Review: Inês by Catherine Mathis

Today, I'm delighted to welcome author Catherine Mathis to Ruins & Reading. I'm sharing my review for her intriguing novel, Inês – about a lady who was crowned queen after her death! Now I have your attention... ;-)

Inês is currently on blog tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club. Check out fascinating historical posts, enticing excerpts, and more, HERE!

 

INÊS

Queens of Portugal Trilogy, Book #1

Catherine Mathis 

Review:

Well, who could resist a dramatic real-life story like this?

 

Inês has it all – royal squabbles, jealousies, greed, manipulation, murders – and, somewhat surprisingly, love!

 

 The actual story begins with the death of Pedro's grandfather, King Dinis, whose favourite son was illegitimate, plotting to usurp the fragile kingdom from the legitimate heir, Afonso. But Afonso is fortunate in that he has a cunning adviser, Gonçalves, who arrives just in time to foil the plot. Afonso accedes to the throne, and his scheming half-brothers are banished. Families, eh?!

 

During his reign, Afonso relies heavily on Gonçalves’ advice and his network of spies. A Machiavellian character if there ever was one, Gonçalves relishes the power he has over the king, ensuring he follows his guidance.

 

 When Pedro is of age, he is due to wed, but he falls in love with a lady in his wife's entourage – Inês. Of illegitimate birth, she would not have been considered as a royal spouse. Nonetheless, they fall in love. But it's in vain. After his wife's death, Pedro goes in search of Inês, and they marry in secret.

 

Little does he know that in doing so, he signed her death warrant...

 

Inês is an utterly gripping story, and although it is about her, the men – Pedro, Afonso, Gonçalves – feature more in the novel. The fact that the plot is based on real, gruesome events, makes it even more compelling. 

 

The novel is not for the faint-hearted. It contains the cruel realities of a time full of plots, assassinations, and wars. But all this ensures that readers are pulled firmly into the era, with all its detail.

 

 I recommend Inês to readers who love to immerse themselves in the past. It's a shocking ride at times, but well worth your time. Do check it out!

 

 

 

Blurb:

An heir to the throne, a gorgeous blonde lady-in-waiting, the king's trusted advisor. When a father and son don't understand each other, the son pays an outrageous price.

Love, jealousy, loyalty, and revenge roil the court of 14th century Portugal.

In this engrossing launch to the Queens of Portugal trilogy, Catherine Mathis gives a fresh take on the tale of Pedro and Inês, Portugal's real-life Romeo and Juliet. Pedro's father would not have been king if not for his trusted advisor, Gonçalves. Once king, he wants no part in neighboring Castile's royal convulsions though his son, Pedro, befriends powerful Castilians.

The all-consuming drive of the king is to ensure his line rules Portugal for centuries to come. He needs legitimate, strong heirs. The Infante Pedro loves a woman not deemed worthy to wear the crown as queen. Between father and son is Gonçalves, the king's powerful, unquestioned counselor who is mentor to the son. Both Gonçalves and Pedro seek the attention of Inês.

There is a horrific cost to winning the love of Inês. She will not release her grip on Pedro until he keeps the two sworn oaths he made to her. Can Pedro do the impossible to satisfy Inês?

Inês is based on real people and events, exploring a cultural touchstone of Portuguese history.

Praise for Inês:

 “Mathis masterfully weaves emotional depth into the narrative, creating a deeply engaging experience that leaves a lasting impression and invites readers on an unforgettable journey through the grandeur and intrigue of Portugal’s past.”
~ Mary Anne Yarde, The Coffee Pot Book Club 5* Review

“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.”
~ Readers Favorite 5* Review

Buy Link: Universal Buy Link

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About the Author:

Catherine Mathis was born in Berlin, the daughter of an American spy. As she grew up in Washington, D.C., her spy father turned into a drug enforcement agent. His career change wrecked any chance at high school popularity.

She graduated from Sewanee | The University of the South with a degree in history focused on the medieval period. After a career in finance, she returned to her first love of medieval history to ‘Share Iberian Tales.’

 

 

Outside of writing, spare time joys are family, friends, reading, collecting folk / outsider art, and travel.

Library Journal included Inês on its list of coming historical fiction for July 2025 - June 2026 in June 2025 during the annual meeting of the American Library Association. The book is in the Turbulent Relationship category, a great category name.

Connect with Catherine:

Website • Facebook • Instagram

Amazon Author Page • GoodReads