Song of the Steadfast
Haunted by memories of a cruel and distant father, Anna Kolycheva learned to fend off trouble by turning herself into a model of silent obedience, until the exile of her husband-to-be and her forced participation in Tsar Ivan the Terrible’s first bride show showed the sixteen-year-old Russian noblewoman that she would need more than compliance to attain her goals. When her betrothed arrives to claim her, she elopes without hesitation. But her cousin Igor is determined to wed Anna to the man of his choice, and he will stop at nothing to ensure success.
Yuri Vorontsov has watched his life go up in smoke over the last nine months. After narrowly escaping execution, he should rejoice in his good fortune—or so everyone tells him. Yet no royal declaration can turn a warrior into a monk overnight, especially in the face of a cunning enemy set on stealing the woman he loves. As flames engulf Moscow, Yuri throws caution to the winds to defend his bride and his heritage, even at the risk of defying the irascible tsar.
“Song of the Steadfast is a gorgeous, well-researched portrayal of daily life for a high-born woman in sixteenth-century Russian society.”
—G.P. Gottlieb, author of the Whipped & Sipped Mystery Series
“C. P. Lesley brings an exotic setting to life with richly textured historical details and a wonderful cast of fascinating characters—it’s an enchanting tale worthy of her clever storyteller heroine!”
—Andrea Penrose, author of the Wrexford & Sloane Mysteries
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