Publication Date: February 27th, 2026
Publisher: Hedgehog Books
Page Length: 462
Genre: Biographical Historical Fiction / Medieval Historical Fiction
A true story. A forgotten heroine. In a time when women were told to stay silent, could she become the saviour her people need?
12th-century England. Nicola de la Haye wants to do her duty. But though she’s taught a female cannot lead alone, the young noblewoman bristles at the marriage her father has arranged to secure her inheritance. And when an unexpected death leaves her unguided, the impetuous girl shuns the king’s blessing and weds a handsome-but-landless knight.
Harshly fined by Henry II for her unsanctioned union, Nicola struggles to salvage her estates while dealing with devastating betrayals from her husband… and his choice to join rebels in a brewing civil war. Yet after averting a tragedy and gaining the castle garrison’s respect, she still must face the might of powerful men determined to crush her under their will.
Can she survive love, threats, and violent ambition to prove she’s worthy of authority?
In this carefully researched and vividly human series debut, Rachel Elwiss Joyce showcases the complex themes of honour, responsibility, and freedom in the story of a remarkable heroine who men tried to erase from history. And as readers dive into a world defined by violence and turmoil, they’ll be stunned by this courageous young woman’s journey toward greatness.
Lady of Lincoln is the gritty first book in the Nicola de la Haye Series historical fiction saga. If you like richly textured female heroes, courtly drama, and fast-paced intrigue, then you’ll adore Rachel Elwiss Joyce’s gripping true-life tale.
Praise for Lady of Lincoln:
"Joyce’s vivid prose and masterful storytelling immerse the reader deeply into the emotional landscapes of her protagonists, making their struggles and triumphs resonate long after the final page has been turned. This debut is not only impressive in its narrative depth but also remarkable in its ability to evoke thought and reflection long after the final page is turned."
~ The Coffee Pot Book Club 5* Editorial Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Where Duty Collides with Desire and Strength Is Forged in Fire
Lady of Lincoln felt like more than just a story to me—it felt like watching someone’s life change bit by bit through every choice, mistake, and setback. It starts with the hope of love and freedom, but soon becomes a much deeper story about responsibility and the cost that can come with following your heart.
Set in 12th- and 13th-century England, the book does a great job of bringing the time period to life. From Lincoln Castle to the wider unrest of a divided kingdom, everything feels real and believable.
There’s no romanticised version of history here. Life feels uncertain, power can shift quickly, and safety is never guaranteed. The pacing is steady, giving both the personal moments and the political conflict time to breathe.
At the centre of the story is Nicola de la Haye, and she was easily the most interesting part of the book for me. She begins strong-willed and determined to choose her own path rather than accept what others expect of her. But when she chooses love over security, the consequences ripple through her whole life and the lives of others around her. What I liked most was that her growth feels real. She doesn’t become stronger overnight—she learns through mistakes, pain, and experience.
William FitzErneis is another memorable character. He is charming and easy to understand at first, but it soon becomes clear that there is something unstable beneath the surface. He isn’t written as a simple villain, which makes him more believable. Gerard de Camville, on the other hand, brings a calmer and steadier presence. He represents a quieter kind of strength through loyalty, patience, and understanding. The contrast between these relationships adds a lot to the story.
One of the strongest parts of the novel is how it shows a world shaped by duty, power, and constant uncertainty. Nicola’s position feels especially difficult, not only because she is a woman in a male-dominated society, but because every decision she makes affects more than just herself. Her leadership is shown through action and resilience rather than dramatic moments, which made it feel more genuine. Even with the large historical backdrop, the story always feels personal. Relationships are tested, trust is fragile, and survival often comes with painful sacrifices. Those quieter emotional struggles are what give the book its real weight.
The ending felt satisfying in a quiet way. Not because everything is perfect, but because Nicola has grown into someone wiser, stronger, and more self-aware than the person we meet at the start.
Lady of Lincoln is an absorbing and thoughtful read. It stayed with me because of its honesty about love, choices, loss, and the strength it takes to keep going when life becomes difficult.
Buy Link:
This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.
Rachel Elwiss Joyce
After a rewarding career in the sciences, Rachel returned to her first love—history and the art of storytelling. Fascinated by the women history neglected, or tried to forget, she creates meticulously researched, emotionally resonant fiction that brings her characters’ stories vividly to life.
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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Thank you ever so much for taking part in our blog tour with Lady of Lincoln by Rachel Elwiss Joyce – and for your wonderful review of this compelling novel. We're thrilled you enjoyed it. Thanks for reading it.
ReplyDeleteTake care,
Cathie xx
The Coffee Pot Book Club