Synopsis:
Before she can become the
greatest empress in history, fifteen-year-old Sophia will have to survive her
social-climbing mother’s quest to put her on the throne of Russia—at any cost.
Imperial Court holds dangers like nothing Sophie has ever faced before. In the
heart of St. Petersburg, surviving means navigating the political, romantic,
and religious demands of the bitter Empress Elizabeth and her handsome, but
sadistic nephew, Peter. Determined to save her impoverished family—and
herself—Sophie vows to do whatever is necessary to thrive in her new
surroundings. But an attempt on her life and an unexpected attraction threatens
to derail her plans. Alone in a new and dangerous world, learning who to trust
and who to charm may mean the difference between becoming queen and being sent
home in shame to marry her lecherous uncle. With traitors and murderers lurking
around every corner, her very life hangs in the balance. Betrothed to one man
but falling in love with another, Sophie will need to decide how much she’s
willing to sacrifice in order to become the empress she is destined to be. In a
battle for the soul of a nation, will love or destiny reign supreme?
“If I could, I
would offer you my heart, my soul, and make that be enough. But I know it is
not. I know that Peter is your destiny. You are going to be the most beautiful,
clever, kind empress Russia has ever seen. And I want to be there for that. But
I can’t think about that now because today, in this moment, all I want is you.
The thought of losing you cuts me to my very marrow.”
I look away,
even as he draws me closer. The war rages inside me, one part wanting nothing
more than to kiss him until the sun rises, another part knowing why I can’t.
He tilts my chin
up gently.
“If you want to
send me away, tell me only that you do not love me, and I will go. I will never
speak your name again, never touch your hand. I will pretend that the loss of
you hasn’t killed me.”
I sigh, my
hard-fought resolve fading quickly.
“I could never
say those words, because they would be the gravest lie. Of course I love you. I
love you so much that I risk everything just to come to you tonight. If anyone
knew—I would be ruined, sent away in a cloud of scorn. No one would ever have
me, and I would bear the shame all my days.”
He takes my face
in his hands.
“I would have
you, in shame or sin, I would have you in any way I could, in any way you could
give yourself to me.”
He kisses me
again, and I know I’ve lost. Reaching up, I wrap my arms around his neck,
holding him to me. He smiles against my lips.
“My sweet Helen,
for you I would be Paris, and for your love, I would defy God himself and then
return to you for a kiss.”
“Peter and the
empress will return in a few days. What will we do? Meeting like this… it’s too
dangerous,” I say, unwilling to pull away again.
“Do you trust
me?” he asks solemnly.
I nod. “I do.”
“And do you love
me?”
“With all my
heart and my life, I do.”
He kisses my
hair.
“Then trust me.
Give me a few days and by the time they return, I will have a plan. In the
meantime, if you need me—”
“I always need
you,” I interrupt.
He grins.
“If you want to
meet me…” I open my mouth to interrupt again, but he puts a finger against my
lips, which I kiss. “Leave me a message in a book. John Wilmont’s letters to
his mistress.”
I frown. “Am I
to be your secret mistress?”
He shakes his
head. “No, my love. I will be yours.”
Trailer:
Synopsis:
Before she can become the
greatest empress in history, fifteen-year-old Sophia will have to survive her
social-climbing mother’s quest to put her on the throne of Russia—at any cost.
Imperial Court holds dangers like nothing Sophie has ever faced before. In the
heart of St. Petersburg, surviving means navigating the political, romantic,
and religious demands of the bitter Empress Elizabeth and her handsome, but
sadistic nephew, Peter. Determined to save her impoverished family—and
herself—Sophie vows to do whatever is necessary to thrive in her new
surroundings. But an attempt on her life and an unexpected attraction threatens
to derail her plans. Alone in a new and dangerous world, learning who to trust
and who to charm may mean the difference between becoming queen and being sent
home in shame to marry her lecherous uncle. With traitors and murderers lurking
around every corner, her very life hangs in the balance. Betrothed to one man
but falling in love with another, Sophie will need to decide how much she’s
willing to sacrifice in order to become the empress she is destined to be. In a
battle for the soul of a nation, will love or destiny reign supreme?
Giveaway:
The giveaway is INTERNATIONAL, woo, yey!
The giveaway is INTERNATIONAL, woo, yey!
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