Marcia Clayton Author | Devon Maid Book Corner

Marcia Clayton writes historical fiction with a sprinkling of romance and mystery in The Hartford Manor Series, a heart-warming family saga that stretches from the Regency period through to Victorian times.

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The Duty of Daughters (El Deber de Las Hijas)

by Marcia Clayton | Aug 4, 2026 | Guest Authors

Today, I’m delighted to host The Duty of Daughters (El Deber de Las Hijas) by Wendy J. Dunn. The book is on a blog tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club: https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2026/07/blog-tour-the-duty-of-daughters-by-wendy-j-dunn.html

About the Book

Castile, 1490.

Doña Beatriz Galindo is an uneasy witness to the Holy War of Queen Isabel of Castile and her husband, Ferdinand, King of Aragon. A holy war pushing the Moors out of territories ruled by them for centuries.

Beatriz does not want a life like other women. She desires power over her own destiny. Even if this means walking a far harder road.

A passionate and respected scholar, Beatriz serves her friend Queen Isabel of Castile as her advisor. She also tutors the queen’s youngest child, Catalina of Aragon.

Dedicated to Queen Isabel and her children, Beatriz guides the young Catalina of Aragon to walk her own hard life road.

But can she prepare Catalina to be England’s queen?

Buy Links

Universal Buy Link – The Duty of Daughters: https://mybook.to/FPS

Universal Buy Link – El Deber de las Hijas: books2read.com/u/mVoKBA

The Book Details

Book Title: The Duty of Daughters

Series: Falling Pomegranate Seeds

Author Name: Wendy J. Dunn

Publication Date: November 17, 2019

Publisher: Poesy Quill

Pages: 310

Genre: Historical Fiction

Any Triggers: Adult themes and situations.

Excerpt

The queen dropped her spindle onto her lap, now swinging her approval to her third daughter. “My Joy,” she said, using María’s nickname. Queen Isabel used it so often her siblings had taken to using it, too. “You’re right to remember well the teachings of the church. But God places us in a peculiar position – a position where we serve Him by offering up ourselves. That is the duty of our royal blood.”

“But will not our husbands be our heads, Mother?” Infanta María darted a look at Beatriz.

“Yesterday, Latina discussed with us the words of Aristotle.” The young infanta’s face frowned in concentration. “Juana – do you remember?”

“‘Men’s courage is shown in commanding and women’s in obeying,’” Juana answered.

Thoughtfully, the queen picked up the spindle again, her long fingers pulling at the woollen thread from the distaff, keeping the thread taut and even. She glanced aside at Juana. “‘And the male is naturally more fit to command than the female, excepting where there is a miscarriage of nature.’” The queen laughed with grimness. “I have heard it all before, and too many times. Aristotle also said, ‘The male is by nature superior and the female inferior; one rules and the other is ruled.’ I confess something to you, my hijas. I think often of the words of our ancestor, Alfonso the Wise. He said, ‘Had I been present at the creation, I would have given some useful hints for the better ordering of the universe.’”

Her spindle stopped twirling and she yanked at the thread. “This world is a hard one for women, but we make the best of our lot. Since time began, men and women suffer and learn… women most of all.”

The queen straightened. “Learn from me here, my hijas. Let your husbands think they are the head, let them be the head when times allow, but always be ready to do what God tells you is right. Listen to your hearts and souls, as well as to your minds.” She drummed the spindle against the black velvet of her habito, pulled taut over her thigh. “You four are hijas of two proud royal houses. Your marriages will work towards giving our land stronger ties and power throughout Christendom, all for the glory of God. Think too what it means for your brother if we place his sisters in positions to help him as king of two kingdoms.

“My hijas, work towards forging strong friendships and alliances with people who will best aid and shield you in the future when you no longer have my protection. Whatever befalls you, be watchful. Keep your people close. Never forget to reward those who deserve it, those close to you, and those you want closer. Punish those who betray you and never, ever show yourself weak.

“Hijas, remember this, too – keep your hearts and minds chaste and your bodies from ill and wanton company. Your grandmother raised me in honesty and with much care for my purity, and I have done the same for you girls. ‘Tis not just your bodies I speak about here. I tell you in truth, we gain nothing if we lose our souls. Rulers, too, must remember this.” The queen grinned, a smile embracing all her daughters in its warmth. “We are the blood of the Trastámara. Strong, God-fearing women make up the fabric of our royal house, women you can be proud of – think you of your ancestress, Saint Isabel. My four girls will be worthy of them, for already you make me proud. Enough said.” She glanced at Catalina. “Child, do you wish to begin us in Latin conversation?

About the Author

Award-winning Australian author of Tudor historical fiction, specialising in Anne Boleyn and Katherine of Aragon novels.

Wendy J. Dunn is an award-winning Australian author, playwright and poet fascinated by Tudor history – so much so she was not surprised to discover a family connection to the Tudors, not long after the publication of her first Anne Boleyn novel narrating the Anne Boleyn story through the eyes of Sir Thomas Wyatt, the elder. Her family tree reveals the intriguing fact that one of her ancestral families – possibly over three generations – had purchased land from both the Boleyn and Wyatt families to build up their own holdings. It seems likely Wendy’s ancestors knew the Wyatts and Boleyns personally.

Her second novel, The Light in the Labyrinth, set during final days of Anne Boleyn’s life, revisits the Anne Boleyn story through the eyes of her niece Catherine Carey. The Duty of Daughters and All Manner of Things tell the story of Katherine of Aragon. Shades of Yellow tells the story of a woman writing a novel about Amy Robsart.

All Dunn’s award-winning works weave together the lyricism of poetry with the pulse of history, creating stories of love, loss, and the endurance of the human spirit.