Today’s Free Fridays selection—Though a Glass Darkly by Karleen Koen—is a classic historical novel that spent months on the New York Times bestseller list upon its initial publication.
Fans of complex storytelling filled with intrigue, betrayal and romance will love Koen’s debut novel. Rather than recount the details of this much-heralded book—and its opulent 18th century setting—I’d rather use this space to highlight some of those effusive accolades. You don’t have to take my word for it—this week’s Free Fridays book is a must-read:
“A brilliant historical novel..." — Richmond Times Dispatch
“Greatest romance ever written" — Romance Writers Report 2001
"A heady mixture of sophistication and melodrama, elegance, decadence and homely virtues...stylishly wicked, smartly written and unabashedly bold." — Detroit Free Press
"Lives up to every expectation. It's magnificent!" — Cleveland Plain Dealer
"Koen is a graceful, natural writer and Through a Glass Darkly is a notable accomplishment, a suspenseful, romantic and vividly believable historical [novel] from a new writer who knows how to use (not abuse) her research material." — Kirkus Reviews
Once you’ve devoured Through a Glass Darkly, continue the adventures in Koen’s other lush historicals, available now for NOOK.
Free Fridays Recommends
Each week, we ask our featured author to recommend a book or author that you may want to check out. Since authors are such passionate readers themselves, we thought you might like to find out what they love to read, too! Here’s what Karleen recommends:
Well, I just have to recommend Ross Poldark, a novel of Cornwall by Winston Graham, a crisply written story about a British soldier coming home from the American war to a ruined estate and an unfaithful love. Worthless servants Judd and Prudie make me laugh every time I reread now, and the novel begins to sing once Demelza comes into the plot. Best of all, it's a series.
NOOK owners: go to shop and search for “Karleen Koen” to download her spellbinding historical fiction.
I haven't read the Free Friday book but will try it even though I don't like romance. What I did want to do was heartily second the recommendation for Winston Graham's "Poldark" series. There are three books in the series available on Nook - and I wish the rest would become available soon! I read this series in paperback years ago, and loved it. 
