Sunday, May 31, 2026

What the Ocean Brings by Tonya Ulynn Brown



Quebec, Canada, 1847. While trying to escape the Potato Famine, shipwrecked Irish immigrant Breanna Clarey awakens injured and alone on an unfamiliar beach. To make matters worse, she has been separated from her family, and her friend, Crow, is lying dead at her feet. But when Dawson Roberts, a reclusive fisherman with a guarded past and big dreams for his future, finds Breanna, he puts his plans on hold to offer her shelter and help find her family.

But life for an Irish immigrant isn't easy. Facing a deadly quarantine station, dangerous immigration officials, and grief over her missing family, Breanna struggles to exert her independence and navigate her new world. While Breanna confronts an unknown future, Dawson is plagued by a painful past. They each must determine their own course, even if it means ignoring the pull they have on each other.

When the future takes an unexpected turn, only the ocean that has brought them so much devastation can help them find their way back to where they belong.


Excerpt

Half an hour passed before she caught a glimpse of a tiny boat way off in the distance. It was being dashed about, and as it slowly drew closer, she could see a person there struggling to maintain control. Breanna strained to see if it was Dawson. She saw no signs of Dodge, and her heart sank. Either it wasn’t Dawson’s boat she saw, or Dodge had been lost. She felt her throat tighten, and tears sprang to her eyes. Fifteen minutes later, the boat was much closer, but still not close enough so that she could see the man’s face. Against all reasonable evidence, Breanna still had a feeling it was Dawson, so she began to run. 

She raced down to the water’s edge, all the while keeping her eyes on the little boat being tossed at sea. When she got to the water, all she could do was watch in horror as Dawson struggled with the oars to keep the boat upright. He was drenched, and she wondered how the oars had not already slipped from his hands or the boat had not sunk from incoming water.  

When she thought he was close enough, she rushed forward, steadying herself the best she could in the dangerous tide that rushed in around her legs. She lost her footing at one point, falling backward and taking in a gulp of cold seawater. Coughing and spewing the salty water, she quickly scrambled to stand upright, but the waves were strong, and she wasn’t sure she would be able to stand for long. 

By then, Dawson was close enough to shore that he jumped out of the boat and began to pull it forward against the crashing tide. Breanna assisted him the best she could, but she felt that she was more of a hindrance than a help. Once the boat was out of the water, Dawson fell to the ground, gasping for breath. Water dripped from his hair and beard as his chest heaved, struggling for air. Breanna knelt beside him, wiping the water from his face and running her hand through his hair to sweep it out of his eyes. It wasn’t until a drenched black ball of fur began to lick the water from Dawson’s face that she realized that Dodge was there, too. She cried out at the sight of the massive beast and threw her arms around him, hugging the dog tightly.  

“I did all the work, and he gets the reward?” Dawson said, panting. 

Breanna’s mouth fell open, but she didn’t know what to say. A hysterical laugh bubbled out of her, and she threw her arms around Dawson’s neck in relief. His skin was cold against her cheek, and she lay her palm against his face as if she could warm him. His beard, though wet, was soft beneath her fingertips. She had wondered for some time what it would feel like. Now she knew.  

With her face still close to his, she whispered, “How on earth did ye manage to keep control of that little boat of yours and get it to shore?” 

“I have no idea,” he rasped, but he didn’t look at her. Instead, he looked back out over the water, his face full of regret.  

“I lost it all, Breanna. The whole day’s catch. I think I may have even lost a trap. I tried to get them all back in the boat as soon as I could, but the storm came upon us so quickly, there just wasn’t time.” 

She sat back on her haunches and looked at him. The loss was devastating to him, but all she cared about was that he was still alive.  

“We’ll make up for it tomorrow. Ye will see. What’s important right now is that ye and Dodge are safe. Come, let’s go home and get ye warmed up.” 

He stood on shaky legs, and she helped steady him as he walked. The irony of it was not lost on her as she thought back to two months earlier, when it was she who needed assistance in walking away from the ocean’s wrath. She was just thankful that they had both survived its fury.   




