GREETINGS & WELCOME TO MY ONLINE WORLD
A devout history nerd since childhood, I’m a national & international bestselling author
of historical fiction, and an active screenwriter who’s worked with some of Hollywood’s big guns. I’m also a recovering journalist, travel nut, culture vulture, and (they tell me, and I hope it’s true) a fun person. For a full biography, click here.
In recent times, I’ve begun to use my decades of experience to inspire others in
developing their creative work. If you’re interested in my consulting, editing, or
coaching services, click here.
I’ll also be offering lots of exclusive content on Substack, so please subscribe.
Favorite Flower: Rose.
Here’s a bit more about my novels:
KLEOPATRA: The Early Years, tells the little-known story of the princess’s harrowing
rise to the throne, surviving her murderous family members, exile, war, riots in the
streets of Alexandria. If you think your family has problems…at least they’re probably
not trying to kill you!
“Keenly researched and brimming with exotic, erotic detail, Essex’s style is as seductive
as her subject.”
— Dallas Morning News
PHARAOH: Book II of Kleopatra begins when twenty year-old Kleopatra meets Julius
Caesar and takes the reader on her fascinating journey partnering with him and another
powerful Roman, Mark Antony. But rather than concentrate on mere romance, the novel
also explores Kleopatra’s extraordinary political acumen, diplomacy skills, and foresight.
“This stunning sequel to Kleopatra completes the story. Readers will enjoy the vivid
portrayal of Kleopatra and the period in which she lived.”
— Library Journal
LEONARDO’S SWANS puts Leonardo da Vinci’s rivalrous female muses at its core,
aristocratic women who shaped the art and politics of the Italian Renaissance. The novel
was a runaway bestseller in Italy and won the prestigious Premio Roma for foreign
fiction.
“Essex combines art, political intrigue, family feuds and sex to create a page-turner.” —
USA Today
STEALING ATHENA is a sweeping historical saga from the perspectives of two
fascinating women, Aspasia, philosopher and mistress to Pericles, and Countess Mary
Elgin, who twenty-three hundred years later saw the demise of Pericles’s great Athenian
monuments.
“Stealing Athena firmly entrenches Karen Essex as one of the top historical novel writers
of our time.”
— Bookreporter.com
DRACULA IN LOVE, born from my love of fellow New Orleanian Anne Rice’s work and a
childhood fascination with reruns of DARK SHADOWS, retells Bram Stoker’s classic tale
from the perspective of the vampire’s obsession, Mina Harker, who surprises readers
with her own supernatural lineage.
“Brilliant. Sweeping. Breath-taking. Essex’s journey into the social expectations of Victorian women through the telling of the Dracula story is genius.” —Book Banter
“An intensely erotic story of romance and obsession. . . . Lusciously sexy and
outrageously chilling by turns.” – Newark Star-Ledger
NOTE TO MALE READERS:
Though my work is female driven, it’s also chockful of two
things that male readers love: politics and sex. 🙂 So join the party, please!
