Break Out the Champagne: It's a Book Award Celebration!

So, this thing happened last week: When I checked my email Friday morning I discovered that my newest historical fiction novel, RISE OF THE LAST WARRIOR QUEEN, won the prestigious Firebird Book Award in the biographical fiction category. Hooray! First thing I did is get out a bottle of bubbly and danced around the kitchen like a little maniac. I know - sounds totally silly right? But I just couldn't help it! I can't believe my good fortune!

About the book:

15th century Asia. After two hundred years of civil war, Genghis Khan’s vast empire is more divided than ever. During this time, when ruthless men rule the world, young Mandukhai dreams of becoming a fierce female warrior. But her desires come to a stand-still when she is forced to become Manduul Khan’s second wife.

Meanwhile, Wan Zhen’er, who lives in the Forbidden City, is only the nanny to Zhu Jianshen, the future Emperor of China. But although she eventually rises to the rank of official concubine of the Chenghua Emperor and becomes the most powerful woman in the Middle Kingdom, Lady Wan is forced to defend her precarious position daily against conspiratorial eunuchs, warlords, ministers, and much younger and ambitious concubines.

The great Mongolian warrior, Unebolod, spends his life in Manduul Khan’s shadow, preparing for the day when he can seize the throne, even though he’s not a direct descendant of Genghis Khan but rather of his younger brother, Qasar. But when he forms a dangerous alliance with Mandukhai Khatun, it swiftly transforms into a lingering passion that could destroy them both. But just as the two young people are sure that fate will bring them together and make Unebolod the next Khan, a young prince emerges from the shadows, captures the Khan’s attention, and attempts to steal the people’s hearts.

But as Manduul Khan slowly withers away, Mandukhai Khatun faces her most formidable challenge thus far: Carving out her place in a political hierarchy ruled by men. And as the Mongolian warlords prepare to raise their war banners again, secrets are revealed, and dangers lurk around every corner. Who will survive the treacherous games of influence and power at the Mongolian court and the Forbidden City? Will this end the great forefather Genghis Khan’s royal bloodline? And who will be left to tell the tale when the dust finally settles?

by A. Piper Burgi

Piper is the award-winning author of The Country Girl Empress series. When she isn't busy typing on her computer, she can be found chasing after her furry children or holding on tightly to a good cup of coffee. Follow her on LinkedIn, Facebook, Medium, and Goodreads.

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NEW BOOK ALERT: The Last Warrior Queen has arrived!

 

She’s finally here! Today is the day, after months in the making.

I hope that Mandukhai’s story moves you, wherever this month may find you. I’m so grateful for women like Mandukhai Khatun, who inspire us with the beauty of their dreams and the passion and resilience of their life stories. I am truly thankful that I get to write stories like Mandukhai’s and share them with you.

To all my readers who have been following my writing journey: Thank you for all your support, encouragement, and enthusiasm! You make all the hard work worthwhile, and I could not have done it without you. 

If you pick up a copy of RISE OF THE LAST WARRIOR QUEEN today, I’d love to hear from you. Happy Reading and Happy Launch Day to #RiseoftheLastWarriorQueen!

About the book:

15th century Asia. In the midst of Genghis Khan's former empire, torn apart by two centuries of civil war, a young Mandukhai dares to dream of becoming a fierce female warrior. Her aspirations are abruptly halted when she is compelled to become the second wife of Manduul Khan, a man of ruthless power. Yet, even in the face of such a daunting fate, her spirit remains unbroken.

Meanwhile, Wan Zhen’er, who lives in the Forbidden City, a place of immense power and secrecy, is only the nanny to Zhu Jianshen, the future Emperor of China. But although she eventually rises to the rank of official concubine of the Chenghua Emperor and becomes the most powerful woman in the Middle Kingdom, Lady Wan is forced to defend her precarious position daily against conspiratorial eunuchs, warlords, ministers, and much younger and ambitious concubines.

The great Mongolian warrior, Unebolod, spends his life in Manduul Khan’s shadow, preparing for the day when he can seize the throne, even though he’s not a direct descendant of Genghis Khan but rather of his younger brother, Qasar. His lineage, though not direct, holds significant weight in the Mongolian hierarchy. But when he forms a dangerous alliance with Mandukhai Khatun, it swiftly transforms into a lingering passion that could destroy them both. But just as the two young people are sure that fate will bring them together and make Unebolod the next Khan, a young prince emerges from the shadows, captures the Khan’s attention, and attempts to steal the people’s hearts.

