Escape of the Grand Duchess
By Susan Appleyard
By Susan Appleyard
Escape of the Grand Duchess by Susan Appleyard is a gripping historical novel that shatters the notion that royalty is synonymous with privilege and ease. At its heart is Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna, the youngest sister of Tsar Nicholas II—a Romanov who defied a doomed destiny and survived.
Unlike her ill-fated brother and his family, Olga’s story is one of resilience, sacrifice, and daring escape. Trapped in a loveless marriage to a reckless gambler—who harbours secrets of his own—she finds hope in the arms of a dashing army lieutenant. But before she can claim her own happiness, she must first endure the brutal realities of World War I, where she serves as a nurse on the frontlines.
As the Russian Empire teeters on the brink of collapse, the infamous Siberian mystic Rasputin tightens his grip on the imperial court, setting the stage for revolution. With the Bolsheviks seizing power and the Romanovs marked for death, Olga faces an impossible choice: risk everything to stay or flee into the unknown with her true love and their children.
Rich in historical detail and driven by an unforgettable heroine, Escape of the Grand Duchess is a sweeping riches-to-rags tale of survival, love, and the strength it takes to forge a new life in the face of unimaginable upheaval.
Publication Date: 27th July 2025
Publisher: Ingenium Books Publishing Inc.
Page Length: 412
Genre: Biographical Historical Fiction
An interview with Susan Appleyard
What inspired you to start writing?
I have been fascinated by the tragic story of Tsar Nicholas II for a long time. I wanted to write about it without focusing too much on the tragedy. Olga’s story gave me the perfect vehicle.
What was the hardest part about writing this book?
The hardest part was integrating the backstory without overwhelming the narrative. The Russian Revolution was pivotal, and Russia’s role in World War I contributed to Nicholas’s fall.
Does one of the main characters hold a special place in your heart? If so, why?
Olga’s brother, Michael, struck me as a thoroughly nice man who wanted nothing more than a simple life with his family. He was the first of the Romanovs to be murdered.
What do you hope your readers take away from this book?
I can only hope that everyone will see that no matter how grim the problems, how terrible the losses, how hopeless the future might seem at the time, courage and resilience can overcome.
Buy this Book
Susan Appleyard
Susan was born in England, which is where she learned to love English history, and now lives in Canada in the summer. In winter she and her husband flee the cold for their second home in Mexico. Susan divides her time between writing and her hobby, oil painting, although writing will always be her first love. She was fortunate in having had two books published traditionally. Since joining the ebook crowd, she has published nine books, some of which have won various awards.
.png)
Thank you so much for doing this. I truly appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteA warm thank you for being part of today’s Escape of the Grand Duchess blog tour. ✨📚
ReplyDelete