by Robin Maxwell

Grace O'Malley was an Irish pirate during the Age of Elizabeth, and this novel explores the meeting of the two women--pirate and queen--in the late 16th century, as the crisis in Ireland escalates. Called to the queen's chamber to give her advice, O'Malley recounts the story of her own life, and explains to the queen what the issues are for the Irish. But soon Elizabeth is forced to send Essex to Ireland to quell the uprising--and he manages to make peace. Later, as Essex slips in Elizabeth's estimation, the tide turns yet again, and not in Ireland's favor.