In the Shadow of a Queen by best selling historical fiction author Heather B Moore is the story of Princess Louise, the sixth child of Queen Victoria and her beloved Prince Albert. Always something of a rebel with her interest in the arts and in the rights of women , Louise is a fascinating character and one of the few people willing to stand up to her Royal mother. We follow her through her teenage years when she lost her beloved Father, through her coming of age and coming out into society and then on to the hunt for a suitable match for marriage, yet another area where she and her mother did not see entirely eye to eye. The author brings a really believable version of the character to life for the reader, allowing them to invest in her journey and her struggles and celebrate her triumphs. There is a lot of historical detail incorporated into the story but it never seems clumsy or just there for its own sake, it really adds to the story.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

This book is an absolutely fascinating historical fiction of a princess who comes to life under Moore’s hand.

A depiction of well researched history, the push and pull of family relationships, enduring love and the complexities of being both a royal and a person.

I loved the focus Moore placed on Princess Louise. You could tell the history was carefully researched, but was only a backdrop to the life of an amazing woman.

Her family was written incredibly well and Moore showed possibly very tricky relationships as genuine and real. Those relationships deepened the story and our knowledge of the princess, but never over shadowed her story.

The efforts in finding her a husband and their subsequent romance was heart melting, but only served to deepend our understanding of the princess.

Above all else this was a beautiful story about the power of voice and one woman’s struggle to have a voice, even in the shadow of a queen. And it was fabulously done.

I love how Heather Moore is able to bring historical figures to life. I am amazed by her research and the stories she tells. It was interesting reading about Princess Louise and her family shortly after the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Princess Louisa lived an interesting life and was surprisingly independent in the sheltered life she lived. Queen Victoria was strict, but she still cared for her children's happiness, which I loved. This story was fascinating and touched on so many things. My favorite though was the romance. It was sweet and gentle, but so wonderful.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Netgalley and this is my honest review.

All I can say is wow! this is such a wonderful interesting read! The author put so much time into research and the story really pops!
I love all stories about Queen Victoria, she has always fascinated me,and this book is centered on Princess Louise, Queen Victoria's sixth child.
Princess Louise was strong willed just like her mother the Queen, and was able to gain the permission to become a sculptress.
Very descriptive and colorful story that captures your attention on the very first page and will keep you wanting to turn to the next page. I did not want the story to end!
This book is a real page turner and a must must read especially if you love the Victorian Era!

Okay, right off the bat, I have to confess that the time period covered in this book has not really interested me in the past. The royal family has really never been a fascination for me either.

But the book is written by Heather B. Moore so I knew I had to give it a chance. With every single book that I have read by Ms. Moore, I have learned so, so much. So even though it was topic that I didn't think I would be interested in, I knew that by reading her words, the subject would come alive for me.

That's why I took a chance on In the Shadow of a Queen—not a subject I was particularly interested in—because I knew it would be a wonderful read and a great experience. And with the recent passing of the Queen, my world has been filled with all things royal so this book came at the perfect time.

Learning about Princess Louise and Queen Victoria was enlightening and coming to understand the lives and expectations of the royals was eye-opening. I guess all mothers and daughters have issues, no matter their station in life, some just on a grander scale.

Like I said, anything that I read from Ms. Moore has been compelling and educational for me and I find myself becoming engrossed by the topic. I love learning about new things and her writing is so eloquent that it's a pleasurable experience to learn, not painful like it was in school. 😉

In the Shadow of a Queen took me out of my comfort zone, as far as reading material goes, but I have now discovered a whole new genre world that has been opened up to me. The royal family and their traditions are so interesting and I want to find out more.

I highly recommend In the Shadow of a Queen for all historical fiction lovers, especially if you have even just a little bit of interest in the royals. It was a delight to read.

A biographical novel of Princess Louise of England, daughter of Queen Victoria. The novel details the travails faced by Princess Louise in search of a suitable husband and her quest for true love. Gives interesting glimpses into the lives and times of the English Royals in the days of Queen Victoria following the death of her husband. This is not a heavy novel although filled with a lot of detail. Those interested in reading about the British Royal family should try this book. Written in an easy to read lucid style it will definitely be interesting reading.

Thank you Netgalley, Heather B Moore and Shadow Mountain Publishing for an advance copy

4.5 Stars

In the Shadow of a Queen is a fascinating fictionalized historical fiction with sides of complicated family drama and a hard-fought-for romance.

Thank you #NetGalley @ShadowMountn @AustenProse #AustenProsePR for a complimentary e ARC of #InTheShadowOfAQueen upon my request. All opinions are my own.

