Mary Ellen Johnson’s writing career was sparked by her passion for Medieval England. Her first novel, THE LION AND THE LEOPARD, which took place during the doomed reign of Edward II, was followed by THE LANDLORD'S BLACK-EYED DAUGHTER, a historical novel based on the Alfred Noyes poem, “The Highwayman.” (Published under the pseudonym, Mary Ellen Dennis.) LANDLORD was chosen as one of the top 100 historical romances of 2013.

After taking a way-too-long detour advocating for social justice issues, Mary Ellen happily returned to her first passion, novel writing, and her favorite time period. Mary Ellen is near completion of a six-part series, THE KNIGHTS OF ENGLAND. KNIGHTS follows the fortunes of the characters (and their progeny) introduced in THE LION AND THE LEOPARD through the Black Death, the reign of that most gloriously medieval of monarchs, Edward III, the Peasants Revolt of 1381 (with issues of class and inequality that remain relevant) and ending with the tragic death—or was it murder??—of Richard II, as well as its bloody aftermath. A KNIGHT THERE WAS, WITHIN A FOREST DARK, A CHILD UPON THE THRONE, and LORDS AMONG THE RUINS have been completed, and she has currently finished a first draft of the beginning reign of Henry IV.

Mary Ellen is fascinated by the former Henry Bolingbroke (Henry IV), a complex character who has been largely disregarded by historians.THE KNIGHTS OF ENGLAND series will end with the bloody Battle of Shrewsbury. (First time English archers faced off against each other, and which culminated in a lunar eclipse! Can you imagine anything more fun to write about?) Her final book will also wrap up the fates of the knights and ladies she has happily lived with these many years.

Mary Ellen hopes you will enjoy reading about this tumultuous and exciting century as seen through the eyes of characters, both historical and fictional, as much as she has enjoyed writing about it.

If you are interested in learning more about Mary Ellen, check out maryellenjohnsonauthor.com and/or contact her at mejauthor@gmail.com