Book Review: Elizabeth Stuart, Queen of Hearts, by Nadine Akkerman

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

The dazzling biography of one of history's most misunderstood queens

Elizabeth Stuart is one the most underestimated - figures of the seventeenth century. Labelled a spendthrift more interested in the theatre and her pet monkeys than politics or her children, and long pitied as 'The Winter Queen', the direct ancestor of Elizabeth II was widely misunderstood. Nadine Akkerman's biography reveals an altogether different woman, painting a vivid picture of a queen forged in the white heat of European conflict.

Nadine Akkerman’s Elizabeth Stuart, Queen of Hearts restores to full view a woman who has too often been pigeonholed as a political footnote or a romantic curiosity, and it invites readers to consider how a single life—ambitious, precarious, relentlessly social—illuminates the politics, culture, and material worlds of early-modern Europe. 

Elizabeth Stuart is more than the “Winter Queen” of legend—she emerges as  woman whose emotional intelligence, household management, and diplomatic activity shaped her fragmentary career: daughter of James VI & I, bride of the Protestant elector Frederick V, queen of a short-lived Bohemian experiment, and a long-suffering, politically active exile. 

The narrative moves beyond the headline events (marriage, defeat at White Mountain, exile) to linger on domestic and cultural practices—patronage, letter-writing, household politics, material culture—that made Elizabeth influential even while she lacked a stable throne.

Scholars of early-modern Europe and students of gender and political culture will find a substantive, methodologically rich treatment. General readers attracted to intelligent biography will enjoy Nadine Akkerman’s storytelling. Finally, those who care about the practice of history will appreciate the book’s demonstration of how much can be regained from careful archival work.

Elizabeth Stuart, Queen of Hearts is a model of what historical biography can achieve when archival rigour and narrative skill are joined. Nadine Akkerman rescues Elizabeth from the shadow of failure and exile without overstating her successes; she recasts the Winter Queen as an energetic networker, a shrewd self-fashioner, and a politically consequential figure whose life offers a window on the entangled realms of affection, image, and power in seventeenth-century Europe. For readers interested in how the small things—letters, inventories, portraits, gifts—make large history, this book is essential reading.

Tony Riches

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About the Author

Professor Nadine Akkerman is an archival detective, biographer, cryptographer, editor and spymistress. An acclaimed literary historian, she is the award-winning author of Invisible Agents. Her latest book is Spycraft: Tricks and Tools of the Dangerous Trade from Elizabeth I to the Restoration, which she co-wrote with Dr Pete Langman.  Nadine is also the author of the authoritative biography of the sometime Queen of Bohemia Elizabeth Stuart, daughter of James VI/I, and editor of The Correspondence of Elizabeth Stuart (3 vols) - it has been said that the only person who has read more of Elizabeth’s letters than Nadine is Elizabeth herself. If historians take one thing from these works, it is that Elizabeth Stuart should never be called 'The Winter Queen' again.  A popular public speaker in the UK, Nadine has been a guest on Woman’s Hour, Histories of the Unexpected podcast and on the SkyArts series Treasures of the British Library (with Julia Donaldson) to name but a few. Nadine is Professor in Early Modern Literature and Culture at Leiden University, the Netherlands, where she lives in a seventeenth-century canal house with her partner, novelist Pete Langman (when they’re not in the UK), and hopes to have a cat soon. Follow her on Twitter: @misswalsingham and Bluesky ‪@misswalsingham.bsky.social‬

Historical Fiction Spotlight: An Orphan Spirit: Amsterdam 1627, by Eleanor Swift-Hook

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

1627. Mercenary captain Hollie Babbitt is at winter quarters in Amsterdam.

To the patrons of the Blue Cat, he is the landlady’s young husband, but for all his youth he is already a veteran of the Empire’s vicious wars—restless, underemployed, and counting the days until the campaigning season begins again.

But when he rescues a mysterious, pale-haired youth from a gang of thugs in an alley, Hollie finds the cure for his boredom—and a whole world of trouble.

