The warrior prince who comes to save a kingdom
The royal duchess who fights to resist him
The Parliament of England brands them as lovers …

Prince Rupert of the Rhine and the beautiful Mary Villiers, Duchess of Richmond, clashed in 1642 when England was splitting apart into Civil War. Mary was a ward of the king, and she had her own hopes for saving the throne of England in the struggle with Parliament. The tall, handsome Prince Rupert chilled her with his thirst for glory and a genius for warfare that would destroy any chance of peace.

This is the story of a man and a woman at the heart of the royal court, caught in a war that pitted son against father, brother against brother, and ended with the execution of the first King Charles of England. It takes the reader into the palaces, the councils, the battlefields, the great halls—and the bedchambers—of those who held the nation’s fate in their hands.

It is the story of a secret love that led to intrigue, denunciation and danger—the tale of two people who went to the highest pitch of their endeavour to save a riven kingdom, and to live with a passion that nothing could destroy.

In writing this book, in which all the characters are authentic historical figures, I’ve been very aware that Prince Rupert and the Duchess of Richmond were the superstars of their era. They didn’t need paparazzi to hound them. They had Parliament.

Looking at the famous portraits of Prince Rupert, you could believe the phrase “the handsome prince” was coined for him and only him. As for his courage, his passionate loyalty and his tireless energy -- he was the pattern of the hero.

I also explore the fact that there once was a high-placed woman who dared to put her love poems, bold political broadsheets and biting satires about court life into print. She was one of the first in England to do so. She called herself Ephelia. Maureen E. Mulvihill, an author and scholar at the Princeton Research Forum, Princeton, New Jersey, has built an attractive case for Ephelia as the brilliant, witty, and ingenious Mary Villiers, Duchess of Richmond, who had more secrets than she ever revealed in her lifetime. Except, perhaps, to Prince Rupert.

Fresh Fiction
Susan Wilson
“History comes alive under the deft hand of Ms Sawyer. She interweaves the vibrant history of the English Civil War with the love affair of Prince Rupert and Mary, giving the tale added poignancy. Fans of Philippa Gregory need look no further for an excellent historical novel.”

Booklist
American Library Association
John Charles
“Politics and passion, duty and desire provide the key ingredients in THE WINTER PRINCE as Sawyer deftly matches her expertly crafted, history-rich plot with a wonderfully intriguing heroine and bittersweet romance.”

Historical Romance Writers
Lettetia
“Fans of the pageantry and intrigue of court life will love this newest novel by author Cheryl Sawyer … Mary and Rupert are an intelligent and passionate couple: they are charismatic, courageous and realistically delivered. The brilliantly portrayed battles, the depiction of court life and real historical figures make THE WINTER PRINCE a true gem for historical fiction fans.”

BookPage
Barbara Samuel
“A lyrical historical novel … This is an elegantly written tale layered with meticulous historical detail and highly complex emotions. Beautiful and moving.”

Publishers Weekly
“Hardcore history buffs will appreciate the fly-on-the-turret view of the dramas besieging the British royal court in 1642, when, though the country is rocked by a civil war, there is still time for illicit romance.”

The Romance Readers Connection
Tangela Williams
“Ms Sawyer has woven a fascinating tale of love and passion in this beautifully written historical novel. Forbidden love, civil war and secrets make this one marvellous tale that the history buffs will not want to miss.”

Romance Reader at Heart
Nancy Davis
“THE WINTER PRINCE is lush, lavish and boldly told, set amidst the intrigue and decadence of the court of Charles I during the early years of England’s civil war period. It is within this framework that Sawyer becomes a master painter … Not only does she create that emotional attachment from character to reader, but she brings the vivid sights, smells, sounds and events of a fascinating and dangerous era leaping to life as well. I loved this book. I absolutely loved it. … Splendidly written, romantic and sensual, with just enough battle action, court suspense and intrigue for any reader to savour, THE WINTER PRINCE is one book that you really shouldn’t miss.”

Romance Junkies
Nadine St Denis
“In the midst of a civil war, these two fiery and headstrong individuals fight an overwhelming need for each other, struggle to maintain their dignity and ensure that nothing comes before their duty to their king and country. Who will win in the end and at what cost? THE WINTER PRINCE by the amazingly gifted Cheryl Sawyer is a unique historical delight, filled with fantastic time-period details. Ms Sawyer has once again proven her exceptional talent in bringing a juicy bit of history to readers with a flair and panache that is all her own … No one wants to pass up this delightful novel!”

Love Romances and More
Dawn
“This talented author captivates the reader from beginning to end with her storytelling. With multidimensional characters and a fine sexual tension simmering between the two main characters, this author weaves a spell around you … This reviewer highly recommends this book to those who enjoy an intricate story with many-faceted characters and a storyline that reads like a rich tapestry. THE WINTER PRINCE is a must have for any bookshelf.”

Coffee Time Romance
Bonnie-Lass
“THE WINTER PRINCE is an intensely vivid novel set amidst the turbulence of civil war. The reader is swept from the royal court to private bedrooms, from secret passageways to violent battlefields. The best and worst of humanity are portrayed in the very human choices of each character. Through Sawyer’s breathtaking imagery, Mary’s sorrows and joys became my own. In fact, I felt myself falling in love with the rogue prince, and I had very much wanted to dislike him. The fine attention to accuracy and detail adds to the lush surroundings that the historical reader will appreciate. This is an expertly written, superb account of love, war, and tragic romance.”