Carol McGrath

'A delicious frisson of danger slithers through every page of the book. Enthralling.' Karen Maitland 'A delicate and detailed portrayal, absolutely beautifully done. Captivating.' Suzannah Dunn 'Rich, vivid and immersive, an enthralling story of the turbulent Tudor era.' Nicola Cornick MISTRESS CROMWELL presents the rise of Tudor England's most powerful courtier, Thomas Cromwell, through the eyes of the woman behind him . . . When beautiful cloth merchant's daughter Elizabeth Williams is widowed at the age of twenty-two, she is determined to make a success of the business she inherited from her father. But there are those who oppose a woman making her own way in the world, and soon Elizabeth realises she may have some powerful enemies - enemies who know the dark truth about her dead husband. Happiness arrives when Elizabeth meets ambitious young lawyer, Thomas Cromwell. Their marriage begins in mutual love and respect - but it isn't always easy being the wife of an independent, headstrong man in Henry VIII's London. The city is both merciless and filled with temptation, and Elizabeth soon realises she must take care in the life she has chosen . . . or risk losing everything. MISTRESS CROMWELL was previously published as THE WOMAN IN THE SHADOWS.

Woman in the Shadows

They called her the She-Wolf From Provence. She'd shape the destiny of England ... 'Powerful, gripping and beautifully told . . . will resonate with the #MeToo generation' - Kate Furnivall, author of The Liberation 'A feast for the senses and highly recommended' - Deborah Swift, author of Pleasing Mr Pepys Fans of Alison Weir, Anne O'Brien and Philippa Gregory, will devour this compelling new novel, starring one of English history's most fierce and courageous forgotten heroines! 1236. Ailenor of Provence, cultured and intelligent, is only thirteen when she meets her new husband, Henry III of England. A foreign and friendless princess in a strange land she is determined to please him. And she knows that when the times comes she must provide an heir, to secure the throne against those who would snatch it away. Rosalind, a commoner skilled in the arts of needlework and embroidery, catches the young queen's attention and a friendship blossoms. But she is unprepared for the dangerous ramifications of winning the queen's favour ... As closeness, and soon love, develops between Ailenor and Henry, so too does her influence on her husband and her power at court. As France and Wales provide constant threat, and England's barons increasingly resent her influence, Ailenor must learn to be ruthless. Who should she encourage her husband to favour? Who can she trust? Caught in a web of treachery and deceit, her choices will define the fate of England. To protect her close friends, and her beloved children, Ailenor, the She-Wolf from Provence, would do, and endure, anything ... 'A gripping tale of a much-maligned queen' - Henrietta Leyser 'Well-researched ... fascinating' - Joanna Courtney READERS LOVE THE NOVELS OF CAROL McGRATH! 'The quality and detail of research stands out' 'A triumph of a novel!' 'Expertly written' 'A cracking tale' 'Laced with subtle tension' 'Fascinating and vivid' If you love THE SILKEN ROSE check out the highly acclaimed MISTRESS CROMWELL, also by Carol McGrath and available now ...

Beware the She-Wolf from Provence ...

The Silken Rose

Harold loves Edith (Elditha), his beautiful handfasted wife for many years, and she loves him back. It is Christmas 1065. When King Edward dies Elditha's husband is elected king. To her horror she is set aside for a marriage that will unite north and south against a Norman threat. But the Conqueror swoops over the channel, burns their lands and destroys King Harold. Can Elditha protect her family from the Conqueror's wrath?

The Handfasted Wife

Annie Whitehead

Joanna Courtney

Helen Hollick

Eliza Redgold

Anna Belfrage

Alison Morton

Richard Dee

GK Holloway

Ever wondered what might have happened if William the Conqueror had been beaten at Hastings? Or if Harald Hardrada had won at Stamford Bridge? Then here is the perfect set of stories for you. ‘1066 Turned Upside Down’ explores a variety of ways in which the momentous year of 1066 could have played out differently.

