Bonus Content
The Bleeding Heart
Behind
The Bleeding Heart
About the Novel
The Bleeding-Heart takes place in France and England between 1346 and 1349, during two of the most turbulent events of the Middle Ages: the Hundred Years' War and the outbreak of the Black Death.
At the heart of the story is Marguerite, a young woman who begins life at a disadvantage. Orphaned at an early age, she is raised in Burgundy, far from her guardian and the home of her birth in Normandy. When the English army invades France and marches toward Caen, Marguerite returns home just as war engulfs the city. Barely sixteen years old, she finds herself caught in one of the bloodiest episodes of the campaign. The English assault Caen, leaving thousands dead. Marguerite survives the slaughter only through the intervention of James Harcourt, the Earl of Ayton.
Determined never again to be at the mercy of circumstance, Marguerite relies on her intelligence, resilience, and resourcefulness to find her place in the medieval world. She believes that wealth, titles, and influence are the keys to true independence and that if she can acquire enough of them, she will never have to depend on anyone again.
Armed with a ruby necklace she calls the Bleeding-Heart and her guardian's ring—the key to a hidden treasure in York—Marguerite crosses the Channel to England in search of a better future.
But powerful men are willing to kill for the secret connected to her necklace. What Marguerite believes to be a simple family heirloom proves to be something far more valuable—and far more dangerous. As she searches for answers, she is drawn into a world of royal politics, hidden alliances, and deadly ambitions where a single mistake could cost her everything.
Supporting Characters
Fortunately, she does not face these dangers alone. At her side are two steadfast companions: Jeanne, her fiercely loyal maid and closest friend, and Jacques, her devoted servant whose courage and loyalty never waver. Together, they navigate a world of intrigue, war, and shifting fortunes, where survival depends as much on trust as it does on wit.
Jeanne is one of my favorite characters. She possesses a warm heart, a sharp tongue, and an unwavering loyalty to those she loves. She made me laugh countless times while I was writing and, on more than one occasion, brought tears to my eyes.
Marguerite also encounters Edmund Cooper, Baron of Manville, a mature, honorable, and dependable nobleman who introduces her to court society and offers the stability and security she has long desired. Yet after tasting the sweetness of freedom and the thrill of shaping her own destiny, she is reluctant to surrender either for the comfort of a safe and predictable future.
When James Harcourt reenters Marguerite's life, she is already moving closer to the king's circle and pursuing the future she has carefully planned for herself. James initially pursues her for her wealth, but Marguerite has little interest in a marriage of convenience. She wants more from life—and more from love.
As both men compete for her affection, Marguerite finds herself torn between duty and desire, ambition and love, security and passion. The choice she makes will shape not only her future, but the woman she ultimately becomes.
How the Story Was Born
Surprisingly, it began during the COVID pandemic. One day I was listening to my daughter talk about her plans for the future. She spoke with such confidence and freedom that I found myself wondering what she would say if she had been born in a different century.
What if she had lived during the Middle Ages?
What if her choices had been limited not by her abilities but by the society around her?
That question became the seed of the novel.
Marguerite emerged first in my imagination. She arrived fully formed—confident, clever, funny, and just a little arrogant because she believed herself mature and smarter than most people around her.
Soon Jeanne and Jacque appeared beside her. Then James arrived. And once James entered the story, the chemistry between him and Marguerite practically wrote itself.
The characters followed me everywhere. They talked to me while I was making dinner, while I was walking, and especially when I was trying to fall asleep. I still keep a notebook beside my bed because some of the best scenes and funniest conversations seem to arrive the moment my head touches the pillow.
Historical Setting
As for the historical setting, I chose the years 1346 to 1349 because they were years of extraordinary change. The Hundred Years' War was reshaping kingdoms, while the Black Death would soon transform society forever. It was a time of uncertainty, danger, and upheaval—but also a time when remarkable people could rise above the circumstances of their birth.
For someone like Marguerite, those years created both enormous obstacles and unexpected opportunities.
I hope readers will find themselves immersed in this world of castles, courts, secrets, adventure, and romance. But above all, I hope they connect with the characters and their journeys.
