from author’s website
Eliza Knight is an award-winning and USA Today bestselling author.
Her love of history began as a young girl when she traipsed the halls of Versailles and ran through the fields in Southern France. She can still remember standing before the great golden palace, and imagining what life must have been like. Join Eliza (sometimes as E.) on riveting historical journeys that cross landscapes around the world. Eliza will also publish her first contemporary women’s fiction novel in 2025 under the pseudonym, Michelle Brandon.
While not reading, writing or researching for her latest book, she chases after her three children. In her spare time (if there is such a thing…) she likes daydreaming, wine-tasting, traveling, hiking, staring at the stars, watching movies, shopping and visiting with family and friends.
She is the creator of the popular historical blog, History Undressed and host on the History, Books and Wine podcast.
She lives in the sunshine state with her own knight in shining armor, three princesses, two very naughty Newfies, and a turtle named Fish.
ABOUT The Queen’s Faithful Companion: A Novel of Queen Elizabeth II and Her Beloved Corgi, Susan
From USA Today bestselling author Eliza Knight comes an endearing and vivid novel told from the unique multi-narrative viewpoints of a young Queen Elizabeth; Hanna Penwyck, the fictionalized Keeper of the Queen’s dogs; and Susan, the Queen’s Corgi, whose love and loyalty were boundless.
A reigning queen…
Elizabeth wasn’t born to be queen. But when her uncle abdicates and her father steps in as king, everything in her life changes. There is one thing that never wavers, however: her endearing love of her Corgis—especially the new puppy Susan, a gift for her eighteenth birthday. Susan is by her side during Elizabeth’s WWII service, falling in love with Philip and getting married, the death of her father King George VI, her accession to the throne, the birth of her first child, and the early struggles with running a country—an ever-present reminder to find the balance between self and crown.
A loyal servant…
Hanna Penwyck has grown up with her family in service to the crown. Awkward and shy, she has a connection with nature, animals—and the young princesses at Windsor. When she becomes the Keeper of the Queen’s Corgis, her job is to maintain the health and wellness of those most prized companions. With their shared love of the dogs, the Queen can open up to Hanna and feel free to be herself, so that is a service she happily provides as well.
A faithful companion…
From the moment Susan became a royal dog, her duty was clear: To remind Elizabeth that she is more than just a queen, she is a human, and what matters is not just duty and honor, but connection, family, and unconditional and enduring love. Susan is the keeper of memories, of secrets. Through Susan we gain a dog’s eye view of royal life, human relationships, and the heartwarming bond between a queen and her beloved companion.
PRAISE AND RECOGNITION FOR The Queen’s Faithful Companion: A Novel of Queen Elizabeth II and Her Beloved Corgi, Susan
“This irresistible novel–anchored by the real-life dog who went on to be the matriarch of 14 generations of royal corgis–is a must-read. Utterly charming and packed with history, joy, duty, and destiny, The Queen’s Faithful Companion shows us the heart of the royal family like we’ve never seen it before. An absolute delight!” — Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Daughter
“A queen bows to no one, but in this marvelous book Eliza Knight shows us that a certain queen will always bend a knee to her beloved Corgi. The transcendent bond between people and dogs comes alive on the page, and thanks to a vivid and well-researched origin story, readers will quickly understand why Corgis became a fixture in Queen Elizabeth’s life. This heartwarming book proves that from keeper to queen, the devotion of a good dog makes every day a little sweeter.” — Victoria Schade
“Heartwarming and endearing, The Queen’s Faithful Companion highlights Queen Elizabeth’s life in a way never explored before – through the relationship with her beloved corgi, Susan. Told in part through Susan’s perspective, this story is funny, adorable, and charming even as it pulls at your heartstrings. Eliza Knight has a gift for bringing historical figures to life in a way that is real and relatable, and her talents absolutely shine with this delightful read. “
— Madeline Martin, New York Times and International Bestselling Author
“Knight brings a fun, refreshing spin that is often full of adorable descriptions of puppies. This novel is a dog- and royal-lover’s dream come true.” — Booklist
AUTHOR VISITS:
Author visits with Eliza Knight are available via Adventures by the Book.