Shining a bright spotlight on The Queen's Maid / The Anne Boleyn Chronicles by Rozsa Gaston #TudorFiction #HistoricalSaga #WomenInHistory #RecommendedReading

The Queen’s Maid

The Anne Boleyn Chronicles #Book 2

by Rozsa Gaston

The Tudor series continues! For fans of Philippa Gregory, Elizabeth Chadwick, Carol McGrath and Anne O’Brien.

A new adventure begins for Anne…

France, 1514

After an enlightening period of training as a lady’s maid at Margaret of Austria’s court, Anne Boleyn has been sent to France.

She arrives at the Palace of Tournelles, home of ageing King Louis and his new English wife, Mary Tudor, sister of King Henry VIII. As Anne speaks French, her main role is to serve as translator for Queen Mary.

Anne’s sister Mary is also at the French court, and Anne soon learns that not everyone is pleased about the union between the French king and his young queen.

The king’s cousin-in-law, Louise of Savoy, is desperate for Queen Mary not to fall pregnant, so that her son Francis will ascend the throne.

And with Louise and the English queen pulling Anne in two different directions, it will not be possible to appease everyone.

Can Anne successfully navigate the familial politics at the French royal court? Will she make her mark as one of the queen’s maids?

Or could her divided loyalties prove to be her undoing…?

THE QUEEN’S MAID is a thoroughly researched, fascinating historical novel set during the 16th century in Europe. It is the second book in the Anne Boleyn Chronicles series.

THE ANNE BOLEYN CHRONICLES SERIES:
Book One: Maid of Honour
Book Two: The Queen’s Maid
Book Three: Queen of Diamonds

Praise for The Anne Boleyn Chronicles:

‘Wonderfully detailed and entirely enjoyable. This is a young Anne in whom I absolutely believe, and who does much to explain the woman she’d become.’
~ Sarah Gristwood, author of Game of Queens

‘... a wonderful glimpse into history and a reminder of Anne Boleyn’s enduring legacy as a woman who was ahead of her times, and paid the ultimate price. This novel is packed full of deftly-woven research. It has many standout features, but the highlight is the completely immersive nature of Gaston’s writing.’
~ Historical Novel Company

Book 1 – Maid of Honour Universal Buy Link

Book 2 – The Queen's Maid Universal Buy Link

Book 3 – Queen of Diamonds (coming soon)

Series Buy Link Amazon UK

Series Buy Link Amazon US

Rozsa Gaston

Rozsa Gaston is a historical fiction author who writes books on women who reach for what they want out of life.

She is the author of Maid of Honour: Anne Boleyn at Margaret of Austria's Court, 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿 of the 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗨𝗖𝗘𝗥 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 for Early Historical Fiction, The Queen's Maid: Anne Boleyn in France, Queen of Diamonds: The French Royal Court, Margaret of Austria, 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿 of the 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗨𝗖𝗘𝗥 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 for Early Historical Fiction, the four-book Anne of Brittany Series: Anne and Charles; Anne and Louis, 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿 of the 𝟮𝟬𝟭𝟴 𝗣𝗨𝗕𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞𝗟𝗬 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗲; Anne and Louis: Rulers and Lovers; and Anne and Louis Forever Bound, 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿 of the 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗨𝗖𝗘𝗥 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 for Early Historical Fiction.

Other works include Sense of Touch, Marguerite and Gaston, The Least Foolish Woman in France, Paris Adieu, and Budapest Romance.

Gaston studied European history at Yale and received her master’s degree in international affairs from Columbia. She worked at Institutional Investor, WR Capital, and as a columnist for The Westchester Guardian before becoming a novelist. 

She is currently working on Book Four of The Anne Boleyn Chronicles, covering Anne Boleyn's time at the 1520 Field of Cloth of Gold. She lives in Bronxville, New York with her family.

Her motto? History matters.

Connect with Rozsa:

Website • Twitter / X • Facebook • Instagram • TikTok • BookBub 

Amazon Author Page • Goodreads

Book Review: The Twisted Road: A Barrister Perris Novel by A. B. Michaels

*Editorial Book Review*

The Twisted Road: A Barrister Perris Novel 

by A. B. Michaels

Publication Date: 11th February 2026

Publisher: Historium Press

Page Length: 466

Genre: Historical Thriller

Jonathan Perris Can’t Save His Clients

…Until He Saves Himself

1907

Rising from the devastation of a massive earthquake and fire, San Francisco is once again on the move. But a strike by streetcar drivers threatens to halt the Golden City in its tracks. Protests turn to violence and violence leads to death. Soon a young guard is convicted of willfully killing a protester and the public is out for blood.

