The Summer Queen: A Novel of Eleanor of Aquitaine

Elizabeth Chadwick

Jul 2014 · Eleanor of Aquitaine Book 1 · Sourcebooks, Inc.

About this ebook

Scandal, politics, sex, triumphs, and tragedies abound in The Summer Queen, the first novel in this stunning trilogy, by New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Chadwick

Young Eleanor has everything to look forward to as the heiress to the wealthy Aquitaine. But when her beloved father suddenly dies, childhood is over. Sent to Paris and forced to marry Prince Louis VII of France, she barely adjusts before another death catapults them to King and Queen.

The first in the Eleanor of Aquitaine Trilogy, The Summer Queen follows Eleanor through the Second Crusade to the end of her marriage to Louis VII. Faced with great scandals, trials, fraught relationships, and forbidden love at every turn, Eleanor seeks the path that will make her queen of two countries and one of the most powerful women in the world.

Chadwick's meticulous research portrays the Middle Ages and Eleanor with depth and vivid imagery unparalleled in historical fiction that will keep readers riveted and wanting more.

Following the legendary life of Eleanor of Aquitaine, 12th Century Queen of France, and later Queen of England, this trilogy is medieval historical fiction at its most romantic, scandalous, and intriguing.

The Eleanor of Aquitaine Trilogy:

The Summer Queen (Book 1)

The Winter Crown (Book 2)

The Autumn Throne (Book 3)

Praise for The Summer Queen:

"A magnificent woman's story told by a brilliant historical novelist; realistic, emotional, vibrant, exciting and unputdownable."—RT Book Reviews, July Top Pick

"The Summer Queen is a fabulous novel based on the most up-to-date and meticulous research. This is historical fiction at its best and I loved every page of it."—For Winter Nights: A bookish blog

Ratings and reviews

I now realize why I dont like Chadwick. This book is listed as historical fiction. There isnt much real history I. It. While I applaud her efforts to write about such ancient people, she could do it in a classier fashion. She makes Eleanor seem like a silly twit. She most certainly was not. Makes me wish Eleanor was here to slap her face..... I am also quite sure she would. I have it three stars too many. It is all there is to read of her.

Great writer, attention to historical accuracy. Have fallen in love with this author's books!

Looking forward to the sequel.

About the author

“A star back in Britain, Elizabeth Chadwick is finally getting the attention she deserves here,”—USA Today. Chadwick is the bestselling author of over 20 historical novels, including The Greatest Knight, The Scarlet Lion, A Place Beyond Courage, Lords of the White Castle, Shadows and Strongholds, The Winter Mantle, and The Falcons of Montabard, four of which have been shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists' Awards.