Meet My Main Character

By Nancy Bilyeau

I've been tagged by historical fiction author Rosanne E. Lortz, and now it's time to tell you about the star of my trilogy.

1.) What is the name of your main character? Is she fictional or a historical person?

Joanna Stafford, also known as Sister Joanna, a Dominican novice. She is fictional, but the Staffords were a real family, headed by Edward Stafford, the duke of Buckingham, executed for treason in 1521.

2.) When and where is the story set?

The first novel, The Crown, begins in May 1537 and by the end of The Tapestry, the story reaches the end of 1541. And the story is set in England—in the Dominican priory of Dartford, Kent, and in London and Canterbury and Malmesbury—but it also plunges into other parts of Europe. Joanna gets into some harrowing adventures in Flanders, France, and Germany.

3.) What should we know about him/her?

An actress who could play Joanna: Eva Green

Joanna is half-English and half-Spanish. Her father was a handsome younger son best known for his tournament jousting skill and her mother was a maid of honor who came with Catherine of Aragón to marry Prince Arthur. Joanna, black-haired and brown eyed, is loyal, pious, smart, and talented, particularly in tapestry weaves and embroidery. She also gets angry quickly and finds it hard to hide her feelings. Oh and she is stubborn.

4.) What is the main conflict? What messes up his/her life?

Joanna has a true calling to be a nun, but this is exactly when Henry VIII is destroying the monasteries of England in his break from Rome. Joanna tries in many ways throughout the trilogy to protect her way of life and her loved ones, but this leads her into some dangerous quests and conspiracies.

Henry VIII

5.) What is the personal goal of the character?

Joanna from the very beginning rejects the conventional aristocratic life of marrying a nobleman's son and/or waiting on a queen. She wants to find a life for herself of meaning and significance.

6.) Is there a title for this novel and can we read more about it?

There are three: The Crown, The Chalice and The Tapestry. They are on sale in North America, the United Kingdom and Germany. Spain and the Netherlands will publish The Tapestry in 2016. More info here: www.nancybilyeau.com


Thanks for visiting!!

Nancy Bilyeau Historical Fiction Giveaway

I'd like to give away one of my books in this fun historical-fiction hop!

I'm writing a suspense trilogy set in the 16th century, published by Touchstone/Simon & Schuster in North America and Orion Books in the United Kingdom. The fictional protagonist is Joanna Stafford, a daughter of an English aristocrat and Spanish lady-in-waiting who is drawn to the spiritual life and becomes a novice at the only order of Dominican nuns in England, just as the religious orders of England face a violent destruction. Each novel tells a suspenseful tale, with the backdrop of the harrowing Dissolution of the Monasteries-- from a point of view rarely seen in fiction.

The Crown takes place in 1537 and 1538, when Henry VIII's break with Rome throws hundreds of monasteries and convents into turmoil. To save her father and her way of life from destruction, Joanna is forced to find a mysterious relic but then must decide who can be trusted with its powers.

The Chalice covers 1538 to early 1540, when Joanna along with thousands of other men and women  expelled from their orders are struggling to find a place for themselves. In this book, a traumatized Joanna discovers she is part of a prophecy about the fate of the kingdom, and she must decide between her conscience and a violent act that could bring back her beloved way of life.

The Covenant, which plunges Joanna into the court of Henry VIII during one of his most lethal years, 1540, will come out in 2014. I'm finishing it now. :)

I will share a few reviews of the first two books:

The Crown:

“Bilyeau deftly weaves extensive historical research throughout, but the real draw of this suspenseful novel is its juicy blend of lust, murder, conspiracy, and betrayal.” – O, The Oprah Magazine

“An engrossing thriller…[the] extensive historical research shines.” – Entertainment Weekly

“Bilyeau weaves her breathtaking story though a string of events to a pleasing conclusion while giving the reader a more thorough understanding of a complicated bit of history. Historical fiction as it should be.” – Florida Times-Union

The Chalice:

"English history buffs and mystery fans alike will revel in Nancy Bilyeau's richly detailed sequel to The Crown." -- Parade

“Bilyeau continues from her first novel the subtle, complex development of Joanna’s character and combines that with a fast-paced, unexpected plot to hold the reader’s interest on every page . . . history and supernatural mysticism combine in this compelling thriller.” -- Historical Novel Society

“The novel is riveting, and provides fascinating insight into the lives of displaced nuns and priests during the tumultuous Tudor period. Bilyeau creates fully realized characters, with complex actions and emotions, driving the machinations of these historic personages.” -- RT Book Reviews (Top Pick))

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For this giveaway, I will send a signed paperback of The Crown or a signed hardcover of The Chalice to anyone in North America. To enter, see below!


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It's Official: Third Book in My Series

I've signed a contract with Touchstone (S&S) on a third book, The Covenant. Time to celebrate!!

Here is the Publisher's Marketplace item: 

Dujour executive editor Nancy Bilyeau's THE COVENANT, third in her Joanna Stafford series (THE CROWN, THE CHALICE) in which the young novice's life is threatened and she must discover who among her powerful enemies in the court of Henry VIII wants her dead, to Heather Lazare at Touchstone, by Heide Lange at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates (NA). I will keep everyone posted on release date and a few select juicy details on the book here at the website. Stay tuned!