This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.

1. 1. The Other Boleyn Girl

   

   Set in the tumultuous court of King Henry VIII, the story follows the life of Mary Boleyn, who becomes the king's mistress before her sister Anne's rise to power. As Mary navigates the treacherous waters of court politics and her family's ambitions, she finds herself torn between her desires and her loyalty to her sister. The narrative explores themes of love, betrayal, and the relentless pursuit of power, highlighting the personal sacrifices made by those entangled in the royal court's dangerous games. Through Mary's perspective, the novel offers a vivid portrayal of the complexities and intrigues of Tudor England.

   The 6265th Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon

2. 2. Normal Women

   900 Years of Making History

   

   Set against the backdrop of medieval England, this historical novel delves into the lives of women who defy societal norms and expectations. Through a tapestry of interconnected stories, it explores themes of resilience, empowerment, and the unyielding spirit of women who navigate a world dominated by patriarchal structures. The narrative weaves together the struggles and triumphs of its characters, offering a poignant reflection on the timeless quest for identity and autonomy in a society that often seeks to silence them.

   The 14985th Greatest Book of All Time

   Purchase from Bookshop.org

3. 3. The Queen's Fool

   

   Set in the tumultuous period of the Tudor dynasty, the story follows a young Jewish girl named Hannah Green, who possesses the gift of foresight. Disguised as a boy, she becomes a fool in the court of Queen Mary I and later serves her half-sister, Elizabeth. As Hannah navigates the dangerous political landscape, she is torn between her loyalty to the two rival queens and her own desires. Her journey is one of personal growth, as she grapples with love, faith, and the complexities of power during a time of religious and political upheaval in England.

4. 4. Virgin Earth

   

   Set against the backdrop of the English Civil War, the story follows John Tradescant the Younger, a passionate gardener who inherits his father's legacy and navigates the turbulent political landscape of 17th-century England. Torn between his loyalty to the royalist cause and his love for his family, John embarks on a journey to the New World, seeking solace and inspiration in the untamed beauty of Virginia. As he grapples with personal loss and the shifting tides of history, John discovers the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of nature to heal and transform.
5. 5. A Respectable Trade

   

   Set in the late 18th century, this historical novel delves into the complexities of the British slave trade through the intertwined lives of Frances Scott, a genteel woman seeking financial security, and Mehuru, an educated African man captured and sold into slavery. As Frances marries Josiah Cole, a merchant aspiring to climb the social ladder through the slave trade, she becomes entangled in the moral and emotional turmoil of her husband's business. The story explores themes of power, exploitation, and forbidden love, as Frances and Mehuru form an unexpected bond that challenges societal norms and forces them to confront their own beliefs and desires.

6. 6. The Constant Princess

   

   Set against the backdrop of Tudor England, this historical novel delves into the life of Katherine of Aragon, the Spanish princess destined to become the first wife of King Henry VIII. The story traces her journey from a young, determined girl who marries Prince Arthur, only to face his untimely death, to her unwavering resolve to claim her rightful place as queen. Through trials of love, loss, and political intrigue, Katherine's resilience and ambition shine as she navigates the complexities of royal life, determined to fulfill her destiny and honor her beloved Arthur's memory.

   Purchase from Bookshop.org

7. 7. The White Queen

   

   Set during the tumultuous period of the Wars of the Roses, this historical novel follows the life of Elizabeth Woodville, a commoner who rises to become the Queen of England through her marriage to King Edward IV. The story delves into her strategic maneuvers to protect her family amidst the shifting allegiances and power struggles of the English court. As Elizabeth navigates the treacherous political landscape, she is driven by ambition, love, and a fierce determination to secure the throne for her children, all while grappling with the mystical legacy of her family's rumored connection to the legendary water goddess, Melusina.

   Purchase from Bookshop.org

8. 8. The Lady Of The Rivers

   

   Set against the backdrop of the Wars of the Roses, this historical novel delves into the life of Jacquetta of Luxembourg, a noblewoman with mystical abilities. As she navigates the treacherous political landscape of 15th-century England, Jacquetta uses her wit and foresight to protect her family and secure their future. Her story intertwines with key historical figures, revealing the intricate power dynamics and personal sacrifices that shaped the era. Through her eyes, readers experience the tumultuous events that lead to the rise of the House of York and the eventual downfall of the Lancastrian cause.