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Tonya Ulynn Brown


Tonya Ulynn Brown is an award-winning historical romance author who writes emotionally rich tales of ancient castles, treacherous plots, and forbidden love. With a deep passion for the turbulent histories of England and Scotland, she brings the past vividly to life through stories where danger and desire walk hand in hand.

Tonya holds a master’s degree and teaches Reading and Writing at the elementary level. Fueled by iced coffees, beautiful books, and an enduring obsession with Mary, Queen of Scots, she fills her days writing, teaching, and researching the lives of long-dead monarchs and other historical figures.

Most of all, she loves spending time with her husband, two sons, and one very spoiled French bulldog.


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Thursday, May 21, 2026

Escape of the Grand Duchess by Susan Appleyard

 

Escape of the Grand Duchess by Susan Appleyard is a gripping historical novel that shatters the notion that royalty is synonymous with privilege and ease. At its heart is Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna, the youngest sister of Tsar Nicholas II—a Romanov who defied a doomed destiny and survived.

Unlike her ill-fated brother and his family, Olga’s story is one of resilience, sacrifice, and daring escape. Trapped in a loveless marriage to a reckless gambler—who harbours secrets of his own—she finds hope in the arms of a dashing army lieutenant. But before she can claim her own happiness, she must first endure the brutal realities of World War I, where she serves as a nurse on the frontlines.

As the Russian Empire teeters on the brink of collapse, the infamous Siberian mystic Rasputin tightens his grip on the imperial court, setting the stage for revolution. With the Bolsheviks seizing power and the Romanovs marked for death, Olga faces an impossible choice: risk everything to stay or flee into the unknown with her true love and their children.

Rich in historical detail and driven by an unforgettable heroine, Escape of the Grand Duchess is a sweeping riches-to-rags tale of survival, love, and the strength it takes to forge a new life in the face of unimaginable upheaval.

Excerpt

The motion of the train put us all to sleep. I awoke to find Niko purring like a cat with his head on my shoulder and Semyon standing over me, his permanent frown deeper than ever. “Madame, we have to leave the train.” 
“What? No!” I said, loudly enough to wake Niko and make other passengers look our way. Nothing was going to make me leave that train. 
He lowered his voice. “Quiet, please, madame. I have spoken to the driver. He told me there are Reds at the next station, and they will board to search the train. He says there is a long bend coming up, and he will slow the train so we can jump off. But we must hurry.” 
I felt sick. Jump off and risk injury to my children or possibly fall into the hands of the Reds. Were they waiting for us? Or was it just a regular inspection? I didn’t know what would happen to Niko and me if they caught us, but I was sure they would take away our children, and we would never know what happened to them. I also suspected they would shoot the Cossacks who had helped us. 
Nikolai gave me a nudge. “We have to trust him.” There was no choice. I nodded. Semyon sat down beside Mimka opposite us so he could lower his voice even further and told us how we would do it. It sounded dangerous. We would be risking broken limbs at the least. Semyon took Tikhon from me, and we all rose and went to the exit. Semyon and Irakli stood on the platform while the rest waited just inside. The slowing of the train was almost unnoticeable at first, but when I looked out of the window, I saw we were on a long bend. On one side, the embankment was steep, almost precipitous; on the other, less so and with trees growing close. When Semyon judged the train wasn’t going to slow down further, Irakli jumped off, rolled, got to his feet, and ran along side until he had caught up. Semyon handed Tikhon to him, and he fell away. My heart was in my mouth, but the transfer had gone smoothly. 
Then it was Nikoloz’s turn. He jumped, rolled, got to his feet, and ran after the train as fast as he could, his rifle bobbing up and down on his back like a pump. He was heavy and not as agile as Irakli. He got within two arshin of the platform but was struggling to keep up. I heard him gasp out a word, and Semyon threw my baby. He was in the air, his covers flapping before Nikoloz caught him. I breathed again, and Semyon drew Nikolai forward. 
“You will go next, sir, and then you can help your lady. Then your maid will go. You will all walk toward the head of the train until we are all together. Quickly now.” 
Nikolai jumped, stumbled, but managed to remain on his feet and started running alongside.
 “You now, madame,” Semyon said. “Close your eyes. Try to relax all your muscles. Don’t fight the ground. Let it take you.” 
I was terrified. The only thing that made me jump was the fact that my family was outside the train, and I was still on it. I collided with the ground so hard it felt as if I had been hit by the train. Above me, tree branches against purple-bellied clouds. Beneath my clutching fingers, hard-packed snow. Before I could assess any injuries, Nikolai was kneeling beside me. 
“Are you all right, my darling?” he asked breathlessly. “I don’t know. Am I?” “Let’s see. Face as beautiful as ever. Right arm appears to be in one piece, same with the left. Hips are still where they—” 
“Oh, shut up, you fool. How are you?” 
“Never better.” 
“Help me up. Let’s hope my legs still work.”
On my feet, I took a few tentative steps and saw that the two Cossacks who jumped before us were walking together down the line. The two others with Mimka were close behind us. “They are fine,” Irakli shouted. 
I took Tikhon from him. My son’s arms went around my neck and clung tightly. He was old enough to have been terrified by what had just happened to him. My other son was awake and smiled when he saw me. I believe he was seeing his lunch. As the train picked up speed again, I saw faces jammed at the windows staring out at the crazy people who had jumped off a moving train. We walked down the track until we were all together. The train disappeared around the curve after a blare from its whistle.




