Thursday, May 29, 2025

Blog Tour: The Lydiard Chronicles by Elizabeth St.John



Join The Coffee Pot Book Club on tour with…


The Lydiard Chronicles

The Lady of the Tower
By Love Divided
Written in their Stars

by Elizabeth St.John




*Hot Summer Reads*

*Each ebook is priced at just 99c / 99p from 1st - 15th July, 2025!*


June 30th - July 11th 2025

Publication Dates: 2016 - 2020
Publisher: Falcon Historical
Genre: Biographical Historical Fiction

Duty, passion, and power collide in The Lydiard Chronicles, a gripping trilogy inspired by true events. Follow three courageous women—survivors, strategists, and storytellers—who defy the constraints of society to shape their family’s fate and England’s future. Their voices echo through time. Their legacy changed a nation.

The Lydiard Chronicles is an award-winning, best-selling historical family saga which brings to life the remarkable true stories of the St.John family. Spanning three compelling novels—The Lady of the Tower, By Love Divided, and Written in Their Stars—the series follows the legacy of resilient and intelligent women who lived as spies, courtiers, and diarists during England’s most turbulent century, navigating the quicksand of love and war, political upheaval, and personal sacrifice. 

Bound by fierce family loyalty and unforgettable love, the women of The Lydiard Chronicles defy the limits of their time with passion, courage, and unshakable independence. They endure captivity in the Tower of London, exile in the Louvre Palace, and the heart-wrenching divisions of the English Civil War—fighting not just for survival, but for their beliefs, their families, and the right to choose their own fate. Meticulously researched and vividly told, this epic saga reveals how these women created history from the shadows, leaving a legacy of resilience, defiance, and enduring influence.

Rooted in original diaries, letters, and family papers, The Lydiard Chronicles offers an intimate, biographical portrait of women who moved behind the scenes of power. Serving as trusted secret agents, military wives, and confidantes of kings, they were deeply engaged in the political and religious conflicts of their time. Through tragedy and triumph, the women of The Lydiard Chronicles shape their destinies—and the fate of a nation—in this richly researched and vividly told historical epic.



Buy Link:

Universal Series Link

This series is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.




Elizabeth St. John


Elizabeth St.John’s critically acclaimed historical fiction novels tell the stories of her ancestors: extraordinary women whose intriguing kinship with England's kings and queens brings an intimately unique perspective to Medieval, Tudor, and Stuart times.

Inspired by family archives and residences from Lydiard Park to the Tower of London, Elizabeth spends much of her time exploring ancestral portraits, diaries, and lost gardens. And encountering the occasional ghost. But that’s another story.

Living between California, England, and the past, Elizabeth is the International Ambassador for The Friends of Lydiard Park, an English charity dedicated to conserving and enhancing this beautiful centuries-old country house and park. As a curator for The Lydiard Archives, she is constantly looking for an undiscovered treasure to inspire her next novel.

Elizabeth's works include The Lydiard Chronicles, a family saga set in 17th-century England during the Civil War, and The Godmother's Secret, which unravels the medieval mystery of the missing princes in the Tower of London. Her latest release, The King’s Intelligencer, follows Franny Apsley in the treacherous court of Charles II as she risks everything to uncover the dangerous truth behind the discovery of the princes’ bones.

Author Links:
Website • Facebook • Bluesky • Threads • Instagram




Tour Schedule




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Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Shining a bright Book Spotlight on Turning the World to Stone by Kelly Evans #HistoricalFiction #Renaissance #RecommendedReading



*Bronze Award-Winner in The Coffee Pot Book Club Book of the Year Awards 2023 in the Renaissance Fiction Category* 


Turning the World to Stone

The Life of Caterina Sforza
Part One: 1472 to 1488

by Kelly Evans


Vilified by history, Caterina Sforza learned early that her life was not her own. Married at age ten, she was a pawn in the ever-changing political environment of Renaissance Italy.

Resigned to her life as a fifteenth-century wife, Caterina adapted to the role she was expected to play: raising and educating her children, helping the poor in her new home, and turning a blind eye to her husband’s increasingly shameful behaviour. But Fate had other plans for her, and soon Caterina’s path would be plagued by murder, betrayal, and heartbreak. 

“Could I write all, the world would turn to stone.”



Chapter One: 1472

“No. It’s too much. I won’t allow it.” The voice paused. “It’s unnatural.” The last two words were a whisper, and Caterina, hidden under the table, strained to hear.

“He’s a powerful man, and the union is important for Milan.” Caterina heard the irritation in her father’s voice and wished she could somehow leave the room unnoticed. But she’d chased a ball under the table just as the duke and the others had arrived, and, knowing she wasn’t meant to be in the study, Caterina had frozen. 

Galeazzo Sforza continued. “You know of our difficulties with the papal states. This union would protect us from any unwanted attention from Rome and guarantee added protection against the French.” 

“Important for Milan but at the expense of my daughter.” The woman looked around the room at each of the men. “And the expense of our mortal souls.” 

“He’s the Pope’s nephew. He’ll see to our souls.” Galeazzo waved away the objection. 

“You saw the way he looked at her last night. A thirty-year-old man lusting after an eleven-year-old girl. And only a year older than your own daughter.” 

Caterina knew she was being spoken of and held her breath to avoid detection. 

Constanza’s husband, and one of the duke’s loyal retainers, tried to calm his wife. “My dear, it’s not like that. You imagined it, he was probably admiring the fine feast Sforza had prepared for us,” he offered weakly. 

“I can’t.” Constanza stood firm, her chin tilted upward in defiance. “I won’t. There are many things I’ve done for Milan and my family, it’s the painful duty of all women to suffer for their children but there are limits to the things a mother will sacrifice. And this is one of them.”

From her position under the cloth-covered table, Caterina could see her father’s feet pacing. For moments the only noise in the room was the crackling of the fire and her own heartbeat. A log shifted position, sending tendrils of sparks upward, making Caterina jump. Still, no one heard her. 

Finally, Constanza’s husband spoke. “I think —” 

He was interrupted by Galeazzo. “I won’t have this damage our friendship. You’re one of my best generals however we need that papal partnership.” He nodded; a decision made. “I’ll offer my own daughter, Caterina.” 

“But she’s only ten,” Constanza whispered. “You’re her father…” her voice trailed away. 

“I am. And I know what’s best for my family. Caterina will marry Girolamo Riario.” 




This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.



Kelly Evans


Born in Canada of Scottish extraction, Kelly Evans graduated in History and English and then moved to England, where she worked in the financial sector. While in London, Kelly continued her studies in history, concentrating on Medieval History, and travelled extensively through Eastern and Western Europe.

Kelly is now back in Canada with her husband and a rescue cat. She writes full-time, focussing on illuminating little-known women in history who have fascinating stories. When not working on her novels, Kelly writes Described Video scripts for visually impaired individuals and enjoys studying medieval medicine and cooking, and old sci-fi movies. With popcorn. Lots of popcorn.

Connect with Kelly:
Website • Facebook • Bluesky • Instagram • BookBub




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