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| https://myBook.to/QofS |
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| About The Book |
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 Alfonso must contend with the incursions from the Muslim Marinids eager to reclaim Al-Andalus while struggling with repeated rebellions against his firm rule.
When Alfonso needs respite, he finds it in the arms of his Leonor—the most beautiful woman in the realm. But while he may love Leonor over all others, his lawful wife, Maria of Portugal, is tired of being constantly displaced by the fair Leonor.
Leonor loves her man. She gives him healthy sons, a place to be himself. But she is only a mistress, even if Alfonso treats her like a queen. Leonor’s enemies watch and hate.
Flying too close to the sun comes at a high price. How much will Leonor’s love cost her?
Based on the true story of Alfonso XI and his complicated relationships to wife and life-long mistress
Anna says:
I first “met” Leonor de Guzmán by chance. I was happily submerged in Castilian history—more particularly history related to the many powerful medieval women, such as Urraca, Berenguela and Maria de Molina—when I came upon a short post about “the most beautiful woman in the land”.
This lady was Leonor, who, apparently, was not only beautiful but wise. And greedy, as I was to discover. And a loving and protective mother. And a woman who loved her man, her king. Well, I assume she loved him—he must have loved her, as he is one of the very, very few Castilian kings not to have sired numerous bastards with numerous women. In fact, he seems to have lived in uxorious bliss and fidelity with his Leonor, who gave him ten children. Only problem was, he was being constantly unfaithful—to his wife, Maria of Portugal. With her, he had one son, his legitimate heir, Pedro.
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| Libro_de_la_Coronación_de_los_Reyes_de_Castilla--2_ (cropped) (1).jpg Alfonso XI |
That kings and other high-born men had mistresses was not uncommon in medieval times. Many such relationships were long-lasting, and in Castile children born of such unions were recognised. What was uncommon in the case of Leonor is that Alfonso so openly preferred her to his wife. When he held court, it was Leonor, not Maria, who sat at his side. Where she stayed at the Alcázar (the palace), Maria was bundled off to the nearby convent. This rankled—not only with Maria, but with many of Alfonso’s subjects. Even more so as Alfonso generously gifted Leonor—and her children—lands from the royal demesne.
As long as Alfonso lived, Leonor was under his protection. But what would happen if—oops! when—he died?
I guess you’ll have to read Queen of Shadows to find out!
Buy link: https://mybook.to/QofS
Had Anna been allowed to choose, she’d have become a time-traveller. As this was impossible, she became a financial professional with three absorbing interests: history, romance and writing. Anna has authored the acclaimed time travelling series The Graham Saga, set in 17th century Scotland and Maryland, as well as the equally acclaimed medieval series The King’s Greatest Enemy which is set in 14th century England, and The Castilian Saga ,which is set against the medieval conquest of Wales. She has also published a time travel romance, The Whirlpools of Time, and its sequel Times of Turmoil, and is now considering just how to wiggle out of setting the next book in that series in Peter the Great’s Russia, as her characters are demanding. . .
All of Anna’s books have been awarded the IndieBRAG Medallion, she has several Historical Novel Society Editor’s Choices, and one of her books won the HNS Indie Award in 2015. She is also the proud recipient of various Reader’s Favorite medals as well as having won various Gold, Silver and Bronze Coffee Pot Book Club awards.
“A master storyteller”
“This is what all historical fiction should be like. Superb.”
Find out more about Anna, her books and enjoy her eclectic historical blog on her website, www.annabelfrage.com
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| My thoughts |
What is exciting regarding any Anna Belfrage novel is that even though you started out with absolutely no clue of whatever era she's writing about, you know you're in safe hands, and that somewhere during your read you're going to say to yourself, "Well, I didn't know that!" (often more than once or twice!)And, what's more, you'll be thoroughly enjoying every written word.
Anna writes super stories, creates wonderful fictional characters and brings to full, colourful life the ones that actually did exist - although it's hard to believe that the other made-up ones were not real people. Her research is meticulous - and trustworthy - and as an addition to all that, there's the icing with a cherry on top extra... from the first word of Chapter One, you know you're going to be in for a treat.
I do admit I got a little lost with all the similar characters' names in this one - my problem entirely as I'm not familiar with Spanish names (nor Spain in the 14th century) and I often forget even my own fictional character's names (and couldn't remember what the cat was called last week - getting old is a bit of a pain at times!) so this is my reader's senior moments problem, not the author's. Although, as with the Anglo-Saxons it's a pity the Spanish didn't have access to a more liberal Book of Baby Names rather than them all being called more or less the same thing.
So a highly recommended read, especially for anyone who is interested in Spanish history.
***** 5 stars
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| 2025 annual award winner |
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