As Manduul Khan's health deteriorates, Mandukhai Khatun faces her most daunting challenge yet: Establishing her place in a male-dominated political hierarchy. With the Mongolian warlords preparing for another round of conflict, secrets are unearthed and dangers lurk at every turn. The suspense builds as the treacherous games of influence and power unfold at the Mongolian court and the Forbidden City. Who will emerge victorious? Will the royal bloodline of Genghis Khan survive? And who will be left to recount the tale when the dust finally settles?

by A. Piper Burgi

Piper is the award-winning author of The Country Girl Empress series. When she isn't busy typing on her computer, she can be found chasing after her furry children or holding on tightly to a good cup of coffee. Follow her on LinkedIn, Facebook, Medium, and Goodreads.

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Writing Historical Fiction: Where to Start!?

 

When I first conceived the notion to write THE COUNTRY GIRL EMPRESS series, I knew from the beginning that I wanted to cover the entire lifetime of Empress Elisabeth of Austria (Sisi), set in 19th century Vienna. While I was quite familiar with her life story and the setting already, I knew there was still so much more I needed to research about this timeframe. The question was: Where should I begin?  Why...with the characters of my book, of course!

Creating Characters

All the wonderful ideas for a grand story wouldn't do me any good if I didn't have people, fictional or real, to play a role in my narrative. However, before I put pen to paper or more accurately, fingers to the keyboard, I had to determine who my main character is and what he or she plans to accomplish in the story. Since my main character, Empress Sisi, was a person who lived in the past, I needed to learn all I could about that her status, lifestyle, and personality. Although historical fiction allows room for interpretation, because it's fiction, after all, it still needs to ring true.

Researching the Era

Once I had a good idea of who my characters  (main as well as supporting)  were going to be, I needed to define the setting of my historical fiction novel clearly. Here are several questions that helped me: What year(s) will the story take place? Will it span over many years, or will it be restricted to one year or maybe just one season? Where will the story take place?  

For my Country Girl Empress series, these questions were reasonably simple to answer, since I had planned to span Sisi's entire lifetime, which in her case was 1837 to 1898. As for the location, it was also rather easy (or so I thought in the beginning): The Austro-Hungarian Empire. Little did I know that the Empress was quite a world traveler, and I had to, therefore, incorporate a lot of her travel adventures into my stories. 

This is when historical research is essential. I borrowed books from the local library, purchased some, and read many articles about the subject matter online. Once I had immersed myself in the setting, I was able to create mental images of the physical landscape and the buildings. Of course, it also didn't hurt that I had visited many of the locations.

Learning About Fashion 

My next step was to research the style of clothing people wore at the time. Learning the names of clothing items and the fabrics used was particularly fascinating to me. Authenticity is, after all, found in the details where historical fiction is concerned, and they are definitely found in fashion.

Studying Architecture

Architecture plays a significant role in writing historical fiction, from the most magnificent cathedral to the tiniest dairy maid's cottage because these buildings reflect the ideals of the people of that given period. Learning the names of some of these structural features and the raw materials used was essential to give my stories an authentic feel. Again, it is all about the details!

Learning About Warfare

Although my book series is not predominantly about war, warfare dominates history. The Austro-Hungarian Empire was involved in many conflicts as well as significant wars throughout the timeframe I chose for my stories. I felt it crucial to study the art and nature of warfare in 19th century Europe, as well as the various weapons soldiers used and the armor/uniforms they wore. 

Researching the Social Status of the Characters

The social status of an individual was of great significance, even though things were beginning to shift within society in the 19th century. Status defined a person's lifestyle and how he/she dressed. There was little fluidity or moving upwards, the betterment of ones' situation. If you were born a peasant, you were, more than likely, remain a peasant for life. In Empress Sisi's case, she was born to royalty, and she couldn't escape her destiny no matter how much she might have wanted to get away from the strict protocol that governed her daily life.

Writing Historically Accurate Dialogues

Once I had written my outline and done my research, it was time to write my first book in the series. Of course, the characters needed to interact with each other.  This is when I felt I could take some liberties with my writing. 

