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Kelly Scarborough

After more than two decades as an attorney, I wrote my debut novel, a tragic love story about two star-crossed lovers, a countess and a prince. It’s based on real-life characters who lived in Sweden, and is perfect for fans of Philippa Gregory, Outlander, and Bridgerton. I live on the Connecticut Shoreline and in South Carolina's Lowcountry, where I bang away on my MacBook Pro whenever my Shih Tzu cooperates. At heart, I'll always be a Jersey Girl.

Historical Fiction
General Historical Fiction

Giveaways by Kelly Scarborough

Books by Kelly Scarborough

Butterfly Games: A Novel

Butterfly Games: A Novel

For fans of Philippa Gregory and Allison Pataki, a debut biographical historical novel about a young Swedish countess whose youthful love affair with the heir to her country’s throne has profound personal and political repercussions. In some games, winning means losing everything that matters. In the opulent world of the Swedish royal court, Jacquette Gyldenstolpe walks a dangerous tightrope between romance and political intrigue. Neglected by her parents and ostracized by the people around her, the young countess falls in love with Prince Oscar, heir to the Swedish throne—but their passionate affair has far-reaching consequences for the new Bernadotte dynasty, which is already challenged by threats from inside Sweden and beyond. By the time Jacquette learns that the Butterfly Game is not for the faint-hearted, it is too late. For she has a secret—one as precious to her as it is potentially devastating to the crown—and she will stop at nothing to protect it. Based on a true story and set in stormy early-1800s Europe, Butterfly Games is a sweeping historical tale of forbidden love, fierce duty, and the cost of ambition. From the lavish ballrooms of Stockholm to the elegant manor houses of the Swedish countryside, Jacquette’s story will transport readers to a world where every whisper could lead to triumph or ruin. Read more

The Marshal's Warning: A Short Story

The Marshal's Warning: A Short Story

In the summer of 1810, as political tensions grip Sweden, twelve-year-old Jacquette dreams of the perfect family: living at Finspång Castle with her beloved Aunt Emilie and the distinguished Count Axel von Fersen. She feels abandoned by her divorcing parents, as her mother Aurora schemes at court and her father retreats from the scandal. But when death stalks the streets of Stockholm and anonymous threats arrive at their door, Jacquette must navigate a dangerous world of court intrigue. Aurora, a master of the "Butterfly Game" of court politics, sees her daughter as a pawn to be played. Yet Jacquette's greatest asset may be that everyone underestimates her. A tale of innocence colliding with power, "The Marshal's Warning" introduces an unforgettable young heroine thrust into the heart of one of Sweden's most tumultuous political eras. Find out how this forgotten child becomes the worldly player at the heart of my debut novel, set to be published in January 2026, which follows Jacquette's story in the glittering world of 19th century Sweden.