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Sun Ascendant: A thrilling Wars of the Roses saga
The powerful Medieval saga continues! For fans of Alison Weir, Elizabeth Chadwick, Conn Iggulden and Philippa Gregory.
The fight for the crown intensifies…
1470, England
England is in turmoil as the battle between supporters of the Yorkist king, Edward IV and the old Lancastrian king, Henry VI escalates.
And for Isobel Fenton the war is personal. Her father’s sudden death made her an heiress to Beaumoncote Manor, a desirable estate in the midlands. But as conflict threatens England’s unstable peace, Isobel and her lands become the focus of bitter tensions and a long-held feud.
Taken from her manor, Isobel becomes the unwilling mistress of an indomitable Earl. Unable to protect her own lands or herself, she sees her only chance of happiness in the Earl’s brother, Robert Langton, newly sworn to serve Richard, Duke of Gloucester.
Isobel’s life in the castle becomes increasingly difficult as the Countess plots against her rival, and Isobel finds herself trapped and alone in her gilded prison.
She is determined to take her fate into her own hands, but how can she gain her freedom and find her way back to Beaumoncote…?
SUN ASCENDANT is the second book in THE TARNISHED CROWN Wars of the Roses historical fiction set in Medieval Europe.
‘C.F. Dunn has written a masterpiece … a fascinating, captivating novel that will [take you] through the full range of emotions. You will get angry, worried, nervous for the fate of the characters. And you will cry. And you will spend days – weeks, even – thinking about the book long after you have finished it.’ – Sharon Bennett Connolly, author of Heroines of the Medieval World
‘Vivid, engaging and so incredibly captivating, Sun Ascendant is a wonderful piece of historical fiction that entertained and delighted me from start to finish. This really is an unmissable novel and I can't recommend it highly enough’ – The Book Magnet
‘The wealth of historical detail is fascinating, but it is the characters the author has created which make reading Sun Ascendant an absorbing and powerful experience’ – Paul Trembling, author of The Empress’s Lover
‘Meticulously researched, historically precise and full of linguistic and cultural details that only a dedicated historian would know. The Wars of the Roses have been humanised for me through this story of love, loyalty, jealousy and betrayal and the author writes about these things with real passion. I would highly recommend this gripping and immersive read to other lovers of historical fiction.’ – Deborah Jenkins, author of Winter Lights
‘The period is brought to vivid life by the author's narrative skill, underpinned by research that is both wide-ranging and subtle, and her command of language and characterisation keeps the reader engrossed in the story as the tension escalates. This series is going from strength to strength' – S L Russell, author of The Wounds of Time
THE TARNISHED CROWN
Book Wheel of Fortune
Book Sun Ascendent
The fight for the crown intensifies…
1470, England
England is in turmoil as the battle between supporters of the Yorkist king, Edward IV and the old Lancastrian king, Henry VI escalates.
And for Isobel Fenton the war is personal. Her father’s sudden death made her an heiress to Beaumoncote Manor, a desirable estate in the midlands. But as conflict threatens England’s unstable peace, Isobel and her lands become the focus of bitter tensions and a long-held feud.
Taken from her manor, Isobel becomes the unwilling mistress of an indomitable Earl. Unable to protect her own lands or herself, she sees her only chance of happiness in the Earl’s brother, Robert Langton, newly sworn to serve Richard, Duke of Gloucester.
Isobel’s life in the castle becomes increasingly difficult as the Countess plots against her rival, and Isobel finds herself trapped and alone in her gilded prison.
She is determined to take her fate into her own hands, but how can she gain her freedom and find her way back to Beaumoncote…?
SUN ASCENDANT is the second book in THE TARNISHED CROWN Wars of the Roses historical fiction set in Medieval Europe.