Alternative fiction stories by nine authors

1066 Turned Upside Down

Betrothed Sister

'You lay hands on a princess of the realm? It is treason.' 'But this princess disobeys her King. Treason indeed.' A beloved wife. A hated queen. A journey to her destiny . . . If you love JOANNA COURTNEY, ELIZABETH CHADWICK and PHILIPPA GREGORY, you'll devour the highly-anticipated second novel in Carol McGrath's SHE-WOLVES Trilogy! * 'Fascinating . . . Brings to life one of the most determined and remarkable queens of the medieval world' K. J. MAITLAND, author of The Drowned City * 'Completely engrossed me from the start . . . A wonderful read' NICOLA CORNICK, author of The Forgotten Sister 1266. Eleanor of Castile, adored wife of the Crown Prince of England, is still only a princess when she is held hostage in the brutal Baron's Rebellion, and her baby daughter dies. Scarred by privation, a bitter Eleanor swears revenge on those who would harm her family - and vows never to let herself be vulnerable again. As she rises to become Queen, Eleanor keeps Olwen - a trusted herbalist, who tried to save her daughter - by her side. But it is dangerous to be friendless in a royal household, and as the court sets out on crusade, Olwen and Eleanor discover that the true battle for Europe may not be a matter of swords and lances, but one fanned by whispers and spies . . . * 'Vibrant, enticing and with fascinating detail. . . . It held me gripped from beginning to end' ALEXANDRA WALSH, author of The Marquess House Trilogy * 'Excels at sweeping the reader away on an engrossing journey . . . Great storytelling and superb research' JANE JOHNSON, author of Court of Lions * 'Shines a true light on the gripping tale of Eleanor of Castile, the love of Edward I's life' SARA COCKERILL, author of Eleanor of Aquitaine: Queen of France and England, Mother of Empires *'Pulls from the pages of history Eleanor of Castile: queen, business woman and true partner to one of England's most forceful kings' CRYSSA BAZOS, author of Severed Knot . . . AND DISCOVER THE FIRST BOOK IN THE SHE-WOLVES TRILOGY: THE SILKEN ROSE ***** 'Stunning start to a new series of She-Wolf Queens' ***** 'Spectacular . . . I will recommend this first part of her new trilogy to everyone' ***** 'Exceptionally well-written . . . From the first page I was totally caught up in the story'

The enthralling historical novel: The friendship of a queen of England comes at a price . . .

The Damask Rose

A marriage made in Heaven or Hell. 1075 and Dowager Queen Edith has died. Gunnhild longs to leave Wilton Abbey but is her suitor Breton knight Count Alain of Richmond interested in her inheritance as the daughter of King Harold and Edith Swan-Neck or does he love her for herself? And is her own love for Count Alain an enduring love or has she made a mistake? The Swan Daughter is a true 11th C tale of elopement and a love triangle.

The Swan-Daughter

'A real tour de force of gripping writing, rich historical detail and complex, fascinating characters. Superb!' NICOLA CORNICK on The Stone Rose _________________ EARLY READERS ARE GRIPPED BY THE STONE ROSE! * 'Springs to vivid life for the reader . . . A compulsive read' ANNE O'BRIEN * 'An enticing and intriguing tale of a woman who is driven to desperate and ruthless lengths to protect those she loves' ALEXANDRA WALSH * 'Carol McGrath really got into Isabella's head . . . Enlightening' SHARON BENNETT CONNOLLY * 'Bold and compelling' JENNY BARDEN * 'A novel that's a definite page-turner' LIZ HARRIS _________________ London, 1350. Agnes, daughter of a stonemason, is struggling to keep her father's trade in a city decimated by plague. And then she receives a mysterious message from the disgraced Queen Isabella: mother of King Edward III, and widow of Edward II. Isabella has a task that only Agnes can fulfil. She wants her truth to be told. Much has been whispered of the conflicts in Isabella and Edward's marriage. Her greed and warmongering. His unspoken love for male favourites. But as Agnes listens to Isabella, she learns that she can be of help to the queen - but can either woman choose independence, follow her own desires, and survive? The sweeping third instalment of Carol McGrath's acclaimed She-Wolves Trilogy: the gripping series exploring the tumultous lives and loves of three queens of England - and of three women who lived in their shadow. Based on the extraordinary true story of the female stonemason who carved a queen's tomb!

The absolutely gripping new historical romance about England's forgotten queen...

The Stone Rose

The Tudor period has long gripped our imaginations. Because we have consumed so many costume dramas on TV and film, read so many histories, factual or romanticized, we think we know how this society operated. We know they did romance but how did they do sex? In this affectionate, informative and fascinating look at sex and sexuality in Tudor times, author Carol McGrath peeks beneath the bedsheets of late fifteenth- and early sixteenth-century England to offer a genuine understanding of the romantic and sexual habits of our Tudor ancestors. Find out the truth about swiving, bawds, shaking the sheets and the deed of darkness'. Discover the infamous indiscretions and scandals, feast day rituals, the Southwark Stews, and even city streets whose names indicated their use for sexual pleasure. Explore Tudor fashion: the codpiece, slashed hose and doublets, womens layered dressing with partlets, overgowns and stomachers laced tightly in place. What was the Church view on morality, witchcraft and the female body? On which days could married couples indulge in sex and why? How were same sex relationships perceived? How common was adultery? How did they deal with contraception and how did Tudors attempt to cure venereal disease? And how did people bend and ignore all these rules?

