Dear Reader,

This week brought a surprise I wasn’t expecting—an emergency wisdom tooth removal! Apparently I still had a little growing up to do. 😅 But tooth drama aside, it’s also been a week full of inspiration, history, and exciting book news I can’t wait to share with you.

If you’ve ever felt curious about the hidden stories behind power and ambition—or how one mysterious death could change the course of a kingdom—this one’s for you.

Here’s what I’m sharing with you this week:​
✅ The Mysterious Death of a Tudor Prince
✅ Title Reveal: My next book dives into courtly betrayal
✅ Hidden History: Margaret Beaufort’s secret web of women

So pour a warm cup of tea, curl up somewhere quiet, and let’s disappear into the past for a little while…

👑 The Death That Changed a Dynasty​
In 1502, Prince Arthur—eldest son of Henry VII and heir to the throne—died suddenly at Ludlow Castle. He was only 15. His young bride, Catherine of Aragon, survived. But Arthur’s death left a gaping question: what really happened to the future king of England?

Some said it was the sweating sickness. Others claimed it was consumption. But there were quieter whispers too—rumours of poison, or foul play. After all, the Wars of the Roses had only just ended. The Tudors had enemies. And in a court of ambition, even a prince might not be safe.

What we do know is this: Arthur’s death changed everything. His younger brother Henry became heir—and eventually, that Henry: Henry VIII. Catherine of Aragon married him next, and the fate of England took a very different path.

Sometimes it only takes one moment, one death, to rewrite history.

🐍 Title Reveal: Venom’s Kiss​
I’m so excited to share the title of my next book: Venom’s Kiss. Originally I named it The Poisoned Chalice but I wasn't too keen on it.​
It’s the first in a new historical fiction series set in the treacherous shadows of the Tudor court, where secrets, schemes, and betrayals are as dangerous as any blade.

At its heart is a woman forced to play a dangerous game—one where trust is a liability, love might cost her everything, and the wrong whisper in the wrong ear could mean death.

I’m aiming for a May 2025 release (real life permitting!), and I’ll be sharing a sneak peek soon. I can’t wait to take you on this journey.

🕊 Hidden History: The Women Who Watched​
Margaret Beaufort—Henry VII’s mother—is often remembered as devout and dutiful. But behind her quiet devotion was a woman who understood power intimately.

She built a network of watchers—many of them women. Widows with nothing left to lose. Maids who moved unseen. Courtiers who knew how to listen in silence. These women weren’t written about in chronicles, but they shaped the court in profound ways.

This is the world I’m writing in Venom’s Kiss—a world where whispers hold more power than swords.

And maybe that’s why I love telling these stories. Because behind every great man history remembers… there were women making sure he got there.

💬 Writerly Moments: A Launch & a Little Nudge​
This week I had the joy of attending Alex Stone’s book launch. Watching her read aloud, laugh with readers, and celebrate her words lit something in me. It reminded me why we write: not just to tell stories, but to connect.

It’s made me consider something I’ve never quite dared before—a launch event for Venom’s Kiss. Maybe even a virtual one, so you can all come along?

I’ve also signed up for the Bournemouth Writing Festival in April and (bravely) committed to breakfast networking with fellow historical fiction authors. Most of my writing friends are into thrillers or romance, so I’m looking forward to chatting about queens, conspiracies, and quiet rebellion.

💌 Until Next Time…​
Every time I sit down to write you these letters, I think about what I’d want as a reader: a story that sparks something, a mystery that lingers, a little reminder that the past still speaks to us.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Your support, your curiosity, your kind replies—they mean more than I can say.

Wishing you slow mornings, rich stories, and a sense of wonder,
​Augusta x

P.S. Next week: we’re stepping into the Tudor kitchens! I’ll be sharing a sweet recipe inspired by a royal banquet—complete with a surprising twist from the court of Henry VIII.

P.S. For weekly doses of historical intrigue and behind-the-scenes peeks at my writing life, come find me on Instagram and TikTok!