People in 19th century Austria spoke predominantly German. Of course, there was no way I would have my characters converse in German in my story since I was writing for the American market. In my series of novels, they would speak English, sprinkled with the occasional mention of German names. Although this aspect could technically be viewed as an inaccuracy, I don't think it would have done my books any good to write them in German for the American marketplace. Yet, I felt obliged to be mindful of the historical timeframe in which my characters existed. So, they would "speak" a form of formal English, not inundated with 21st-century slang. 

Accuracy is definitely king in historical fiction. That's what makes writing a historical fiction novel so challenging. However, thoroughly researching the subject matter definitely helps. I hope you enjoyed this article! Since this list of tips and tricks is not all-inclusive, please feel free to  add yours in the comment section below.

by A. Piper Burgi

Piper is the award-winning author of The Country Girl Empress series. When she isn't busy typing on her computer, she can be found chasing after her furry children or holding on tightly to a good cup of coffee. Follow her on LinkedIn, Facebook, Medium, and Goodreads.

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#WritersLife: My Musings on Writing Historical Fiction

 

 

When I began to write, I focused on non-fiction, military lifestyle, and canine health to be more precise. Four years into my writing journey, I added my debut novel IN THE SHADOW OF HER MAJESTY,  a Tudor whodunit, to my expanding collection of scribbles. Set in 16th century England, it seeks to solve the circumstances of Lady Amy Dudley's untimely death. But what is it about historical fiction that makes it so charming? And what ensures its continuing popularity? I had, after all, up until just recently, written nothing but non-fiction.  I will gladly admit that I’ve always been a bit of a history buff and enjoy researching different eras and cultures. But my love of this genre goes well beyond that.

These days I write primarily biographical historical women’s fiction, with my current focus on 19th century Austria. I know, it's quite a time shift, but, so far, it's been an enjoyable one. When I first started on the path of writing historical fiction, I wanted to explore history, religion, people, and combine it with a touch of mystery. But these days, I am much more focused. And yes, I was partly influenced by market trends, but ultimately it was the subject matter I found most intriguing. It’s one thing to write historical fiction and speculate about the suspicious circumstances of Lady Amy Dudley's sudden demise within the confines of one book. However, it’s quite another to write about one of the most beautiful and fascinating women of her time, and turn it into a series that can hold readers' attention.

My debut novel is set in Tudor England. I was quite enamored with the drama and formality of it, and intrigued by this historic "unsolved murder case". I also liked the fact that although the political situation seemed so far removed from our own, it was still relevant. Some things just haven't changed all that much. One of my most recent works, The Country Girl Empress series, is set in 19th century Vienna, spanning the years 1837 to 1898. Yes, the series will come to an end just before World War I. Did I just give away the ending? Not really, since the destiny of such a prominent historical figure, such as Empress Elisabeth of Austria (affectionately referred to as "Sisi"), can be easily researched.

You may wonder how I went from writing about events during the reign of the last Tudor monarch to focusing on one of the most powerful empires on the European continent. Well, in my mind, it made perfect sense, since one is a stand-alone novel, the other a series of books about a woman whose life I've always found intriguing. And while Empress Elisabeth was, for the most part, not politically involved, she was one of the best equestriennes of her time, quite an athlete, and an active philanthropist. Her political ambitions were discouraged by her mother-in-law, Archduchess Sophie, early on in Sisi's marriage to Emperor Franz Joseph I. I suppose I've always been a bit of royalist. After all, royals are the original superstars whose lives have fascinated people from all walks of life for centuries. Needless to say, researching Sisi's life has been and still is exciting.

People often ask me the value and purpose of historical fiction, and if I've changed my mind about it over time. To me, historical fiction is not only entertainment but also an art form. Does it really need to have another purpose or value beyond that!? Why does anyone even bother reading books? What pleasure do people derive from a well-spun tale? I think most would argue that a good story takes us away from our daily hum-drum. We trust the author to provide us the opportunity to immerse ourselves in a completely different world as soon as we turn the pages of a book to the first chapter.

Historical fiction can also educate readers. As writers of this genre, we can, if we’re fortunate enough, even make contributions to the historical record because novelists often ask different questions than historians tend to do. We are not bound by the limits of pure historical facts. We can even go so far as to ask: What if...? Historical fiction affords a writer the rare opportunity to right wrongs. We can create a story starring historical figures in a new light. We can restore them to life, although theirs was stolen or exact justice on their behalf, although they received tragic condemnation. We can even award posthumous accolades to the heroes who left us all too soon.