   Purchase from Bookshop.org

9. 9. The Red Queen

   

   Set against the backdrop of the Wars of the Roses, this historical novel delves into the life of Margaret Beaufort, a determined and ambitious woman who is driven by her unwavering belief in her son's destiny to become king. From her early years as a young girl with a deep sense of piety, Margaret navigates the treacherous political landscape of 15th-century England, enduring personal sacrifices and forming strategic alliances to secure her family's future. Her story is one of resilience and tenacity, as she maneuvers through a male-dominated world, fueled by her faith and the conviction that her lineage is destined for greatness.

   Purchase from Bookshop.org
10. 10. The Kingmaker's Daughter

    

    Set against the backdrop of the Wars of the Roses, this historical novel follows Anne Neville, the daughter of the powerful Earl of Warwick, known as the Kingmaker. As she navigates the treacherous political landscape of 15th-century England, Anne is thrust into a world of ambition, betrayal, and power struggles. Her journey from a pawn in her father's schemes to becoming a queen in her own right is fraught with challenges, as she grapples with loyalty, love, and the harsh realities of royal life. Through Anne's eyes, the story explores the complexities of family dynamics and the relentless pursuit of power in a time of uncertainty and upheaval.

    Purchase from Bookshop.org

11. 11. The White Princess

    

    Set against the backdrop of the tumultuous Wars of the Roses, this historical novel follows Elizabeth of York, the daughter of a defeated king, as she navigates the treacherous waters of political alliances and personal loyalties. Forced into a marriage with Henry VII, the victor of the war and founder of the Tudor dynasty, Elizabeth finds herself torn between her family's legacy and her new role as queen. As she grapples with the challenges of court life, Elizabeth must confront her own desires and ambitions while striving to secure her children's future in a kingdom rife with betrayal and intrigue.

    Purchase from Bookshop.org

12. 12. The Boleyn Inheritance

    

    Three women—Anne of Cleves, the cautious foreign bride; Katherine Howard, the reckless teenage beauty; and Jane Boleyn, the ambitious, haunted widow—take turns narrating their perilous navigation of Henry VIII’s court, where factional scheming, sexual politics, and the king’s volatile whims shape their destinies, from a politically expedient marriage and humiliating annulment to a glittering rise and catastrophic fall, revealing how survival in Tudor England demands compromise, deception, and devastating sacrifice.

    Purchase from Bookshop.org

13. 13. The Taming Of The Queen

    

    Told through the eyes of Catherine Parr, the intelligent and determined sixth wife of Henry VIII, this novel follows her efforts to protect her stepchildren, advance religious reform, and preserve her autonomy within a court rife with intrigue, betrayal, and deadly power plays; she uses her wit, patronage of learning, and written voice to influence the king while navigating dangerous rivalries and a clandestine romance that threaten both her faith and her life.

    Purchase from Bookshop.org

14. 14. Earthly Joys

    

    Purchase from Bookshop.org
15. 15. The King's Curse

    

    Born into the Plantagenet line, Margaret Pole's life is shaped by the shifting fortunes of the Wars of the Roses and the rise of the Tudors; the novel follows her from a privileged childhood through decades of court intrigues, family betrayals, and dwindling security as old loyalties become dangerous liabilities. As political winds change and her kin attract suspicion, she struggles to protect her family and uphold her conscience while the crown tightens its grip, until she is ultimately accused of treason and faces the harsh, personal consequences of a monarchy determined to erase rivals and settle scores.

    Purchase from Bookshop.org

16. 16. The Virgin's Lover

    

    Set in the early years of Elizabeth I’s reign, the novel follows the queen’s passionate, fraught attachment to Robert Dudley and the courtly intrigue that erupts when Dudley’s estranged wife dies in suspicious circumstances. Factions at court maneuver for power and reputation, dragging lovers, servants, and rivals into a scandal that forces the queen to choose between personal desire and the duties of sovereignty. The story explores jealousy, loyalty, and the perilous overlap of love and politics in a vivid retelling of a notorious Tudor controversy.

    Purchase from Bookshop.org

17. 17. The Other Queen

    

    The Other Queen is a 2008 historical novel by British author Philippa Gregory which chronicles the long imprisonment in England of Mary, Queen of Scots. The story is told from three points of view: Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots; Elizabeth Talbot, Countess of Shrewsbury, also known as Bess of Hardwick; and George Talbot, the 6th Earl of Shrewsbury. According to Gregory, "The Other Queen has been a wonderful book to research and write – I have quite transformed my view of Mary Queen of Scots and to research Bess of Hardwick, her rival and gaoler, has been enormously interesting."

    Purchase from Bookshop.org