Richard II found himself under siege not once, but
twice in his minority. Crowned king at age ten, he was only fourteen when the
Peasants' Revolt terrorized London. But he proved himself every bit the
Plantagenet successor, facing Wat Tyler and the rebels when all seemed lost.
Alas, his triumph was short-lived, and for the next
ten years he struggled to assert himself against his uncles and increasingly
hostile nobles. Just like in the days of his great-grandfather Edward II,
vengeful magnates strove to separate him from his friends and advisors, and
even threatened to depose him if he refused to do their bidding.
The Lords Appellant, as they came to be known,
purged the royal household with the help of the Merciless Parliament. They
murdered his closest allies, leaving the King alone and defenseless.
He would never forget his humiliation at the hands
of his subjects.
Richard's inability to protect his adherents would
haunt him for the rest of his life, and he vowed that next time, retribution
would be his.
Born in St. Louis, MO, with a degree from the University of Missouri, Mercedes Rochelle learned about living history as a
re-enactor and has been enamored with historical fiction ever since. A move to
New York to do research and two careers ensued, but writing fiction remains her
primary vocation. She lives in Sergeantsville, NJ, with her husband in a log
home they had built themselves.
If
you enjoy powerful historical fiction, you’ll love Forgiving Nero. An
award‑winning novel of betrayal, survival, and redemption set in ancient Rome. https://books2read.com/u/3GOMvQ
A true story. A forgotten heroine. In a
time when women were told to stay silent, could she become the saviour her
people need?
12th-century England. Nicola de la Haye
wants to do her duty. But though she’s taught a female cannot lead alone, the
young noblewoman bristles at the marriage her father has arranged to secure her
inheritance. And when an unexpected death leaves her unguided, the impetuous
girl shuns the king’s blessing and weds a handsome-but-landless knight.
Harshly fined by Henry II for her
unsanctioned union, Nicola struggles to salvage her estates while dealing with
devastating betrayals from her husband… and his choice to join rebels in a
brewing civil war. Yet after averting a tragedy and gaining the castle
garrison’s respect, she still must face the might of powerful men determined to
crush her under their will.
Can she survive love, threats, and violent
ambition to prove she’s worthy of authority?
In this carefully researched and vividly
human series debut, Rachel Elwiss Joyce showcases the complex themes of honour,
responsibility, and freedom in the story of a remarkable heroine who men tried
to erase from history. And as readers dive into a world defined by violence and
turmoil, they’ll be stunned by this courageous young woman’s journey toward
greatness.
Lady of Lincoln is the gritty first book in the Nicola de la Haye Series historical
fiction saga. If you like richly textured female heroes, courtly drama, and
fast-paced intrigue, then you’ll adore Rachel Elwiss Joyce’s gripping true-life
tale.
This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.
Narrated by Sarah Kempton
After a rewarding career in the sciences, Rachel
returned to her first love—history and the art of storytelling. Fascinated by
the women history neglected, or tried to forget, she creates meticulously
researched, emotionally resonant fiction that brings her characters’ stories
vividly to life.
Her fascination with the past began early. At six
years old, she was already inventing tales about medieval women in castles,
inspired by her treasured Ladybird books and other picture-rich stories that
transported her to another time. By the time she discovered Katherine by
Anya Seton as a teenager, she knew the joy and escape that only great
historical fiction can bring.
Rachel’s two grown-up children still tease her
(fondly) about childhoods spent being “dragged” around castles, archaeological
sites, and historical re-enactments. For Rachel, history and imagination have
always gone hand in hand.
There was, however, a long gap between the stories of
her childhood and her decision to write her own novel. The spark came when she
discovered the remarkable true story of Nicola de la Haye—the first female
sheriff of England, who defended Lincoln Castle against a French invasion and
became known as “the woman who saved England.” Rachel knew she had found
her heroine and a story she was destined to tell.
Rachel lives in the UK, where she continues to
explore the lives of women who shaped history but were left out of its pages.
If you enjoy discovering new stories,
you may also like The AnaRose Chronicles—a trilogy of award‑winning
adventure novellas. https://books2read.com/u/4jzKAY
The desert wind carries the scent of
dust and memory, whispering through the remnants of a crusader camp where
banners once flew and prayers once echoed. In the shadow of Jerusalem’s walls,
Robert, Duke of Normandy, reflects on a journey marked by blood, betrayal, and
the burden of legacy. Fresh from the events of Crusader’s Path, he sits
down with us to speak of vows made, battles fought, and the soul-searching that
follows a war waged in God’s name.
