Imagine yourself, a lord at the court of Portugal’s King Pedro. 
Now you must kiss the hand of Inês, newly crowned queen – and six years dead.
 "Your tale begins with a beguiling amount of detail, which draws us in charmingly. Your narratorial voice is assured and consistent, providing readers with confidence in the author. You create a sense of place and character easily, and with skill."    Comments of a Letter Prize judge.

"Catherine Mathis takes a blazingly smart and deep dive into an era of history that still resonates today. With rich, robust, and evenly matched characters, she offers a historically accurate plot that is voyeuristic in all the right ways. Being fictionalized, in part, there is a lot to relish in the author’s creative craft, such as the introduction of minor characters who propel the plot into a sweeping conclusion. Plunging readers into the royal heart of a love story that has shaped history, her novel is sublimely sensual with a captivating sense of charm."    Chanticleer Review

JUNE 2025:   The Library Journal includes Inês: The Queens of Portugal Trilogy on their just released annual list of coming novels to watch for in the
July 2025 - June 2026 year.. The annual American Library Association meetings take place June 26-30, 2025 in Philadelphia. This is a huge honor. 

July 2025:     Five Star Review from Readers Favorite
This exciting start to the Queens of Portugal trilogy describes the legendary love story of Pedro and Inês, and I was amazed at the excellent storytelling and how the author brings the courts to life. There is a lot of drama and intrigue, and the characters' emotions are beautifully captured in this engrossing tale. Catherine Mathis expertly explores the intrigue and political atmosphere of the period, revealing a court rife with treachery, ambition, and questionable people. I loved the characters and enjoyed how Pedro is portrayed as a man torn between love and duty, and his struggles to choose between his father’s wishes and the woman of his dreams. Queen Isabella is a shrewd and pious woman, and cunning courtiers like Gonçalves navigate the treacherous waters of loyalty and betrayal. Inês cleverly examines the personal and political machinations behind royal succession, the brutal nature of medieval justice, and the stakes of love. It was a delightful and rewarding read for me.

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INÊS

The Tudors of England have nothing on the royals of medieval Iberia. In Portugal, the need for a male heir has dire consequences.
 
Long before Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Juliet, Pedro and Inês lived and died in a tale of jealousy and revenge most bloody and tragic, becoming a Portuguese cultural touchstone. 

Pedro's father nearly lost his crown to a bastard sibling. A loyal courtier, Gonçalves, rescues the crown, earning the undying, unquestioning loyalty of the king. Pedro grows up under the rigid moral code of his father's court. Gonçalves, seeking ties to the next royal generation, provides young Pedro with guidance and comfort.  Pedro, an only son, is set to marry for the crown needs heirs. 

When Pedro's bride arrives she brings along the Lady Inês. A series of events is set in motion driving father and son apart. When you can't talk to your father, bad things can happen.