For fans of The Tudors comes a captivating drama about the only woman who could defy Henry VIII -and keep her life. Mary Tudor, the headstrong younger sister of the ruthless King Henry VII, has always been her brother's favorite-but now she is also an important political bargaining chip. When she is promised to the elderly, ailing King Louis of France, a heartbroken Mary accepts her fate, but not before extracting a promise from her brother: When the old king dies, her next marriage shall be solely of her choosing. For Mary has a forbidden passion, and is determined, through her own cunning, courage, and boldness, to forge her own destiny. The Secret Bride is the triumphant tale of one extraordinary woman who meant to stay true to her heart and live her life just as her royal brother did- by her own rules...
"This emotional story of a woman's journey from despair to triumph has what we all want from a love story. – In Print A story of healing, forgiveness and change that will make readers cheer. – Romantic Times I would recommend it to anyone." – Escape to Romance *** Since his commanding officer in the Peninsula took a bullet meant for him, James Moore, now the Earl of Rutledge, feels responsible for the dead man's young son and the boy's exquisite mother, Carlotta Ennis – so responsible that he offers to marry the lavender-eyed beauty. Though their marriage was not to be a love match, Carlotta's torturing presence has James yearning to make her his true wife. Though she did not love his lordship, her desperate situation forced her to accept his proposal. Little did she know she would come to crave being with him, would hunger for his every touch. If only she could be worthy of the fine man she's married, if only she can keep him from learning her dark secret . . .
In the Scottish wilds for a vacation, orphaned heiress Adella's holiday turns to horror when her beloved guardians are drowned. When Sir Robert MacCrannoch rescues Adella, he also awakens her passion. But Crannoch Castle holds centuries-old, closely-guarded secrets that Adella overhears--and must not be allowed to repeat . . or even remember.
In 14th century England, the brutal murder of Edward II comes to light. Joanna, his exiled daughter, commissions the writer to find out what happened. Revealed is a sordid history of duplicity, cruel intention and a medieval struggle for power. Using sixteen written accounts from survivors, Jane Lane brings this fascinating true story to life.
Cover Flap In 1075 at the wedding of Earl Ralph of Norfolk to Emma the daughter of Earl Roger of Hereford, there were a lot of angry boastful words said against William the Conqueror. These two Earls plotted with Earl Waltheof of Huntingdon to rebel and cut England in two. In the sober morning light, Waltheof regretted being involved in the Revolt of the Earls, which could again bring mass destruction to the Danelaw. He sent a plea to Hereward and Raynar to help him get out of it. Raynar once again raises the wolfpacks, this time to protect the folk from rampaging armies. In the spring of 1102, King Henry decides that something must be done about Robert ‘the Impaler’ Belleme, the all powerful Earl of Shrewsbury, and so he raises an army to drive him out of England. Queen Edith begs Raynar to go and help her husband and keep him safe. About the Author Skye Smith is my pen name. My ancestors were miners and shepherds near Castleton in the Peaks District of Derbyshire. I have been told by some readers that this series reminds them of Bernard Cornwell’s historical novels, and have always been delighted by the comparison. This is the eighth of my Hoodsman series of books, and you should read the first “Killing Kings” before you read this book. All of the books contain two timelines linked by characters and places. The “current” story is set in the era of King Henry I in the 1100’s, while the longer “flashback” story is set in the era of King William I after 1066. I have self-published twelve “The Hoodsman” historical-adventure novels and one Companion reference book for the series: # - SubTitle William I Timeline Henry I Timeline 1. Killing Kings 1066 killing King Harald of Norway (Battle of Stamford Bridge) 1100 killing King William II of England. Henry claims the throne. 2. Hunting Kings 1066 hunting the Conqueror (Battle of Hastings Road) 1100 hunting Henry I (Coronation Charter) 3. Frisians of the Fens 1067/68 rebellions. Edgar Aetheling flees north with Margaret. 1100 amnesty and peace. Henry recruits English bowmen. 4. Saving Princesses 1068/69 rebellions. Margaret weds Scotland (Battle of Durham) 1100/01 Edith of Scotland weds Henry (Battle of Alton) 5. Blackstone Edge 1069/70 rebellions (The Harrowing of the North) 1101 peace while the economy is saved from the bankers 6. Ely Wakes 1070/71 Frisian rebellion (Battles of Ely and Cassel) 1101 Henry collects allies. Mary of Scotland weds Boulogne. 7. Courtesans and Exiles 1072/74 English lords flee abroad (Battle of Montreuil, Edgar surrenders) 1102 Henry collects allies (the honour of Boulogne) 8. The Revolt of the Earls 1075/76 Earls revolt (Battles of Worchester and Fagaduna) 1102 Earls revolt (Battles of Arundel, Bridgnorth, Shropshire) 9. Forest Law 1076/79 fighting Normans in France (London Burned, Battle of Gerberoi) 1103 fighting Normans in Cornwall (Battle of Tamara Sound) 10. Queens and Widows 1079/81 rebellions (Gateshead, Judith of Lens) 1103 Edith made Regent (Force 5 Hurricane) 11. Popes and Emperors 1081 Normans slaughter English exiles (Battle of Dyrrhachium) 1104 Henry visits Normandy (Duchy run by warlords) 12. The Second Invasion 1082/85 power vacuum, peaceful anarchy (Regent Odo arrested enroute to Rome) 1085/87 Re-invasion and Harrowing of all England (Battle of Mantes, Conqueror dies) 1104/05 Henry invades Normandy twice (Battle of Tinchebray) Other Novels By The Same Author: The Pistoleer – 9 historical adventures set in the English Civil War. Maya’s Aura – 8 new age adventures while tripping around the world. Knut – many historical adventures set in the Viking Era.
As Robert Hawksley watches his father's body placed in the family crypt, his blood runs cold. At one time, the handsome Earl of Hawksley had been free to live a life of leisure and lust. But now with his father dead and his fortune in question, Lord Hawksley must marry into money to maintain his vain lifestyle. Anna Amhurst is a drab and wealthy spinster who will do anything to save her coveted sister, Jane, from Hawksley's clutches. Fueled by her belief that Lord Hawksley is a fortune hunter who will not make her sister happy, Anna makes it her mission to stop the naive Jane from marrying him. But when she manipulates fate so that her sister becomes betrothed to a more suitable mate, Anna has no idea that her decision comes with surprise consequences. In this historical romance, a dowdy spinster who is intent on stopping a money-hungry lord from marrying her beautiful sister is about to discover that nothing is more powerful than true love."
