Overview

An heir to the throne, a gorgeous blonde lady-in-waiting, the king's trusted advisor. When a father and son don't understand each other, the son pays an outrageous price. Love, jealousy, loyalty, and revenge roil the court of 14th century Portugal. In this engrossing launch to the Queens of Portugal trilogy, Catherine Mathis gives a fresh take on the tale of Pedro and Ines, Portugal's real-life Romeo and Juliet. Pedro's father would not have been king if not for his trusted advisor, Goncalves. Once king, he wants no part in neighboring Castile's royal convulsions though his son, Pedro, befriends powerful Castilians. The all-consuming drive of the king is to ensure his line rules Portugal for centuries to come. He needs legitimate, strong heirs. The Infante Pedro loves a woman not deemed worthy to wear the crown as queen. Between father and son is Goncalves, the king's powerful, unquestioned counselor who is mentor to the son. Both Goncalves and Pedro seek the attention of Ines. There is a horrific cost to winning the love of Ines. She will not release her grip on Pedro until he keeps the two sworn oaths he made to her. Can Pedro do the impossible to satisfy Ines? Ines is based on real people and events exploring a cultural touchstone of Portuguese history.

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9781592116027

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Reviews

There is a lot of drama and intrigue, and the characters' emotions are beautifully captured in this engrossing tale. Catherine Mathis expertly explores the intrigue and political atmosphere of the period, revealing a court rife with treachery, ambition, and questionable people --Readers' Favorite

Author Information

After experiencing a difficult Christmas without their only child, Catherine Mathis and her husband took a spontaneous trip to Portugal, where inspiration struck unexpectedly. In the historic Abbey of Alcobaca, she discovered the tombs of Pedro and Ines--often called Iberia's Romeo and Juliet. This discovery sparked a fascination with medieval legends, leading her to explore further tales of the next generation, including the remarkable Queen Philippa, daughter of John of Gaunt. Born in Berlin as the eldest child of a spy and his secretary-turned-wife, Catherine grew up in the Washington, D.C. area. She earned a degree in history from Sewanee The University of the South. Her extensive career in international banking provided opportunities to travel throughout Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Now, she resides in Atlanta, where she writes full-time, close to her son and his family. Catherine is a dedicated member of the Historical Novel Society, the Atlanta Writers Club, and the Authors Guild. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, collecting folk art, reading, and exploring new destinations. For readers who appreciate rich historical narratives, Catherine's books offer a captivating journey into the past. She also encourages readers to explore the extensive reviews available on the Historical Novel Society's website, sorted by time period or author.

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