Spotlight on The Queen’s Scribe by Amy Maroney

 

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A broken promise. A bitter conflict. And a woman’s elusive chance to love or die.

1458. Young Frenchwoman Estelle de Montavon sails to Cyprus imagining a bright future as tutor to a princess. Instead, she is betrayed by those she loves most—and forced into a dangerous new world of scheming courtiers, vicious power struggles, and the terrifying threat of war.

Determined to flee, Estelle enlists the help of an attractive and mysterious falconer. But on the eve of her escape, fortune’s wheel turns again. She gains entry to Queen Charlotta’s inner circle as a trusted scribe and interpreter, fighting her way to dizzying heights of influence.

Enemies old and new rise from the shadows as Estelle navigates a royal game of cat and mouse between the queen and her powerful half-brother, who wants the throne for himself.

When war comes to the island, Estelle faces a brutal reckoning for her loyalty to the queen. Will the impossible choice looming ahead be her doom—or her salvation?

With this richly-told story of courage, loyalty, and the sustaining power of love, Amy Maroney brings a mesmerizing and forgotten world to vivid life. The Queen’s Scribe is a stand-alone novel in the Sea and Stone Chronicles collection.

Praise for the Sea and Stone Chronicles:

“Island of Gold is a nimbly told story with impeccable pacing.”

—Historical Novel Society, Editor’s Choice Review

“Sea of Shadows is stunning. A compelling tale of love, honor, and conviction.”

—Reader’s Favorite Review

Amy Maroney is the author of the award-winning Miramonde Series, the story of a Renaissance-era female artist and the modern day scholar on her trail.

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Fun Facts 

Queen Charlotta of Cyprus

Charlotta of Cyprus was born into the French Lusignan dynasty in the early 1440s, but she grew up a thoroughly Greek girl, thanks to the influence of her Greek mother (Eleni Palaiologina). Since her French was terrible, Charlotta would always need interpreters to communicate with allies, courtiers, and even her husbands.

 

QUEEN ELENI AND DAUGHTERS (Public domain image.)

In 1456, Charlotta was married at 14 to a Portuguese prince, João. A year later, he was murdered. Queen Eleni’s servants were blamed for the prince’s death. Apparently, João intended to strengthen the Latin Catholic influence in the Cypriot court, which angered Queen Eleni and her supporters. After all, they’d spent the past 20 years turning the court steadily Greek. Would a queen really order her own son-in-law’s murder? In the treacherous Lusignan court of Cyprus, absolutely!

Chroniclers say Charlotta sought revenge by asking her half-brother Jacco to avenge her husband’s murder. Shortly thereafter, Jacco had Queen Eleni’s favorite servant killed by his henchmen. Then he fled Cyprus. But not for long . . .

When Queen Eleni and King Jean died within a few months of each other (suspicious, right?), the widowed Charlotta ascended the throne at only 16. Her crown fell from her head at the coronation ceremony, prompting Cypriots to whisper that her reign was cursed.

 KYRENIA FORTRESS (Deposit Photos 415661068, standard license.)

 When bumbling, weak-willed Louis of Savoy married Charlotta shortly thereafter, her hopes of a strong partner quickly faded. Meanwhile, Jacco secured support from the Sultan of Egypt in his bid for the Cypriot crown. Knowing he would soon attack, Charlotta moved her court into the coastal fortress of Kyrenia and prepared for war. Within months, Jacco invaded Cyprus with an army of Egyptian soldiers and besieged the fortress. Louis fretted about the lack of fine food and entertainment, and offered zero ideas about how to fight back. So Charlotta left him in the fortress and headed out to sea, sailing around the Mediterranean entreating allies for help.

 

Amy Maroney 

Amy Maroney studied English Literature at Boston University and worked for many years as a writer and editor of nonfiction. She lives in Oregon, U.S.A. with her family. When she’s not diving down research rabbit holes, she enjoys hiking, dancing, traveling, and reading.

Amy is the author of The Miramonde Series, an Amazon-bestselling historical mystery trilogy about a Renaissance-era female artist and the modern-day scholar on her trail. Amy’s award-winning historical adventure/romance series, Sea and Stone Chronicles, is set in medieval Rhodes and Cyprus.

An enthusiastic advocate for independent publishing, Amy is a member of the Alliance of Independent Authors and the Historical Novel Society.

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