‘C.F. Dunn has written a masterpiece … a fascinating, captivating novel that will [take you] through the full range of emotions. You will get angry, worried, nervous for the fate of the characters. And you will cry. And you will spend days – weeks, even – thinking about the book long after you have finished it.’ – Sharon Bennett Connolly, author of Heroines of the Medieval World
‘Vivid, engaging and so incredibly captivating, Sun Ascendant is a wonderful piece of historical fiction that entertained and delighted me from start to finish. This really is an unmissable novel and I can't recommend it highly enough’ – The Book Magnet
‘The wealth of historical detail is fascinating, but it is the characters the author has created which make reading Sun Ascendant an absorbing and powerful experience’ – Paul Trembling, author of The Empress’s Lover
‘Meticulously researched, historically precise and full of linguistic and cultural details that only a dedicated historian would know. The Wars of the Roses have been humanised for me through this story of love, loyalty, jealousy and betrayal and the author writes about these things with real passion. I would highly recommend this gripping and immersive read to other lovers of historical fiction.’ – Deborah Jenkins, author of Winter Lights
‘The period is brought to vivid life by the author's narrative skill, underpinned by research that is both wide-ranging and subtle, and her command of language and characterisation keeps the reader engrossed in the story as the tension escalates. This series is going from strength to strength' – S L Russell, author of The Wounds of Time
THE TARNISHED CROWN
Book Wheel of Fortune
Book Sun Ascendent
- GenresHistorical Fiction
500 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 25, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 5, 2025
In this second book in the series, fortunes are changing for all. Unrest is stirring in the country, and the countess is a vengeful presence in the castle.
Isobel is trapped in her relationship with the Earl, unable to escape and be with the man she truly loves, his younger brother, Robert. But national events are about to take a turn and disrupt life in the castle. The Earl of Warwick and the Duke of Clarence rebel against the king, and the Earl and Robert are pulled into the drama as liegemen of King Edward and the Duke of Gloucester. If you know your history for this time period, you know what's about to happen.
Isobel is left alone at the castle in a precarious condition, and the countess takes advantage and schemes to rid herself of her husband's mistress. There are several close calls for Isobel, and the stakes get higher as the story progresses.
After his liaison with Isobel, Robert draws away from his brother, unable to tell him the truth but riven with both guilt and jealousy. Meanwhile the Earl, while confused by his brother's withdrawal, mellows in other ways, and eventually a mystery is revealed (or confirmed depending on how much you've guessed already.)
When death comes to the castle, Isobel flees, but trouble dogs her soon after in the shape of the odious Thomas Langton, who is determined to claim her lands for his own.
Isobel is more spirited in this second book than in the first - maybe because she has more to fight for - but she does make some inexplicable decisions.
Again, the research, attention to detail and world-building are excellent. I was completely drawn into Isobel's world and the political shenanigans of the 15th century. I've already pre-ordered the third book.
Isobel is trapped in her relationship with the Earl, unable to escape and be with the man she truly loves, his younger brother, Robert. But national events are about to take a turn and disrupt life in the castle. The Earl of Warwick and the Duke of Clarence rebel against the king, and the Earl and Robert are pulled into the drama as liegemen of King Edward and the Duke of Gloucester. If you know your history for this time period, you know what's about to happen.
Isobel is left alone at the castle in a precarious condition, and the countess takes advantage and schemes to rid herself of her husband's mistress. There are several close calls for Isobel, and the stakes get higher as the story progresses.
After his liaison with Isobel, Robert draws away from his brother, unable to tell him the truth but riven with both guilt and jealousy. Meanwhile the Earl, while confused by his brother's withdrawal, mellows in other ways, and eventually a mystery is revealed (or confirmed depending on how much you've guessed already.)
When death comes to the castle, Isobel flees, but trouble dogs her soon after in the shape of the odious Thomas Langton, who is determined to claim her lands for his own.
Isobel is more spirited in this second book than in the first - maybe because she has more to fight for - but she does make some inexplicable decisions.
Again, the research, attention to detail and world-building are excellent. I was completely drawn into Isobel's world and the political shenanigans of the 15th century. I've already pre-ordered the third book.
May 15, 2025
A superb follow up to Dunn's 'Wheel of Fortune', set in the fifteenth century against the backdrop of The War of the Roses.
Isobel Fenton has almost given up her hope of returning to the family home at Beaumancote as she lives under the care of the local Earl who has taken her as his mistress in place of his cold and cruel wife. Isobel however, has fallen for his brother, a widower and bereaved father, Robert, and when she finds herself with child the story takes a new turn of complexity.
The Earl of Warwick has aligned himself with George, Earl of Clarence and the old King Henry VI (Lancaster) in conflict with Edward IV (York). Fighting for the young King (who is supported by his youngest brother, Richard Duke of Gloucester) for supremacy, land and allegiances, both the Earl and his brother are called away to raise fighting men leaving Isobel at the mercy of a bitter Countess, bent on revenge, and the scheming, treacherous Thomas Percey, who is still far more interested in her lands than in her. Living on her wits and the few allies inside the castle walls, Isobel hides away, trusting for better days but her peace of mind and body are threatened.
