A story of suspense, violence, passion and intrigue.Empress Marianna of Bahrait, one of the world's most dazzling women, is the star of Empress, a novel that sweeps from the great metropolises of Europe and America to the golden cities of the Middle East. Mary Anna Callahan has come a long way from her New England childhood when, as an orphaned waif, she was left in the care of an unfeeling aunt and uncle. The extraordinary events that brought her from an unhappy home in Boston to Hollywood, where she became a famous actress, to her royal throne climax in a dynastic celebration. Marianna sends invitations for the 15th anniversary of her marriage to Ramir of Bahrait to old friends around the world. To each she adds a tantalizing postscript: "Please, please come. I need you." A sense of mystery deepens as the guests assemble in the imperial palace. The men and women invited are Selma, a feisty, Brooklyn-accented studio head and a real Hollywood power; Father Flynn, who's sure he will burn in hell for what he's done to Marianna; Doug, Marianna's former lover; Gropper, ex-statesman, power broker, a brilliant and dangerous man; Gropper's blue-stocking wife, Hilary; Agnes and Joe, Marianna's social climbing foster parents, who hope to cash in on an old debt. Already in residence at Bahrait are Azar, the monarch's greedy, vengeful sister; General Mojeeb, an obsequious confidant to the throne who hides an assassin's heart; and Luke, tutor to the heir, a handsome, quiet American with a special devotion to Marianna.
ThriftBooks sells millions of used books at the lowest everyday prices. We personally assess every book's quality and offer rare, out-of-print treasures. We deliver the joy of reading in recyclable packaging with free standard shipping on US orders over $15. ThriftBooks.com. Read more. Spend less.