The Plantagenet Prelude: (The Plantagenets: book I): the compelling portrait of a Queen in the making from the Queen of English

Description

The first book in Jean Plaidy's epic Plantagenet series If you like Philippa Gregory, you will love this vibrant and captivating historical page-turner from multi-million copy and international bestselling author Jean Plaidy - the perfect blend of history with romance and drama. 'Full - bloodied, dramatic, exciting' - THE OBSERVER 'Plaidy, by the skilful blending of superb storytelling and meticulous attention to authenticity of detail and depth of charaterization has become one of the country's most widely read novelists.' - THE SUNDAY TIMES 'It is hard to better Jean Plaidy . . . both elegant and exciting' - DAILY MIRROR 'Just a great book from start to finish' -- ***** Reader review 'Gripping' -- ***** Reader review 'Plaidy forever!' -- ***** Reader review 'A wonderful story and a wonderful history by a wonderful writer' -- ***** Reader review ************************************************************************************************ When William X dies, the duchy of Aquitaine is left to his fifteen-year-old daughter, Eleanor. But such a position for an unmarried woman puts the whole kingdom at risk. So on his deathbed William makes a will that will ensure his daughter's protection- he promises her hand in marriage to the future King of France. Eleanor grows into a romantic and beautiful queen, but she has inherited the will of a king, and is determined to rule Aquitaine using her husband's power as King of France. Her resolve knows no limit and, in the years to follow, she is to become one of history's most scandalous queens...

Jean Plaidy, one of the pre-eminent authors of historical fiction for most of the twentieth century, is the pen name of the prolific English author Eleanor Hibbert, also know as Victoria Holt. Jean Plaidy's novels had sold more than 14 million copies worldwide by the time of her deah in 1993.

Her novels are still very much to be enjoyed ... Any writer who can both educate and thrill a reader of any age deserves to be remembered and find new fans ... One only has to look at the TV/Media to see that the appetite for this kind of writing is still very much there -- Matt Bates * WH Smith Travel * Jean Plaidy doesn't just write the history, she makes it come alive. -- Julia Moffat, RNA Miss Plaidy does full justice to the trials of Henry II's last years. The demands of the vast Angevin Empire, provide strong dramatic material which she handles with her usual skill. * Sunday Times * These books are page-turners; they offer a wonderful way to learn about history, their heroines are smart, strong and in control of their destinies and their stories will remain with you for ever...They are a celebration of women's spirit throughout history. * Daily Express * Full-blooded, dramatic, exciting * Observer *