A Tale of Two Maidens

“Romance, murderous intrigue, and betrayal fuse in the thrilling historical novel …”—Foreword Clarion Reviews

“… Echols’ historical details are seamlessly worked into the narrative, and the pace carries the reader along …”
—Kristen McDermott, Historical Novel Society review

“The narrative is enriched with beautiful imagery woven together with bittersweet tragedy, creating a poignant and compelling story.”
—IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards

“Heroism in the Middle Ages was not confined to men in armor—but of course, the acts of ordinary people, particularly women, were rarely recorded. A Tale of Two Maidens helps to balance the scales. What makes this book exceptional is the fine detail and research of the Hundred Years’ War that Echols incorporates in her portrayal of everyday life. This skillful blend of fact and fiction sheds welcome light on those from all social ranks who rise to meet the trials of war and conquest.”
—David Darracott, author of Internal Security and Wasted

“Echols’ novel is impeccably researched and absolutely riveting. To read A Tale of Two Maidens is to be completely transported to another time and place.”
—Rebecca Kanner, author of Sinners and the Sea and Esther

“I love it when a writer brings both scholarship and imagination to a work of historical fiction. Anne Echols uses her vast knowledge of the Middle Ages to forge a tale of a girl who crosses paths with Joan of Arc. Visions and everyday details spring to life and one can hear, taste, and smell the world of medieval France. Follow Felise as she makes her own dark way in the shadow of a martyr. An engrossing read!”
—Duncan W. Alderson, author of the Harper’s Bazaar must-read Magnolia City

“A strong heroine, a dramatic historical moment, and a love story unfolding by starlight and candlelight make this book a treasure for intelligent readers. For young adults and adults hypnotized by stories of superheroes, villains, and zombies, it could be marvelous to discover how superstition, fear, and magic ruled the day in the not-so-distant past.”
—Melissa Fay Greene, award-winning author of Praying for Sheetrock and The Temple Bombing

“By entwining the complicated life of Joan of Arc with that of a fictional girl who yearns to be a writer in an era when women were not allowed to do so, Echols creates a lively, romantic yet thoughtful historical fiction that feels all too relevant today.”
—Liza Nelson Brown, author of Playing Botticelli

“Richly historical yet nimble and fast-paced, A Tale of Two Maidens brings the grit and drama of fifteenth-century France to life. Echol’s prose is flinty and forceful, and she has created a tale that vibrates with a sense of doom tinged with hope. An excellent and compelling read.”
—Brian Eames, author of The Dagger Quick and The Dagger X

Anne Echols is the coauthor (with Marty Williams) of two nonfiction books, Between Pit and Pedestal: Women in the Middle Ages and An Annotated Index of Medieval Women. Her research for those projects inspired her to go beyond historical facts and imagine the fictional stories of ordinary women from the Middle Ages. After earning a BA and master’s degree from Emory University in Atlanta, Anne enjoyed a long career of teaching English to high school students with language learning disabilities. Her husband, Russ, and she have two adult children. Recently retired, she is grateful for the opportunity to divide her time between Silver Spring, Maryland, where her grandchildren live, and Atlanta, Georgia.

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