LADY OF THE CASTLE

Book Two in the Nicola de la Haye Series

Lady of the Castle is the second novel in the Nicola de la Haye series, following on from Lady of Lincoln. Set in late 12th-century England, it follows Nicola, the hereditary constable of Lincoln Castle and one of medieval England's most remarkable women, as she fights to hold her castle, her family, and her inheritance together against a backdrop of royal intrigue, civil unrest, and shifting loyalties.

From the treacherous politics of Richard I's court to the siege of Lincoln Castle itself, Nicola must navigate a world where power is wielded by kings and princes, and where a woman who refuses to yield is either an asset or a threat, depending on the day. With her husband Gerard, her beloved foster-son Turstin, and her children caught up in the dangerous currents of the age, Nicola's story is one of courage, sacrifice, and the fierce determination to protect what is hers.

The opening chapter of Lady of the Castle has been shortlisted for the Historical Novel Society's First Chapter Competition in the 11th–16th Century Category, a recognition of the novel even before it reaches its final form.

You can follow the progress of Lady of the Castle, including writing milestones and planned publication updates, on Rachel's Writing Progress page.