Queen of Shadows

She should have stayed in the shadows—but Leonor de Guzmán yearned for the sun Castile in the 1330s is a place of constant turmoil. King Alfonso must contend with the incursions from the Muslim Marinids eager to reclaim Al-Andalus while struggling with repeated rebellions against his firm rule. When Alfonso needs respite, he finds it in the arms of his Leonor—the most beautiful woman in the realm. But while he may love Leonor over all others, his lawful wife, Maria of Portugal, is tired of being constantly displaced by the fair Leonor. Leonor loves her man. She gives him healthy sons, a place to be himself. But she is only a mistress, even if Alfonso treats her like a queen. Leonor’s enemies watch and hate. Flying too close to the sun comes at a high price. How much will Leonor’s love cost her? Based on the true story of Alfonso XI and his complicated relationships to wife and life-long mistress