Why am I so passionate about historical fiction!? I feel strongly about preserving the biographical portion of historical novels as an art form. It makes me unhappy every time a historical fiction writer has to justify him/herself. Like so many of us, I’ve often been asked with all this research, why wouldn't I just write a history book or biography instead of a piece of fiction? Because I believe that some tales can only be told in a responsible fashion in the form of a novel. Not to mention that history books are typically dry reading material, which just isn't my style.

For a storyteller, this genre requires more research than most other forms of writing. This is my favorite stage of the writing process! I get to transport myself to that time and place in history and "experience" (albeit second-hand) the same things as the people of that time. Using modern-day phrases, or mentioning inventions that have not yet been discovered, could negate all of my efforts. However, despite the extra challenges, or possibly because of them, I feel it is also the most rewarding type of writing. It allows me to introduce the relatively unknown people and periods in history while indulging my inner history buff and writer in the process.

by A. Piper Burgi

Piper is the award-winning author of The Country Girl Empress series. When she isn't busy typing on her computer, she can be found chasing after her furry children or holding on tightly to a good cup of coffee. Follow her on LinkedIn, Facebook, Medium, and Goodreads.

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First Drafts Don't Have to be Perfect...

 ...They Just Have to be Written! -Anonymous 

I try hard to follow that motto. I cannot even begin to tell you how good it felt to be able to write the words 'The End' on the last page of my upcoming historical fiction novel RISE OF THE LAST WARRIOR QUEEN. The first thing I did was to perform my happy dance in the kitchen. Not counting research time, the manuscript took me a bit over two months to write. After I typed out the last few words, I sighed a deep breath of relief, and then I couldn't help but think:

I can't believe I finished!

While I was in the midst of writing, I couldn't help but feel a sort of mid-book panic, and I asked myself: Where is this story going? How will I finish it? Is the plot strong enough to keep the readers' attention? 

I suppose second-guessing yourself while writing is not an unusual occurrence, and I feel that way every time I put words on paper (or in most cases on a computer screen). So, it is with great relieve and satisfaction when I somehow manage to finish my manuscript without too much trouble.

Time to take a break!

After finishing the initial draft, I find it helpful to gain some distance by setting the manuscript aside for a while. When I finally begin my first round of editing, I can do so more objectively. 

It's such a relief! 

It's exhilarating to write an initial draft, to dream about the characters, their lives and the way the story might unfold. This phase of the creative process can be quite taxing, and can take up a lot of my time. But, after the emotional and physical drain begins to subside, it is replaced by a great sense of accomplishment. 

Thank goodness there's an editing process!

While we would like to believe that there's no way our writings need editing, we all know that they all need it, whether we like it or not. As a matter of fact, my upcoming book will undergo many rounds of self-editing, before any editor gets to put their hands on it. No matter how many books I write, I would never skip the editing process, and although it can be grueling at times, I am thankful for the feedback, which can only make my books better. 

Don't get too attached!

I just created this fantastic piece, but I know I really shouldn't get too attached. They are just words jumbled together in sentences and paragraphs, which I hope make sense to readers. But as much as I might love what I wrote, I need to go back through the entire book and eliminate what doesn't work. To make this process seem less of a loss, I cut and paste my deleted items into a blank document for future reference. Waste not, want not! 

Hopefully people will read it!

I love to write stories I enjoy. Otherwise, why bother? Of course, different people read my books with different expectations, but I've learned long ago that I can't please everyone. And so, I shall continue to write what I love, with the hope that my writings will bring joy to some of my readers, and provide others with the information they seek. I can't help but wonder, which parts of my book will or won't please readers.  

So, what about you? How do you feel after you've finished writing an initial draft? I'd love to hear from you!

by A. Piper Burgi

Piper is the award-winning author of The Country Girl Empress series. When she isn't busy typing on her computer, she can be found chasing after her furry children or holding on tightly to a good cup of coffee. Follow her on LinkedIn, Facebook, Medium, and Goodreads.

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Why I Love to Write and Read Historical Fiction

 

In my podcast interview with award-winning author, Nancy Christie, we discussed at length how to successfully bring the past to life through fiction, and why I decided to write historical fiction. I had, after all, up until just a few years ago, written nothing but non-fiction. What is it about historical fiction? What makes it so charming? And what ensures its continuing popularity? I will gladly admit that I’ve always been a bit of a history buff and enjoy researching different eras and cultures.  But my love of this genre goes well beyond that.

