Queen of Someday
(Stolen Empire #1)
by Sherry D Ficklin
October 7, 2014
262 pages
Goodreads Summary:
ONE GIRL WILL BRING AN EMPIRE TO ITS KNEES...
Before she can become the greatest empress in history, fifteen-year-old Sophie 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?
Before she can become the greatest empress in history, fifteen-year-old Sophie 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?
Author Interview
Tell us a little about your writing process.
It
usually begins with a fit of inspiration, followed by weeks of crushing
self doubt, then a finished manuscript. lol. It's not so much a process
as a psychosis.
What's your favourite part about writing?
What's your favourite part about writing?
When
I write I get into this zone where everything else in the world just
falls away and I can hear the characters in my head. It's kind of
amazing. Like magic.
Tell us about one of your happiest moment.
Tell us about one of your happiest moment.
I've
been so blessed over the years it's hard to pick just one. I could be
sappy and say my wedding or something, but I'm gonna go with the day
John Barrowman hugged me at New York Comic Con. I almost died. My
Whovians will understand.
What gave you the inspiration to write about Queen Catherine?
What gave you the inspiration to write about Queen Catherine?
I'd
been doing research on the Romanov dynasty for my other book,
Extracted, when I came across Catherine's story. It's one of those times
when truth is more unbelievable than fiction. I knew I had to play with
her.
Favourites:
Favourites:
Meal of the day
lunch
Type of food
Type of food
comfort food. Fired chicken, chocolate, anything caffeinated.
TV show
TV show
Doctor Who, Outlander, Castle.
Movie
Movie
Chronicles of Riddick.
Book(s)
Book(s)
any and all.
Day of the week
Day of the week
Monday ( I know, I'm a freak)
Thanks so much for answering my questions. I really can't wait for Queen of Tomorrow!
Thanks so much for answering my questions. I really can't wait for Queen of Tomorrow!
Thanks for having me! :)
Excerpt
“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.”
Character Interview with Sophie!
“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.”
Character Interview with Sophie!
If you had to use five words to describe yourself what would they be?
loyal, flawed, strong, clever, trapped.
What's one thing you cannot live without? Why?
What's one thing you cannot live without? Why?
Hope. No matter what else is taken from me, hope remains. It is my only constant.
Who's your favourite author and why?
Who's your favourite author and why?
John Wilmot. His poetry stirs my soul.
What's your favourite quote and why is it your favourite.
What's your favourite quote and why is it your favourite.
"Of all the universe, I only wanted you." I think if you read my story, you will understand why.
Is there anything you'd like to add?
Thank you for having me, and may you all judge me kindly, my journey was not an easy one. Is there anything you'd like to add?
Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions Sophie!
Giveaway
Thanks for the great interview and chance to win some fab gifts!!
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DeleteThanks for the giveaway and interview! I'm so hooked on to read this, have had it for a while on my Kindle! :D
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