RACHEL ELWISS JOYCE

Longlisted for the Chaucer Award for Medieval Historical Fiction

Reader's Favorite Five Star Award
Eleanor's Revenge, a historical fiction novella about Eleanor of Vermandois, niece of Eleanor of Aquitaine. A tale of love, betrayal, and vengeance.

ELEANOR’S REVENGE: A Free Novella

Eleanor’s Revenge is based on the true story of the life of a medieval noblewoman, Eleanor of Vermandois.

A shocking tale of love, loyalty, heartache, betrayal… and revenge.

A powerful tale of a woman’s fight for justice in a man’s world.

When betrayal destroys her family, Eleanor of Vermandois vows she will never be powerless again.

Raised in the glittering but treacherous court of King Louis VII, she learns that beauty and loyalty mean little beside ambition and greed. When her beloved sister is disgraced and her family’s honour torn apart, Eleanor’s only weapon is her mind.

From royal courts to battlefields, from bride to ruler, she must turn every alliance to her advantage and outwit the men who would control her. But as her power grows and vengeance draws near, Eleanor must decide whether justice will heal her—or consume her.

Novella length, you could read it in one sitting, but this story still packs a punch.

If you love Elizabeth Chadwick’s depth, Anne O’Brien’s fierce heroines, and Philippa Gregory’s intrigue, you’ll be captivated by Eleanor’s Revenge—the unforgettable story of the last Countess of Vermandois, who defied kings and counts in medieval France to shape her own destiny.

Book cover for "Lady of Lincoln" by Rachel Elwiss Joyce, a novel about Nicola De La Haye, 'the woman who saved England'. The cover features a blue background with black floral patterns, golden and white text, and a small golden bird.

Longlisted for the Chaucer Award for Historical Fiction, Lady of Lincoln has been awarded 5 stars by Reader’s Favorite and the Coffee Pot Book Club

Lady of Lincoln is a sweeping medieval historical fiction novel inspired by the true story of Nicola de la Haye, England’s forgotten heroine and the woman who saved a nation.

Set amid rebellion, betrayal, and courage, this richly-researched debut brings twelfth-century Lincoln Castle and the Angevin world vividly to life.

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.

What Independent Reviewers are Saying

“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

“Rachel Elwiss Joyce vividly captures the tumultuous life of Nicola de la Haye and the political and social currents of medieval England. I adored the characters, especially Nicola, depicted as a resilient and f iercely independent woman. She is so skillfully developed that themes of loyalty, duty, and personal desire are directly linked to her. Set against the historical backdrop, the story explores conflicts between individual freedom and social norms, including marriage, inheritance, and political intrigue. The siege, riots, and courtly politics reflect the fraught historical setting, emphasizing the peril women faced in a male-dominated world. Lady of Lincoln presents a heroine you will love; her courage will inspire, and her fierce struggle for independence will have you rooting for her. This well written tale will transport you to the medieval era, allowing you to experience its conflicts and tensions.”

Reader’s Favorite Reviews

What Readers are Saying

“Thank you for a wonderful read. Love, war, and family drama in the twelfth century—their lives so like ours but also so different. A fascinating, riveting story”

“Rachel’s novels are truly transportative. I really felt like a medieval noblewoman in medieval England”

The Coffee Pot Book Club Highly Recommended Five Star Award for historical fiction

Unforgettable Story-telling. Unforgettable Characters.

The Third Crusade
Medieval stone castle with multiple towers and battlements surrounded by a moat, with reflections in the water, under a partly cloudy sky.
A medieval castle courtyard with a theatrical performance on a stage, an audience in period clothing watching, and soldiers or guards in the foreground.
A medieval illustration showing a knight on a castle tower shooting an arrow, with two knights on horseback riding away from the castle.
An aerial view of a medieval castle with four round towers, situated on a grassy hilltop during sunset, surrounded by trees with autumn foliage and a vast landscape extending to the horizon.
A person dressed as a knight in armor, riding a horse draped in a red and black cloth, near a body of water.
A person dressed as a medieval knight on a white horse in a grassy field, holding a flag with a red banner and a shield emblem, with a chalkboard and stone wall in the background.
Medieval soldiers or knights, wearing helmets, chainmail, and padded armour, holding shields, outdoors.
A knight in medieval armour, holding a sword and shield, with the face obscured by a helmet and chainmail, in a black and white studio portrait.
A medieval woman standing outdoors during sunset, holding a small bouquet of wildflowers, with her eyes closed and face turned slightly upward, surrounded by trees and warm, golden sunlight.
Medieval knights engage in sword combat on grassy terrain, one holding a round shield and the other wielding a sword and shield.
Gothic cathedral ceiling with pointed arches and ribbed vaults, illuminated with soft light highlighting the architectural details.
Medieval historic building with stone arches and columns, a stained glass window, and some old remnants of paint and wallpaper on the walls.
A religious painting depicting Saint Hugh of Avalon, Bishop of Lincoln in elaborate robes and a mitre, holding a staff and a gold vessel with a small child emerging from it, standing next to a large white crane.
A woman wearing a black hooded cloak, corset, and leather gloves, holding a sword with a detailed hilt, with a scar on her face and dark makeup, in a dimly lit environment.
A medieval woman walking on a dirt path in front of a stone castle, wearing a long brown coat over a rust-coloured dress and brown boots.
A peregrine falcon perched on a rocky surface, with its head turned slightly to the side, showcasing its sharp beak and dark eyes, with a blurred natural background.
A bird of prey being used for falconry, perched on a falconer's gloved hand. The bird has a speckled chest, brown and black wings, and is set against a blurred outdoor background.
Medieval illustration of a scene where two knights, one in blue and the other in orange, are engaged in combat near a castle. The blue knight is on a ladder reaching toward the castle, while the orange knight is on top of the ladder. The scene includ