Lady of Lincoln by Rachel Elwiss Joyce - #bookreview

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I am required to make it clear at the beginning of my reviews that I received this book for free from the author. I have not been paid for doing this and all opinions are my own. I am Bookshop.org affiliated, which means I earn a very small amount of money if you buy from there using my direct link. Although I include purchase links to Amazon, I am not affiliated with them. I include them to make it easy for you to navigate to them if you so wish.

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The Blurb

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.

My Review

I love novels which bring an almost forgotten woman to the fore. This was one such book and I enjoyed it very much.

The main character is Nicola de la Haye and I became immersed in her story very quickly. She is courageous, feisty and has to rapidly learn how to use these talents in a time when women had little control over their own lives.

Set in twelfth-century England, Nicola knows that her role in life is to marry a man of her father's choosing. His choice is Gerard de Camville, a man with wealth and land and who is loyal. However, Nicola wants to marry for love. Following the death of her father she does just that and marries William Fitzernest, a handsome younger man who is attracted to Nicola more for her inheritance than for love.

The book has been well researched and I was drawn into the time period every bit as much as the plot. I felt as though I was walking through the grounds of Lincoln Castle in the twelfth century and the author did a fantastic job of bringing the time period and setting to life.

It has a brisk pace and I flew through the book fairly quickly. However, that might equally have been due to my reluctance to put it down. 

This is the first in a series and I can't wait to continue with it once the second book has been published. I applaud the author for bringing this little-known woman of the past back to life within the pages of this book.

If you enjoy historical fiction then you will adore this one as much as I did. I highly recommend it.

Book Details

ISBN:  978 1919337906

Publisher:  Hedgehog Books

Formats:  e-book, audio and paperback (currently available on Kindle Unlimited) 

No. of Pages:  462 (paperback)

Series:   Book 1 in the Nicola de la Haye series

Purchase Links

Amazon UK

Amazon US

About the Author

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.

You can also find Rachel at:

Author Website

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Extract from Lady of Lincoln

(ARC and media courtesy of the author)

(all opinions are my own)

Lady of Lincoln by Rachel Elwiss Joyce - #blogtour #excerpt #extract

I am absolutely thrilled to be bringing you an extract from this book today. Lady of Lincoln by Rachel Elwiss Joyce is a novel of Nicola de la Haye, the medieval heroine history tried to forget.

The Blurb

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.

The Extract

Lincoln Castle, May 1168 

Nicola stood atop the western battlements under a duck-egg sky, her frozen fingers clutching the cold crossbow, her skirts snapping in the wind as she waited for Edwin—and humiliation. What was she doing here? And what had possessed her to think she could master a soldier’s weapon? Papa had laughed. Julia had just rolled her eyes.

She pulled her woollen cloak tighter against the biting wind, ignoring the guards further down the wall who studiously avoided her gaze. The longer she waited, the more foolish she felt.

Still, this wasn’t her greatest worry. Papa was determined she marry some nameless, greying nobleman. She didn’t want to dishonour her family, but what was the rush? Papa wasn’t dying. Surely there was a handsome, gallant knight out there who might win her heart, and guard her lands. She just had to find him.

She drew a breath and scanned the horizon, thrilling at the view. Lincoln Castle crowned a steep escarpment, towering over the Upper City. Below, mist uncoiled from the river valley, pierced by golden shafts of morning sun. She loved the castle, yet the stone walls, symbols of her family’s power, were starting to feel like a gaol.

Boot-steps echoed behind her. She turned.

Edwin, the grizzled garrison commander, climbed the last stair to the curtain wall. Thickset, bearded, his leather armour worn smooth with use, he gave her a sardonic smile. “There you are. The castle’s very own shield maiden.”

Nicola flushed. He clearly thought this was a farce.

She lifted her chin. “A fine morning to you, too.”

Edwin chuckled and moved beside her, reeking of leather and stale ale. “I’ve set up some targets.”

