A literary masterpiece that waited over 200 years to be discovered, The Diary of Countess Anna Maria Berezowska, A True Story, is a unique, first-hand account by a young aristocrat unwittingly caught up in the brutal armed invasion of Poland, her beloved homeland, during the Polish-Russian War at the end of the 18th century. It reads like a romantic mystery saga, although it is authentic nonfiction replete with historical and cultural facts. It was translated into English by John A. Stelnicki, Anna's direct descendant, over 60 years ago. Countess Anna and her writings miraculously survived raging fires and blizzards, murderous pillaging and ambush, imprisonment, near starvation, and other narrow escapes from death. Her descriptions of people from all social classes including Polish peasants and servants, are unprecedented. The unaffected way she confides her sincere emotions concerning love captivate and enchant. This intimate narrative cries through to generations beyond, disclosing such vital current issues as rape victimization, unplanned pregnancy, social class injustices, religious differences, constraining traditions, assaults on women, forced confinement, war, betrayal... thus linking that bygone era with life today. Our fascinating heroine also cannot resist peeking into and copying down racy extracts from her lascivious cousin Sophia's diary, My Delights, detailing her wanton sexual adventures. Both Anna and Sophia, as well as the other unforgettable characters, cope quite diversely with the final full capitulation of their nation, Europe's first constitutional democracy.

A literary masterpiece that waited over 200 years to be discovered! This unique diary is a first-hand account by a refreshingly naïve and sensitive young aristocrat unwittingly caught up in the brutal armed invasion of her beloved homeland, Poland. Replete with historical and cultural facts, it amazingly reads more like a mystery novel. Countess Anna and her writings miraculously survived fires, blizzards, murderous pillaging, imprisonment, and narrow escapes from death. The violence inflicted on her person parallels that suffered by her country. Nevertheless, there is levity in Anna's unprecedented descriptions of people from all social classes, and poignancy in her emotions concerning love. This intimate narrative cries through to generations beyond, disclosing such vital issues, still current, such as rape victimization, unplanned pregnancy, forced marriage, social class injustices, constraining traditions, assaults on women, forced confinement, war, betrayal ..., thus linking that bygone era with life today. Our fascinating heroine also can't restrain herself from peeking into and secretly copying down portions of her lascivious cousin Sophia's diary. In "My Delights," Sophia blatantly recounts her wanton sexual adventures. Both Anna and Sophia, as well as the other unforgettable characters, cope quite diversely with the final full capitulation of their country, Europe's first constitutional democracy.

An IPPI GOLD MEDAL WINNER! (Best Regional E-book Series 2018) What happens when Napoleon comes calling on a Russian dominated Poland, suggesting that he will win back their independence if only the famed Polish lancers accompany him on his infamous drive to take Moscow and all of Russia? A magnificent epic, AGAINST A CRIMSON SKY is an unforgettable tale of love, valor, and the enduring strength of the human spirit, set against the backdrop of war-torn Poland at the cusp of the nineteenth century. The year is 1794, and the beautiful and resilient Countess Anna Maria Berezowska has narrowly escaped death amidst the chaos caused by the violent dissolution of Poland. Anna is soon reunited with her longtime love, Lord Jan Stelnicki, and the two lovers marry even as their beloved country is ripped apart. As the couple struggles to raise a family in the face of an uncertain future, Anna's capricious cousin Zofia returns with a surprise of her own. Although Zofia's past schemes still resonate, Anna's doubts turn to fear as Jan's patriotism draws him to the battlefield. Offering new hope for a conquered Poland, Napoléon Bonaparte arrives in all of his pomp and glory. With the aid of new Polish legions~Anna's friends and family among them~Napoléon battles his way across Europe, an effort that culminates in the march into Moscow and the subsequent doomed winter retreat. Against this backdrop, Anna and Jan valiantly fight to hold on to a tenuous happiness, their country, and their very lives.

