Book Review: Queen of Shadows, by Anna Belfrage

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

She should have stayed in the shadows—but Leonor de Guzmán yearned for the sun. Castile in the 1330s is a place of constant turmoil. King Alfonso must contend with the incursions from the Muslim Marinids eager to reclaim Al-Andalus while struggling with repeated rebellions against his firm rule.

In Queen of Shadows, Anna Belfrage brings warmth and vulnerability to the perilous and centuries-old scandal of the relationship between Alfonso XI and Leonor de Guzmán. 

King Alfonso is charismatic and astute. Beneath the armour of kingship is a man burdened by expectation and loneliness his relationship with Leonor is the emotional refuge that steadies him amid the brutality of court politics.

 
Leonor de Guzmán emerges as an intelligent and emotionally resilient figures who understands the dangers surrounding her position. Every privilege granted by Alfonso’s devotion carries with it the threat of ruin, yet her strength is in her  refusal to surrender her dignity in a political storm.

What makes Queen of Shadows especially compelling is the tension between tenderness and danger. Every exchange between Alfonso and Leonor unfolds beneath the shadow of suspicion and looming betrayal. Anna Belfrage sustains this atmosphere, ensuring that the quietest moments shimmer with unease.

 
The supporting cast deepen the emotional complexity, particularly through the characters of Alma and Rodrigo. Alma brings a grounded emotional perspective, offering moments of compassion, insight, and wisdom that counterbalance the ruthlessness of the court.

 
Rodrigo embodies the tensions of loyalty and survival in a fractured kingdom. His presence adds another layer to this exploration of the personal sacrifices demanded by power. Together, these characters ensure the narrative extends far beyond the royal couple at its centre.

Queen of Shadows succeeds because the characters are shaped by desire and ambition, yet doesn't shy away from the harsh reality of the time. The result is a historical novel of epic scale which leaves the reader with a sense of the humanity behind the legends of history.

Tony Riches

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About the Author

Had Anna been allowed to choose, she’d have become a time-traveller. As this was impossible, she became a financial professional with three absorbing interests: history, romance and writing. Anna has authored the acclaimed time travelling series The Graham Saga, set in 17th century Scotland and Maryland, as well as the equally acclaimed medieval series The King’s Greatest Enemy which is set in 14th century England. Anna has just released the final instalment, Their Castilian Orphan,  in her other medieval series, The Castilian Saga ,which is set against the medieval conquest of Wales. She has recently released Times of Turmoil, a sequel to her time travel romance, The Whirlpools of Time, and is now considering just how to wiggle out of setting the next book in that series in Peter the Great’s Russia, as her characters are demanding. . .  Find out more from Anna's website  www.annabelfrage.com  and find her on Facebook, Bluesky and Twitter @abelfrageauthor

Sign up to Anna’s newsletter to keep up with new releases, give-ways and other fun stuff: http://eepurl.com/cjgatT

Historical Fiction Spotlight: The Toscanini Conspiracy, by Filippo Iannarone

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

A brutal murder in a quiet Tuscan village. A world‑famous maestro under a cloud of suspicion. A wounded war hero ordered to uncover the truth—before history writes the wrong man into infamy.

In the autumn of 1935, celebrated country doctor Alberto Rinaldi is found savagely beaten outside his home in the village of Piazze. The investigation collapses into chaos: evidence muddled, witnesses coerced, and rumor elevated above reason. An aging miller is convicted, but whispered doubts linger for years.

Fourteen years later, as Italy struggles to define its fragile new Republic, former resistance officer Colonel Luigi Mari is summoned to Rome. His mission is as delicate as it is dangerous: quietly reinvestigate the Rinaldi murder to protect the reputation of a towering national figure—Maestro Arturo Toscanini, Rinaldi’s most illustrious patient and, according to one buried Carabinieri report, a possible presence at the crime scene that fatal night.

Mari and his young aide, Lieutenant Vinicio Barbetti, descend into a labyrinth of forgotten testimonies, political interference, fascist‑era secrecy, and lives shattered by war. Each revelation deepens the mystery: a doctor whose miraculous cures drew the world to his humble door, a village transformed by fame and undone by violence, and a conspiracy that reaches far beyond Tuscany.

As past and present collide, Mari must navigate truth, loyalty, and the shadows of a regime that never fully died—before the real story vanishes forever.

