Join Kelly Scarborough’s Readers Club and Receive a Free Butterfly Games Prequel Story

Cover of the prequel to Butterfly Games, a short story titled The Marshal's Warning by Kelly Scarborough. The cover depicts the novel's heroine, Jacquette Gyldenstolpe, with Finspång Castle in the background.

Before Jacquette Gyldenstolpe risked her heart at the Swedish royal court, she learned just how dangerous love and politics could be.

In June 1810, Axel von Fersen—the Swedish aristocrat forever linked with Marie Antoinette—visits Finspång Castle, where Jacquette is being raised by her Aunt Emilie, Fersen’s last great love.

Threats are gathering in Stockholm. Emilie begs him not to go. But Fersen is Marshal of the Realm, and duty calls him back to the capital.

Days later, he will be dead.

Join My Readers Club and Get the Free Story

Join Kelly Scarborough’s Readers Club to receive The Marshal’s Warning, a free prequel short story to Butterfly Games. You’ll also receive occasional book news, historical discoveries, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into my research.

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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.

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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

I binge watched season one of Off Campus, and just bought all the books. Without a doubt, John Logan was my favorite character. Wouldn’t Antonio Cipriani play a great Oscar? What do you think? #historicalfiction #bookstagram #offcampus #butterflygames

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