Category: Butterfly Games

Photo of historical fiction author Kelly Scarborough sitting on a bench near East Wharf Beach in Madison CT

The Writing Cooperative Features Butterfly Games in Its Write Now Interview Series

Posted on December 11, 2025 in Butterfly Games, Interviews

I was delighted to be interviewed by Justin Cox for The Writing Cooperative’s Write Now series about my debut historical novel, Butterfly Games, the real Swedish countess who inspired it, and the research journey that led me into her world. The origi…

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Gibson’s Bookstore, Concord NH – 01/21/2026

Posted on November 30, 2025 in Butterfly Games, Events

Join me at Gibson’s Bookstore in Concord, New Hampshire on January 21, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. to celebrate the launch of my historical novel Butterfly Games. I’ll share a brief reading, answer questions, and sign books—perfect for readers who love histori…

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Butterfly Games—The Story Behind the Book

Posted on November 5, 2025 in Butterfly Games, Newsletter, Swedish Royals

A French General, a Broken Kingdom, and A Countess Want to know the story behind Butterfly Games? When people think of the early 1800s, they picture Napoleon storming across Europe or Marie Antoinette meeting her tragic end in the 1790s. Few realize…

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Portrait of Napoleon Bonaparte

Six Degrees of Separation, Butterfly Games Edition–Napoleon to Jacquette

Posted on September 24, 2025 in Behind the Scenes, Butterfly Games, Newsletter, Swedish Royals

What do Napoleon Bonaparte and a Swedish countess named Jacquette have in common? More than you’d think! Here’s the whirlwind version: [icon name=”arrow-circle-right” style=”solid” class=”” unprefixed_class=””] 1 As a young army officer, Napoleon pro…

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Cover of Butterfly Games by Kelly Scarborough, a historical fiction novel of Swedish royal intrigue and forbidden love

Historical Fiction Book Covers: Butterfly Games: Behind the Scenes

Posted on July 11, 2025 in Behind the Scenes, Butterfly Games

Discover the story behind the book cover of royal historical fiction novel Butterfly Games by Kelly Scarborough. Meet the artists who designed the fern embroidery and cipher pin worn by ladies in waiting at the Swedish royal court. Preorder Butterfly…

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Larry and I are out to see #goldentempo run at Saratoga. I looked at a horse named Oscar, but kind of like in my historical novel, Oscar didn’t exactly cover himself in glory. #traversstakes

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Open post by kellyscarboroughwrites with ID 18107375471175700

Larry and I are out to see #goldentempo run at Saratoga. I looked at a horse named Oscar, but kind of like in my historical novel, Oscar didn’t exactly cover himself in glory. #traversstakes

She goes to the ball, and her worst suspicions are confirmed. Read Butterfly Games. It`s Jacquette`s story, based on a real countess who lived in early 1800s Sweden.

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She goes to the ball, and her worst suspicions are confirmed. Read Butterfly Games. It's Jacquette's story, based on a real countess who lived in early 1800s Sweden.

Did you know that Butterfly Games is out in audiobook? And it`s for sale right now on Audible. Get it now and enjoy hearing Jacquette and Oscar`s story narrated by audiobook queen @estherwane. Esther has performed many great historicals, both fiction and nonfiction, including by two of my favorite authors, @TracyBorman and @AlisonWeirBooks. Check it out here. Only $6.10 today if you buy from the Audible phone app.
https://www.audible.com/pd/B0GHSM4QBV?source_code=ASSORAP0511160006&share_location=pdp

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Open post by kellyscarboroughwrites with ID 18205222600367989

Did you know that Butterfly Games is out in audiobook? And it's for sale right now on Audible. Get it now and enjoy hearing Jacquette and Oscar's story narrated by audiobook queen @estherwane. Esther has performed many great historicals, both fiction and nonfiction, including by two of my favorite authors, @TracyBorman and @AlisonWeirBooks. Check it out here. Only $6.10 today if you buy from the Audible phone app.
https://www.audible.com/pd/B0GHSM4QBV?source_code=ASSORAP0511160006&share_location=pdp

Was the Butterfly Game real?

Yes—and no. 🦋

While researching the Swedish royal court for Butterfly Games, I came across the word fjärilsleken—literally, “the butterfly game.”

It was used in connection with fleeting affairs and lovers who moved frivolously from one object of affection to another.

I knew almost immediately that I had my title.

But the Butterfly Game in the novel became something larger: a game of love, marriage, gossip, information, family connections, ambition, and power.

And Jacquette discovers that useful information can be turned against anyone.

Even her.

I tell the story behind the title in my new Literary Titan interview.

🦋 Read the full Q&A at the link in my bio.

#ButterflyGames #HistoricalFiction #JacquetteGyldenstolpe #SwedishHistory #HistoricalFictionBooks #Bookstagram #RoyalHistory

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Open post by kellyscarboroughwrites with ID 17960129799197881

Was the Butterfly Game real?

Yes—and no. 🦋

While researching the Swedish royal court for Butterfly Games, I came across the word fjärilsleken—literally, “the butterfly game.”

It was used in connection with fleeting affairs and lovers who moved frivolously from one object of affection to another.

I knew almost immediately that I had my title.

But the Butterfly Game in the novel became something larger: a game of love, marriage, gossip, information, family connections, ambition, and power.

And Jacquette discovers that useful information can be turned against anyone.

Even her.

I tell the story behind the title in my new Literary Titan interview.

🦋 Read the full Q&A at the link in my bio.

