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
Blue Ink Review Celebrates Lady of Lincoln
This month, Blue Ink Review named Lady of Lincoln one of their February Book Recommendations, and I'm still processing what that means.
Blue Ink Review doesn't hand out accolades lightly. They're known for their rigorous standards and honest assessments, which makes their recognition of Lady of Lincoln feel especially meaningful. In their recommendation, they highlighted exactly what I'd hoped readers would discover: that Nicola de la Haye's story deserved to be told with the complexity and historical precision it demands, that medieval women's lives were far more nuanced than we've been led to believe, and that fiction grounded in meticulous research can transport readers to another time without sacrificing authenticity.
Nicola de la Haye
The inspiration of Brienne of Tarth, Nicola de la Haye saved England twice. Watch the video below and discover the legend. (Spoilers alerts!).
And when you’ve finished, it’s time to find out more about the medieval heroine, the world she lived in, the corrupt men she had to deal with, and how the medieval badass sorted them all out!
Buy the first book in the Nicola de la Haye series, Lady of Lincoln, here.
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 ★★★★★