Philip claims to be a student, and has the manners of a prince. But then, unknown to Hollie, this is Philip Lord, known to the world as Filippo Schiavono—a deadly Dunkirker pirate, in Amsterdam on a mission of espionage that has gone disastrously wrong. Now stranded behind enemy lines with no allies to turn to, he is hunted by one of Amsterdam’s most relentless enforcers.

Two unlikely lads, caught up in a reckless adventure that tests their prowess and wits to the limit.

From the comfortable warmth of the Blue Cat’s taproom, to the giddying heights of Amsterdam’s gables, Hollie and Philip must fight back-to-back, to survive the lethal game of cat-and-mouse they are forced to play.

But Philip isn’t the only one of them harbouring a secret he needs to keep. And as friendship is built on a foundation of trust, how do you trust a man whose life is in part a lie?

'A masterpiece of 17th-century historical fiction - immerses the imagination in murder and mystery, against the brutal backdrop of war.' - Mark Turnbull, author of Prince Rupert of the Rhine: King Charles I’s Cavalier Command

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About the Author

Eleanor Swift-Hook enjoys the mysteries of history and fell in love with the early Stuart era at university when she re-enacted battles and living history events with the English Civil War Society. Since then, she has had an ongoing fascination with the social, military and political events that unfolded during the Thirty Years' War and the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. She lives in County Durham and loves writing stories woven into the historical backdrop of those dramatic times. You can find out more about the background of Lord's Legacy on her website www.eleanorswifthook.com and find her on Twitter @emswifthook

See Also:

Book Review: The Mercenary's Blade (Lord's Legacy Book 1) 

Blog tour Interview with J.R. Powell, Author of Paoletta: An Eye for an Eye

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

Exiled to a Caribbean island, Paoletta Cadoville and her family cling to the hope of one day returning to their Parisian home. But in a single, devastating moment, that dream is shattered. Alone and horrifically scarred, Paoletta embarks on a perilous quest to uncover the truth behind her family’s tragic fate, only to become entangled in a web of political intrigue, secret societies, and dangerous alliances.

I'm pleased to welcome author J.R. Powell to The Writing Desk:

Tell us about your latest book

Paoletta: an Eye for an Eye is a gritty, female-driven historical thriller set in the dark heart of the French Revolution. Paoletta Cadvoille and her family live in exile, having fled Revolutionary Paris for the Caribbean, clinging to the fragile hope that the chaos will pass and they will one day return home. 

That hope is reduced to ash – quite literally – when her family is savagely attacked and murdered in front of her. Alone and horrifically scarred, Paoletta embarks on a perilous quest to uncover the truth behind her family’s tragic fate. Paoletta is a stark reminder that in times of chaos, innocence is the first to fall, and vengeance always comes at a cost paid in blood.

What is your preferred writing routine?

It can be tricky, as I work full-time and am often on the move, so I’m always on the lookout for a couple of uninterrupted hours. Overall, I try to follow a little-and-often approach. Most of my writing ends up happening on long train journeys with earplugs in or at night, as I’m probably a bit of a night owl by nature. I also keep my phone or a small notepad handy to jot things down quickly. When I’m out and about, I sometimes catch great lines or the perfect word overhearing everyday conversations.

What advice do you have for new writers?

Let your characters write themselves, cheesy as it may sound. You can spend ages crafting and refining them beforehand, but you only really get to know them once you stick them in a situation and let them speak and act. And even then, the more you write them, the more they tend to take on a life of their own. Also, don’t worry too much if you’re never fully happy with your current draft. I found that moving on to the next part and returning later, even a couple of months, and coming back to it with fresh eyes can make a huge difference.

What have you found to be the best way to raise awareness of your books?

I’m not sure I have yet! I’m always looking for tips and advice on this front. The platform I use most consistently is Instagram, which has been great for building networks and connecting with other authors and creative people. Pitching to second-hand bookshops is another good way to get copies onto shelves; my most recent success being Shakespeare and Company in Paris. Reaching out to book bloggers, book clubs, and societies that focus on historical fiction or thrillers can also lead to reviews and blog tours, which really help get the book out there.