Louise is Queen Victoria’s daughter and after the death of her father (Prince Albert), Louise (and the family) suffers from her mother’s intense and prolonged period of mourning. Eventually, Louise becomes her mother’s personal secretary following in the tradition of each of her sisters before her. The Queen is a controlling person in an era where parents already exert high control over their children’s lives. You can imagine how controlling the Queen is considering her position and naturally controlling nature. Of course, she would have a free-spirited and determined daughter who exerts her own will in her artistic abilities, political opinions, education, and romance.

How do you think it would feel to grow up in the Royal Family or in the shadow of a famous family member?

Louise is a modern girl for her time. As an artist, she decides to pursue sculpting (which is considered unsuitable for a woman). In addition, Louise supports the suffragette movement and believes that women should be able to be doctors. It’s becoming more and more difficult for the Queen to find Louise a suitable match, one who will understand her free-spirited daughter. Louise is strong-willed and determined and manages to follow her heart.

At the heart of this story is a mother and daughter battle of wills. Louise is determined to embrace modern thinking about art and women’s rights and to follow her dreams. The Queen is concerned about the Crown’s reputation and finding the right match. Louise isn’t all defiance. She does her part in holding the family together after her father’s death and fulfills the role of her mother’s personal secretary. For all of Louise’s determination to live her own life, she considers her mother’s opinions and honors her to the best of her ability. The Queen is not indifferent to the romantic desires of her daughter and works with her to find a good match. (Although showing up at the honeymoon wasn’t a smooth move!). John, the potential groom, understands Louise and supports her interests and causes.

Louise is a likable and dynamic character who manages to live quite well in a complex family and fulfill her responsibilities while pursuing her own interests at the same time. She is cunning in the way she goes about getting her way (especially in sculpting) and respectful and compliant while she forms her own opinions about women, medicine, education, and art. I felt sorry for Louise and her sad childhood situation that involves being raised by nannies and having a mother in deep mourning.

Because reading about a real person always sends me down a Google rabbit hole, I was disheartened to read the rumors that her marriage might have been one of convenience after the initial romance faded. This is not addressed by the author. Fun Fact: Louise sculpted the statue of Queen Victoria outside Kensington Palace. Have you seen it in person?

Readers who are intrigued with the Royal Family will enjoy this well-researched and well-written fictionalized biography. Fans of strong, determined, and independent women will appreciate the mother/daughter content, and artists might enjoy the sculpture aspects. There’s a lot to love in this heartfelt story and it would make a good book club selection.

Being in the spotlight is not easy. Being a princess, in society's spotlight, is not easy. Heather B. Moore gives a great insight into Queen Victoria and her children, specifically HRH Princess Louise, as they navigate the loss of husband and father; wars raging not only through Europe but within the family; illnesses; heartache and loss. The story follows Princess Louise as she grows from child to adulthood - a time not easy for anyone to navigate but especially tricky for one of royalty.
I enjoyed the excerpts from letters and journals that began each chapter and the glimpse into the life of someone as forward thinking as Princess Louise. As a history person I enjoyed the personal approach of Moore's work.
I received an ARC through NetGalley.

Historical fiction can go either way for me. It’s always a 50/50 chance that I will enjoy them. With this book, the cover had me drawn in instantly. I absolutely loved this story! I actually reread the book as soon as I was done because it felt like the queen was cold and that protocol superseded the needs of her children. I actually saw her as the villain for a large part of the story. After many trials and conflicts, I saw a new side to Queen Victoria where she actually did all in her power to ensure Louise would have a happy marriage which is more than she did for some of her other children. I went back and reread the story because there seemed to be such a discrepancy of character between the early introduction to the queen and the one the reader sees near the end. Louise showed compassion, courage, determination, talent, insight and the ability to rise above her circumstances in this story.
I felt the author handled the material and information well. She had me invested in Louise’s story. If you enjoy well researched historical fiction, stories of royalty or family dynamics and drama, you’ll love this one. The cover is beautiful and perfectly portrays the story you will find within th

This book hooks you on the first page and doesn't let go. I loved how the author wove fact with fiction and made it into a story that was absolutely wonderful. This is a book you don't want to miss.
I received a complimentary copy from Shadow Mountain Publishing via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

In the Shadow of a Queen by Heather B. Moore
This was such well researched and informative novel, while simultaneously being an engaging and beautiful narrative. The reader follows the life of Princess Louise, the daughter of Queen Victoria, from childhood up until her marriage, and every stage is equally as riveting.
My favorite parts:
- The real letter and journal exerts that began every chapter
- Louise's journey with art as a sculptor
- Her work as an advocate for women's suffrage and equality in education
- The discussion around grief, especially concerning a parent and mentor
- The romance subplot in the novel's second act
+ So many other things that made this historical fiction novel special. In the Shadow of a Queen is such an interesting take on a novel about this time period, and while teaching me about politics and the monarchy in the Victorian era, I was also thoroughly entertained by the story of Princess Louise's life.
This title releases on October 4th! Be sure to grab your copy.