Essentially a character driven narrative, CF Dunn has nevertheless anchored her novel brilliantly within the historical era without allowing it to swallow the arc of the tale or embroil the reader in extraneous or distracting detail. Isobel's perilous position evokes empathy at every turn and the realisation that, for the most part, we live in kinder days.
I'm very much looking forward to Book 3, 'Degrees of Affinity' scheduled for release in October this year.
Isobel Fenton has almost given up her hope of returning to the family home at Beaumancote as she lives under the care of the local Earl who has taken her as his mistress in place of his cold and cruel wife. Isobel however, has fallen for his brother, a widower and bereaved father, Robert, and when she finds herself with child the story takes a new turn of complexity.
The Earl of Warwick has aligned himself with George, Earl of Clarence and the old King Henry VI (Lancaster) in conflict with Edward IV (York). Fighting for the young King (who is supported by his youngest brother, Richard Duke of Gloucester) for supremacy, land and allegiances, both the Earl and his brother are called away to raise fighting men leaving Isobel at the mercy of a bitter Countess, bent on revenge, and the scheming, treacherous Thomas Percey, who is still far more interested in her lands than in her. Living on her wits and the few allies inside the castle walls, Isobel hides away, trusting for better days but her peace of mind and body are threatened.
Essentially a character driven narrative, CF Dunn has nevertheless anchored her novel brilliantly within the historical era without allowing it to swallow the arc of the tale or embroil the reader in extraneous or distracting detail. Isobel's perilous position evokes empathy at every turn and the realisation that, for the most part, we live in kinder days.
I'm very much looking forward to Book 3, 'Degrees of Affinity' scheduled for release in October this year.
May 24, 2025
Having read back to back the first 2 books of the Tarnished Crown series, I can say that after a slow beginning, I really enjoyed these books, the second more than the first i think. The story moves at a good pace and the characters grow in depth. I loved the scenes of Isobel in the nursery dealing with the difficult Cecily. Perhaps not so well drawn is the relationship between the heroine and the Earl, yet the author has known how to deal with difficult scene of rape in such a way that we understand clearly what took place without any harrowing details. The same happened with the loving encounter between Isobel and Robert Langton. I was left unsure for quite some time whether there had been a full sexual conclusion to their meeting. The Earl's wife Felice is so well portrayed that I am sure you too would want something horrible to happen to her. Perhaps the least convincing were the detailed description of battles and close fighting. The War of the Roses background is there to support the story. It won't be a problem if you don't know anything about this period of history but if you do, you can see how it will develop and the basic characteristics of each of the Plantagenet brothers and sisters are present. As a Ricardian, I liked the way Gloucester is depicted and applauded at the many references to his absolute belief in loyalty.
So, all in all a very interesting historical sage with many details of medieval everyday life. I await with interest the 3rd volume.
So, all in all a very interesting historical sage with many details of medieval everyday life. I await with interest the 3rd volume.
September 30, 2025
I loved the first book. Loved it. This book, the second book in this series, not only surpasses the first, it transcends it. Wow. Phenomenal. Superb.
It's official, this is one of my favorite series. I cannot. I CANNOT I say, get enough of this story. I want to eat it like cake and ice cream. I want to tuck it under my pillow. I want to take it on long walks by the beach. I want to take it out to dinner, wine and dine it and then put a ring on it.
The tragedies, the heartbreaks, the highs and lows. The what-ifs. The uneasiness. The questions...absolutely deliciously done.
The worst thing about this book is that it ends. I CANNOT BELIEVE I have to wait for the next installment! ACK! This wait will be utter misery.
One of the best historical fiction books I have ever read, hands down. Period.
It's official, this is one of my favorite series. I cannot. I CANNOT I say, get enough of this story. I want to eat it like cake and ice cream. I want to tuck it under my pillow. I want to take it on long walks by the beach. I want to take it out to dinner, wine and dine it and then put a ring on it.
The tragedies, the heartbreaks, the highs and lows. The what-ifs. The uneasiness. The questions...absolutely deliciously done.
The worst thing about this book is that it ends. I CANNOT BELIEVE I have to wait for the next installment! ACK! This wait will be utter misery.
One of the best historical fiction books I have ever read, hands down. Period.
November 6, 2025
I am enjoying this series so much. I love this time period
December 6, 2025
LOVED IT!!!!!!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews