First published 2018
Elisabeth of Bavaria arrives at the Austrian imperial court as a reluctant bride. The young woman finds herself trapped between rigid Habsburg traditions and her own fierce independence. Court officials expect her to produce heirs and remain silent. Elisabeth refuses to accept these constraints. She speaks her mind to Emperor Franz Joseph and challenges the established order. The empress travels extensively, defying those who would confine her to ceremonial duties. Her unconventional behavior scandals the aristocracy but wins her popular admiration. Elisabeth must navigate political intrigue while staying true to herself. The novel explores her struggle to maintain her identity within the suffocating world of European royalty. Her rebellion comes at a personal cost as she faces isolation from those closest to her.
Genres: historical-fiction, 20th-century, historical-romance, biographical-fiction, 19th-century
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, rebellion
Setting: Austria, Habsburg
Period: 19th Century
496 pages · Mass Market Paperback · DEBOLSILLO