Filippo Iannarone’s The Toscanini Conspiracy is a sweeping blend of postwar intrigue, courtroom echoes, and musical legend that is a haunting pursuit of justice where genius, loyalty, and the long shadow of dictatorship collide.

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About the Author

Filippo Iannarone was born in Rome. After taking a degree in Law, he continued his studies and historical research at the School of Paleography, Diplomatics and Codicology located at the Vatican Archives. He then went on to work as an expert in industrial relations for a national energy company, to establish a law firm, and to become an entrepreneur in the hospitality business. n the hospitality business. He attended “The Holden School” a creative writing school in Turin directed by Alessandro Baricco.  He lives in Germany, in Bad Honnef on the Rhine.

Book Launch guest Post by Anna Belfrage, Author of Queen of Shadows

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

She should have stayed in the shadows—but Leonor de Guzmán yearned for the sun. Castile in the 1330s is a place of constant turmoil. King Alfonso must contend with the incursions from the Muslim Marinids eager to reclaim Al-Andalus while struggling with repeated rebellions against his firm rule.

Back in 2016, I wrote a post about Alfonso XI and his lady love, Leonor de Guzmán. The consequences of this liaison were to be painful for the people of Castile, resulting in over a decade of civil war, but when Alfonso first met Leonor he was around seventeen, she a year or so older. Neither of them were probably thinking beyond a flare of attraction; after all, Alfonso was a king required to marry dynastically, and Leonor might be gorgeous, witty, high-born and rich, but he needed more in a wife. Which is why he married Maria of Portugal. 

But Alfonso just couldn’t forget Leonor. He needed her, loved her. And so Leonor became the beloved mistress while Maria became the spurned wife. 

The post I wrote stayed with me. Here was a very juicy story, and I wanted to tell it. So, since 2016, I have been working on the story of Alfonso, Leonor and Maria, but it has been a tortuous journey—especially because of my POV challenges.

POV – point of view – characters are the drivers of the story. They offer the subjective perspectives on the unfolding narrative, and a smart writer ensures the POV characters see things from different perspectives. In romance, there is often a he and she POV character, to ensure the reader experiences both sides of the love story. 

In my case, I started writing with Alfonso and Leonor as POV characters. 12 000 words in, I realised this wouldn’t work. Not that they saw eye to eye on everything, but Alfonso and Leonor were essentially on the same side. Then I tried using Leonor and Maria as my POV characters, but it made me lose the overall historical context. Gah! I left Alfonso, Leonor and Maria to stew and wrote other stuff instead, but all the time, they were in the back of my head.

Some years ago, I sat down in front of my laptop and wrote :

The first time Alma saw Doña Leonor de Guzmán, the woman was half-naked and screaming invectives to the high heavens
    “Normal,” Cesaria, Alma’s mother, said. “It hurts to give birth.”
    Alma stared at the woman squirming on the bed and decided there and then to never, ever have any children.

And just like that, I had a new POV character that came with the added benefit of being invented and very observant. After eight years of wrestling with the story, the pieces began fitting together, with the equally invented Rodrigo becoming as close an observer to the king as Alma was of Leonor. 

In Queen of Shadows, both Leonor and Maria get a voice—but it is Alma and Rodrigo that carry the story, all the way from that December day in 1332 to an August day in 1351. 

“It’s not fair,” Don Alfonso grumbles. “Surely I should have had a voice in my own story?” 

I pat his hand (figuratively: the man is dead since like seven hundred years!) “It still gets told,” I say. And what a messy story it is…

Anna Belfrage

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About the Author

Had Anna been allowed to choose, she’d have become a time-traveller. As this was impossible, she became a financial professional with three absorbing interests: history, romance and writing. Anna has authored the acclaimed time travelling series The Graham Saga, set in 17th century Scotland and Maryland, as well as the equally acclaimed medieval series The King’s Greatest Enemy which is set in 14th century England. Anna has just released the final instalment, Their Castilian Orphan,  in her other medieval series, The Castilian Saga ,which is set against the medieval conquest of Wales. She has recently released Times of Turmoil, a sequel to her time travel romance, The Whirlpools of Time, and is now considering just how to wiggle out of setting the next book in that series in Peter the Great’s Russia, as her characters are demanding. . .  Find out more from Anna's website  www.annabelfrage.com  and find her on Facebook, Bluesky and Twitter @abelfrageauthor

