They represent the Huguenot cross. It first came about in 1688 after the religious persecution under Louis 14th of France, which is when the trilogy is set.

Notice how, between the arms of the cross, the four fleur-de-lis or lily flowers—which here signify the Four Gospels—create an empty space beneath them that look like four hearts. Pretty, isn't it? Each flower has three petals which make up 12 in all and are said to symbolize the Twelve Apostles.

This question has cropped up a number of times now so, on the occasion of an interesting talk last Monday (July 27) with members of the Book Club of St. Paul the Apostle Church in New York (stpaultheapostle.org), I was able put the question to Catholic readers. Having chosen to read Merchants of Virtue (book 1), they had kindly asked if I would join them for a talk by Zoom. We exchanged on a number of themes and topics throughout the hour but first of all, Fr. James DiLuzio asked if I had a question for them. So I asked...

If you have, thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed it! And don't forget, although the trilogy ends with LAND OF HOPE, the Huguenot series continues with a new historical adventure titled MAY STUART just out. Here's a review:"An intriguing and enthralling tale of historical events. Mr. Monk has once again woven history into a wonderful tale with like-able, if not somewhat broken, characters. We are all broken - it's what we do with these experiences that defines us. Mr. Monk has written a defining tale..." And here's the book description: She’s done spying. He’s tired of his privateer pretence....

I’ve put together a 3-book bundle which means you can now download the whole trilogy at a reduced price 🙂

Just click on the link to start reading Merchants of Virtue,Voyage of Malice and Land of Hope today!

Long before the Pilgrim Fathers sailed in 1620, French Huguenots—Protestants fleeing war and persecution in Catholic France—decided to take to the sea in search of a new life in America. They hoped to establish a colony in the New World and worship God according to their Christian beliefs. In 1562, one hundred and fifty of these Huguenots set sail aboard two ships. They made landfall on Parris Island, South Carolina, and founded a short-lived settlement they named Charlesfort in honour of their King Charles IX. But the colony ended after only one year. The Huguenots didn’t give up. Two years...

Thrilled to get a nomination for the 2016 Writers Guild Awards for outstanding achievement in videogame writing on Assassin’s Creed Syndicate. LOS ANGELES, NEW YORK — The Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) and the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) have announced nominations for outstanding achievement in writing for videogames during 2015. Winners will be honored at the 2016 Writers Guild Awards on Saturday, February 13, at concurrent ceremonies in Los Angeles and New York City. Writers Guild of America, West Pretty chuffed to receive this email message today: “Congratulations on your nomination for this year’s Videogame Writing Award for your work on Assassin’s Creed...