A captivating historical novel with an unforgettable heroine! Perfect for fans of Tracy Chevalier, Maggie O'Farrell, Hilary Mantel and Margaret George.
A lively young girl is fated to become a political pawn...
England, 1590
Orphaned at a young age,
Arabella Stuart
is brought up by her grandmother, the formidable
Bess of Hardwick
. With both Tudor and Stuart blood in her veins, she is a possible heir to
Queen Elizabeth I
, but she cares little for the thought of acceding to the throne - nor for the procession of suitors paraded before her. An early encounter with
Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex
has imprinted itself on her heart, and Arabella has eyes for no other. But he is not only much older, but also a married man. Her love life is the source of much gossip at court and when the queen dies, Arabella finds herself a helpless pawn in the struggle for succession, manipulated by those who would prefer an English queen to a Scottish king. A brief taste of independence is hers when her cousin
James VI of Scotland
finally accedes to the throne. But her secret marriage to
William Seymour
places her in a perilous position, for the pair have married without seeking the king's permission. Imprisoned for treason and pining for her love, Arabella hatches a brave but dangerous plan...
Will Arabella ever be reunited with the love of her life? Do the pair stand any chance of a happy future together?
Or is Arabella destined for heartbreak once again?
WREATH FOR ARABELLA is a compelling historical saga set during the Tudor and Jacobean period of English history, about a strong woman who defied convention to control her own destiny.
'...represents the romanticism of the period ... colorful' - KIRKUS REVIEWS