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THWARTED QUEEN (Paperback $18.99, ISBN 978-1480155398; E-book $2.99, ISBN 978-0984816910) is the entire narrative of the life of Lady Cecylee Neville (1415-1495), Duchess of York, Abbess and mother of Richard III and Edward IV. An honoree of the B.R.A.G. award, THWARTED QUEEN was also a finalist of the 2012 Global E-book Awards and a finalist, Historical Fiction Category for the 2012 Next Generation Indie Book Awards. The cover shows Heather Hayes modeling Cecylee. The photo was taken by Whitney Arostegui during a photo shoot in November 2010.
THE BRIDE PRICE (E-book $0.99, ISBN 978-0984816972) is the first volume of THWARTED QUEEN. The cover shows the collegiate church of Fotheringhay with its octagonal tower, which Richard of York had built in 1434, the year he attained his majority. In 1437, after his marriage to Lady Cecylee Neville, Richard brought his bride here and they spent many years at Fotheringhay Castle, their main residence on the Nene River in Northamptonshire, until they were forced to flee in 1459. At the top of the picture is Cecylee’s signature from her will of 1495. Cecylee’s will is in the public domain, and the photograph of Fotheringhay church was taken by the author during a research trip in 2007.
ONE SEED SOWN (E-book $0.99, ISBN 978-0984816941) is the second volume of THWARTED QUEEN. The cover shows an image of Azay-le-Rideau. Rouen Castle, where Cecylee actually lived from 1441 to 1445 no longer exists, except for one tower. So I thought that this wonderful castle would provide a suitable setting for Cecylee’s romance. It was built from 1515 to 1527, but I think those turrets evoke those cone-shaped head-dresses (called henins) of Cecylee’s era. The photo was taken during a trip to the Loire Valley in 2008.
ROSE OF RABY (Paperback $9.99, ISBN 978-0984816903) comprises volumes 1 and 2 of the THWARTED QUEEN series. The cover shows Castle Raby, where Cecylee lived during her girlhood, and where her father locked her up in the castle keep to ensure that her marriage to Richard, Duke of York went ahead. (Richard was a cousin to King Henry VI). Above the castle can be seen Cecylee’s signature, taken from her will of 1495. Heather Hayes modeled Cecylee. Cecylee’s will is in the public domain. The photo of Castle Raby was taken by the author during a research trip in 2007. Whitney Arostegui took the photo of Heather Hayes during a photo shoot in November 2010.
THE GILDED CAGE (Paperback $9.99, ISBN 978-0984816927, E-book $0.99, ISBN 978-0984816958) is volume 3 of the THWARTED QUEEN series. The cover shows the Chateau of Blois taken through a window just as a thunderstorm was rolling in. The photo was taken by the author during a trip to the Loire Valley in 2008.
TWO MURDERS REAPED (Paperback $9.99, ISBN 978-0984816934, E-book $0.99, ISBN 978-0984816965) is volume 4 of the THWARTED QUEEN series. TWO MURDERS REAPED was shortlisted for 2012 Eric Hoffer New Horizon Award for debut authors and won an Honorable Mention for 2012 Eric Hoffer Commercial Fiction Award. The cover show the Royal apartments of the Chateau of Angers, where Henry of Anjou, later King Henry II of England, grew up. He was one of Cecylee’s ancestors. The photo was taken by the author during a trip to the Loire Valley in 2008.
To learn more about THWARTED QUEEN, its family trees, maps, and characters lists, please click on the image to the left. To learn more about my forthcoming novel, AN UNSUITABLE SUITOR, please click on the image to the right.
