title: Hollow Crown: The Story of Emma, Queen of Saxon England
author:  Helen Hollick 
description: Aged only thirteen, Emma, daughter of the Duke of Normandy, is married in a strategic alliance to King Aethelred of England. Inept and arrogant, Aethelred is loathed by his young wife, whom he punishes for his many failings as a ruler. Their first son, Edward, is born through an act of violence that is little more than rape. England is invaded by the Viking King Swein Forkbeard and his son Cnut. After a bitter struggle, Aethelred loses his kingdom and his wife. Emma, now dowager queen, holds London against the invader Cnut. When he demands she surrender or suffer the consequences, Emma stakes everything on a dangerous gamble, but troubles and tragedy still await the indomitable queen as she struggles for power and for survival...
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  “Something tells me you are truly wild at heart. Do you secretly prefer
  recklessly courting danger to pretending respectability, Miss Courland?”
  
  “Don’t presume to know me,” she snapped back, much tried and confused by her
  own reactions to the veiled threat in his husky voice.
  
  “Then discovering your secrets will add spice to the game, my dear,” he mused.
  
  The Rake of Hollowhurst Castle  
  Harlequin®
  
  
  Historical #289—August 2010
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ELIZABETH BEACON
  
  lives in the beautiful English West Country, and is finally putting her
  insatiable curiosity about the past to good use. Over the years Elizabeth has
  worked in her family’s horticultural business, became a mature student,
  qualified as an English teacher, worked as a secretary and, briefly, tried to
  be a civil servant. She is now happily ensconced behind her computer, when not
  trying to exhaust her bouncy rescue dog with as many walks as the
  Inexhaustible Lurcher can finagle. Elizabeth can’t bring herself to call
  re