#ButterflyGames #HistoricalFiction #JacquetteGyldenstolpe #SwedishHistory #HistoricalFictionBooks #Bookstagram #RoyalHistory

I did. I wrote Butterfly Games, Book 1.

Historical fiction set in late-Napoleonic Sweden, with royal scandal, forbidden love, dangerous gossip, and real people making seriously bad decisions.

A Swedish countess. A French-born prince. A palace full of enemies.

Read Butterfly Games. Link in bio.

#ButterflyGames #KellyScarborough #historicalfiction #bookreels #booktok bookstagram royalhistoricalfiction swedishhistory historicalfictionbooks napoleonicera

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Open post by kellyscarboroughwrites with ID 18098599130337758

I did. I wrote Butterfly Games, Book 1.

Historical fiction set in late-Napoleonic Sweden, with royal scandal, forbidden love, dangerous gossip, and real people making seriously bad decisions.

A Swedish countess. A French-born prince. A palace full of enemies.

Read Butterfly Games. Link in bio.

#ButterflyGames #KellyScarborough #historicalfiction #bookreels #booktok bookstagram royalhistoricalfiction swedishhistory historicalfictionbooks napoleonicera

Butterfly Games, Book 1.

A Swedish countess. A French-born prince. A royal court where no one escapes without a little damage.

For readers who like their historical fiction with scandal, politics, forbidden love, and real people behaving badly in beautiful ballrooms.

Read it now. Link in bio.

#ButterflyGames #historicalfiction #bookstagram #KindleScreenshots kindlereads royalhistoricalfiction swedishhistory

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Open post by kellyscarboroughwrites with ID 18011209019928525

Butterfly Games, Book 1.

A Swedish countess. A French-born prince. A royal court where no one escapes without a little damage.

For readers who like their historical fiction with scandal, politics, forbidden love, and real people behaving badly in beautiful ballrooms.

Read it now. Link in bio.

#ButterflyGames #historicalfiction #bookstagram #KindleScreenshots kindlereads royalhistoricalfiction swedishhistory

I love reading novels about real women in history who did amazing things. This Wednesday, join four of my favorite authors discussing their recent works. These are all great books for your historical fiction TBR. Register and get a chance to win a book bundle with all four signed books! Scan the QR code to register for the Zoom and giveaway.

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Open post by kellyscarboroughwrites with ID 17911524615430888

I love reading novels about real women in history who did amazing things. This Wednesday, join four of my favorite authors discussing their recent works. These are all great books for your historical fiction TBR. Register and get a chance to win a book bundle with all four signed books! Scan the QR code to register for the Zoom and giveaway.

Happy 250th birthday, America. 🇺🇸

And in the world of Butterfly Games, July 4 belongs to Jacquette and Oscar, too. It`s their shared birthday.

They met when they were quite young, and in the summer of 1811, both stayed at Drottningholm Palace, that glittering royal world of impossible futures.

For Jacquette, one look was enough.

She never looked back.

What began as a summer encounter became the kind of love people talk about for centuries.

Read Butterfly Games and discover how Jacquette and Oscar’s story began. Link in bio.

#ButterflyGames #historicalfiction #books #bookish #royalty #DrottningholmPalace #NapoleonicEra #romantichistoricalfiction

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Open post by kellyscarboroughwrites with ID 18084379577440130

Happy 250th birthday, America. 🇺🇸

And in the world of Butterfly Games, July 4 belongs to Jacquette and Oscar, too. It's their shared birthday.

They met when they were quite young, and in the summer of 1811, both stayed at Drottningholm Palace, that glittering royal world of impossible futures.

For Jacquette, one look was enough.

She never looked back.

What began as a summer encounter became the kind of love people talk about for centuries.

Read Butterfly Games and discover how Jacquette and Oscar’s story began. Link in bio.

#ButterflyGames #historicalfiction #books #bookish #royalty #DrottningholmPalace #NapoleonicEra #romantichistoricalfiction

I have happy book news: Butterfly Games*has won the Bronze Medal in Historical Fiction (Romance) in the 2026 Independent Publisher Book Awards!

The IPPY Awards honor independent publishing, and I’m so happy that Jacquette’s glittering, dangerous, late-Napoleonic Swedish world has received this recognition.

Thank you to every reader, reviewer, bookseller, librarian, blogger, and historical fiction friend who has helped her story find its way. I’m so grateful to all of you.

If you’ve been waiting for a reason to step into the salons, secrets, and dangerous games of Butterfly Games…visit my website to learn more. 🦋

#ButterflyGames #KellyScarborough #IPPYAwards #IndependentPublisherBookAwards #HistoricalFiction #HistoricalRomance #AwardWinningBook #Bookstagram #BookTok #IndieAuthor #WomenWriters

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Open post by kellyscarboroughwrites with ID 17878968189608267

I have happy book news: Butterfly Games*has won the Bronze Medal in Historical Fiction (Romance) in the 2026 Independent Publisher Book Awards!

The IPPY Awards honor independent publishing, and I’m so happy that Jacquette’s glittering, dangerous, late-Napoleonic Swedish world has received this recognition.

Thank you to every reader, reviewer, bookseller, librarian, blogger, and historical fiction friend who has helped her story find its way. I’m so grateful to all of you.

If you’ve been waiting for a reason to step into the salons, secrets, and dangerous games of Butterfly Games…visit my website to learn more. 🦋

#ButterflyGames #KellyScarborough #IPPYAwards #IndependentPublisherBookAwards #HistoricalFiction #HistoricalRomance #AwardWinningBook #Bookstagram #BookTok #IndieAuthor #WomenWriters

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