Books like RIval to the Queen by Carolly Erickson

In the Elizabethan‑age setting of England’s Wars of the Roses, Philippa Gregory chronicles the rise of Elizabeth Woodville from lady-in-waiting to queen, exposing the political intrigue and personal turmoil that shaped the era.

Mario Puzo traces the rise of the Borgia family, revealing the intertwined forces of ambition, faith, and power that shaped one of Italy’s most notorious dynasties.

A tale of intrigue and passion in the court of King Henry VIII, exploring the love and tragedy of Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard against the backdrop of the tumultuous Tudor era.

A sweeping story of love, passion, and betrayal set against the backdrop of medieval politics and intrigue, revealing the life of a remarkable woman who held her own against the most powerful men of her time.

Pauline Gedge’s debut novel, *Child of the Morning*, imagines the life of Hatshepsut, the only woman pharaoh of ancient Egypt, blending historical detail with vivid intrigue to bring this forgotten ruler to vivid life.

In 16th‑century Scotland, Mary, Queen of Scots, is held as a hostage by the Earl of Shrewsbury and his wife Bess of Hardwick, forcing a dangerous game of loyalty, ambition and intrigue against Elizabeth I.

Nefertari, a forgotten princess of the Eighteenth Dynasty, rises from exile to become queen after marrying Ramesses the Great, navigating a tumultuous Egypt torn between her heretical past and a new dynasty.

"From the New York Times bestselling author of The Last Wife of Henry VIII comes a powerful and moving novel about Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIII's first wife and mother of Mary I When young Catherine of Aragon, proud daughter of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella, is sent to England to marry the weak Prince Arthur, she is unprepared for all that awaits her: early widowhood, the challenge of warfare with the invading Scots, and the utimately futile attempt to provide the realm with a prince to secure the succession. She marries Arthur's energetic, athletic brother Henry, only to encounter fresh obstacles, chief among them Henry's infatuation with the alluring but wayward Anne Boleyn. In The Spanish Queen, bestselling novelist Carolly Erickson allows the strong-willed, redoubtable Queen Catherine to tell her own story--a tale that carries her from the scented gardens of Grenada to the craggy mountains of Wales to the conflict-ridden Tudor court. Surrounded by strong partisans among the English, and with the might of Spanish and imperial arms to defend her, Catherine soldiers on, until her union with King Henry is severed and she finds herself discarded--and tempted to take the most daring step of her life. Carolly Erickson's historical entertainments continue to succeed in creating a unique blend of historical authenticity and page-turning drama. "--

Caterina Sforza, daughter of the Duke of Milan and wife of Count Girolamo Riario, leads her own lands and battles on Renaissance Italy’s frontiers, narrated by her lady‑in‑waiting Dea.

A captivating historical romance featuring a determined Queen who takes charge and brings order to her husband's chaotic court.

A romantic historical novel about the court and love affairs of Charles II of England, featuring a bold queen, a beautiful actress, and a scandalous spy.

A queen's heart torn between love and duty, leading to a dark choice in history's most powerful court.

The tragic story of Lady Jane Grey, the young woman who became queen for just 9 days but was executed for treason at the age of 16.

A detailed portrait of Queen Elizabeth I that explores her complex personality and the Tudor era in which she ruled.

Lucrezia Borgia: A Daughter's Tale of Power and Passion in Renaissance Italy