Sex and Sexuality in Tudor England

Did you love WOLF HALL, BRING UP THE BODIES and THE MIRROR AND THE LIGHT? If so, you'll be gripped by MISTRESS CROMWELL: discover the powerful story of the woman in the shadows . . . Reader acclaim for Mistress Cromwell 'A delicious frisson of danger slithers through every page of the book. Enthralling.' Karen Maitland 'A delicate and detailed portrayal, absolutely beautifully done. Captivating.' Suzannah Dunn 'Rich, vivid and immersive, an enthralling story of the turbulent Tudor era.' Nicola Cornick 'Fantastic read from the perspective of Cromwell's wife.' ***** Reader Review 'Excellent read. Very well written and researched. Would recommend this book to anyone interested in Tudor times.' ***** Reader Review 'The book had me gripped from start to finish. Highly recommended.' ***** Reader Review 'Rich with period detail - so evocative of the Tudor period... I really enjoyed this.' ***** Reader Review MISTRESS CROMWELL presents the rise of Tudor England's most powerful courtier, Thomas Cromwell, through the eyes of the most important - and little known - woman in his life . . . When beautiful cloth merchant's daughter Elizabeth Williams is widowed at the age of twenty-two, she is determined to make a success of the business she inherited from her father. But there are those who oppose a woman making her own way in the world, and soon Elizabeth realises she may have some powerful enemies - enemies who know the dark truth about her dead husband. Happiness arrives when Elizabeth meets ambitious young lawyer, Thomas Cromwell. Their marriage begins in mutual love and respect - but it isn't always easy being the wife of an independent, headstrong man in Henry VIII's London. The city is both merciless and filled with temptation, and Elizabeth soon realises she must take care in the life she has chosen . . . or risk losing everything. MISTRESS CROMWELL was previously published as THE WOMAN IN THE SHADOWS. Do you love the novels of Carol McGrath? Have you read THE SILKEN ROSE, her brand new novel, starring one of the most fierce and courageous forgotten queens of England? Available now! _______ Praise for bestselling author, Carol McGrath: 'Brilliantly researched and cleverly brought to life' - Joanna Courtney 'Intense, gripping and intricately plotted' - Alexandra Walsh 'Completely engrossed me from the start . . . Incredibly rich and vividly told' - Nicola Cornick 'Expertly brings to life . . . a woman who finds herself at the heart of a deadly power game for the throne' - KJ Maitland

The breathtaking and absolutely gripping Tudor novel from the acclaimed author of the SHE-WOLVES trilogy

Mistress Cromwell

'The Betrothed Sister is like one of its own rich embroideries, cut from the cloth of history and stitched with strange and passionate lives' EMMA DARWIN The final instalment in Carol McGrath's captivating The Daughters of Hastings trilogy! 'This is a brilliantly crafted novel by an author who allows readers to build considerable empathy with the characters' 5* Reader review '... full of fascinating period detail. The story is gripping and the characters are well drawn and interesting... cannot recommend them highly enough' 5* Reader review 'Another excellent historical novel from this author' 5* Reader review 'This is a brilliant story about the strength of women who we have seldom heard of' 5* Reader review 'Fascinating and very enjoyable and interesting' 5* Reader review _____________________________ September 1068. Thea, also known as Gytha, the elder daughter of King Harold II, travels with her brothers and grandmother into exile carrying revenge in her heart. She is soon betrothed to a prince of Kiev. Will her betrothal and marriage bring her happiness, as she confronts enemies from inside and outside Russian territories? Will she prove herself the courageous princess she surely is, win her princely husband's respect and establish her independence in a society protective towards its women? Love the novels of Carol McGrath? Don't miss THE SILKEN ROSE, starring one of the most fierce and courageous forgotten queens of England! AND COMING APRIL 2021 DISCOVER THE DAMASK ROSE: THE SUMPTUOUS AND GRIPPING NEW NOVEL FROM CAROL MCGRATH AVAILABLE FOR PREORDER NOW!

Carol McGrath

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