A powerful historical novel by the late Ariana Franklin and her daughter Samantha Norman, The Siege Winter is a tour de force mystery and murder, adventure and intrigue, a battle for a crown, told by two courageous young women whose fates are intertwined in twelfth century England’s devastating civil war.

England’ 1141. King Stephen and the Empress Matilda vie for the crown. In this dangerous world’ a depraved monk kidnaps an eleven-year-old peasant and leaves her for dead.

When Gwil finds Emma’ she has no memory.

An archer for hire’ he dresses her as a boy’ names her Penda’ and teaches her to use a bow. Together they make their way to the small but strategic fortress of fifteen-year-old Maud’ who has tempted fate by giving shelter to the empress.