The Lady of the Tower
By Elizabeth St. John
Release Date: February 2, 2016
Formats: ebook, paperback; 399 pages
AISN: B01B8NL7FO
Genre: Historical Fiction
Please join me in congratulating Elizabeth St. John on the release of her debut historical fiction novel, The Lady of the Tower! Elizabeth contacted me after attending my presentation at HNS 2015, and I was honored to work with her on a developmental edit and a copyedit, and I designed the book's cover. The Lady of the Tower is the story of Lucy St. John, once mistress of the Tower of London, and Elizabeth's ancestor. Elizabeth has carefully crafted a novel of Lucy's life using her own letters and diaries, and it's a riveting tale of intrigue, betrayal, and love. Here's the book description:
Orphaned Lucy St. John, described as "the most beautiful of all," defies English society by carving her own path through the decadent Stuart court. In 1609, the early days of the rule of James I are a time of glittering pageantry and cutthroat ambition, when the most dangerous thing one can do is fall in love . . . or make an enemy of Frances Howard, the reigning court beauty.
Lucy catches the eye of the Earl of Suffolk, but her envious sister Barbara is determined to ruin her happiness. Exiling herself from the court, Lucy has to find her own path through life, becoming mistress of the Tower of London. Riding the coattails of the king’s favorite, the Duke of Buckingham, the fortunes of the St. Johns rise to dizzying heights. But with great wealth comes betrayal, leaving Lucy to fight for her survival—and her honor—in a world of deceit and debauchery.
Elizabeth St. John tells this dramatic story of love, betrayal, family bonds, and loyalty through the eyes of her ancestor Lucy and her family’s surviving diaries, letters, and court papers.
About the Author:
Elizabeth St.John was educated in England and lives in California. She has tracked down family papers and sites from Nottingham Castle, Lydiard Park, and the British Library to Castle Fonmon and The Tower of London. Although the family sold a few castles and country homes along the way (it's hard to keep a good castle going these days), Elizabeth's family still occupy them - in the form of portraits, memoirs, and gardens that carry their imprint. And the occasional ghost. But that's a different story...Check out Elizabeth's website and blog, where she shares tidbits and photos from her research and travels in Lucy St. John's footsteps.
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