A Lady of the Court

(Christmas at the Winter Palace Book 1)

Alyona Arkadyevna Balashova dreams of the glamor and romance of the faraway Russian court. When her father, the much decorated General Balashov, agrees to take her to St. Petersburg for the summer season, even Empress Elizabeth sends gifts. All of Alyona’s dreams are finally coming true.

But then the unthinkable happens, and Alyona’s future hopes are lost forever. Or so it seems… until Empress Elizabeth summons her to St. Petersburg to live as her ward.

At the Imperial court, things are not as Alyona had imagined. She discovers a beautiful exterior often disguises something darker and uglier—in sumptuous palaces as well splendidly dressed courtiers. Can she still find happiness in the midst of it all?