Leonor (Queens of Portugal)

A queen’s ambition. A kingdom on the edge. One woman’s hunger for power will set Portugal ablaze—unless she’s devoured first.

A queen’s ambition. A kingdom on the edge. One woman’s hunger for power will set Portugal ablaze—unless she’s devoured first.

Portugal, 1367. The court is a powder keg, and Leonor Teles de Meneses is the spark. Born noble, married off for duty, Leonor aches for more—freedom, passion, a place at the heart of power. Her wit is sharp, her enemies sharper. Her king? He’s both lover and battleground.

As the crown changes heads and alliances shift like sand, Leonor fights for a voice in a world that wants her silent. She’s hemmed in by jealous sisters, a mother-in-law from hell, and a husband who’d rather write poetry than rule. But when the king’s eye lands on her, the stakes soar. Now, every whispered rumor, every stolen glance, every calculated risk could mean everything—or nothing.

Palace intrigue, forbidden love, and betrayal pulse through every corridor. In this world, trust is a luxury, and secrets are currency. Leonor’s choices will tip the scales of dynastic conflict and decide the fate of a kingdom hungry for an heir.

If you crave the courtly drama and rich detail, get ready to lose yourself in a tale of ambition, desire, and survival—where every move could be your last.

After experiencing a difficult Christmas without their only child, Catherine Mathis and her husband took a spontaneous trip to Portugal, where inspiration struck unexpectedly. In the historic Abbey of Alcobaça, she discovered the tombs of Pedro and Inês—often called Iberia’s Romeo and Juliet. This discovery sparked a fascination with medieval legends, leading her to explore further tales of the next generation, including the remarkable Queen Philippa, daughter of John of Gaunt.

Born in Berlin as the eldest child of a spy and his secretary-turned-wife, Catherine grew up in the Washington, D.C. area. She earned a degree in history from Sewanee | The University of the South. Her extensive career in international banking provided opportunities to travel throughout Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Now, she resides in Atlanta, where she writes full-time, close to her son and his family.

Catherine is a dedicated member of the Historical Novel Society, the Atlanta Writers Club, and the Authors Guild. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, collecting folk art, reading, and exploring new destinations.

For readers who appreciate rich historical narratives, Catherine’s books offer a captivating journey into the past. She also encourages readers to explore the extensive reviews available on the Historical Novel Society’s website, sorted by time period or author.