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| About the Book |
Book Title: Sister Rosa’s Rebellion, The Sixth Meonbridge Chronicle
Series: The Meonbridge Chronicles
Author: Carolyn Hughes
Publication Date: 4th April 2025
Publisher: Riverdown Books
Pages: 446
Genre: Historical Fiction
How can you rescue what you hold most dear, when to do so you must break your vows?
1363. When Mother Angelica, the old prioress at Northwick Priory, dies, many of the nuns presume Sister Rosa – formerly Johanna de Bohun, of Meonbridge – will take her place. But Sister Evangelina, Angelica’s niece, believes the position is hers by right, and one way or another she will ensure it is.
Rosa stands aside to avoid unseemly conflict, but is devastated when she sees how the new prioress is changing Northwick: from a place of humility and peace to one of indulgence and amusement, if only for the prioress and her favoured few. Rosa is terrified her beloved priory will be brought to ruin under Evangelina’s profligate and rapacious rule, but her vows of obedience make it impossible to rebel.
Meanwhile, in Meonbridge, John atte Wode, the bailiff, is also distraught by the happenings at Northwick. After years of advising the former prioress and Rosa on the management of their estates, Evangelina dismissed him, banning him from visiting Northwick again.
Yet, only months ago, he met Anabella, a young widow who fled to Northwick to escape her in-laws’ demands and threats, but is a reluctant novice nun. The attraction between John and Anabella was immediate and he hoped to encourage her to give up the priory and become his wife. But how can he possibly do that now?
Can John rescue his beloved Anabella from a future he is certain she no longer wants? And can Rosa overcome her scruples, rebel against Evangelina’s hateful regime, and return Northwick to the haven it once was?
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This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.
Author Bio:
CAROLYN HUGHES has lived much of her life in Hampshire. With a first degree in Classics and English, she started working life as a computer programmer, then a very new profession. But it was technical authoring that later proved her vocation, word-smithing for many different clients, including banks, an international hotel group and medical instruments manufacturers.
Although she wrote creatively on and off for most of her adult life, it was not until her children flew the nest that writing historical fiction took centre stage. But why historical fiction? Serendipity!
Seeking inspiration for what to write for her Creative Writing Masters, she discovered the handwritten draft, begun in her twenties, of a novel, set in 14th century rural England… Intrigued by the period and setting, she realised that, by writing a novel set in the period, she could learn more about the medieval past and interpret it, which seemed like a thrilling thing to do. A few days later, the first Meonbridge Chronicle, Fortune’s Wheel, was under way.
Seven published books later (with more to come), Carolyn does now think of herself as an Historical Novelist. And she wouldn’t have it any other way…
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| read an excerpt |
Excerpt from the Prologue
‘Yet, as I understand it,’ he said, ‘elections have always gone in favour of the Godeffroy, regardless of the other candidate…’
Eva tilted her head. ‘Some sort of bribery, you mean?’
‘I have always presumed so. And I have also presumed it was the bishop’s man – our cousin
Nicholas’s predecessors – who arranged it, though I don’t know. But I’m sure Nicholas would help you in that way, if you asked him.’
‘Even if he did, I’m not convinced it would work this time. Rosa’s so very much admired, I’m sure most of the sisters would refuse any inducement to vote against her.’
‘So, what are you going to do about her? Arrange a fatal accident?’ He snorted.
Eva clicked her tongue again. ‘Don’t be such a fool, Edgar. But I do want to stop her standing, or make her seem less suitable than she is.’
‘And you have a plan for doing that?’
‘I do.’
She told him about the Rosa who first came to Northwick, evidently quite a different girl from the woman she was now. She recalled how the young Rosa – then only seventeen – spent hours of her time upon her knees in the chapel, and at her bedside, pleading constantly for forgiveness.
‘You pried upon her private and piteous entreaties?’ said Edgar, raising his eyebrows.
Eva shrugged, but ignored the question. ‘Did you know she wanted to call herself “Dolorosa”? What a ridiculous, self-indulgent name! “I want to spend my life atoning for my sins!”’––she affected a supposedly girlish voice––‘That’s what she said to the prioress.’
‘You heard her say that?’
‘Well, no. One of the older nuns overheard their conversation in the cloister…’
Edgar guffawed. ‘You holy women! So quick to pry and tittle-tattle…’
Eva scowled but did not respond. ‘Anyway, our aunt persuaded her to choose “Rosa” instead.’
‘So what had made little Rosa so very sorrowful?’
‘From what I heard, she imagined she’d committed some appalling sin, one so heinous she was consumed by remorse and shame. Though what exactly the sin was, I never learned.’
He gave a small shrug. ‘Very occasionally in her confession, Rosa has referred to some transgression she committed as a girl, but she has never elaborated––’
‘Ha! I knew it. A guilty secret… Anyway, I’m thinking, if I hint to her that I know of her secret and will expose it if she doesn’t do as I demand, she’ll decide not to stand in the election…’
‘I suppose she might withdraw, but the Sister Rosa I think I know is surely made of sterner stuff.’
He stroked his chin, the stubble of the day rough and rasping against his fingertips. Evangelina might imagine Rosa would succumb readily to her threats, but he was not so sure. Moreover, Rosa would make an excellent prioress, very much in the mould of Aunt Angelica.
Whilst his sister, well, the same could not be said of her. In fact, he suspected Eva would make a terrible prioress. He was certain she never had a vocation for the religious life, any more than he did, and she was loved by no one in the priory. It did not bode well for her success. However, she was his sister – well his half-sister, but family nonetheless – and it was his duty to support her, even if it was against his better judgement…
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Thanks so much for hosting Carolyn Hughes today, with an enticing excerpt from Sister Rosa's Rebellion.
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Cathie xx
The Coffee Pot Book Club
Thank you so much, Helen, for joining the blog tour for Sister Rosa's Rebellion today, and for sharing an excerpt. I think you know how very much I appreciate and value your continuing support! Carolyn x
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