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Kingdom of Mercia

The Kingdom of Mercia is a series of historical romance novels set in Anglo-Saxon England. 

These are stand-alone novels set around the lives of actual Mercian Kings (Penda, Paeda and Wulfhere), from 641 AD. This was a time of great expansion for the Kingdom of Mercia, before Northumbria rose to dominance.

The Breaking Dawn

BOOK ONE

THEY COME FROM DIFFERENT WORLDS
—BUT NEITHER CAN FIGHT FATE

The story of Merwenna and Cynddylan: a Mercian Village girl and a Welsh prince. Set against a backdrop of war, treachery and ambition, this epic romance is about two people from different worlds, and the power of destiny.

Sensuality/heat level: SENSUAL (sweet - SENSUAL - sizzle)

https://www.chantireviews.com/2017/02/01/chatelaine-book-awards-for-romance-novels-the-2016-short-list/



Darkest before Dawn

BOOK TWO

HE DOES HIS LORD'S BIDDING, AND SHE OBEYS HER FATHER—BUT BLIND LOYALTY HAS ITS PRICE.

Princess Alchflaed of Northumbria has a terrible choice to make—in order to earn her freedom, she must kill a king.


Sensuality/heat level: SENSUAL (sweet - SENSUAL - sizzle)

Dawn of Wolves

BOOK THREE

CLAIMING A WOMAN AND POSSESSING HER HEART ARE NOT SAME THING

Ermenilda is a Kentish princess, determined to take the veil. Wulfhere is an exiled prince of Mercia, ruled by ambition. He's determined to have her at any cost—only to learn that love is not something a man can buy.


Sensuality/heat level: SENSUAL (sweet - SENSUAL - sizzle)
Reviews for the Kingdom of Mercia.

The Breaking Dawn (The Kingdom of Mercia, Book 1)

"The romantic tension between the protagonists is very well written. I would go as far to say it is one of the most believable relationships that I have read about in the last six months. It is beautiful.
If you love historical romances then you will not be disappointed in The Breaking Dawn. Although be warned - this is the type of book where you need to find yourself a couple of hours of solitude, turn off your phone, make yourself a hot chocolate and curl up under a blanket next to a warm fire - because you are not going to want to put this book down."


"A well-written story that will hold your interest and take you to Anglo-Saxon England and Wales. Castel has obviously done significant research to place her story in real history of the time. I really enjoyed being immersed in the 7th century."


"If you enjoy a well-written medieval romance with a fantastic hero and plenty of action along the way, then you will love The Breaking Dawn."


Darkest before Dawn (The Kingdom of Mercia, Book 2)

"This book is packed with actual people who lived in a period of intense political violence. True to history, Princess Alchflaed has no choice in her husband, but what makes this an unusual story is the fact that, under the guise of making peace with the marriage, her father plans for the death of her husband at her hands. Is her father sending her to her doom? Peada has already sided with her father against his own family. An underlying current of pagan vs christian beliefs further complicates matters. This tale clearly shows the upheaval, rebellions and conspiracies that plagued that period. And I loved the ending even though I felt cold, hungry and tired all the way through! We can only hope it really ended like this. Look at photos of Bamburgh Castle before you read this book and you will find yourself living this story."

Goodreads review

Dawn of Wolves (The Kingdom of Mercia, Book 3)

"This was very well written, and the amount of research done shows. Interesting details related to time and place are dropped into the story seamlessly. It's the third in the Kingdom of Mercia series. I haven't read the others, yet I didn't feel lost and I never noticed any of that recapping that authors tend to do (and overdo).The characters felt as if they might pop right up off the pages. My favorite was the cantankerous aunt from Ely (married for years yet still virgin!).

Can't wait to read the others in the series now. If you like romance with some history, and ancient Britain interests you at all, you owe it to yourself to give this one a try."

Amazon review

"The setting was rich with detail and the author's mastery of this dynamic period of history is sound. I recommend this story."

Amazon review

"Here is a medieval romance set in the 7th century England. This is the genre that started me reading and loving romance books back in those exciting 70's! I fell in love with these characters and the whole medieval mood was very impressive and yes, romantic. A very rocky path to love and romance. But still, a lovely read and so worth the time."

Amazon review
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