The Constant Queen

By (author) Courtney Joanna
Short description/annotation:
A daring queen. A Viking warrior. An epic love story.
Description:

Elizaveta is princess of Kiev, but that doesn''t stop her chasing adventure. Defying conventions, she rides the rapids of the Dneiper alongside her royal brothers, and longs to rule in her own right as a queen.

Elizaveta meets her match when the fearsome Viking warrior Harald Hardrada arrives at her father''s court seeking fame and fortune. He entrusts Elizaveta to be his treasure keeper, to hold the keys to his ever-growing wealth - and eventually to his heart.

Theirs is a fierce romance and the strength of their love binds them together as they travel across the vast seas to Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Iceland. In 1066, their ambition carries them to Orkney as they plan to invade England and claim the crown . . .

Review quote:
Gripping, intriguing, romantic -- Tracy Bloom A glorious, rich, epic story of love, friendship and sacrifice which will sweep you up and transport you to another time. I absolutely loved this and can''t wait for the next book in the series -- Rachael Lucas, author of Sealed With A Kiss and Coming Up Roses Absorbing and emotional Candis magazine A beautifully written multi layered tale with a tremendously authentic sense of place and time ... an epic feel ... highly recommended LizLovesBooks The story reaches a heart-rending climax. A must read. I loved it -- Freda Lightfoot, author of The Amber Keeper A strong sense of atmosphere and place and time. I really got into the story, in fact I was so gripped by it at one point that I missed my bus. It was a really good, exciting, read Michelle Birby, author of The House at Baker Street
Biographical note:

Joanna Courtney has wanted to be a writer ever since she could read. After spending endless hours entertaining her siblings with made-up stories, it was no surprise when Joanna pursued her passion for books during her time at Cambridge University - where she combined her love of English and History by specializing in Medieval Literature.

Joanna continued to write through her first years of work and then, married and living in Derbyshire, in the sparse hours available between raising four children. She teaches creative writing across the country and for the Open University.

Joanna is fascinated by defining moments in history, of which the Battle of Hastings is certainly one. The outcome of that momentous day is one of the big ''what-ifs?'' of England''s past and she has loved being able to immerse herself in the world of the Anglo-Saxons, Normans and Vikings whilst writing The Queens of the Conquest trilogy.

Promotional headline:
A daring queen. A Viking warrior. An epic love story.
Description for collection:

In the Queens of Conquest historical trilogy, Joanna Courtney transports the reader to the untold stories behind the events of 1066. Narrated by three queens, political tumult is constantly stirring the women’s personal and public battles. Courtney’s sweeping and romantic fiction tests the strength of the medieval queens as they are forced to choose between love and loyalty. The first in the series, The Chosen Queen, sees Edyth Algarsdottir, granddaughter of Lady Godiva, torn between chasing love or power. The Constant Queen focuses on the power couple of Elizaveta, the defiant princess of Kiev, and her Viking warrior husband, Harald Hardrada. They journey from Scandinavia to Iceland and eventually England, ambitious for power and fortune. The Conqueror’s Queen is the final instalment in the trilogy, following the life and struggles of Matilda of Flanders and her infamous husband, William the Conqueror. Each is desperate for the English throne, but will these three great women rule with their hearts or their heads?
History comes alive as