Susan Appleyard was born in England, which is where she learned to love English history, and now lives in Canada in the summer. In winter she and her husband flee the cold for their second home in Mexico. Susan divides her time between writing and her hobby, oil painting, although writing will always be her first love. She was fortunate in having had two books published traditionally. Since joining the ebook crowd, she has published nine books, some of which have won various awards.
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Thursday, May 14, 2026

Yarde Book Promotions "Blog Tour" Firevein: The Awakening (Firevein Saga Book 1) By Hanna Park

 



I went to Røros for a wedding—not to fall for a man
who looked at me like he had already mourned me once.

From the first moment Rurik touched me, something beneath my skin burned. Every kiss felt inevitable. Every glance pressed at the edge of memory. He says I’ve lived before, that I’ve died before, that he has loved me through it all. I don’t remember him—but the mountain does.

The tunnels beneath Røros hum when I pass. Runes flare in the stone. The deeper I fall into his arms, the more something inside me begins to awaken—hot, wild, and impossible to ignore. I was never meant to survive what should have killed me. Now something ancient is stirring, and I can’t shake the feeling that it’s because I did.

I have buried Cristabel in every lifetime—though she has worn different names.

Across centuries, I have found her and lost her to the curse my bloodline was sworn to guard. She was never meant to live this time—but she did. Now the fire in her veins is awakening too soon. The balance beneath the mountain is shifting, and the oath I have carried for generations is beginning to fracture.

I waited lifetimes to hold her again. This time, I will not let her go—even if saving her means unleashing what should have remained buried.

A steamy Nordic fantasy romance of reincarnation, fate, and fire.

Triggers: Female cancer survivor. Steamy open-door scenes. 

Review

I really enjoyed Firevein: The Awakening. The world-building is immersive without becoming overwhelming, and the Nordic-inspired setting gives the story a cold, dangerous atmosphere that pulled me in straight away. There’s a constant sense of tension running through the book, both from the fantasy elements and the relationships between the characters.

The connection between Cristabel and Rurik was intense from the beginning, and that chemistry really drove the story for me. Their dynamic is emotional, unpredictable, and full of conflict, which made every scene between them compelling to read.

The pacing stays strong throughout, and the ending definitely left me wanting the next book immediately. A gripping fantasy romance with great atmosphere, strong emotional tension, and characters that keep you invested from start to finish.

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I began my writing career in the pre-dawn of a winter morning while my husband snored like a train. We could call my husband the catalyst. If it weren’t for him, I would never have gone to the kitchen to make a pot of coffee, feed the cat, and sit on the loveseat in front of the fire. It was there, in those moments of wondrous quiet, that I did something I had never thought possible. I opened my laptop, and while the coffee went cold, I wrote a story. My husband had no idea that these sojourns to the loveseat in front of the fire would become a daily occurrence, that writing would become an obsession, but the cat knew. She knows everything.