Jonathan Perris, an immigrant attorney from England, has opened a law firm with an eye toward righting wrongs, and the guard’s conviction may fall into that category. But the talented barrister soon finds his newfound career shaken by a tragic event: the gruesome murder of the beautiful and mysterious Lena Mendelssohn—a woman he’s been squiring around town. It’s difficult to run a law firm when you’ve been arrested for murder.

In a turbulent time, as a city is rebuilt from the ground up after an earthquake and fire brought San Francisco to its knees, unrest and disorder threaten a future delicately hanging in the balance. Between the careful structure of the courtroom and the intricate web of unspoken rules in the more dangerous parts of town, this novel takes the reader on a journey through early 20th-century San Francisco, bringing all parts of its past vividly back to life.

The courtroom has order, a way of doing things, but that is not necessarily the way forward when roles are reversed and those upholding the law find themselves on the wrong side of it. Jonathan Perris is a renowned attorney. Having come to San Francisco from England, he finds himself in the midst of unrest. After the devastation of the earthquake and subsequent fires, transport around the city has suffered severe disruption, further hindered by union strikes. As tensions rise, movement around the city becomes increasingly difficult, and a fateful few fall victim to violence in the streets. Amid the strikes and chaos, Jonathan finds himself entangled in a different web of trouble: a woman he had been seeing is found dead, and all eyes turn towards him.

This novel does not simply highlight a poignant period in San Francisco’s history, as people attempt to find a new normal in a devastated city, but also weaves an intricate tale of murder and investigation. The setting has been painted with a careful touch, the destruction ever present as the loss of buildings, homes, and businesses—and the daily effects on people’s lives—are brought to light. The lack of transport in particular, as Jonathan and his team struggle to navigate the city, highlights how San Francisco was brought to a standstill by violence and unrest, crippling an already strained transport system. The setting is rendered with great intricacy, confusion and desolation shaping the backdrop for a carefully constructed narrative of murder and investigation, as the characters attempt to uncover the truth and cast suspicion away from the innocent.

From high society in London, Jonathan finds himself immersed in the underbelly of San Francisco as the city struggles to repair itself. With information scarce, he learns that the woman he has been casually seeing for the past few weeks is not necessarily who she claims to be. Unable to stand idly by, he is determined to uncover the truth. When he leaves her that evening, he has no way of knowing that he will soon find himself in handcuffs, arrested for her murder. Yet clearing his name means little if the truth cannot be revealed, and so an investigation unfolds as Jonathan and his colleagues at his law firm attempt to solve the murder of Magdalena von Mendelssohn.

Although such matters are usually left to the police, Jonathan and his colleagues—who typically enter proceedings only after arrests have been made and suspects presented in court—prove highly effective in their enquiries. Ruthless questioning, a determination to uncover the truth, and the ability to present a compelling case have equipped them with the skills to observe closely and draw meaningful conclusions. However, with unrest sweeping the city, it becomes difficult to determine whether any source can be fully trusted. Loyalties run deep, and once formed, they are not easily broken. San Francisco is vividly brought to life as various sources are explored, casting a spotlight on both the wealthy and the downtrodden—those untouched by disaster and those still struggling to rebuild their lives.

Jonathan is surrounded by people who believe in his innocence and are willing to work tirelessly alongside him to uncover the truth. I found myself especially fond of Cordelia Hammersmith, an exceptionally strong woman who has fought for her place in the world and refuses to back down. As a woman in the early 20th century, to attain such an important and public role is no small feat, and throughout the novel she consistently demonstrates her analytical mind and determination. Another notable character is Dove, through whom we witness the breadth of San Francisco’s social landscape. As he pursues his investigations, we follow him through many different spheres—from those living on the streets, who see and hear everything, to studios filled with high-energy political debate. The contrast is striking, yet threaded throughout is the persistent sense of unrest, of uncertainty about the city’s future, and the realisation that change is shaped not only by those who speak loudly, but also by those who quietly influence events behind the scenes. Through these characters, the author crafts a richly layered narrative that captures every walk of life, offering a well-rounded portrayal of early 20th-century San Francisco.

The Twisted Road by A. B. Michaels is a compelling novel of mystery and investigation—one that explores the pursuit of truth at any cost and the consequences of bringing it to light. As the story unfolds and the pieces gradually fall into place, I found myself utterly absorbed, hanging on every word as I followed the characters through the city. This is a novel that comes alive as you read: the sounds of riots, the smell of gunpowder in the air—it all feels tangible, drawing you in as you try to uncover the truth, condemn the guilty, and see the innocent set free.