Tell us something unexpected you discovered during your research

In Paoletta, there’s a simplified map – my own handiwork – of Paris as it appeared in 1792, which includes a landmark called the Holy Innocents’ Cemetery. It was one of the city’s longest-running graveyards, established sometime in the 12th century. However, I discovered – shockingly late, in fact after the book had already been published – that the cemetery had actually been closed in 1780. 

The cemetery itself was quite small, yet over the centuries it accumulated around two million bodies and became severely overcrowded. The remains were exhumed and moved to the Catacombs in 1786, where they can still be seen today. The adjoining church was also  demolished in 1787 and the area was later transformed into a market square and is now the restaurant- and cafe-filled Place Joachim-du-Bellay. Moreover, many of the cemetery's inmates hadn’t fully decomposed and had turned into deposits of “corpse wax,” which was collected and turned into candles and soap – something to ponder next time you’re nibbling a croissant on the Place Joachim-du-Bellay.

What was the hardest scene you remember writing?

There are several scenes in Paoletta that were difficult to write, each unsettling in its own way. I wanted to capture the cold reality that some people will do whatever it takes to satisfy their ambition. There are people who inflict harm simply because it serves them, and they do it without hesitation, empathy, or even a flicker of doubt. They’ll do what they feel they need to do; it doesn’t matter how you feel – what’s coming will come. I wanted that creeping background menace to sit under the surface of the story. My approach was simple: if writing a scene made me feel uncomfortable or uneasy, I pushed it.

Of all the difficult scenes, writing Paoletta’s grief over losing her family was particularly tough, as was the rape scene – that wasn’t easy.

What are you planning to write next?

I’m currently working on the next book in the Paoletta series. Follow me on Instagram (@author_j.r.powell) for regular updates if you’d like to know more!

J.R. Powell

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About the Author

Originally from the UK, J.R. Powell lives in Germany, where he works as a translator and editor.  His debut novel was published in 2024, marking the first instalment of a new historical thriller series. Drawing inspiration from his time living in Paris, Powell immersed himself in the city’s rich and brutal history to craft a story that brings a lesser-explored period to life with the momentum and intensity of a gritty, modern thriller. You can find him on Bluesky @author-jrpowell.bsky.social

Historical Fiction Spotlight: The Last Queen: Book One of The Chronicles of Cleopatra, by G. Lawrence

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

The Last Queen, Book one of The Chronicles of Cleopatra, is an imagining of 

the early life of Cleopatra VII

Egypt, 58 BCE: Descendant of Alexander the Great and daughter of the reigning Pharaoh, the Ptolemy Princess Cleopatra grows up in a palace full of wonders, delights, and dangers.

As her father takes flight from Egypt as his throne is usurped, Cleopatra and her siblings are left behind to fend for themselves as their elder sister, Berenice, rises to power, and the new Pharaoh may not look kindly on others who carry Ptolemy blood, who might lay claim to the throne.

Through peril and politics will Cleopatra travel, growing in mind and body as her true fate unfolds before her, leading her to the throne of Egypt.

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About the Author

Gemma Lawrence is an independently published author living in Wales in the UK. She studied literature at university says, 'I write mainly Historical Fiction, with an emphasis on the Tudor and Medieval periods and have a particular passion for women of history who inspire me'. Her first book in the Elizabeth of England Chronicles series is The Bastard Princess (The Elizabeth of England Chronicles Book 1).Gemma can be found on Twitter @TudorTweep and Bluesky @glawrence.bsky.social‬

Historical Fiction Spotlight: The Diva's Daughter, by Heather Walrath

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

Munich & Vienna, 1932: Aspiring opera singer Angelika Eder thought she had it all — a cultured life in Vienna, along with the guidance of her glamorous mother, a world-famous soprano. 

