For fans of Karen Maitland, Alison Weir and Philipa Gregory, the first in a brand new trilogy from Carol McGrath. Featuring Ailenor of Provence, a courageous and fiercely loyal medieval queen, The Silken Rose will tran sport you to a world of intrigue and betrayal in the royal court. 1236. Beautiful Ailenor of Provence, cultured and intelligent, is only thirteen when she marries Henry III. Aware of the desperate importance of providing heirs to secure the throne from those who would snatch it away, she is ruthless in her dealings with Henry's barons. As conflict escalates between them, Ailenor's shrewd and clever Savoyard uncles come to support her but her growing political power is threatened when Henry's half-siblings also arrive at court. Henry and Ailenor become embroiled in an unpopular war to protect Gascony, last English territory on the continent, sparking conflict with warrior knight, Simon de Montfort, the King's seneschal. Ailenor, desperate to protect Gascony for her son, strives to treat with France and bring peace to Gascony. Caught in a web of treachery and deceit, 'she-wolf' Ailenor's courage is tested to the limit. Can she find the strength to control her destiny and protect her all that she holds dear?

'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 ROSE 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 Queen of France and England, Mother of Empires \* ' Pulls from the pages of history Eleanor of queen, business woman and true partner to one of England's most forceful kings ' CRYSSA BAZOS, author of Severed Knot

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!