Reigns in Spain

Spanish history and Spanish royals as the subject for historical fiction can make for very entertaining and interesting reading and provide a real change.

Intriguing characters and fascinating stories abound: Juana la Loca (Joan the Mad) who was imprisoned for most of her life by her family and denied her rightful claim to the Spanish throne; the outrageously ill-tempered Emperor Charles V who ruled most of Europe - badly - and whose only solace was in memories of Barbara; Philip II who grossly mistreated his wife Mary Tudor and launched The Armada against England.

Linda Carlino became so fascinated by these historical characters and their connections with England she wrote the historical fiction Spanish Trilogy

Linda had a lifelong passion for history and historical fiction but writing as a second career was never planned or sought. But a five week independent tour of Spain in 1988 was a life-changing event. Its history, particularly the historical connections with England, caught her attention. She was hooked.

The books of A Spanish Hapsburg Trilogy are connected (mother, son, grandson) but each book can be read separately.

That Other Juana (Queen Juana I of Spain) Juana la Loca

Juana founded the Hapsburg dynasties of Spain and Austria but her life was ruined by three men: her husband a blatant womaniser and political schemer; her father who betrayed and isolated her; and her son who imprisoned her for a further thirty years.

Her spirited resistance to this lifetime of barbaric persecution earned her, unfairly, the infamous nickname Juana la Loca, Joan the Mad.

A Matter of Pride (Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor)

In 1557 a prematurely aged, ill, and very irritable Charles V retires to a secluded monastery in western Spain. He brings memories of past loves, years in power, and military campaigns – mostly failures. His major domo freely speaks his mind, other characters tell tragicomic anecdotes and an all-knowing narrator makes sarcastic and funny observations. It all makes for a wonderful story - sometimes tearful, sometimes hilarious.

Wives & Other Women (Philip II of Spain)

At a time when kings were expected to produce male heirs Philip embarked on several dynastic marriages but was always disappointed and frustrated.

The story focuses on these loveless marriages — and his compulsive pursuit of other women. With a background of family turmoil and a court plagued by intrigue and treachery, the result is a fascinating and very lively story.

In 2009 That Other Juana was published in Portugal by Editorial Presença and the other two books of the trilogy will be published in Portugal during 2012.

In March 2011 the Brazilian publisher Editora Europa bought the rights for That Other Juana and will publish it in Brazil in paperback and ebook format during 2012.

All of Linda Carlino’s paperbacks and Kindle Books are available from Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com.

Linda’s ebooks are also now available at Books.Google.co.uk/ebooks

Google eBooks, has the world's largest ebooks collection, which are suitable for Android, for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, for the Web and for eReader.

Biography. Linda was born in a small mining village at the southern edge of the Durham coalfield in the Northeast of England. Linda had a lifelong passion for history and historical fiction but writing as a second career was never planned or sought. But a five week independent tour of Spain in 1988 was a life-changing event. Its history, particularly the historical connections with England, caught her attention. She was hooked. She wanted to know more, much more. She studied Spanish and then started reading Spanish sources. Many exciting days followed in the Biblioteca Nacional in Madrid, other public and private libraries in Spain, and the British Library in London.

In 2008 she was elected a Full Member of The Society of Authors.

TAGS:

Princess of Eboli, Charles V-HRE, Don Juan of Austria, Ferdinand & Isabella, Historical fiction], historical novels, Juana la Loca, Mary Tudor, Philip II of Spain, Philip the Fair, Prince Don Carlos