Sign up to Anna’s newsletter to keep up with new releases, give-ways and other fun stuff: http://eepurl.com/cjgatT

365 Days in Elizabethan England with Natalie Grueninger , Tudor history specialist, author, speaker and podcaster

This immersive learning experience is much more than just an online course. Over 12 months, participants will come together and contribute to a supportive and inspiring online community of individuals who’ll share in a unique learning experience – one that will ultimately deepen their understanding of life in Elizabethan England. Each month, a different theme will be explored, ranging from religion and politics to power struggles and exploration.

Acclaimed author and podcast host, Natalie Grueninger, will coordinate the learning program and guide participants every step of the way. She’ll also be joined by a stellar list of twenty-nine contributors.

Learn from leading experts in Tudor history from the comfort of your home. All that’s required is enthusiasm, a willingness to connect and learn, and the internet.

What’s included?

• Weekly lectures beginning January 22, 2027. These will be a combination of pre-recorded lectures and live Zoom discussions, (see below for a list of sessions and presenters)
• 12-month membership (from Jan-Dec 2027) to the ‘Budding Historian’ tier of the Talking Tudors Patreon community, valued at $300! See all the benefits here: https://www.patreon.com/c/TalkingTudors/membership
• (Existing members can redeem this gifted membership without cancelling their current pledges. The gift will apply as soon as it’s redeemed, granting access to the high-tier benefits immediately and pausing the paid period)

For more information visit https://www.nataliegrueninger.com/2026/05/17/365-days-in-elizabethan-england/

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About the Author

Natalie Grueninger is an independent researcher who specialises in the life, reign and times of Queen Anne Boleyn. She’s authored and co-authored seven books, including the ‘In the Footsteps’ series. Her latest book, ‘The Final Year of Anne Boleyn’, Natalie has written for a number of history magazines, including Inside History and Tudor Places, and runs the website www.onthetudortrail.com. She’s the creator and host of the popular ‘Talking Tudors’ podcast and the founder of Women’s History Circle, dedicated to amplifying women’s voices and promoting the work of women creatives with a passion for history. Natalie is deeply interested in the lives of medieval and Tudor women and in the networks which they built and used, especially those with other women. She’s an avid bibliophile and a lifelong learner. When not at her desk, she can often be found indulging in her insatiable passion for travel. Natalie lives in Sydney with her husband, two children and a cheeky cavoodle. Find out more at https://www.nataliegrueninger.com/ and find her on Twitter @OntheTudorTrail and Bluesky @onthetudortrail.bsky.social

Book Review: HEROICA by Alison Morton

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

Even the strongest state is vulnerable to its past: Three stories of the women of the Mitela family, descendants of the founders of Roma Nova, bound by blood and courage.

Alison Morton’s latest book HEROICA is a masterclass in alternative history and grounded world-building, a sweeping epic that serves as an entry point for new readers and a welcome return for long-time fans of her Roma Nova series.

In HEROICA, Alison explores three eras to highlight the enduring spirit of her fictional nation. Each of these stories and could have formed part of a trilogy, but the economy of storytelling is effective and compelling.

What makes HEROICA insightful is its exploration of continuity. For me, the the central idea is that while  technology and fashions evolve, the core values of a society, such as loyalty and resilience are the threads that endure.

Whether you prefer Alison Morton's meticulously researched Roman culture or a well-paced mystery, HEROICA delivers an entertaining narrative. This is a world that feels like it should have existed.

Tony Riches

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About the Author

Alison Morton writes award-winning thrillers featuring tough but compassionate heroines. Her twelve-book Roma Nova series is set in an imaginary European country where a remnant of the Roman Empire has survived into the 21st century and is ruled by women who face conspiracy, revolution and heartache but use a sharp line in dialogue. She blends her fascination for Ancient Rome with six years’ military service and a life of reading crime, historical and thriller fiction. On the way, she collected a BA in modern languages and an MA in history. Alison lives in Poitou in France, the home of Mélisende, the heroine of her two contemporary thrillers, Double Identity, Double Pursuit and Double Stakes For the latest news, subscribe to her newsletter at https://www.alison-morton.com/newsletter/ and receive 'Welcome to Alison Morton’s Thriller Worlds’ as a thank you gift.  Connect with Alison on her World of Thrillers site: https://alison-morton.com and Alison’s writing blog https://alisonmortonauthor.com/. You can find Alison on Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky @alisonmorton.bsky.social and Twitter/X: @alison_morton

Blog Tour Spotlight: Some Starry Night, by Irene Latham

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

Under the pale glow of a Parisian spring in 1886, two restless souls move toward the same horizon-unaware that their meeting will ignite a love as luminous and fleeting as the stars themselves.