I write stories that make you laugh, make you cry, and make you love. Thank you, friends, for reading!

In the beginning, there was an empty page.

I am a writer who lives in Muskoka, Canada, with a husband who snores, a hungry cat, and an almost perfect canine––he’s an adorable little shit.


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Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Rescued by the Rakish Lord by Sarah Mallory



A man of such dubious reputation…

that he was called Devil Blackbourne!

When Lord Deveril Blackbourne meets Selina Wynter, he is intrigued. For she has all the accomplishments of a lady, but the fiery temper and spirit of a tavern maid! Then she is abducted by a dastardly suitor, and Deveril—for all his roguish reputation— can’t stand idly by… 

Lord Deveril is Selina’s least likely rescuer, but when they’re stranded together in a snowstorm and her reputation is at risk, he surprises her with a gallant proposal! Deveril’s no honourable suitor, yet his actions say otherwise…

Just who is the real Devil Blackbourne? Selina’s determined to find out!


✿ Interview with  Sarah Mallory ✿


What inspired you to write this story, and what drew you to this particular historical period? 

It started with a visit to Exmoor. I was born in the West Country and still visit there often. This particular visit was in November, and it snowed. I began to imagine my heroine, living in one of the small towns on the edge of Exmoor, setting off on a journey and becoming stranded in the snow. The late 18th century seemed the obvious choice, accomplished ladies in colourful gowns, gentlemen still wearing swords – I think the Georgian period lends itself to romantic adventures, and this was definitely going to be an adventure!  

How would you describe your book in a sentence to readers who haven’t discovered it yet? 

It’s a sparkling historical romantic adventure in the tradition of Georgette Heyer.

How much research went into the novel, and did you uncover anything surprising along the way? 

I love the Georgian and Regency periods and have been studying that period for decades now, but there is always something new to discover. For this book my research involved finding out more about Exmoor and stag hunting. Exmoor was one of the Normans’ original Royal Forests. Deer hunting there was restricted to the monarch or their wardens or foresters. Inhabitants had “common rights” to gather firewood and peat, and to graze livestock. At the time my book was set, the 1780s, the warden for what remained of Exmoor Forest was the hunting-mad Sir Thomas Dyke Acland. He succeeded his seven-year-old nephew, following the boy’s death in 1785. According to tradition (as told by Anne Acland in “A Devon Family: The Story of the Aclands” pub. 1981) Sir Thomas Dyke Acland had moved away from the family estates after becoming estranged from his father and quarrelling with his elder brother. It was during a chance visit to his old home that he learned of his succession to the baronetcy and the vast family estates. Now that’s a story I wish I had written!

How do you balance historical accuracy with creating an engaging story?

Historical accuracy is very important to me. It is the background on which I embroider my story. Although I am writing romantic fiction, I like to write scenarios that could have happened at the time. And as you can see from the life of Sir Thomas Dyke Acland, strange and unlikely things can happen!

Which character was the most interesting or challenging for you to write, and why?

Deveril was definitely a challenge! He has a reputation as a rake although we know he isn’t really, because anyone who has studied Georgian history will know that real rakes are pretty heartless, and Deveril does have a heart, although it has been broken in the past and he doesn’t want that to happen again. Also, unlike his friends, he doesn’t like killing animals for sport, and Exmoor at that time was renowned for its stag hunts.

Did the story or any characters evolve in unexpected ways while you were writing? 

Selina definitely became more mischievous as the book progressed.  She began as quite a serious young woman, weighed down by the responsibilities of looking after an ailing father and running his estates. Perhaps it is meeting Deveril that makes her feel more light-hearted and shows her that life can still be fun. 

What does your writing process look like—are you a planner or do you prefer to write freely? 

At the beginning of each book I know my main characters are going to get together in the end, but beyond that I rarely have more than a vague idea how the story will turn out. Sometimes historical events mean that a certain amount of planning is required, but if I try to plan and plot the book too minutely, then for me, the magic disappears. 