A panoramic and epic novel in the grand romantic style, Push Not the River is the rich story of Poland in the late 1700s--a time of heartache and turmoil as the country's once peaceful people are being torn apart by neighboring countries and divided loyalties. It is then, at the young and vulnerable age of seventeen, when Lady Anna Maria Berezowska loses both of her parents and must leave the only home she has ever known. With Empress Catherine's Russian armies streaming in to take their spoils, Anna is quickly thrust into a world of love and hate, loyalty and deceit, patriotism and treason, life and death. Even kind Aunt Stella, Anna's new guardian who soon comes to personify Poland's courage and spirit, can't protect Anna from the uncertain future of the country. Anna, a child no longer, turns to love and comfort in the form of Jan, a brave patriot and architect of democracy, unaware that her beautiful and enigmatic cousin Zofia has already set her sights on the handsome young fighter. Thus Anna walks unwittingly into Zofia's jealous wrath and darkly sinister intentions. Forced to survive several tragic events, many of them orchestrated by the crafty Zofia, a strengthened Anna begins to learn to place herself in the way of destiny--for love and for country. Heeding the proud spirit of her late father, Anna becomes a major player in the fight against the countries who come to partion her beloved Poland. Push Not the River is based on the true eighteenth century diary of Anna Maria Berezowska, a Polish countess who lived through the rise and fall of the historic Third of May Constitution. Vivid, romantic, and thrillingly paced, it paints the emotional and unforgettable story of the metamorphosis of a nation--and of a proud and resilient young woman.

An IPPI GOLD MEDAL WINNER, Best Regional E-book (Box Set) Based on the diary of a Polish countess who lived through the rise and fall of the Third of May Constitution years, 1791-94, PUSH NOT THE RIVER paints a vivid picture of a tumultuous and unforgettable metamorphosis of a nation--and of Anna, a proud and resilient woman. AGAINST A CRIMSON SKY continues Anna's saga as Napoleon comes calling, implying independence from her neighbors would follow if only Polish lancers would accompany him on his fateful 1812 march into Russia. Anna's family fights valiantly to hold on to a tenuous happiness, their country, and their very lives. Set against the November Rising (1830-31), THE WARSAW CONSPIRACY depicts partitioned Poland's daring challenge to the Russian Empire. Brilliantly illustrating the psyche of a people determined to reclaim independence in the face of monumental odds, the story features Anna's sons and their fates in love and war.

On the night of 4 April 1793, two lovers were preparing to compel a cleric to perform a secret ceremony. The wedding of the sixth son of King George III to the daughter of the Earl of Dunmore would not only be concealed – it would also be illegal. Lady Augusta Murray had known Prince Augustus Frederick for only three months but they had already fallen deeply in love and were desperate to be married. However, the Royal Marriages Act forbade such a union without the King's permission and going ahead with the ceremony would change Augusta's life forever. From a beautiful socialite she became a social pariah; her children were declared illegitimate and her family was scorned. In Forbidden Wife Julia Abel Smith uses material from the Royal Archives and the Dunmore family papers to create a dramatic biography set in the reigns of Kings George III and IV against the background of the American and French Revolutions.

Engaging and opulent, The Warsaw Conspiracy unfolds as a family saga set against the November Rising (1830-1831), partitioned Poland's daring challenge to the Russian Empire.

Based on the diary of a countess in 1790s Poland, the story depicts a young woman coming of age at a tumultuous time in her country's history. Vivid, romantic, and thrillingly paced, it paints the emotional and unforgettable story of the metamorphosis of a nation--and of a proud and resilient young woman.

Palace eunuch and secretary Stephen records Empress Theodora's life as she navigates wars, political and religious crises, a citywide rebellion, and the first world plague pandemic, all in a male-dominated world.. As the most powerful woman of the Byzantine Empire, one-time prostitute Theodora installs her own candidate for pope, legislates women's rights, and shuts down a massive riot, saving the empire. "A gorgeous tapestry of impeccable research and intricate worldbuilding." ~Kate Quinn, Author of The Empress of Rome Saga and The Rose Code