The Wicked Lady by Elena Collins

 

The Wicked Lady

'Incredibly atmospheric, haunting and poignant.' Nicola Cornick

1648 - Hertfordshire

Thirteen-year-old Katherine Ferrers is in despair at being betrothed to arch-Royalist Thomas Fanshawe whose family are hellbent on plundering her family’s fortune to champion the exiled Charles. As her unhappy marriage stretches before her, her only comfort is her beloved childhood home The Cell. But as the years pass and Kate grows restless, a new passion, a new love and a dangerous calling threaten to upend everything she’s ever known.

Present Day - Hertfordshire

Charlie Wolfe jumps at the chance to help his uncle renovate a tumbledown cottage overlooking Nomansland Common. Number One Constable’s Cottages was once the home of the man charged with ridding the common of the highwaymen who terrorised travellers. But it’s the story of The Wicked Lady, the notorious female highway robber, that captures Charlie’s imagination, and some long winters’ nights he’s sure he can the hoofbeats of her horse echoing across time.

What drove this mystery woman to risk everything for a life of crime, and why is she still restless, wandering the common in grief? It seems only Charlie can finally uncover the secret Katherine Ferrers has kept for hundreds of years; a secret of a terrible betrayal and a tragic love that was never meant to end this way…

USA Today bestselling author Judy Leigh writing as Elena Collins, brings you this spellbinding and heartbreaking timeslip novel, uncovering the intriguing story of another brave woman that history forgot. Perfect for fans of Barbara Erskine, Nicola Cornick, Diana Gabaldon and Louise Douglas.

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/thewickedladysocial

What did I think?

Love that cover. It was giving me Dick Turpin vibes so I was delighted to see that highwaymen were featured. I'm easily pleased.

Without giving too much away there was lots to like about this story. I do love a dual timeline so this box was ticked. Historical isn't really my bag but the Katherine Ferrers story is I believe based on a true story and that added an extra element to these parts of the story. The author has written some fabulous characters and I really got caught up with the story.

An haunting and atmospheric read and highly recommended.

Author Bio –

Elena Collins is the pseudonym for Judy Leigh. Judy Leigh is the bestselling author of Five French Hens , A Grand Old Time and The Age of Misadventure and the doyenne of the ‘it’s never too late’ genre of women’s fiction. She has lived all over the UK from Liverpool to Cornwall, but currently resides in Somerset.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: @judyleighuk

Twitter: @JudyLeighWriter

Instagram: @judyrleigh

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/ElenaCollinsnewsletter

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/elena-collins

 

The Daughter of the Fens by Elena Collns

 The Daughter of the Fens

AD 61

Brittania is in the hands of the Romans but when the conquering army betray the dead King Prasutagus by defiling his daughters, his Queen, Boudicca, is determined to regain her land.

Iceni slave Brea remembers little of the time before the Romans, and has grown used to their louche and indulgent customs. She diligently goes about her duties looking after the artless Aurelia, wife-to-be of the handsome war hero Marcellus, but her longing for freedom and her desire to find her lost father, are never far from her mind.

Present Day

When Hanna returns to Norfolk from years working abroad, the strange dreams of her adolescence return: indistinct figures in tunics, mighty soldiers in armour, gladiators, temples, an Iceni warrior woman leading her people. Gradually Hanna’s dreams begin to slip into the present as visions in the famous mists rolling across the fens, and as shocks of recognition when a new face moves to her childhood home.

As Hanna realises that she has a connection with a tragedy that occurred many years before, so Brea has to understand that her fate is bound up with her Roman master. And as the drumbeat of rebellion gets ever closer Brea must make the fatal choice between love and loyalty while Hanna has to find a way to make peace with the past.

What did I think?

Firstly - what a gorgeous cover - those colours - the stag. Very atmospheric and would make me want to pick it up to read.

If you are a historical fiction then this book will be right up your street - although I don't think I have read anything quite like this before.

The dual timeline stories are captivating. The setting, the characters and the plot were so detailed and well thought out. I got the feeling that a great deal of research went into these pages.

Overall I found this story fascinating and packed full of history.

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/daughterfenssocial

Author Bio –

Elena Collins is the pen name of Judy Leigh. Judy Leigh is the bestselling author of Five French Hens, A Grand Old Time and The Age of Misadventure and the doyenne of the ‘it’s never too late’ genre of women’s fiction. She has lived all over the UK from Liverpool to Cornwall, but currently resides in Somerset.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100005568258864

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JudyLeighWriter

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/judyrleigh/?hl=en  

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/ElenaCollinsnewsletter

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/elena-collins

The Lady of the Loch by Elena Collins

 

‘Although I believe I will die here in this castle, my spirit will never be silent.’

Ravenscraig Castle, Scotland. 1307

When the castle she works in is sacked by the army of Prince Edward of England, kitchen maid Agnes Fitzgerald manages to escape north of Inverness to throw herself at the mercy of the Lord and Lady at Ravenscraig Castle. Although safe for now, the people of Scotland are fighting hard for their independence, and the threat of the English hangs heavy over the land.  But when Agnes spies Cam Buchanan swimming in the loch, her mind turns away from war and towards love.  Agnes even dares to dream of a happy future, until she learns that Cam must go and fight alongside Robert de Brus.

Present day

Twins Leah and Zoe need a change, so caretaking at Ravenscraig Castle is the perfect opportunity to get away from it all. Surrounded by rugged Highland countryside, and bordered by a loch, the picturesque setting is everything they dreamed of. But the locals are reluctant to visit Ravenscraig, and there are whispers of ghosts and lost souls. The sisters quickly dismiss such superstition, but soon the overwhelming sadness they feel coming from the tower grows too hard to ignore.

Can the sisters finally right the wrongs of seven hundred years of heartbreak, seven hundred years of betrayal…

USA Today bestselling author Judy Leigh writing as Elena Collins, brings you this heart-breaking and unforgettable timeslip novel, perfect for fans of Barbara Erskine, Diana Gabaldon and Louise Douglas.

Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/3AHnaDE

What did I think?

I have really been looking forward to reading this book - I loved The Witches Tree written by the same author. 

The cover reminded me of Eilean Donan castle - a place I have visited several times as it is not too far from where I live.

A dual timeline which was another big plus for me - especially when both timelines start to interlink. Loved both stories although I think the modern one really grabbed me. How wonderful to have a job as a caretaker of a castle.

Loved the writing style and the descriptions of Scotland were spot on and very evocative - loved the spooky element to the story too.

A story of romance with a bit of mystery thrown in. Highly recommended.

Author Bio –  Elena Collins is the pseudonym for USA Today bestselling author Judy Leigh writing unforgettable, heart-breaking timeslip novels. She has lived all over the UK from Liverpool to Cornwall, but currently resides in Somerset.

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