Stuart Saga Series by Jean Plaidy

The dashing Robert Carr is a well-known favourite of King James I and he rises quickly through the ranks. But when he is married to the cunning and beautiful child-bride, Frances Howard, a very dangerous liaison changes everything. Frances emerges as a headstrong force of nature - determined to have her way, no matter what the cost. Her attempts to rid herself of an unwanted husband, and later to ensnare a lukewarm lover, lead her deep into the world of spell-makers and treachery... moreThe dashing Robert Carr is a well-known favourite of King James I and he rises quickly through the ranks. But when he is married to the cunning and beautiful child-bride, Frances Howard, a very dangerous liaison changes everything. Frances emerges as a headstrong force of nature - determined to have her way, no matter what the cost. Her attempts to rid herself of an unwanted husband, and later to ensnare a lukewarm lover, lead her deep into the world of spell-makers and treachery. This is a woman to underestimate at great peril. But when Robert finds himself ensnared in one of Frances's plots he finally learns what she is truly capable of. less

Born leader and brilliant soldier, William of Orange thought the English court a hotbed of vice and conspiracy -- Charles II with his mistresses, the Dukes of Monmouth and York ambitious for the throne. William wanted no reluctant bride, but the three crowns of England, Scotland and Ireland were worth a little sacrifice. He would marry the fifteen-year-old Mary, bring her back to Holland, and teach her who was master... All England rejoiced. Only Mary wept... moreBorn leader and brilliant soldier, William of Orange thought the English court a hotbed of vice and conspiracy -- Charles II with his mistresses, the Dukes of Monmouth and York ambitious for the throne. William wanted no reluctant bride, but the three crowns of England, Scotland and Ireland were worth a little sacrifice. He would marry the fifteen-year-old Mary, bring her back to Holland, and teach her who was master... All England rejoiced. Only Mary wept. She knew married people were rarely happy... less

Two sisters change the course of a nation by forsaking the King—their own father.   England is on the verge of revolution. Antagonized by the Catholicism of King James II, the people plot to drive him from the throne. But at the heart of the plot is a deep betrayal: the defection of the daughters James loves, Mary and Anne.  Both raised Protestant according to the wishes of England, the sisters support Protestant usurper William of Orange, Mary's husband, who lusts after the British crown... moreTwo sisters change the course of a nation by forsaking the King—their own father.   England is on the verge of revolution. Antagonized by the Catholicism of King James II, the people plot to drive him from the throne. But at the heart of the plot is a deep betrayal: the defection of the daughters James loves, Mary and Anne.  Both raised Protestant according to the wishes of England, the sisters support Protestant usurper William of Orange, Mary's husband, who lusts after the British crown. Passive Queen Mary is subservient to her husband's wishes, while Anne is desperate to please her childhood friend Sarah Churchill, a bold and domineering woman determined to subdue Anne, the queen-to-be, and rule England herself. Intrigue and political drama run high as the sisters struggle to be reconciled with each other--and with the haunting memory of the father they have exiled. less

A private battle rages at court for the affections of a childless queen, who must soon name her successor—and thus determine the future of the British Empire. It is the beginning of the eighteenth century and William of Orange is dying. Soon Anne is crowned queen, but to court insiders, the name of the imminent sovereign is Sarah Churchill. Beautiful, outspoken Sarah has bewitched Anne and believes she is invincible—until she installs her poor cousin Abigail Hill into court as royal chambermaid... moreA private battle rages at court for the affections of a childless queen, who must soon name her successor—and thus determine the future of the British Empire. It is the beginning of the eighteenth century and William of Orange is dying. Soon Anne is crowned queen, but to court insiders, the name of the imminent sovereign is Sarah Churchill. Beautiful, outspoken Sarah has bewitched Anne and believes she is invincible—until she installs her poor cousin Abigail Hill into court as royal chambermaid. Plain Abigail seems the least likely challenger to Sarah’s place in her highness’s affections, but challenge it she does, in stealthy yet formidable ways. While Anne engages in her private tug-of-war, the nation is obsessed with another, more public succession. Anne is sickly and childless, the last of the Stuart line. This final novel of the Stuarts from Jean Plaidy weaves larger-than-life characters through a dark maze of intrigue, love, and destruction, with nothing less than the future of the British Empire at stake. less