**WINNER OF THE BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD (2025)** and Gold Medal Winner, Biographical Historical Fiction, the Coffee Pot Book Club
**GOLD MEDAL WINNER** Bronte Award, the Historical Fiction Company
**GOLD MEDAL WINNER** Reader's Choice Award for Adult 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.

Buy Lady of Lincoln to celebrate ‘the woman who saved England’ today!

PRAISE FOR Lady of Lincoln

★★★★★ “A towering, epic saga… one of the greats in this genre.”
— Readers’ Favorite

★★★★★ “Profoundly moving… Nicola de la Haye shines with determination and emotional depth.”
— The Coffee Pot Book Club

★★★★½ “An extraordinary book that shows a woman successfully overcoming the constraints of her time… with wits, will, and an unbreakable spirit.”
— The Historical Fiction Company

★★★★★ “A gripping tale of bravery, loyalty, and defiance… richly researched and unforgettable.”
— Readers’ Favorite

“Joyce’s rich characterization unfolds against a vivid, meticulously researched historical backdrop… a gripping account of courage amid the brutal realities of civil war.”
— BlueInk Review, Highly Acclaimed Starred Review (Highest Distinction)

"Joyce’s attention to detail immerses readers in the period while providing authenticity, and real historical figures like King Henry II and Prince John add depth, their interactions set against political chaos and dynastic maneuverings. Lady of Lincoln is a captivating exploration of history—depicted through the lens of a remarkable female protagonist—that explores themes of love, loss, loyalty, and resilience against a richly detailed medieval backdrop."
— BookLife by Publishers Weekly

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