Vincent van Gogh arrives in Paris with little more than paint-stained hands and an aching determination to create something worthy of the world. Living in the cramped apartment of his brother Theo, he struggles against poverty, doubt, and the relentless pull of his own restless mind.

Across the ocean in Amherst, Emily Dickinson receives news that changes everything. Faced with the nearness of death, the reclusive poet does the unthinkable: she leaves the quiet safety of the Homestead and sails for Paris, determined to taste life before it slips beyond her reach.

When Emily agrees to sit for Vincent's portrait, their worlds collide in a blaze of color, poetry, and dangerous intimacy. Through letters, poems, and whispered confessions, the two artists discover in one another a fierce, unguarded understanding-one that will shape their art, their faith, and the fragile hours they have left.

But love between stars is never simple. As time grows short and darkness gathers, Vincent and Emily must decide whether beauty is meant to last...or simply to burn bright enough to change the night forever.

Some Starry Night is a sweeping, lyrical imagining of the hidden story behind Vincent van Gogh's most iconic painting-an unforgettable tale of love, creativity, and the courage to live fiercely, even in the shadow of the end.

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About the Author 

Irene Latham writes poems and stories from the Purple Horse Poetry Studio & Music Room in Blount County, Alabama. She is the author or co-author of many books for young people, including African Town, winner of the Scott O'Dell Award for Outstanding Historical Fiction.  This is her first novel for adults. Learn more at irenelatham.com 

Special Guest Interview with Susan Appleyard, Author of Escape of the Grand Duchess

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

 Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna is the youngest sister of Tsar Nicholas II—a Romanov who defied a doomed destiny and survived. Unlike her ill-fated brother and his family, Olga’s story is one of resilience, sacrifice, and daring escape. Trapped in a loveless marriage to a reckless gambler—who harbours secrets of his own—she finds hope in the arms of a dashing army lieutenant. But before she can claim her own happiness, she must first endure the brutal realities of World War I, where she serves as a nurse on the frontlines.

I'm pleased to welcome author Susan Appleyard to The Writing Desk:

Tell us about your latest book

Escape of the Grand Duchess relates the struggles of Olga, the younger sister of Tsar Nicholas II, from an opulent lifestyle to her unhappy marriage, World War I, the Russian Revolution when the murderous Bolsheviks began rounding up Romanovs for slaughter. Some were able to escape to the continent. Olga was one of the lucky ones. She and her young family eventually made their escape to safety in Canada.

What is your preferred writing routine?

I used to devote my mornings to writing, but now I’m not so disciplined. Honestly, I write when I feel like it.

What advice do you have for aspiring writers?

J.M.W Turner, famous English painter, said something to the effect that he imagines mountains and paints molehills. Your book will never be perfect. You could tinker with it to the end of time. Know when enough is enough. Just make it as perfect as you can.

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

I have done Bookbub ads and promotions on Facebook. Otherwise, my readership is organic.

Tell us something unexpected you discovered during your research 

Ether was first used as an anaesthetic in 1842, but before that the Babylonians, Persians, Chinese, Egyptians and others attempted to create a general anaesthetic.

What was the hardest scene you remember writing?

The last scene. How to end it? Where to end it?

What are you planning to write next?

I am currently working on the second draft of a book about Olga’s grandparents.

 

Susan Appleyard

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About the Author

Susan Appleyard was born in England, which is where she learned to love English history, and now lives in Canada in the summer. In winter she and her husband flee the cold for their second home in Mexico. Susan divides her time between writing and her hobby, oil painting, although writing will always be her first love. She was fortunate in having had two books published traditionally. Since joining the ebook crowd, she has published nine books, some of which have won various awards. Find out more at Susan's website, follow her blog and find her on Facebook and Instagram