She shifted uneasily. Was she about to make a fool of herself?

“See there,” he said, pointing across the ditch towards the steaming Lawn. “I was a green squire, firing bolts from this very wall during the Battle of Lincoln. Never been so scared in my life.”

“Papa never speaks of it. He’s never forgiven Uncle Ralph for the disgrace.” 

“I don’t know how his mother forgave Ralph after he cheated her out of the castle then switched sides like that.” Edwin spat over the wall. “But then he’d always been jealous.” 

“Of what?”

“Your grandfather was raised from minor lord to royal constable. That honour was meant to pass to your father, the eldest, but Ralph, always arrogant, hated that.”

Nicola’s jaw tightened. Of course. Papa’s obsession with honour had begun with Ralph’s betrayal. If he hadn’t turned traitor, maybe Papa wouldn’t be so desperate to bind her future to a husband he deemed trustworthy enough to honour the family name.

“Thousands dead in the field,” Edwin muttered, crossing himself. “Good men; good horses. The grass ran red. I saw King Stephen captured. Then I had to serve Ralph.” He scowled. “That man changed sides so often, we never knew who the enemy was.”

A gust slapped Nicola’s braid across her cheek. She turned into it, breathing the sharp, clean air. Over the gate, the Haye red sun banner snapped in salute. Beyond, geese flapped over Brayford Pool. She envied them. Free. While she, despite the commanding view, was little more than a prisoner in her own castle.

She hefted the crossbow. “Shall we begin?”

Edwin took it from her. “Lady Nicola, if you’ll pardon me—this is nonsense. If there’s a battle, you’ll be in the tower, not fighting on the walls.”

Her cheeks burned; half ashamed, half angry. “I will be constable one day.”

“Your husband will. You’ll never be a knight.” He snorted. “Or a crossbowman.”

Her fists clenched. “If that’s what you think, Edwin, I’ve better things to do.” She turned to go.

He caught her arm. “Forgive me. I just...” He hesitated. “When the castle last fell under siege, the town was attacked. The women...” His jaw tightened. “You’re like a daughter to me. If the worst comes, I want you safe in the Lucy Tower. I’ll teach you to use a dagger—but not this.”

Her jaw tensed. She liked and admired him, but he wasn’t her father. He’d no right to tell her what she could or couldn’t be. “Mayhap I’ll surprise you,” she snapped.

He blinked, as though seeing her for the first time.

She folded her arms.

He sighed. “Very well. Strap this on.” He handed her a thick belt with a large iron hook.

She cinched it around her waist.

“Tight,” he said. He passed her the crossbow.

A laugh echoed from the bailey. Three guardsmen stood shielding their eyes, staring up. Her cheeks flamed. One of them had laughed, but which? She couldn’t see.

She lifted her chin. Let them stare. She was a Haye.

“Hitch up your gown,” Edwin said.

She pulled at the fabric, revealing her ankles and goatskin shoes.

Edwin frowned. “You’ll never manage in those. You need boots... really, you need chausses.”

“You should have told me. I’d have worn my riding boots.”

“Next time.” He took the belt back, buckled it on, placed a boot in the stirrup, caught the whipcord with the hook, and bent his knees. “You have to use your body. It’s got more power than your legs or arms.” Slowly, he rose, the hooked belt moving with him, dragging the cord until it clicked into place.

Nicola stared. What had she been thinking? She’d never manage that.

He fitted a bolt. “Here.” He handed the weapon to her.

The crossbow felt heavier than before. She’d watched men do this hundreds of times; but it was her turn now.

“Hold it to your shoulder, like so.” He positioned the crossbow. “Set the butt firmly. It keeps the weapon steady.” He moved her fingers into position.

Another laugh ripped through the air. 

“Now,” Edwin said, “look straight down the length of the stock, using the tip of the bolt as your guide, and align it with the target. For most shots, this’ll be enough. I can teach you how to adjust for range another time.”

If there was a next time.