What do you hope readers will feel or take away after finishing your book? 

When a reader reaches the last page of my book I want them to feel satisfied. I hope the book has entertained them and that they have escaped the problems of the real world, just for a while.

If you could step into the world of your novel for a day, what would you most want to experience? 

Oh, now that’s an interesting question! There is such a lot I should not like to experience – there is a pregnant landlady in my book and I would certainly not want to go through 18th century childbirth! – However, I would love to spend the day with Selina doing very ordinary every-day things - shopping in the town, maybe visiting the milliner and buying a new bonnet, taking tea with her friend Lady Kenton, the squire’s wife. We would then sit down to dinner together, nothing fancy, just a plain dinner with soup and a cod’s cheek, perhaps a rabbit fricassee and a leg of mutton followed by a Dutch flummery. After that, we would change into our evening gowns and attend a soirée.

Just for fun—if your book were adapted into a film, who would you love to see in the cast? 🎬 

Another fab question – and I am sure most writers fantasise about this (I certainly do!). When I first began to imagine this story I pictured a brave and spirited heroine (think Kate Beckinsale in Van Helsing). Today I think Holly Grainger would be great as Selina. As for Deveril, well he needs to be handsome (naturally) and charming but with a mischievous glint in his eye – Kit Harington, maybe?


✿ ✿ ✿

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Sarah Mallory



Sarah Mallory is an award-winning author who has published more than 40 historical romances with Harlequin Mills & Boon. She loves history, especially the Georgian and Regency.

She won the prestigious RoNA Rose Award from the Romantic Novelists Association in 2012 and 2013 and nominated in 2022. She also won the RNA’s Romantic Historical Novel Award in 2024 for The Night She Met the Duke. Sarah also writes romantic historical adventures as Melinda Hammond.

Sarah was born in the West Country but lived for many years on the Yorkshire Pennines, taking inspiration from the wild and rugged moors. Then in 2018 she fell in love with Scotland and ran away to live on the rugged North West Coast, which is proving even more inspiring!


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Saturday, May 9, 2026

They whispered rumours in the night - a poem





They whispered rumours in the night,
Turned lies and gossip into spite,
A lonely soul beneath the fame,
The whole world knew his famous name.

He sang for children full of pain,
For those out in the cold and rain,
He gave them laughter, love, and care,
And showed them someone could be there.

The papers mocked him every day,
While cruel opinions spread their way,
But years went by and truth appeared,
And many saw what once they feared.

He kept a childlike heart inside,
Though endless judgement tried to hide
The kindness shining through his eyes,
Beneath the rumours and the lies.

He opened doors to those in need,
With gentle words and selfless deeds,
He stood beside the weak for long,
When darker hands would lead them wrong.

His music danced through every land,
With healing built into his hands,
He tried to guard their fragile hearts,
And pull them safe from darker parts.

While all he wanted deep inside
Was for no child to fear or hide,
Yet still the world condemned his name,
While he was shielding them from pain.


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Thursday, May 7, 2026

That Catskill Summer by Bart Charlo



He wrote the book he lived. Now she wants to rewrite the ending.

For fans of the 1960s Catskills era of Dirty Dancing, this is a very different kind of love story.

Author Aaron Ben-Ami’s steamy novel, based on a failed youthful love affair in the "Summer of Love" Borscht Belt, is a sensation. Love was easy to come by in the resort culture of the early sexual revolution, but not so easy to keep. Now, as his story is being made into a movie starring Isobel “Izzy” Sandler, the past and present are about to collide.

Ironically, it was a chance meeting with Izzy that inspired Aaron to write the book in the first place—she was his muse. But as they grow close during filming, Izzy discovers the raw truth behind the fiction. She is the granddaughter of Elyse, the real woman who modeled for the novel’s lead—and Aaron's greatest "what if".

Set against the richly textured backdrop of a disappearing American era, That Catskill Summer is a story of what we miss in the moment and what stays with us long after. It is a journey through the humor, the heat, and the heartbreak of youth, told through the reflective eyes of someone who survived it.

