12 Nov Book Review A King Under Siege Mercedes Rochelle Yarde Books Promotions Blog Tour @authorrochelle @maryanneyarde
FEATURED AUTHOR: MERCEDES ROCHELLE
I’m pleased to host Mercedes Rochelle again as the featured author in the Yarde Book Promotions Blog Tour being held between November 9th – 13th, 2026. Mercedes Rochelle is the author of the Historical Fiction, A King Under Siege (The Plantagenet Legacy, Book 1), published by Sergeant Press on 5th January 2019 (313 pages).
Below are highlights of A King Under Siege, Mercedes Rochelle’s author bio, and my book review of her coming-of-age story about a young king’s drive to gain support and credibility among the nobles and commoners.
Tour Schedule Page: https://maryanneyarde.blogspot.com/2026/08/blog-tour-king-under-siege-plantagenet.html
HIGHLIGHTS: A KING UNDER SIEGE
A King Under Siege
(The Plantagenet Legacy, Book 1)
By Mercede Mochelle
Blurb:
Richard II found himself under siege not once, but twice in his minority. Crowned king at age ten, he was only fourteen when the Peasants’ Revolt terrorized London. But he proved himself every bit the Plantagenet successor, facing Wat Tyler and the rebels when all seemed lost.
Alas, his triumph was short-lived, and for the next ten years he struggled to assert himself against his uncles and increasingly hostile nobles. Just like in the days of his great-grandfather Edward II, vengeful magnates strove to separate him from his friends and advisors, and even threatened to depose him if he refused to do their bidding.
The Lords Appellant, as they came to be known, purged the royal household with the help of the Merciless Parliament. They murdered his closest allies, leaving the King alone and defenseless.
He would never forget his humiliation at the hands of his subjects.
Richard’s inability to protect his adherents would haunt him for the rest of his life, and he vowed that next time, retribution would be his.
Buy Link:
Amazon: https://books2read.com/u/mqA8O6
Read with #KindleUnlimited
AUTHOR BIO: MERCEDES ROCHELLE
Born in St. Louis, MO, with a degree from University of Missouri, Mercedes Rochelle learned about living history as a re-enactor and has been enamored with historical fiction ever since. A move to New York to do research and two careers ensued, but writing fiction remains her primary vocation. She lives in Sergeantsville, NJ with her husband in a log home they had built themselves.
Social Media Links:
BookBub Goodreads Amazon Author Page
BOOK REVIEW: A KING UNDER SIEGE
Crowned as a boy, Richard II fearlessly faces his first challenge as a fourteen-year-old king when he confronts a “throng of murderous rebels,” terrorizing London. He offers reforms and pardons to rebellious commoners to mitigate the revolt but ultimately rescinds his promises after some of the rebels execute council members and destroy structures in the city. The king’s newfound confidence fades as he plays a deadly game, surrounding himself with friends and advisors, to head off nobles determined to maintain their influence on the governance of the kingdom. To counter King Richard II, rival noblemen form The Lords Appellant and threaten to depose him unless he meets their demands to execute his closest advisors, ultimately leaving him defenseless and humiliated.
Thus, A King Under Siege sets the stage for the legacy of Richard II in 14th Century England after he comes of age and takes sole control as sovereign in the subsequent books of the The Plantagenet Legacy series.
Author Mercedes Rochelle displays her meticulous research on the political intrigue of Richard II and rival nobles struggling to maintain power. Vivid details of decorum and customs capture the essence of the royal court and noble class structure. Although Richard II surrounds himself with able advisors, his impetuous temperament of a young man threatens not only the holdings of rival nobles but also their lives. To understand the motives of each faction, the story is told from multiple points of views, sometimes within the same scene. A list of the myriad characters is provided at the beginning of the book to help a reader navigate the complex political web.
A King Under Siege is recommended for those who enjoy reading about Machiavellian conspiracies and twisted schemes of various influential historical players in Medieval England vying to win in the game of thrones.
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