“Steady breath. Exhale. Then squeeze. Let the crossbow do the work.”

She braced and fired. 

The weapon jolted.

The bolt vanished.

“God’s Knucklebones!” Edwin said, eyes wide. “Only an arm span from the target. We might make a constable of you yet.”

An unexpected surge of pride swept through her, followed by a rush of uncertainty. Was he mocking her? “Did you mean that?”

He didn’t answer. His eyes were fixed on the horizon. “Visitors. Ricard du Hommet, I think. And another knight, but I can’t see the emblem.”

Nicola followed his gaze. Four riders galloped from the woods across the Lawn. Two bore the Hommet lilies. The others rode beneath a banner of bright blue with white lions passant. She didn’t recognise the arms.

A cold knot formed in her gut. She had a bad feeling one of the men with the lion emblem was the man Papa would make her marry.

The riders clattered through the barbican.

Her knees buckled. She gripped the parapet.

“Are you alright?” Edwin asked.

“Of course,” she said, forcing a smile. “Just silly women’s concerns.”

Book Details

ISBN:  978 1919337906

Publisher:  Hedgehog Books

Formats:  e-book, audio and paperback (currently available on Kindle Unlimited) )

No. of Pages:  462 (paperback)

Series:   Book 1 in the Nicola de la Haye series

Purchase Links

Amazon UK

Amazon US

About the Author

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.

You can also find Rachel at:

Author Website

X

Facebook

Instagram

Bluesky

(media courtesy of The Coffee Pot Book Club)

(all opinions are my own)

Sister Rosa's Rebellion by Carolyn Hughes - #bookextract #bookexcerpt #blogtour

 

I am so pleased to be bringing you an extract from this book today.  Sister Rosa's Rebellion by Carolyn Hughes is part of the Meonbridge Chronicles series and looks fabulous.

The Blurb

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?

The Excerpt

Excerpt from Chapter 3

Glancing once more around the little chamber that soon might not be hers to occupy, Rosa closed the door and hurried downstairs to the frater.

But she did not reach Beatrice nor even the frater before her passage was intercepted. As she hurried along one wing of the cloister, Evangelina stepped out from the door of the chapter house, giving her a start.

‘Goodness, Sister Evangelina, you made me jump,’ said Rosa.

Evangelina inclined her head in a gesture of apology, although her expression bore no sign of it. She pointed back into the chapter house. ‘I was readying the chamber for our meeting this afternoon.’

‘We are having a meeting?’ said Rosa, astonished.

‘The business of the priory must continue. We have matters to discuss.’

Rosa was momentarily perplexed. Who had decided a chapter meeting should be held? It was not the usual day and time. ‘Yes, yes, of course. But when was it announced?’

‘It will be shortly,’ said Evangelina. ‘At dinner.’

‘That gives the sisters very little notice,’ Rosa said. ‘But I shall attend.’ She made to hurry on to catch up with Sister Beatrice, who must now be thinking she was not coming.

But Evangelina placed a heavy hand upon her arm. ‘Before you run off, Sister Rosa,’ she said, her head tilted slightly, ‘a word…’

A frisson of alarm ran down Rosa’s spine. Evangelina’s “word” sounded menacing. ‘A word about what?’ she said.

Evangelina drew her back into the chapter house and closed the door. ‘One of the subjects for discussion will be the election,’ she said. 

‘Indeed,’ said Rosa, her heart thudding slightly at the ominous edge to Evangelina’s voice. ‘I understand Sister Amata has written to the bishop, asking for his permission to proceed. Has she received a reply?’

‘I’m not aware of it. But that’s not what I wish to raise with you…’ She hesitated and tilted her head again. Then she swept over to the fine oak chair that was the prioress’s station during meetings. She sat in it, leaned back and gestured Rosa to take a nearby stool.

