Having turned out numerous history titles (e.g., The Private Lives of the Tudors), the joint chief curator of Historic Royal Palaces in the UK now launches a historical fiction trilogy. Here, Frances Gorges is forced by an ambitious uncle to serve at the palace of the newly crowned King James and soon senses the scheming around her that will culminate in the Gunpowder Plot. Can she trust charming courtier Tom Wintour? And what if folks find out that she's a gifted healer, which could mark her, dangerously, as a witch?

With this first novel in a projected trilogy, historian Borman (The Private Lives of the Tudors; Thomas Cromwell) depicts the life of Lady Frances Gorges, a courtier of Queen Elizabeth I, and, according to the author, a noted healer. As Frances gets dangerously close to being targeted as a witch by the Privy Seal, Lord Cecil, she finds a friend in newly crowned King James's daughter, the precocious Princess Elizabeth, for whom she serves as the new lady of the bedchamber. Frances is also deeply drawn to Tom Wintour, a courtier whose gentle manner soon earns her trust. But Tom has secrets that could endanger her and those she holds most dear. The incredibly detailed and vivid narrative transports readers to a time when women were seen as no more than a commodity to be traded, and conspiracy loomed in every corner. VERDICT This engaging page-turner is enhanced by flawless prose and an absorbing plot, making it a perfect choice for fans of historical fiction and post-Tudor England. [See Prepub Alert, 1/18/18.]—Adriana Delgado, Palm Beach Cty. Lib., Loxahatchee, FL

Borman (The Private Lives of the Tudors) lures readers into this first in a series of historical novels set during the reign of the Stuarts. In 1603 England, healer Lady Frances Gorges returns to her family home of Longford after nursing Queen Elizabeth I through her dying days. Frances is forced to leave the idyll of Longford at the demand of her uncle, Lord of Northampton, who has secured her a position in the household of young Princess Elizabeth, daughter of King James, Elizabeth's successor. Though Frances warms to the effervescent princess and young lawyer Tom Wintour, she despises the court's debauchery and is fearful of using her healing skills after witnessing the execution of a supposed witch. Yet Frances's refusal to ignore pleas to help an ill child ends in disaster when the child dies, and she is arrested and tortured to determine if she is a witch. When the charges are dropped and she is released to tend to the ill Elizabeth, Frances's blossoming romance with Thomas becomes complicated when he reveals a secret, and Frances must decide if she will remain loyal to Thomas. Borman is an astute chronicler of 17th-century English life, keenly depicting the excesses of the court and the dangers of religious persecution. The vivid detail and effortless storytelling will appeal to many readers, particularly fans of historicals in the vein of Alison Weir and Philippa Gregory. Agent: George Lucas, Inkwell Management. (July)

Historian Borman tells a compelling story of the young noblewoman Frances Gorges and her service to Elizabeth I and then James I of England's daughter, Elizabeth. Spanning from March 1603 to January 1606, the book depicts court life and the plot to assassinate the king. Frances has the gift of healing and understands herbal remedies, which endears her to James's wife, Queen Anne. Those abilities arouse the suspicions of the king and his courtiers, who believe Frances is a witch. Borman balances a wealth of characters—the numerous courtiers, Frances's family members, the royal staff—and locations without overwhelming readers. Frances's character is the most developed, though others, including Queen Elizabeth, Princess Elizabeth, and the assassination conspirators, are well crafted, too. Readers also get a sense of Stuart England through the seamless incorporation of vocabulary and descriptions of clothing, environment, and culture, especially the tensions between Protestantism and Catholicism and the fear of perceived witchcraft. Themes of loyalty, love, misogyny, and fear are also well delineated. The love story between Frances and another historical figure, Thomas Wintour, is cloying at times, but it is still realistic and enthralling. VERDICT A captivating work that brims with action and romance. For historical fiction fans.—Hilary Writt, Sullivan University, Lexington, KY