Book review: Anna Belfrage, The Castillian Pomegranate

An enraged and grieving queen commands them to retrieve her exquisite jewel and abandon their foundling brat overseas—or never return.

Robert FitzStephan and his wife, Noor, have been temporarily exiled. Officially, they are to travel to the courts of Aragon and Castile as emissaries of Queen Eleanor of England. Unofficially, the queen demands two things: that they abandon Lionel, their foster son, in foreign lands and that they bring back a precious jewel – the Castilian Pomegranate.

Noor would rather chop off a foot than leave Lionel in a foreign land—especially as he’s been entrusted to her by his dead father, the last true prince of Wales. And as to the jewel, stealing it would mean immediate execution. . .

Spain in 1285 is a complicated place. France has launched a crusade against Aragon and soon enough Robert is embroiled in the conflict, standing side by side with their Aragonese hosts.

Once in Castile, it is the fearsome Moors that must be fought, with Robert facing weeks separated from his young wife, a wife who is enthralled by the Castilian court—and a particular Castilian gallant.

Jealousy, betrayal and a thirst for revenge plunge Noor and Robert into life-threatening danger.

Will they emerge unscathed or will savage but beautiful Castile leave them permanently scarred and damaged? 

Trigger Warnings:

Sexual content, violence

Buy Links

This novel is available on #KindleUnlimited

Universal Link: http://myBook.to/POMEGRANATE

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09FP655ZH

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09FP655ZH

Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09FP655ZH

Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B09FP655ZH

Review

This was the perfect book to lose myself in on a Sunday afternoon, and that is exactly what I did – twice! Following Noor and Robert on their respective journeys, both together and apart, was utterly absorbing, and my favourite thing in historical fiction too – learning more about a time and place I’ve never really read much on before. Fictionalised accounts of true history can be such a great way ‘into’ a period or setting, and that is absolutely the case here. Anna Belfrage has entirely captured the setting, and the pacing works perfectly, going from intense scenes to those more domestic in nature, all beautifully described.

Although this is the second book in the series, it can absolutely be read as a standalone, with sufficient back-story fed into the chapters to avoid any new readers being lost. Highly recommended!

About Anna

Had Anna been allowed to choose, she’d have become a time-traveller. As this was impossible, she became a financial professional with two absorbing interests: history and writing. Anna has authored the acclaimed time travelling series The Graham Saga, set in 17th century Scotland and Maryland, as well as the equally acclaimed medieval series The King’s Greatest Enemy which is set in 14th century England. 

Anna has also published The Wanderer, a fast-paced contemporary romantic suspense trilogy with paranormal and time-slip ingredients.

The Castilian Pomegranate is the second in her “Castilian” series, a stand-alone sequel to her September 2020 release, His Castilian Hawk. Set against the complications of Edward I’s invasion of Wales, His Castilian Hawk is a story of loyalty, integrity—and love. In The Castilian Pomegranate, we travel with the protagonists to the complex political world of medieval Spain, a world of intrigue and back-stabbing.

Her most recent release prior to The Castilian Pomegranate is The Whirlpools of Time in which she returns to the world of time travel. Join Duncan and the somewhat reluctant time-traveller Erin on their adventures through the Scottish Highlands just as the first Jacobite rebellion is about to explode!

All of Anna’s books have been awarded the IndieBRAG Medallion, she has several Historical Novel Society Editor’s Choices, and one of her books won the HNS Indie Award in 2015. She is also the proud recipient of various Reader’s Favorite medals as well as having won various Gold, Silver and Bronze Coffee Pot Book Club awards.

Social Media Links:

Website: www.annabelfrage.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/abelfrageauthor

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annabelfrageauthor

Instagram: https://instagram.com/annabelfrageauthor

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/anna-belfrage

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anna-Belfrage/e/B008C89JB8

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6449528.Anna_Belfrage