But when tragedy strikes and her mother dies amidst a swirling family scandal, eighteen-year-old Angelika finds herself uprooted to Munich, where civil unrest is rife and leaders of the increasingly powerful Nazi Party seek to use her voice as propaganda.

When a figure from her mother’s past offers Angelika the chance to study and sing at an elite Viennese university, she decides to fight for her dream while evading the vile Nazis she despises. 

But the Nazis aren’t relenting in their demand that Angelika support their party and sing for Hitler himself. Can Angelika find her voice and stand against evil, even if it means risking not only her dreams of fame, but also the safety of herself and everyone she loves?

A book about trust, love, fear, friendship and family. Well researched. I thoroughly enjoyed it.” – Reader Review

🎼 “I enjoyed the way music was used…almost like another character.” – Reader Review

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About the author

Heather Walrath is an author crafting new stories while celebrating the release of her debut historical novel, The Diva’s Daughter. Whether they are standing against evil in fractious 1930s Europe or solving a sticky bootlegging mystery in Prohibition-era America, Heather’s relatable heroines make the past accessible and engaging for modern readers. She has a master’s degree in publishing from George Washington University and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from California State University, Northridge. Find out more at https://heatherwalrath.com/ and follow heather on Twitter @HeatherWalrath and Bluesky @heatherwalrath.bsky.social

Book Review: The Un-Family - a gripping psychological suspense by Linda Huber

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

The Un-Family is an unsettling psychological drama that showcases Linda Huber’s talent for weaving quiet emotional tension into a story that lingers long after the final page. 

What begins as a seemingly ordinary family situation steadily evolves into a layered exploration of trust, memory, and the fragile narratives we build around the people we love.

Linda Huber’s strength is her ability to create atmosphere. The novel is soaked in a subtle, creeping unease—not the loud, twist-every-chapter kind of suspense, but the quieter, more sophisticated kind that makes you second-guess every character’s intentions. 

She writes with a restraint that feels deliberate and effective; each chapter adds another delicate thread to the web of relationships at the heart of the book.

The characters are drawn with empathy and realism, especially the central figure whose emotional journey drives the plot. Their vulnerabilities are rendered with such authenticity that it becomes easy to slip into their uncertainty and feel the weight of their choices.

Beneath the suspense lies a thoughtful look at grief, belonging, and the stories families tell—both to each other and to themselves. Linda Huber handles these themes with nuance, letting them unfold gradually rather than forcing them into the spotlight.

Tony Riches

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About the Author

Linda Huber grew up in Glasgow, Scotland, but went to work in Switzerland for a year aged twenty-two, and has lived there ever since. Her day jobs have included working as a physiotherapist in hospitals and schools for handicapped children, and teaching English in a medieval castle. Linda’s writing career began in the nineties, when she had over fifty feel-good short stories published in women’s magazines. Her newest project is a series of feel-good novels set in her home area on the banks of Lake Constance in N.E. Switzerland. She really appreciates having the views admired by her characters right on her own doorstep! Find out more at Linda's website https://lindahuber.net/ and find her on Facebook, Twitter @LindaHuber19 and Bluesky @lindahuberauthor.bsky.social

Special Guest Interview with Heather Shanette, Author of Elizabeth I's Ladies, Gentlewomen and Maids: The Women who Served the Tudor Queen

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

The stories of the Queen’s ladies, gentlewomen and maids who, between them, served her from the cradle to the grave. From governesses to laundresses, this book features them all, with a comprehensive overview of the main positions of attendance accompanied by a biographical index of all the women known to have served the Queen over the course of her life and reign, from the matronly ladies who headed her nursery to the vivacious maids who dazzled her court with their wit and beauty.

I'm pleased to welcome author Heather Shanette to The Writing Desk:

How did this book come about?

For many years I have been interested in the remarkable women of Queen Elizabeth’s circle. History gives us the impression that she lived in a man’s world but this is something of a myth. From the moment she was born, until the moment she died, her private world was a world of women and even in public she was escorted by ladies and maids. 

