Historical Fiction Writer
Bringing to life forgotten heroes and heroines of the past.
Available Now
Available Now
What is the price of an act of treason?
As the Houses of Lancaster and York fight over the throne during the Wars of the Roses, the repercussions extend beyond the shores of England.
In 1461, the French capture Mont Orgueil on the Isle of Jersey. To protect the family legacy for his son, Sir Philippe de Carteret, the most powerful lord on the island, sees no choice but to pledge his loyalty, hoping the new overlords will prove benevolent until King Edward can turn his attention to ousting them. But instead the island suffers under their tyrannical rule.
When a pirate lands at St. Ouen’s Bay claiming the true Lord of the Isles, the Earl of Warwick, has sent him to stir up a rebellion, de Carteret is suspicious. Other lords rally to the cause, only to be arrested and tried for conspiracy. With French spies everywhere, determined to find a reason to arrest him too, de Carteret finds it increasingly harder to know whom to trust and how to keep his family safe.
As the citizens of Jersey despair under the growing burden of oppression, de Carteret must risk everything to free his beloved homeland.
Based on real people and events, Token of Betrayal is a sweeping tale of loyalty, revenge, and a father’s love and the difference one man can make to alter the course of history.
What would you do for love?
15th century. England devolves into chaos as two families fight over the throne during the Wars of the Roses, and the repercussions spill over onto the Isle of Jersey. In an era when shifting alliances and acts of treason are commonplace, three lives become entangled in a web of love, deceit, and revenge.
Meet Philippe de Carteret, an insecure young man, thrust into his ancestral role as the island’s premier seigneur. He inherits a manor in ruins with no means to pay for the repairs.
Add Clement Le Hardy, embittered by the loss of his heritage. He vows to reclaim his rightful legacy and exact retribution on Philippe for his misfortunes.
Enter Margaret Harleston, a headstrong maiden, with powerful connections and a substantial dowry. Determined to forge her own path, she rebels against societal constraints.
This gripping tale, based on real people and true events, takes readers on a page-turning journey from the windswept cliffs of Jersey to the gritty streets of London, culminating in a real-life feat of bravery that is still celebrated on the Isle of Jersey today.
History of the Project
My work-in-progress is more than 21 years in the making.
I was first introduced to these characters in 2001 and determined that their story was one that deserved to be told. At the time, I was a young mother raising three boys and beginning a new career. I knew I didn’t have the time, but placed it on my list of life goals.
The project was placed on the back burner and I might have forgotten about them entirely except I had purchased some limited-edition history books that included their history. When I would see those books on the shelf, it reminded me of my goal, a promise I made to myself.
In 2017, my schedule eased and I had time to turn my mind back to this project. I soon discovered that one does not just sit down and write a novel.
Although I had journaled off and on all of my life, writing a novel requires a plot, building character arcs, world building and smart dialogue. And that only names a few of the elements of a story.
So, before I could even think about writing a first draft, I had to learn how to write creative fiction. It sounds crazy, we all know how to write more or less, but novel writing is a different set of skills.
Most of the characters in my story are real people. And the farther back in history, the less is recorded. With the few historical events I had, I took on the challenge of trying to get into each character’s head and figure out their motivations.
Set in the 15th century, against the backdrop of the Wars of the Roses, the series is a whole lot political thriller and part romance. Amongst the tumult of political upheaval, I found a love story that I believe belongs amongst the great love stories of the world.