ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rachel Elwiss Joyce, Historical Fiction Author

A Lifelong Passion

After a rewarding career in the sciences, Rachel returned to her first love—history and the art of storytelling. Fascinated by the women history neglected, or tried to forget, she creates meticulously researched, emotionally resonant fiction that brings her characters’ stories vividly to life.

Her fascination with the past began early. At six years old, she was already inventing tales about medieval women in castles, inspired by her treasured Ladybird books and other picture-rich stories that transported her to another time. By the time she discovered Katherine by Anya Seton as a teenager, she knew the joy and escape that only great historical fiction can bring.

Rachel’s two grown-up children still tease her (fondly) about childhoods spent being “dragged” around castles, archaeological sites, and historical re-enactments. For Rachel, history and imagination have always gone hand in hand.

There was, however, a long gap between the stories of her childhood and her decision to write her own novel. The spark came when she discovered the remarkable true story of Nicola de la Haye—the first female sheriff of England, who defended Lincoln Castle against a French invasion and became known as “the woman who saved England.” Rachel knew she had found her heroine, and a story she was destined to tell.

Rachel lives in the UK, where she continues to explore the lives of women who shaped history but were left out of its pages.

Lady of Lincoln is her bestselling, award-winning debut novel, the first book in her Nicola de la Haye Series. Lady of the Castle releases later in 2026, with more books in the series available soon.

Join Rachel’s Reader List for new, updates, and a free copy of her novella, Eleanor’s Revenge, based on the remarkable story of Eleanor of Aquitaine’s niece, Eleanor of Vermandois.