Interviewer: Duke Robert, thank you for joining us.
For those unfamiliar with your role in the Crusades, how would you describe
your purpose?
Robert: Purpose is a slippery thing. I left
Normandy not with a clear mission, but with a need to escape, to reclaim
something lost, perhaps even to outrun my own reputation. The call to arms came
at a time when my coffers were thin and my conscience thinner. I answered not
as a saint, but as a man seeking distance. Whether I found redemption or simply
distraction is for history to decide.
Interviewer: You’ve been described as both a noble
leader and a man of indulgence. How do you reconcile those sides of yourself?
Robert: I don’t. I live with them. I’ve worn
the mantle of Duke, but I’ve also worn the weight of jealousy, rivalry, and
regret. My youth was spent chasing pleasure and prestige, and I’ve paid dearly
for it. The Crusades stripped away the silk and left only steel. In the fire of
war, you learn who you are or who you’ve failed to become.
Interviewer: Etienne plays a central role in Crusader’s
Path. How did your relationship with him evolve?
Robert: Etienne came to swear fealty after his
father’s death, and I saw something rare in him, honesty without arrogance. I
invited him to court, and he followed. We rode together, fought together, and in
many ways, he became my conscience. He gave me counsel I didn’t always want but
often needed. I leaned on him more than I ever admitted. He reminded me of the
cost of neglect, even when I was too blind to see it.
Interviewer: The Crusades tested many. What
challenged you most?
Robert: The silence of God. We marched under
banners of faith, yet the answers came in blood and betrayal. Disease struck
our camps, treachery brewed in our ranks, and every step toward Jerusalem felt
heavier than the last. Leadership is not glory, it’s a burden. And in war, that
burden grows with every soul lost.
Interviewer: What do you believe the Crusades
accomplished?
Robert: That depends on who pens the
chronicle. Some will say we reclaimed holy ground. Others will say we desecrated
it. I believe we revealed the fragility of men who claim divine purpose. The
Crusades tested our faith, yes, but more than that, it exposed our humanity. And
our failings.
Interviewer: What’s next for you, now that the
campaign has ended?
Robert: I returned to Normandy with fewer men
and more ghosts. My duty now is to remember, to ensure that the lessons of this
war are not buried with the dead. Redemption is not found in conquest. It is
found in reflection, in humility, and in the stories we choose to tell.
Interviewer: Duke Robert, thank you for your
candor. Is there anything you’d like to share with our readers before we close?
Robert: Only this: history is not forged by
swords alone. It is shaped by the choices we make when no one is watching. And
if you ever find yourself at the gates of Jerusalem, ask not what you’ve won, but
what you’ve lost to get there.
Mary Ann Bernal is a distinguished
alumna of Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, NY, where she earned her degree in
Business Administration. Her literary journey began with the 2009 publication
of her debut novel in The Briton and the Dane series, marking the start of a
richly diverse body of work that spans historical fiction, contemporary short
stories, science fiction/fantasy, and fast-paced adventure novellas.
Her recent publications include
Crusader’s Path, a poignant redemption tale set during the First Crusade;
Forgiving Nero, a compelling exploration of familial bonds in Ancient Rome; and
the award-winning AnaRose adventure series, chronicling the daring escapades of
a museum curator-turned-relic hunter. Mary Ann’s work has been honored by the
Independent Press Award, the NYC Big Book Award, Chanticleer International Book
Awards, the B.R.A.G. Medallion, and the Reader Views Reviewer’s Choice Awards.
Her short fiction anthologies have likewise earned distinction, most notably
from the American Legacy Book Awards. She was also recognized with the Editor’s
Choice Award for Literary Excellence by Reader’s House magazine.
A dedicated supporter of the United
States military since Operation Desert Storm, Mary Ann has actively engaged in letter-writing
campaigns and related initiatives. Her advocacy has been featured on KMTV’s The
Morning Blend and in the Omaha World-Herald. As a celebrated author, she has
appeared on numerous reader blogs and book promotion platforms. Mary Ann
currently resides in Elkhorn, Nebraska, where she continues to craft stories
that inspire and endure.