Review by Ellie Yarde 

The Coffee Pot Book Club

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A. B. Michaels

A native of California, A.B. Michaels holds masters’ degrees in history (UCLA) and broadcasting (San Francisco State University). After working for many years as a promotional writer and editor, she turned to writing fiction, which is the hardest thing she's ever done besides raising two boys. She lives with her husband and two spoiled dogs in Boise, Idaho, where she is often distracted by playing darts and bocce, learning pinochle, and trying to hit a golf ball more than fifty yards. Reading and travel figure into the mix, leading her to hope that sometime soon, someone invents a 25+ hour day. Her historical fiction series, “The Golden City,” explores America’s Gilded Age and its effect on characters, both actual and fictional, while her contemporary series, “Sinner’s Grove,” follows descendants of The Golden City as they navigate today’s equally treacherous waters. She is currently expanding both series.

Author Links:

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Book Review: The Thunder and the Silence by Roland Van Damme

*Editorial Book Review*

 The Thunder and the Silence 

by Roland Van Damme

Publication Date: 5th September 2025
Publisher: Independently Published
Page Length: 597
Genre: Biographical Historical Fiction

The world knows the thunder of his genius: the inventor, the diplomat, the revolutionary.

This is the story of the silence. 

From the dark print shops of Boston to the shadowed alleys of revolutionary Paris, Benjamin Franklin walks a solitary path. His ambition is a storm that tears through his life, splitting him from his wife, his son, and the private man he might have been.

This is not the Franklin of history books. This is a man haunted by the son he lost to smallpox, torn apart by the son who chose the Crown, and stalked by the silence of the wife he left to die alone, an ocean away.

For readers of Wolf Hall's political shadows and Hamnet's intimate grief, The Thunder and the Silence lays bare the man behind the myth—a man forced to choose between building a nation and saving his own family.

A story of genius and its cost, of revolution and regret. What is the price of greatness, and who is left to pay it?

There’s something quietly impressive about a novel that manages to feel both intimate and expansive—and “The Thunder and the Silence” achieves exactly that. Roland Van Damme presents the familiar figure of Benjamin Franklin not as a distant historical icon, but as a mind in motion: questioning, experimenting, adapting, and gradually shaping both himself and the world around him.

What sets this novel apart is the way it constructs Franklin’s life from the ground up. Rather than focusing solely on well-known achievements—the lightning experiment, diplomacy in Paris, or his role as a Founding Father—it carefully builds the intellectual habits that make those moments possible. The early scenes in the workshop, the small practical experiments, and the discovery of the power of print all contribute to a convincing sense of development. By the time Franklin turns his attention to electricity, the famous “thunder” experiment feels less like a dramatic breakthrough and more like the natural culmination of years of observation and inquiry.

The novel is particularly strong in its treatment of ideas. Science, politics, and philosophy are not presented as abstract disciplines, but as lived experiences shaped by circumstance and necessity. The print shop becomes a testing ground for public opinion, while the creation of Silence Dogood offers a subtle exploration of voice, authority, and identity. Later, the salons of Paris provide a vivid setting in which intellectual exchange is as much about performance and influence as it is about truth.

The relationships within the novel add a necessary emotional depth. Deborah Franklin’s steady presence, often from a distance, serves as a reminder of the personal cost of ambition. The tension with William introduces a more painful dimension, while the connection with Temple allows for a more reflective, measured Franklin to emerge in later life. These relationships ensure that the narrative remains grounded, even as Franklin’s world expands.

Equally compelling is the portrayal of Franklin’s political development. The novel resists the temptation to present him as a straightforward hero. Instead, it emphasises his ability to listen, to compromise, and to work with others in pursuit of a shared goal. His success lies not simply in intellectual brilliance, but in his capacity to align differing interests and navigate complex human dynamics.

The title, "The Thunder and the Silence," is especially well-realised. “Thunder” reflects not only Franklin’s famous experiments with electricity—his attempt to understand and harness lightning—but also his public voice and growing influence. “Silence”, by contrast, captures the quieter processes that underpin that influence: observation, reflection, restraint, and the early anonymity of Silence Dogood. The novel suggests that one cannot exist without the other—that the most visible achievements are rooted in long periods of unseen thought.

By the end, I found myself reflecting not just on Franklin, but on the nature of thought itself—how ideas form, how they are tested, and how they eventually find their place in the wider world. For me, that is where the novel truly succeeds.

A richly considered and rewarding work of historical fiction.

Review by Mary Anne Yarde

The Coffee Pot Book Club

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Roland Van Damme

Roland Van Damme is a historical fiction author who brings the past to vivid life through meticulous research and compelling storytelling. His debut novel, The Thunder and the Silence, explores the untold stories behind one of America's most fascinating founding fathers. Van Damme's passion for colonial American history stems from years of exploring various colonial locations throughout America's rich historical landscape, where he draws inspiration from the very grounds where history was made.

When not immersed in 18th-century manuscripts and historical archives, he can be found hiking Virginia's Blue Ridge trails with his loyal companion, Markus. Van Damme holds a deep commitment to making history accessible and engaging for modern readers, weaving historical accuracy with narrative flair to transport readers back to the birth of a nation.