WELCOME TO RACHEL’S BLOG
Scroll down to see the most recent posts, or use the search bar to find previous blogs, news, and other updates
She Was Almost Written Out of History, But Today, She Takes Back Her Story
Lady of Lincoln is officially here, and the woman history almost forgot is ready to be remembered.
Today is publication day for Lady of Lincoln, and I won't pretend I'm not emotional. This book, and this woman, has lived in my heart for years.
Nicola de la Haye was real. She inherited Lincoln Castle, commanded a garrison, defied kings, and at nearly seventy years old, held her fortress against the forces of Prince Louis of France in a siege and then a battle that may have changed the course of English history. Without her, England might be speaking French today.
And yet, until now, you've almost certainly never heard her name.
I hope that ends today.
Literary Titan Gives LADY OF LINCOLN 5 Stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I’m thrilled to share that Lady of Lincoln, the first book in The Nicola de la Haye Series, has just been reviewed by Literary Titan and received five stars!
This thoughtful review recognises the emotional depth, historical richness, and narrative heart of a story that brings a forgotten woman back to life.
Here are a few stand-out quotes from the review that really capture what makes this novel special:
“Emotional without turning sentimental, rich without turning dense, and dramatic without losing grip on the people at its center.” — Literary Titan
This line highlights what I most hoped to achieve: not just a vivid historical setting, but a story that resonates emotionally without ever feeling overwrought.
“Nicola’s struggle against the constraints of her gender, her grief, and her desire to shape her own future felt honest and raw.” — Literary Titan
One of the most powerful parts of Nicola’s journey is how she confronts not just external enemies, but the limitations society imposes on her simply because she is a woman. I’m so glad the review recognised the emotional honesty behind that arc.
“A vivid, emotionally charged tale that turns a forgotten heroine into an unforgettable force.” — Literary Titan
It’s always humbling to see Nicola described as “unforgettable.” She was real, and her truly inspiring story deserves to be remembered.
LADY OF LINCOLN is available on NetGalley!
For a limited time only, Lady of Lincoln is available for Netgalley reviewers and librarians to read and review.
If you love immersive historical fiction based on real characters and strong women protagonists, then this novel is for you!
Get your copy here: https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/book/787763 or click the image above.
More on Lady of LIncoln:
1173. Nicola de la Haye will inherit great estates and Lincoln Castle—one of England's most strategic fortresses, but the medieval world is a man's world and her father arranges a marriage to secure her estates. She chooses love instead, causing her world to collapse. King Henry II punishes her. Her husband betrays her and joins a rebellion. Powerful men circle her inheritance like wolves.
LADY OF LINCOLN is the award-winning first book in the true story of Nicola de la Haye—the woman who would become England's first female sheriff and, years later, save the realm from a French invasion. But that triumph is still distant. This is where it begins: with a young woman learning what defiance costs, and what it takes to survive.
"A towering, epic saga… one of the greats in this genre." — Readers' Favorite ★★★★★
Lady of Lincoln Gallops into the Chaucer Awards
I’m delighted to share some wonderful news: Lady of Lincoln has been named a Finalist in the Chanticleer International Chaucer Award for Historical Fiction.
It feels especially fitting to imagine Lady of Lincoln galloping into this space. The novel tells the true story of Nicola de la Haye, a medieval noblewoman who refused to be sidelined in a world designed for men, and who quite literally rode into danger to defend her lands, her people, and her legacy.
The Chaucer Award celebrates historical fiction that brings the past vividly to life, honouring works grounded in strong research, compelling storytelling, and memorable characters. To see Nicola’s story recognised in this way is deeply meaningful.
Thank you to Chanticleer for championing historical fiction, and to every reader who has ridden alongside Nicola on her journey so far. More news to come: the ride is far from over.
The Relic Keeper by Heidi Eljarbo
I’m thrilled today to be spotlighting the late-Renaissance historical novel, The Relic Keeper by Heidi Eljarbo, with Christian themes about hope and love.
Inspired by Gerrit van Honthorst’s masterpiece, The Adoration of the Child, and the novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens.
Italy, 1620.
Angelo is an orphan, lonely and forgotten. Having been passed on from one family to the next, he ends up as a common thief, subject to and under the thumb of a ruthless robber called Tozzo.
Angelo knows no other life and has lost hope that any chance of providence will ever replace his lonely, misfortunate existence. When he loses his master, his livelihood is shaken. Tozzo’s plunder is hidden in a safe place, but what will happen if someone comes after Angelo to get their hands on the stolen relics? More than that, he feels threatened by words he’s heard too many times; that he’ll always remain unforgiven and doomed.
One day, a priest invites Angelo to help with chores around the church and rectory and, in exchange, offers him room and board. Padre Benedetto’s kindness and respect are unfamiliar and confusing, but Angelo’s safety is still a grave concern. Two older robbers have heard rumors about the hidden treasures and will stop at nothing to attain them.
With literary depictions and imagery, Angelo’s story is a gripping and emotional journey of faint hope and truth in seventeenth-century Italy—an artistic and audacious tale that crosses paths with art collector Vincenzo Giustiniani and the powerful Medici family.
Using invisible threads, Heidi Eljarbo weaves together her fictional stories with historical figures and real events.