*Editorial Book Review*
Lady of the Castle
(The Nicola de la Haye Series Book 2)
by Rachel Elwiss Joyce
Publication Date: 30th September 2026Publisher: Hedgehog Books
Page Length: 509
Genre: Biographical Historical Fiction / Medieval Fiction
England, 1185.
Nicola de la Haye, constable of Lincoln Castle, commands her fortress with hard-won authority. Determined to protect her family from a kingdom fracturing around her, she discovers the hardest battle is the one inside her own walls.
When the king's chancellor marches an army to her gates and her husband stands accused of treason, Nicola must hold her castle against a siege—and hold her family together against something far harder to fight. As her marriage buckles under the weight of loss, jealousy, and the ghosts of their pasts, Nicola must choose between the walls she has built around herself and the man she has never fully let in.
Miles away, Nicola's Jewish childhood friend Bella has built her world on different foundations: a husband she adores, a strong, vibrant community, and a faith and traditions kept alive despite centuries of persecution. When crusading fervour sweeps the nation, Bella's family is stripped of its fortune and forced to flee to York—only to find themselves trapped in a castle tower by a mob demanding baptism or death.
As King Richard the Lionheart departs for the Holy Land, leaving England to turn on itself, both women face the same impossible question: what do you love enough to sacrifice everything for?
Based on the true story of a medieval heroine history nearly erased, Lady of the Castle is an immersive, deeply moving epic of love, loyalty, and betrayal in a kingdom torn apart by violence, prejudice, and the ambitions of powerful men.
If you love sweeping medieval epics, political intrigue, forbidden love, and emotionally charged second-chance romance—buy Lady of the Castle today.
Please note: this novel contains mature themes and some intimate scenes.
'To love someone, truly, is not to wish to have them to ourselves, but instead to also love what they love.'
Some characters stay with you long after you've turned the final page, and Nicola de la Haye is certainly one of them. Revisiting her story in 'Lady of the Castle' felt like catching up with an old friend, albeit one living through some of the most turbulent years of medieval England. Rachel Elwiss Joyce has written a sequel that is every bit as absorbing, emotional, and beautifully researched as I had hoped.
Set between 1185 and 1199, the novel follows Nicola de la Haye through one of the most turbulent decades of her life. England is entering a period of political uncertainty as Richard the Lionheart prepares to leave for the Third Crusade, while Prince John's ambitions begin to cast a shadow over the kingdom. Yet, while history provides the backdrop, it is the people caught up in these events who make this novel so unforgettable.
Nicola remains as compelling as ever. She carries enormous responsibility as Constable of Lincoln Castle while also trying to protect the people she loves. What I admire most about Nicola is that, despite everything expected of her, she always feels completely real. She is courageous, but she also questions herself, grieves deeply, and carries the weight of every decision she makes. Those quieter moments reveal just as much about her character as the more dramatic events.
Gerard was probably the character who surprised me the most. His struggles with loyalty, faith, family, and honour make for a compelling storyline, and I found myself becoming more invested in him with every chapter. He is a complex character, and never once did I feel I knew exactly where his path would lead.
I was equally delighted to spend more time with the younger generation. Tilly has grown into such a gentle, thoughtful young woman, and her friendship with Ged brings warmth and hope to the story. Turstin's storyline touched me deeply. His struggles with guilt and his search for purpose create some of the novel's most emotional moments, and I found myself rooting for him throughout.
One of the things I enjoyed most was the way every character has an important part to play. No one feels as though they are simply passing through the story. Bella's storyline is handled with great sensitivity, while the experiences of York's Jewish community add another powerful dimension to the novel. Their lives, fears, and resilience are woven naturally into the wider narrative, reminding us of the dangers of prejudice and intolerance without ever losing sight of the individuals behind the history.
Bishop Hugh quickly became one of my favourite characters. His wisdom, compassion, and quiet strength make him a reassuring presence whenever he appears. Some of the conversations he shares with the other characters are among the most thoughtful in the novel, and I always found myself looking forward to his next appearance.
The historical detail is, as I have come to expect from Joyce, exceptional. Twelfth-century England comes vividly to life, from Lincoln Castle and the rebuilding of the cathedral to monasteries, villages, royal courts, and the political uncertainty surrounding Richard's absence. It is obvious that an enormous amount of research has gone into every page, yet it never overwhelms the story. Instead, the history feels completely natural, allowing the characters to remain at the centre of everything.
I particularly enjoyed the balance between the larger political events and the more personal stories unfolding alongside them. There are sieges, shifting alliances, royal rivalries, and moments of genuine danger, but there are also friendships, family bonds, quiet acts of courage, forgiveness, and hope. More than once, it was those quieter moments that stayed with me long after I had finished reading.
I also have to mention the structure of the novel. At first glance, seeing seventy-three chapters and an epilogue made me wonder whether it might feel too fragmented. Instead, the shorter chapters work brilliantly. They keep the story moving at exactly the right pace, and I constantly found myself thinking, 'Just one more chapter,' only to discover I had read several more. Every chapter feels purposeful, and the pacing never falters.
One of the reasons I enjoy Joyce's writing so much is the emotional connection she creates between the reader and her characters. I celebrated their successes, worried about the difficult choices they faced, and genuinely cared about what happened to them. That is always the sign of a gifted storyteller. The history may draw me to a novel, but it is the characters who made me stay.
By the final page, I wasn't ready to leave Nicola's world behind. That, to me, is the mark of truly memorable historical fiction.
'Lady of the Castle' is a superb sequel that builds upon everything I loved about the first novel while continuing to develop its memorable cast of characters. Rich in historical detail, full of emotion, and impossible to put down, this is historical fiction at its very best. Whether you are already familiar with Nicola de la Haye or are discovering her story for the first time, I wholeheartedly recommend this outstanding novel.
Review by Mary Anne Yarde
The Coffee Pot Book Club
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Rachel Elwiss Joyce
Rachel may have come to writing historical fiction later in life, but her love of history, storytelling, and the forgotten voices of women has been lifelong. She writes meticulously researched, immersive fiction that brings overlooked heroines out of the shadows and into the light.
Her fascination with the past began early. At six years old, she was already inventing tales about medieval women in castles, inspired by her treasured Ladybird books and other picture-rich stories that transported her to another time. By the time she discovered Katherine by Anya Seton as a teenager, she knew the joy and escape that only great historical fiction can bring.
Rachel’s two grown-up children still tease her (fondly) about childhoods spent being “dragged” around castles, archaeological sites, and historical re-enactments. For Rachel, history and imagination have always gone hand in hand.
There was, however, a long gap between the stories of her childhood and her decision to write her own novel. The spark came when she discovered the remarkable true story of Nicola de la Haye—the first female sheriff of England, who defended Lincoln Castle against a French invasion and became known as “the woman who saved England.” Rachel knew she had found her heroine, and a story she was destined to tell.
Rachel lives in the UK, where she continues to explore the lives of women who shaped history but were left out of its pages.
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