As to how my book came about, it was initially a commission by Pen and Sword. Five years ago they asked if I would be interested in writing a book about two or three of the Queen’s women. I suggested a book on all the Queen’s serving women instead as I felt this was long overdue.

What can we learn from your book?

My book explains, like never before, the position of women within the hierarchy of the Elizabethan court. I go into great detail about the various roles that women held and what these roles involved. You can also learn about the women who served Elizabeth pre-accession from governesses to the ‘Hatfield Flock’ who attended upon her in the dangerous years of Queen Mary.

What was Elizabeth like to work for? Are stories of her ‘meaness’ true?

I believe most of these stories have little foundation in fact and my book explains why. Indeed, I have an article in the appendix explaining why Nugae Antiquae, a very popular eighteenth century publication from where some of these stories come, is a problem source.

How many women attended Elizabeth over the course of her life and reign?

Hundreds! My book lists over 300 alone and this is not exhaustive as more women served than we will ever know about.

Do you have a favourite woman?

Of the Queen’s long-serving women, Kat Astley is my favourite. She was totally devoted to Elizabeth and suffered much for her sake over the years. She is also quite a character. However, she died very early into Elizabeth’s reign so of the Queen’s other long-serving women, I would say Blanche Parry and Mary Radclyffe are my favourites. Like Elizabeth they were unconventional women who defied social expectation by remaining single. This took courage in a world where women’s raison d’être was seen as marriage and motherhood.

Were most of the Queen’s women married?

Surprisingly, yes. Although old history books tell us that Elizabeth did not like her women to marry, in actual fact, most married – and with her blessing. Marriage was not the problem. The problem was scandal or political awkwardness. Although we might enjoy reading about scandals, and have some sympathy for the women embroiled in them, scandals were disastrous for the Queen and potentially deadly.

Which roles do you believe were the most and least demanding?

Pre-accession, the most demanding role was being Elizabeth’s governess. Not only was this demanding but dangerous. Post-accession, being Chief Gentlewoman of the Privy Chamber. Her duties were extensive and she was at the Queen’s beck and call 24/7. Being Mother of the Maids was also a demanding - and even risky - role. I personally would not have wanted to be responsible for the virtue of the Queen’s maids! The least demanding role was probably that of Lady of Honour. Most Ladies of Honour only attended the Queen occasionally and did not live permanently at court. 

Those who have reviewed your book so far say it is very well-researched. Would you say research is your strength as a historian?

Definitely. I love researching. I love finding out something new or investigating a mystery. I also enjoy fact checking and wading through historical documents and old books to evaluate the truth of a story or the reliability of a source. I’ve learnt over the years that it is very important to trace a story back to its source because stories get twisted or embellished over the years, and stories from questionable sources get taken as truths. It takes time to do this, and slows down the writing process considerably, but to me is very important.

Has your research resulted in any new information on the Queen’s women?

Yes, and not just on the Queen’s women but on those who looked after Prince Edward too. For example, my research identifies ‘Mother Jak’, a somewhat elusive figure in Tudor history who was said to be the prince’s nurse, as Mistress Pakenham, sister of Lady Sidney who was his Lady Governess.

Would you say your book is a valuable resource for historical fiction authors?

Yes. My book lists the names and dates of all the women known to have served Queen Elizabeth, which can help fiction authors in choosing character names, and provides brief biographical information on each woman. My book also gives a detailed overview of every position of attendance, provides an insight into the layout and workings of the court, and contains a glossary of common terms. In this way, my book is as much a reference book as it is a biography or story book.

Heather Shanette

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About the Author

Heather Shanette is an author and historian who lives in North Wales. She has an M.Phil in Tudor history from Bangor University, where she spent a decade as a postgraduate researcher, and for over 25 years has been the webmistress of elizabethi.org. Her book ‘Elizabeth I’s Ladies, Gentlewomen and Maids: The Women who Served the Tudor Queen’ is her first history book. You can learn more about Heather on her website heathershanette.com and find her on Twitter and now on Instagram @heathershanette.