An heir to the throne, a gorgeous
blonde lady-in-waiting, the king's trusted advisor. When a father and son don't
understand each other, the son pays an outrageous price.
Love, jealousy, loyalty, and
revenge roil the court of 14th century Portugal.
In this engrossing launch to the Queens of Portugal
trilogy, Catherine Mathis gives a fresh take on the tale of Pedro and Inês,
Portugal's real-life Romeo and Juliet. Pedro's father would not have been king
if not for his trusted advisor, Gonçalves. Once king, he wants no part in
neighboring Castile's royal convulsions though his son, Pedro, befriends
powerful Castilians.
The all-consuming drive of the king is to ensure his
line rules Portugal for centuries to come. He needs legitimate, strong heirs.
The Infante Pedro loves a woman not deemed worthy to wear the crown as queen.
Between father and son is Gonçalves, the king's powerful, unquestioned
counselor who is mentor to the son. Both Gonçalves and Pedro seek the attention
of Inês.
There is a horrific cost to winning the love of Inês.
She will not release her grip on Pedro until he keeps the two sworn oaths he
made to her. Can Pedro do the impossible to satisfy Inês?
Inês is based on real people and
events, exploring a cultural touchstone of Portuguese history.
Praise for Inês:
“Mathis masterfully weaves
emotional depth into the narrative, creating a deeply engaging experience that
leaves a lasting impression and invites readers on an unforgettable journey
through the grandeur and intrigue of Portugal’s past.”
~ Mary Anne Yarde, The Coffee Pot Book Club 5* Review
“This exciting start to the
Queens of Portugal trilogy describes the legendary love story of Pedro and
Inês, and I was amazed at the excellent storytelling and how the author brings
the courts to life. There is a lot of drama and intrigue, and the characters'
emotions are beautifully captured in this engrossing tale.”
~ Readers Favorite 5* Review
Catherine Mathis was born in Berlin, the daughter of
an American spy. As she grew up in Washington, D.C., her spy father turned into
a drug enforcement agent. His career change wrecked any chance at high school
popularity. She graduated from Sewanee | The University of the South with a
degree in history focused on the medieval period. After a career in finance,
she returned to her first love of medieval history to ‘Share Iberian Tales.’
Outside of writing, spare time joys are family, friends, reading, collecting
folk/outsider art, and travel.
The
Camino de Santiago de Compostela, now the most famous pilgrimage route in the
world, was
founded in the early ninth century, largely due to the efforts of Bishop
Theodemir of Iria Flavia.
As with most people of this period, nothing seems to be known of his early
years. What
follows, therefore, is pure invention.
Theodemir
returns footsore and disillusioned to his uncle’s villa in Iria Flavia, where
he meets Agnes, his uncle’s gatekeeper, a woman of extraordinary beauty. He
falls immediately in love. But Agnes has a fierce, though absent, husband; a
secret past; another name, Elswyth; and a broken heart.
Witteric,
Theodemir’s cruel and lascivious uncle, has his own plans for Agnes. When the
king of Asturias asks Theodemir to undertake an embassy on his behalf to
Charles, King of the Franks, the future Charlemagne, Theodemir plans to take Agnes
with him to keep her out of Witteric’s clutches.
But
though Agnes understands her danger as well as anyone, she refuses to go. And
Theodemir dares not leave without her.
Born in England to a teamster's son and a coal miner's
daughter, G. M. (Mark) Baker now lives in Nova Scotia with his wife, no dogs,
no horses, and no chickens. He prefers driving to flying, desert vistas to
pointy trees, and quiet towns to bustling cities.
As a reader and as a writer, he does not believe in
confining himself to one genre. He writes about kind abbesses and melancholy
kings, about elf maidens and ship wreckers and shy falconers, about great
beauties and their plain sisters, about sinners and saints and ordinary
eccentrics. In his newsletter Stories All the Way Down, he discusses
history, literature, the nature of story, and how not to market a novel.
How
can you rescue what you hold most dear, when to do so you must break your vows?
1363. When Mother Angelica, the old prioress at Northwick Priory, dies, many of
the nuns presume Sister Rosa – formerly Johanna de Bohun, of Meonbridge – will
take her place. But Sister Evangelina, Angelica’s niece, believes the position
is hers by right, and one way or another she will ensure it is.