Perfect for readers of emotionally rich, time-layered fiction who value reflection over resolution – and those who believe that a single summer can define a lifetime.


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Bart Charlow


Bart A. Charlow is an author, consultant, and retired therapist whose writing explores the intricate intersections of memory, legacy, and the human heart. With over 45 years as a visual artist and photographer, Bart brings a painterly eye to his prose, capturing the atmospheric beauty and lingering shadows of the people and places that shape us.

Born into the carnival life of a Borscht Belt Catskills hotel family, he has never let the ordinary constrain him.

His first book, A Catskill Carnival: My Borscht Belt Life Lived, Lost and Loved, is a memoir of his early years in a unique setting, coming to terms with it and cherishing its life lessons. Pickle Barrel Tales: More Borscht Belt BS is the companion book of over 50 wry vignettes from several “mountain rats”.

A true son of the Catskills, Bart’s deep connection to the "Borscht Belt" Dirty Dancing era serves as the foundation for his storytelling. His novels delve into the complex emotional landscapes of mature characters, often focusing on the ways the past refuses to stay buried and how new love must contend with old ghosts. His latest series is “Lived-In LoveTM”, dedicated to telling realistic relationship stories with deep emotional connections, not the usual tropes.

Whether through a camera lens, a paintbrush, or the written word, Bart is dedicated to capturing the "circus of memories" that defines the mature experience.

He writes a regular column, “Bart on Art”, for The San Mateo Daily Journal.

Bart has been a favored speaker on TV, radio and in print media for decades and is recognized for his service in the United States Congressional Record.

Among honors he holds is the Jefferson Award for his community leadership and service.

He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife, grown children and grandchildren.

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Monday, May 4, 2026

Yarde Book Promotions "Blog Tour" Infidel: The Daughters of Aragon (Six Tudor Queens) by Nicola Harris

 




Infidel: The Daughters of Aragon 
(Six Tudor Queens)
By Nicola Harris


Publication Date: 5th March 2026
Publisher: ‎Independently Published
Print Length: 268 Pages
Genre: Biographical Historical Fiction | Tudor Fiction | Historical Fiction

Born in the glittering courts of Castile and Aragon and forged in the shadow of war, Catalina de Aragón grows up surrounded by queens, rebels, and explorers. She is her mother’s last daughter, the final jewel of a dynasty built on conquest and faith, and the one child Isabella of Castile cannot bear to lose.

But destiny has already claimed Catalina.

Promised to Prince Arthur of England since childhood, she is raised to bind kingdoms, soothe old wounds, and carry the hopes of an empire across the sea. Yet, Spain fractures under rebellion, grief, and the ruthless zeal of its own rulers.

From the burning streets of Granada to the storm lashed Bay of Biscay, Catalina and her sisters must navigate a treacherous path shaped by ambition, betrayal, and the dangerous love of men who fear the power of queens. She learns to read cyphers, to read hearts, and to stand unbroken even as her childhood is stripped from her piece by piece.

And when she finally sails for England armed with her mother’s lessons, her father’s steel, and the ghosts of the Alhambra at her back, Catalina steps into her fate not as a girl, but as a force.

A princess.
A survivor.
A daughter of Aragon.

Infidel is the story of a young woman raised for greatness and destined to reshape the fate of nations. This is Catalina, as she has never been seen before. She is fierce, vulnerable, and unforgettable.

A sweeping, intimate portrait of sisterhood, survival, and the making of a dynasty, Infidel reveals the hidden lives of a woman whose courage shaped the Tudor world.

✿ Interview with Nicola Harris ✿

What inspired you to write this story, and what drew you to this particular historical period? 

My research for Infidel began long before I ever thought of writing a novel about Catherine of Aragón. It began on a beach in Tenerife, years before tourism transformed the island. To a child, it felt like another world. The light, the heat, the colours, the food, the rhythm of life. 
I was fortunate enough to spend a great deal of time with a Spanish family who welcomed me into their home and their culture year after year. They taught me fragments of their language and, more importantly, the stories that shaped their history. Through them, I first encountered the world of Muslim Spain and the Catholic warrior monarchs who fought to reclaim it. It was impossible not to be fascinated.