Loneliness was a strange thing for a young woman to feel when she had so much and was surrounded by so many.

Princess Louise was the child of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. She had five older siblings and three younger, giving her a unique position in the family dynamic becoming a sounding board for many of them. Her father, Prince Albert, dying when she was just 13, created a pall over many of the occasions that should have brought joy to the young princess and thus she grew up in a world of black. An artistic soul, her sculptures are still available for the public to see.

This chronicle of her life gives us a distinctive look at 1860’s royalty and what life was like on the inside. An early copy was received through Shadow Mountain Publishers and NetGalley. These impressions are my own and were in no way solicited.

I absolutely LOVED this story, based in fact, about Queen Victoria’s daughter Louise. Louise is a bit ahead of her time, and her story is so interesting and compelling. You will cheer for her and relish her victories towards independence, while commiserating with the many obstacles that thwart her from living the life she wants.

If you love historical fiction of the Royals, you will love this unforgettable and beautifully written novel! How have I never heard of Princess Louise before? How have I not read many of Heather Moore’s historical novels??

Thank you for having me as part of the tour and for my copy!

When I saw that In the Shadow of a Queen by Heather B. Moore was available for review I jumped at the opportunity to be part of this blog tour. First, Heather B. Moore writes fantastic stories whether they are super cute Contemporary Romances, powerful Biblical reimaginations, or seriously well-researched and detailed Historical Fiction pieces. Her writing is seamless and beautiful. Secondly, I have been intrigued by the Victorian era and Queen Victoria’s reign as British monarch since my teens. I find her and the time period fascinating. Victoria’s love for her husband, her long-standing mourning period after he died, her deep attachment to grief — I don’t know why, but I’ve been drawn to her story. This book does not fail to deliver. I especially love that readers get to see Victoria through the eyes of her daughter, Princess Louise. As a woman who was raised by a powerful and strong mother I was immediately drawn to Princess Louise’s story. I found that I could, in my own ways, relate to Louise’s power-dynamics with her mother. No, my mother has never been the Queen of England, but she was definitely the Queen of my household. What I love, though, is how Louise navigates her relationship with her mother. Yes, Victoria was the Queen and social protocols dictated almost every facet of their relationship, but it is crystal clear that Louise loved her mother dearly and Victoria loved her child fiercely. I love how Moore includes letters and journal entries from Louise, her mother, and her siblings at the start of each chapter. They go a long way to authenticating the deep feelings of love and affection I felt throughout the story from Louise, her mother, and all of Louise’s siblings. I also really enjoyed how Moore portrays just how trapped Louise was by royal protocol and how freeing marriage was for her. I marked several passages while I was reading that frustrated me for Louise. Journeying with Louise through this story really illustrated how unromantic being a royal truly is. Fairy tales are just that — tales.

In the Shadow of a Queen is a terrific novel. This book is clearly well-researched and beautifully written. I enjoyed my time with this story, and very much recommend it. If you love Historical Fiction and/or stories detailing the British monarchy then you will not want to miss this book.

I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the publisher, Shadow Mountain Press, via AustenProse PR. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Thanks so much to the publisher and to NetGalley for giving me access to this book. I love historical fiction - this book checks all my love for historical fiction. I will be recommending this book. Thanks again for letting have a chance to read it.

Reading about Princess Louise was fascinating. I loved learning about the ins and outs of royal life in the 1800s. If you love history you'll love this book.

What is your favorite book cover?

I love the book cover for In the Shadow of a Queen by Heather B. Moore. I think it goes perfect with the title. When your mother is Queen Victoria, how do you step out of the shadow to be your own person?
Louise is the fourth daughter of Queen Victoria. Her life comes to a sudden change when her father, Prince Albert, dies when he is only 42. Louise’s teenage years are spent alone in mourning. Her family stays out of the limelight, and she is unable to meet others her own age. As she grows older, she discovers her great love of creating sculptures. She is the first woman from the royal family to attend the art academy. When it comes time to marry, she is able to chose from the British peerage rather than a foreign prince. When everyone is trying to help you make a match though, it does tend to dampen the romance. Will she find the love of her life?

I enjoyed this book and learning about Louise. I came in with no prior knowledge of her and I learned a lot. This book goes from Louise’s childhood through her early marriage. I loved the romance with her husband. There were also difficulties with marrying within the British peerage that I had no idea about. It was interesting. I loved the parade of suitors and Louise having to deicide with too much help from her family the royal household. It was also interesting that with Queen Victoria’s large family marrying into so many royal houses that they were often in conflict or even war with each other. That would make conversation interesting!
I loved that Louise did emerge from the shadow of the queen and forged her own path in life. I love how she had her artistic creative side making her sculptures, her marriage to the man she loved, and her political causes. There was an interesting author’s note at the end, and it goes through each chapter to tell the real history. I loved it!