Rosa’s mouth was dry as she lowered herself onto the stool. Did Evangelina want to know if she was going to stand against her in the election? Rosa looked at her hands, resting uneasily in her lap: what would her answer be? She had not yet quite decided but, if Evangelina asked her, she should surely not prevaricate? ‘So, what is it you wish to say?’

‘As I’m sure you know, I’m the natural successor to Mother Angelica as prioress of Northwick, as I’m a Godeffroy…’ Rosa nodded. ‘I suspect you also know that, in the interests of fair play, or at least the semblance of it’––she smirked––‘Angelica insisted an election must be held…’

‘I understood that an election always has been held…’

‘And one will be this time too. However, Sister Rosa, you must understand that I intend to win…’

‘Intend to?’ Despite her uneasiness, Rosa raised an eyebrow. ‘Does not who wins depend upon the electors?’

‘It follows then that no one must stand against me who might triumph in my stead…’ She paused. ‘Like you, for example.’

‘Me?’

‘Oh, don’t play the coy damsel with me, Dolorosa,’ she snarled, and Rosa started at her hostile use of her old religious name. ‘Everyone knows you hope to step into my aunt’s shoes. Haven’t you been working up to it all these years, acting as subprioress?’

‘I was not the subprioress,’ said Rosa, her anxiety rising, ‘but merely Mother Angelica’s assistant…’

‘Whatever you say… Nonetheless it’s my birth right to succeed my aunt. And, surely, with your sense of what is right and fair, you’d not deny me that?’

‘What are you saying, Sister Evangelina?’

‘I’m asking you, politely, to stand aside.’

Rosa swallowed. ‘But why should I when I understand the Reverend Mother hoped I might follow in her footsteps?’

‘Ha! You believe that? My aunt was humouring you, Dolorosa, into thinking you’d be the next prioress. She knew it was my birth right to succeed.’

Rosa found herself shaking. Was Evangelina right? Had Mother Angelica only pretended to favour her? She had never felt that was the case. Moreover, Amata was certain Angelica did prefer her.

‘I am afraid I do not believe you,’ she said, sounding much more confident than she felt.

‘So, you won’t stand aside?’ said Evangelina and Rosa gave her shoulders a little shrug.

Evangelina placed her hands upon the table top before her and splayed her fingers. ‘In that case, I shall have to persuade you.’

‘Persuade me? How?’

‘By threatening to expose your darkest secrets, Dolorosa.’ She smirked once more.

Rosa shivered. What could Evangelina possibly know of her past? ‘But I have no secrets,’ she said, willing her voice to steadiness.

‘Oh, I think you do. I know you do!’

Rosa’s heart was thudding. Was Evangelina referring to the reason she had come to Northwick fifteen years ago? If she was, how could she have learned of it? Of course, the priests knew something of it, but confessions were sacrosanct. Of the nuns, only Angelica ever knew why she had come, and she would never have betrayed her secret, especially to Evangelina.

‘I do not know what you think you have discovered,’ said Rosa, ‘but tell me how you know.’

Evangelina grinned. ‘I remember when you first came to Northwick, what a wretched and insufferably pious girl you were. I know about the ridiculous name you chose, “Dolorosa”, and how my aunt persuaded you to choose something less unashamedly guilt-ridden.’ She scoffed. ‘It was obvious to anyone you were hiding a dreadful secret, some terrible wrong you had committed… How astonishing you now have the status of a saint––’

‘I do not!’ She could not stop her voice shaking.

‘Well, if not a saint, then most virtuous and saint-ly… But of course, it isn’t true. You’re not virtuous nor saintly but the perpetrator of the direst wickedness!’ Evangelina banged her hand down on the table with an air of triumph.

Book Details:

ISBN:  978 1739539436

Publisher:  Riverdown Books

Formats: e-book and paperback (currently available on Kindle Unlimited)

No. of Pages:  446

Purchase Links

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Blackwell's

About the Author

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…

You can also find Carolyn at:

Author Website

Twitter / X

Bluesky

(all media courtesy of The Coffee Pot Book Club)

(all opinions are my own)