Rosa stands aside to avoid unseemly conflict, but is devastated when she sees
how the new prioress is changing Northwick: from a place of humility and peace
to one of indulgence and amusement, if only for the prioress and her favoured
few. Rosa is terrified her beloved priory will be brought to ruin under
Evangelina’s profligate and rapacious rule, but her vows of obedience make it
impossible to rebel.
Meanwhile, in Meonbridge, John atte Wode, the bailiff, is also distraught by
the happenings at Northwick. After years of advising the former prioress and
Rosa on the management of their estates, Evangelina dismissed him, banning him
from visiting Northwick again.
Yet, only months ago, he met Anabella, a young widow who fled to Northwick to
escape her in-laws’ demands and threats, but is a reluctant novice nun. The
attraction between John and Anabella was immediate and he hoped to encourage
her to give up the priory and become his wife. But how can he possibly do that
now?
Can John rescue his beloved Anabella from a future he is certain she no longer
wants? And can Rosa overcome her scruples, rebel against Evangelina’s hateful
regime, and return Northwick to the haven it once was?
This title is
available to read on #KindleUnlimited.
CAROLYN
HUGHES has lived much of her life in Hampshire. With a first degree in Classics
and English, she started working life as a computer programmer, then a very new
profession. But it was technical authoring that later proved her vocation,
word-smithing for many different clients, including banks, an international
hotel group and medical instruments manufacturers.
Although
she wrote creatively on and off for most of her adult life, it was not until
her children flew the nest that writing historical fiction took centre stage.
But why historical fiction? Serendipity!
Seeking
inspiration for what to write for her Creative Writing Masters, she discovered
the handwritten draft, begun in her twenties, of a novel, set in 14th century
rural England… Intrigued by the period and setting, she realised that, by
writing a novel set in the period, she could learn more about the medieval past
and interpret it, which seemed like a thrilling thing to do. A few days
later, the first Meonbridge Chronicle, Fortune’s Wheel, was under way.
Seven
published books later (with more to come), Carolyn does now think of herself as
an Historical Novelist. And she wouldn’t have it any other way…
Raised in exile,
adolescent noblewoman Margit Szilágyi dreams of
returning to her homeland of Transylvania to avenge her father's murder and
reclaim her stolen legacy. To achieve this, she must break the constraints of
her gender and social status and secretly train in combat.
When the king offers
her a chance at justice, she seizes it—even if it means disguising herself as a
man to infiltrate the vultures' nest that now occupies her ancestral ‘eyrie’.
Plagued by childhood
trauma and torn between two passionate loves, Margit faces brutal battles, her
murderous kin's traps and inner demons on her quest for vengeance. Only by
confronting the past can she reclaim her honour—if she can survive long enough
to see it through.
Return to the Eyrie
is an epic coming-of-age tale of a young woman's unwavering pursuit of justice
and destiny in 15th century Hungary.
Triggers: battle violence (moderate), love
scenes (moderate), character suffering from childhood trauma (molestation).
Katerina Dunne is the pen-name of Katerina
Vavoulidou. Originally from Athens, Greece, Katerina has been living in Ireland
since 1999. She has a degree in English Language and Literature from the
University of Athens, an MA in Film Studies from University College Dublin and
an MPhil in Medieval History from Trinity College Dublin.
Katerina is passionate about history,
especially medieval history, and her main area of interest is 13th
to 15th century Hungary. Although the main characters of her stories
are fictional, Katerina uses real events and personalities as part of her
narrative in order to bring to life the fascinating history of the medieval
Kingdom of Hungary, a location and time period not so well-known to
English-speaking readers.
Return
to the Eyrie (published April 2024) is the second
book in the Medieval Hungary series, a sequel to Lord of the Eyrie (published in February 2022).
All Henri of Maron wanted was to stay with his family on his country
estate, surrounded by lemon groves and safety. But in 13th century Palestine,
when noble-born boys are raised to fight for the Holy Land, young Henri will be
sent to live and train among men who hate him for what he is: a French nobleman
of an Arab mother. Robbed of his humanity and steeped in cruelty, his
encounters with a slave soldier, a former pickpocket, and a kindly scribe will
force Henri to confront his own beliefs and behaviors. Will Henri
maintain the status quo in order to fit into a society that doesn’t want him, or will fate intervene first?
