Isabelle Chevallot
Author, Librarian and Historical Researcher
Out now...
The Song and the Sword
(2022)
In twelfth-century England, King Richard the Lionheart has just ascended the throne, and preparations are underway for the Third Crusade to wrest the Holy Land from Saladin's clutches.
Young lovers Eleanor and Hugh are thwarted by their fathers. While Eleanor is married off to Baron Rolf, a man who simmers with menace and will stop at nothing in his bid for power, Hugh trains to become a knight and embarks on Crusade to escape an arranged marriage to a woman he despises.
From the stark walls of Dover Castle, to the sanctuary of an austere priory and across tempest-swept seas to Normandy and the prosperous city of Messina, Sicily, Eleanor and Hugh must each brave a lonely and perilous journey of love and loss, grief and endurance with only their own wits to rely on.
Available to order in eBook, paperback and audiobook format:
email to join mailing list: Isabellechevallot@icloud.com
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The Song and the Sword would certainly appeal to those who enjoy good, old-fashioned romantic swashbucklers in the Rafael Sabatini mould (Captain Blood, Scaramouche etc.) … some very deft descriptive writing, too… a strong sensual experience of time and place...
[Isabelle Chevallot has] a rare talent for what in a footballer would be expressed as the ability to ‘hold up the ball’, the confidence to sustain the tension and the readers sense of anticipation without any notable lack of momentum, such that the reader keeps on turning the pages.
Ed Handyside, Publishing Director Myrmidon Books
Praise & Reviews
[Isabelle Chevallot] has created a wonderfully evocative novel…
The Song and the Sword is a masterful piece of historical writing with some excellent depictions of period and characterisation, and a fast-moving plot…. [An] accessible and enjoyable read with a great balance of romance and action that would appeal to both male and female readers alike.
Frances Moloney, Freelance Editor, Writer & Literary Consultant
See Upcoming Appearances
Book launch: The Song and the Sword
Assistant Librarian Isabelle Chevallot launches her historical fiction novel set in twelfth-century England, Normandy and Sicily during the Third Crusade. Young lovers Eleanor and Hugh are thwarted by their fathers. While Eleanor is married off to Baron Rolf, a man who simmers with menace and will stop at nothing in his bid for power, Hugh trains to become a knight and embarks on Crusade to escape an arranged marriage to a woman he despises. Join us to find out more.
Includes a display of treasures from Guildhall Library and wine reception.
For access to this lecture at Guildhall Library, enter the Guildhall complex by the West Wing entrance on the corner of Aldermanbury and Gresham Street.
29th September 2022 6-8pm at Guildhall Library
Guildhall Library
Aldermanbury
London
EC2V 7HH
Tickets £8.14 via Eventbrite
Online historical discussion group:
Richard I: ‘The Lionheart – A legendary king...’
A chance to discuss your favourite kings and queens of England. A short paper will be provided by the facilitator ahead of the session for you to read in preparation for the discussion.
21 November 2022 2-3pm
To book
George IV: ‘A dissolute and drunken fop, a spendthrift and a gamester...’
Guildhall Library history discussion group facilitated by Assistant Librarian Isabelle Chevallot 2-3pm Monday 20th June 2022 on Zoom
A chance to discuss your favourite kings and queens of England. A short paper will be provided by the facilitator ahead of the session for you to read in preparation for the discussion.
Booking essential.
About Isabelle Chevallot
I am an author, librarian and historical researcher and an aficionado of historical fiction and general bookworm. My new book, The Song and The Sword, a work of historical fiction, is due to be published in June. It is the first in a series of stories set in 12th century England, Normandy and Sicily during the third crusade.