How would you describe your book in a sentence to readers who haven’t discovered it yet? 

This is Catherine of Aragon as she has not been seen before novel is about what made her so strong.

How much research went into the novel, and did you uncover anything surprising along the way? 

I spent years reading about Isabella and Ferdinand and their family. I took a trip to Turkey to learn more about the Sultans of Granada and the siege of Constantinople.

I didn’t know about the assassination attempt on Catalina’s father Ferdinand of Aragon, nor the clever way that her mother Isabella of Castile protected the heir to the throne by sending him out to sea on a boat.

How do you balance historical accuracy with creating an engaging story? 

Readers don’t need every stitch of a sleeve described but they do need to feel the weight of a crown, the danger of a rumour and the consequences of a marriage treaty. If the psychology and stakes are right, the world feels real.

My characters don’t know they’re “historical figures.” They’re navigating uncertainty, fear, ambition, and love in real time. Writing from that perspective keeps the story alive while remaining grounded in the facts.

Which character was the most interesting or challenging for you to write, and why?

Catalina’s sister Juana is often reduced to the label Juana the Mad, but she was far more than that. In Infidel, Juana allows me to explore the moral questions surrounding the Muslim wars and the Inquisition. She is outspoken, intelligent, and unwilling to accept cruelty as the natural cost of faith. Through her, I could give voice to the discomfort a modern reader might feel when confronted with the punishments and persecutions of the age. Without revealing too much, Juana’s own journey takes her far from home, and the emotional cost of that distance shapes her view of the world. 

Did the story or any characters evolve in unexpected ways while you were writing?

Juan, the heir, became far more playful than I first envisioned. He gives the novel a few moments of light relief and I must admit I do adore him. 

What does your writing process look like—are you a planner or do you prefer to write freely? 

I have to plan because I have to know about the historical events and which ones shaped my characters the most. I start with all the dates that matter and the I weave them into the important events in Catalina’s life for example when would she have worn her first high heeled shoes? Catalina loves her shoes.

What do you hope readers will feel or take away after finishing your book? 

Everyone knows Catherine of Aragon’s story in England almost no one knows what she endured in Spain to make her so strong. That’s the story I wanted to tell. When at the very end she steps on the ship to England armed with her mother’s lessons and her father’s steel and with the ghosts of the Alhunbra at her back. Catlina will step into her fate not as a girl but as a force. A Princess, a survivor and a daughter of Aragon. She is not just the first wife of Henry VIII.

If you could step into the world of your novel for a day, what would you most want to experience? 

The Muslim Alhumbra on the day that she, her parents and her siblings saw the inside of the palace for the very first time.

 Just for fun—if your book were adapted into a film, who would you love to see in the cast? 🎬 

Catalina/Catherine of Aragon: Milly Alcock or Anya Taylor‑Joy’s early‑career intensity, but with a warmer emotional register.

Juana of Castile: Jodie Comer’s ability to shift from vulnerability to ferocity would be ideal.

Prince Juan: Someone with the delicacy and brightness of George MacKa

Ferdinand of Aragon: Pedro Pascal could deliver that duality without caricature.

Isabella of Castile: Someone with the authority of Shohreh Aghdashloo or the controlled intensity of Olivia Williams.


✿ ✿ ✿

Universal Buy Link 
 Read with #KindleUnlimited

Nicola Harris


I’ve always been a writer, but it was only when illness forced me to stop everything that I finally had the time to write a novel. After decades of misdiagnosis, I learned I was born with a serious genetic condition, not rare, but profoundly misunderstood. The clues were there from birth, and suddenly, a lifetime of struggle made sense.

Writing became my lifeline: a way to step beyond my pain, to shape my experience into a story, and to find meaning where there had once been only endurance.

I have a lifelong love of children, Counselling, and Psychotherapy Theory and history.

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Queen of Shadows by Anna Belfrage

She should have stayed in the shadows—but Leonor de Guzmán yearned for the sun Castile in the 1330s is a place of constant turmoil. King Alf...