This is a clean read with hints of romance, but all romance is closed door.

Review Copy from Shadow Mountain Publishing as part of the Austenprose PR Book Tour. Thank-you! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thanks to Shadow Mountain Publishing, NetGalley, and Austen Prose for this free digital copy in exchange for an honest review. This book is out 10/4!

I really don’t know a lot about Queen Victoria and her children, so this novel based on the life of Queen Victoria’s daughter Princess Louise was super interesting! She was a trailblazer in her own right and I definitely want to learn more about her. I really enjoyed seeing Louise’s relationships with her family as well as her growth throughout the novel. I thought Moore did a great job of moving the reader through time and did a great job of fleshing out each character–even the ones that weren’t in the main focus. Additionally, one of my favorite parts of this story is how Princess Louise found her way to make her own choices within the confines of the royal family–I found the romance in this novel especially sweet.

I definitely recommend for fans of historical fiction–especially as it relates to the British Royal Family! Moore includes an informative author’s note as well as extensive chapter notes at the end, which I found extremely helpful.

I have read a few different biographies of Queen Victoria and happily read a book with the focus on one of her younger daughters. The story focuses on HRH Princess Louise. It starts when she is 13 shortly before the death of her father Prince Albert and ends at 23 after her marriage. Historical fictions and biographies are a great way to learn history especially if they are as well researched as this seems.

I think it helped that I was already familiar with a lot of the family members when the story begins. Just figuring out who Louise’s siblings are and who they are married to is a lot of information. Louise’s life changes instantly when her father dies. Her mother, the Queen goes into deep mourning. She in turn relies upon her younger children to be her comfort and act as her personal secretaries. So gone are the opportunities for balls, dances and other entertainments that as a royal she may have enjoyed.

Besides assisting her mother and caring for her sickly brother Louise loves art and learns to sculpt. She eventually is allowed to study it the Royal Academy of Arts. She is also a champion for women’s rights and education (I love her meeting Dr. Elizabeth Garret, the first female practicing doctor in England). Of course she officially can’t become involved in politics or have a differing view than her conservative mother.

The last third of the book focuses on making a match for Louise. Victoria through her children has ties to most of the royalty in Europe. But now she can’t bare to have Louise leave the country. She could have a marriage arranged to a prince elsewhere and potentially become a queen. Instead she becomes the first English royal to marry a commoner in over two hundred years. And when I say commoner he is still a Marquis and future Duke. The Queen does allow for there to be meetings between potential matches.

I love that I’ve been to Inveraray Castle in Scotland that eventually becomes her home. That was another connection that made me want to read the story of Princess Louise.

Lastly I appreciate the research and chapter notes at the end of the book. Moore explains her research and why she has a different view of the couples marriage than a wikipedia search provides.

I really enjoyed reading this book but I have familiarity and interest in English history and royalty. For a less motivated reader I can see this being a little slow without a lot of things happening. Fictionally biographies are limited in that they are based on real people with known facts. For example you can’t add scenes of courtship or attending a ball if that was never allowed to happen. I did enjoy the quotes at the beginning of each chapter from personal letters and journals. I’m giving this 4.5 stars, but can understand others rating it less. There is a lack of character development for side people and a lot of telling and not showing (often catching you up on Louise’s family and people around her).

This is a clean book and can easily recommended for any age. Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. (4.5 stars)

In short let me just say, this book was GREAT! It’s based on the true story of Princess Louise and I found it completely engrossing! From a young Louise right before her father’s death, to a mature Louise and her eventual marriage to a Scotsman, this whole book captivated my interest. The excerpts from real letters at the beginning of each chapter really helped set the tone and shape the authenticity of the story.

I found the Royal protocols and routines to be so fascinating! Not to mention the extra rules enforced by the Queen during those first years of mourning. I can’t imagine how lonely their life must’ve been during that time.

I loved that Louise was able to find a good friend/companion in Sybil Grey. And the good relationships she had with her many siblings. The bond between Louise and Leo was my favorite. And even though The Queen and Louise may not have seen eye to eye on many things, you could feel the love that Victoria had for all of her children and how she wanted to see them happy and well off in their marriages. This was really evident in how she allowed Louise to pursue her sculpting talents and when it came down to choosing her husband. I confess, these chapters were my favorite of the book! Louise taking her time, trying to decide who could be a good fit and completely disregarding the man she would eventually come to love 😂. John and Louise were really well matched.

Good moments, great accomplishments, sad endings, satisfying marriages. This was a great book and I loved getting to know the free-spirited Princess Louise through its pages, the many things she accomplished in her lifetime and the impact she had on others.

I received an advanced copy of this book from the author through NetGally. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.