The first book in The Two Daggers series, The Scribe takes readers
on a sweeping adventure through the years and months that lead up to the
infamous Siege of Acre in 1291 CE and delves into the psyches of three young
people caught up in the wave of history.
The Land of God (Book 2)
Pain. His sister’s screams. And a
beautiful face in the jeering crowd. When Henri of Maron woke, he had only a
few memories of his brutal flogging, but he knew the world had changed. He had changed.
Now, as he grapples with the fallout from his disastrous decisions, war
with the Mamluk army looms closer. To convince the city leaders to take the
threat seriously, Henri and the grand master of the Templars must rely on
unlikely allies and bold risks to avoid a siege.
Meanwhile, Sidika is trying to find a way to put her life back together.
When she is forced to flee her home, her chance encounters with a handsome amir
and a strangely familiar old woman will have consequences for her future.
The Land of God weaves the real historical figures with rich, complex
characters and an edge-of-seat plot. Readers who enjoyed the Brethren series by Robyn
Young and The Physician by Noah Gordon will appreciate
this immersive tale set in the Middle East in the Middle Ages.
Trigger
warnings:
Torture, violence, sexual assault, sexual content.
In my corporate
life, I have always had jobs that required a lot of international travel, and so
I’ve spent a lot of time living and working outside of the US. Although I no longer work in big tech, I still
travel frequently, although COVID has definitely dampened my globe-trotting. I am planning a research trip to Marseilles,
Conques, and Colmar in the summer of 2022 (some of that is related to The
Two Daggers series and some related to another series that I am starting
this fall).
I ran a non-profit for child refugees in Thailand
When I was in my
early twenties, unsatisfied with corporate life, I decided to quit to do something
more meaningful (this became a pattern in my career). Three months after I made that decision, I was
living in a remote part of Thailand near the Myanmar border and running a
non-profit that housed and educated children fleeing the ongoing conflict. I was only twenty-five years old and utterly unprepared
for the challenges involved in working with refugees. I spent a lot of time teaching the children to
speak English, but we also gave them vocational training so they did not end up
in prostitution or other unsavory jobs. I created fundraising campaigns, community
outreach programs, partnerships with the other NGOs, and advocated for the kids
to go to the local public schools. I
also oversaw the medical treatment for our kids who were HIV positive.
I used an
Oculus 3D headset to do my Acre location research for The Scribe
I had a business
trip to Malta planned for September of 2021, which would give me a chance to
take some personal time and head over to Acre to research the location for The
Scribe. Like everyone else on the
planet, COVID-19 squashed my plans, so I took the trip from my home instead. Using an Oculus 3D headset and an app called Wander,
I walked the streets of Acre, looked inside the stunning Hospitaller citadel,
and gazed across the ocean toward Cyprus. It cannot replace an actual in-person visit,
but it was the best I could do.
I am a
classically trained pianist
I started playing
the piano at age five and performing at age ten. Although I was quite good (I still love to sit
down and hammer out some feisty Rachmaninov when I’m feeling frustrated), I
developed carpal tunnel syndrome at the age of fifteen and completely burned
out on the hours of practice. I only
play the piano rarely now, but I have been enjoying learning the hammered
dulcimer lately.
I am a mountain and outdoor addict
This writer is
extremely fortunate to live in the stunning Pacific Northwest of the US because
we have stunning mountains everywhere! I’ve enjoyed hiking in Washington, California,
Oregon, Hawaii, Montana, Colorado, British Columbia, Alberta, Switzerland,
Thailand, Laos, China, and Singapore (yes, there are hikes in Singapore), but
Bolivia and Patagonia are my ultimate dream hiking locations.
Elizabeth R. Andersen's debut novel, The Scribe, launched in
July of 2021. Although she spent many years of her life as a journalist,
independent fashion designer, and overworked tech employee, there have always
been two consistent loves in her life: writing and history. She finally decided
to do something about this and put them both together.
Elizabeth lives in the Seattle area with her long-suffering husband and
young son. On the weekends she usually hikes in the stunning Cascade mountains
to hide from people and dream up new plotlines and characters. Elizabeth is a
member of the Historical Novel Society and the Alliance of Independent Authors.
