14 May Book Review Sister Rosa’s Rebellion Sister Rosa’s Rebellion #Fiction #HistoricalFiction #Meonbridge #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub @writingcalliope @cathiedunn
FEATURED AUTHOR: CAROLYN HUGHES
I’m delighted to welcome Carolyn Hughes again as the featured author in The Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tour, being held between April 24th – May15th, 2025. Carolyn Hughes is the author of the Historical Fiction, Sister Rosa’s Rebellion: The Sixth Meonbridge Chronicle), published by Riverdown Books on 4th April 2025 (446 pages).
Below are highlights of Sister Rosa’s Rebellion, Carolyn Hughes’ author bio, and my 5-star review of her compelling novel set at the medieval Northwick Priory in England.
Tour Schedule Page: https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2025/03/blog-tour-sister-rosas-rebellion-by-carolyn-hughes.html
HIGHLIGHTS: SISTER ROSA’S REBELLION
Sister Rosa’s Rebellion
(The Sixth Meonbridge Chronicle)
By Carolyn Hughes
Blurb:
How can you rescue what you hold most dear, when to do so you must break your vows?
1363. When Mother Angelica, the old prioress at Northwick Priory, dies, many of the nuns presume Sister Rosa – formerly Johanna de Bohun, of Meonbridge – will take her place. But Sister Evangelina, Angelica’s niece, believes the position is hers by right, and one way or another she will ensure it is.
Rosa stands aside to avoid unseemly conflict, but is devastated when she sees how the new prioress is changing Northwick: from a place of humility and peace to one of indulgence and amusement, if only for the prioress and her favoured few. Rosa is terrified her beloved priory will be brought to ruin under Evangelina’s profligate and rapacious rule, but her vows of obedience make it impossible to rebel.
Meanwhile, in Meonbridge, John atte Wode, the bailiff, is also distraught by the happenings at Northwick. After years of advising the former prioress and Rosa on the management of their estates, Evangelina dismissed him, banning him from visiting Northwick again.
Yet, only months ago, he met Anabella, a young widow who fled to Northwick to escape her in-laws’ demands and threats, but is a reluctant novice nun. The attraction between John and Anabella was immediate and he hoped to encourage her to give up the priory and become his wife. But how can he possibly do that now?
Can John rescue his beloved Anabella from a future he is certain she no longer wants? And can Rosa overcome her scruples, rebel against Evangelina’s hateful regime, and return Northwick to the haven it once was?
Buy Links:
Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/bWaYM0
This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.
AUTHOR BIO: CAROLYN HUGHES
CAROLYN HUGHES has lived much of her life in Hampshire. With a first degree in Classics and English, she started working life as a computer programmer, then a very new profession. But it was technical authoring that later proved her vocation, word-smithing for many different clients, including banks, an international hotel group and medical instruments manufacturers.
Although she wrote creatively on and off for most of her adult life, it was not until her children flew the nest that writing historical fiction took centre stage. But why historical fiction? Serendipity!
Seeking inspiration for what to write for her Creative Writing Masters, she discovered the handwritten draft, begun in her twenties, of a novel, set in 14th century rural England… Intrigued by the period and setting, she realised that, by writing a novel set in the period, she could learn more about the medieval past and interpret it, which seemed like a thrilling thing to do. A few days later, the first Meonbridge Chronicle, Fortune’s Wheel, was under way.
Seven published books later (with more to come), Carolyn does now think of herself as an Historical Novelist. And she wouldn’t have it any other way…
Author Links:
Website Twitter Facebook Bluesky
Book Bub Amazon Author Page Goodreads
BOOK REVIEW: SISTER ROSA’S REBELLION
Sister Rosa faces a moral dilemma. Does she continue to embrace the beliefs she holds dearly, to obey her prioress, or must she betray Evangelina in her effort to save the priory and to maintain its religious traditions? The situation is further complicated when a widow, Annabelle, escapes from her in-laws’ demands by reluctantly joining the order as a novice nun. When Rosa learns that John atte Wode, a bailiff who advised her and the former prioress on the management of the estates, should she again go against her ethical principle to retain Annabelle or encourage the couple to fulfill their desires?
Author Carolyn Hughes masterfully weaves a tale of corruption, betrayal, and lust in a religious order restrained by strict rules and discipline. Life’s choices for Rosa are not black and white but shades of gray. The story is told from the perspective of various characters, delving into each of their internal struggles and motivations for choices they make. Despite their objections, many characters are tragically banished to the priory by their families. Some find solace and redemption serving in the religious order while others resent the sacrifices forced upon them. Each of the characters are well-drawn and engaging, their experiences relatable to modern times.
The story is a page-turning tale that drops pieces of information that keeps you reading to find out what happens next. What seems to be disparate subplots weave together into a cohesive ending. It is a thought-provoking novel in which Rosa must wrestle with her conscious and compromise her long-held beliefs for the greater good of restoring the traditions in the religious order. It is a twisted tale of corruption, betrayal, vengeance, and lust in a medieval society that defines the role and moral code for each person.
I highly recommend Sister Rosa’s Rebellion to readers who enjoy reading character-driven, medieval fiction with a compelling plot of how one determined sister rises against corruption in the church and finds redemption.
Cathie Dunn
Posted at 05:02h, 15 MayThanks so much for hosting Carolyn Hughes today, and for your wonderful review of Sister Rosa’s Rebellion. We’re delighted you enjoyed the novel.
Take care,
Cathie xo
The Coffee Pot Book Club
Linnea Tanner
Posted at 11:12h, 15 MayHi Cathie–I was delighted to host Carolyn Hughes and to review her compelling novel, “Sister Rosa’s Rebellion.” I never expected so much political intrigue in medieval nunneries and twists in the subplots to make this page-turning and engaging read.
Carolyn Hughes
Posted at 09:18h, 15 MayThank you very much, Linnea, for joining the book tour for Sister Rosa’s Rebellion today, and for sharing such a splendid review! I’m really delighted that you enjoyed the book. Thank you for your kind words about it and for your continuing support – I really do appreciate it! Carolyn
Linnea Tanner
Posted at 11:08h, 15 MayHi Carolyn–It was my pleasure to host you on the blog tour and to review your medieval historical novel, “Sister Rosa’s Rebellion.” You masterfully captured the voices of each character and wove the various subplots into satisfying ending. Your story contains all elements I love in medieval historical fiction: political intrigue, betrayal, vengeance, romance, and redemption. Best wishes for a successful launch of the book.