lot of misfortune and hardships are thrown her way, but she holds her head high and carries on. Sure, she made some mistakes that I wasn’t fond of, but the book would be pretty boring if Josefina was perfect, wouldn’t it?
If you like Philippa Gregory’s books, then I would give this one a try. It reminded me of the same style, which is a great thing!
My Rating: 4 stars
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***Disclaimer: Claudia Long has a different novel out by Booktrope. I work for Booktrope as well, but not with Ms. Long. Josefina’s Sin is put out by Atria Books – not Booktrope, so I don’t think this disclaimer is necessary, but I like to be cautious and honest.