Why does anyone even bother reading books? What pleasure do people derive from a well-spun tale? I think most would argue that a good story takes us away from our daily hum-drum. We trust the author to provide us the opportunity to immerse ourselves in a completely different world as soon as we turn the pages of a book to the first chapter.

Who among us has not imagined ourselves or our alter ego, living in another period? Perhaps we think we were born in the wrong century and believe we would have felt more at home way back when. Or maybe it's a yearning for a simpler time, or a desire to live in another country. Perhaps we're looking for an opportunity to meet our cherished heroes. Or we wish to right one of history’s horrific wrongs. After all, there have been many! If that’s you, then you are probably already a fan of historical fiction and many of its sub-genres. There are so many to choose from: Romance, horror, mysteries, tragedies, westerns, etc. set in history ready to captivate their readers and bewitch them with a sense of another time and space.

Stories from our past expose us to unfamiliar cultures, and sometimes even the strange aspects of our own. It shows us who we were as a people, but also provides a map to our future. An astute reader might even pick up on the commonality of all faiths and nations when our basic needs were exposed, rawer.

Historical fiction affords a writer the rare opportunity to right wrongs. We can create a story starring historical figures in a new light. We can restore them to life although theirs was stolen, or exact justice although they received tragic condemnation. We can even award posthumous accolades to the heroes who left us all too soon. After all, it is fiction, and nowhere does it say we can't ask: What if...? 

For a storyteller, this genre requires more research than most other forms of writing. This is my favorite stage of the writing process! I get to transport myself to that time and place in history and "experience" (albeit second-hand) the same things as the people of that time. Using modern-day phrases, or mentioning inventions that have not yet been discovered, could negate all of my efforts. However, despite the extra challenges, or possibly because of them, I feel it is also the most rewarding type of writing. It allows me to introduce the relatively unknown people and periods in history while indulging my inner history buff and storyteller in the process

by A. Piper Burgi

Piper is the award-winning author of The Country Girl Empress series. When she isn't busy typing on her computer, she can be found chasing after her furry children or holding on tightly to a good cup of coffee. Follow her on LinkedIn, Facebook, Medium, and Goodreads.

Don't forget to share this post! Choose your platform below:

#WritersLife: My Musings on Writing Historical Fiction

 

When I began to write, I focused on non-fiction, military lifestyle, and canine health to be more precise. Four years into my writing journey, I added my debut novel IN THE SHADOW OF HER MAJESTY,  a Tudor whodunit, to my expanding collection of scribbles. Set in 16th century England, it seeks to solve the circumstances of Lady Amy Dudley's untimely death. But what is it about historical fiction that makes it so charming? And what ensures its continuing popularity? I had, after all, up until just recently, written nothing but non-fiction.  I will gladly admit that I’ve always been a bit of a history buff and enjoy researching different eras and cultures. But my love of this genre goes well beyond that.

These days I write primarily biographical historical women’s fiction, with my current focus on 19th century Austria. I know, it's quite a time shift, but, so far, it's been an enjoyable one. When I first started on the path of writing historical fiction, I wanted to explore history, religion, people, and combine it with a touch of mystery. But these days, I am much more focused. And yes, I was partly influenced by market trends, but ultimately it was the subject matter I found most intriguing. It’s one thing to write historical fiction and speculate about the suspicious circumstances of Lady Amy Dudley's sudden demise within the confines of one book. However, it’s quite another to write about one of the most beautiful and fascinating women of her time, and turn it into a series that can hold readers' attention.

My debut novel is set in Tudor England. I was quite enamored with the drama and formality of it, and intrigued by this historic "unsolved murder case". I also liked the fact that although the political situation seemed so far removed from our own, it was still relevant. Some things just haven't changed all that much. One of my most recent works, The Country Girl Empress series, is set in 19th century Vienna, spanning the years 1837 to 1898. Yes, the series will come to an end just before World War I. Did I just give away the ending? Not really, since the destiny of such a prominent historical figure, such as Empress Elisabeth of Austria (affectionately referred to as "Sisi"), can be easily researched.

You may wonder how I went from writing about events during the reign of the last Tudor monarch to focusing on one of the most powerful empires on the European continent. Well, in my mind, it made perfect sense, since one is a stand-alone novel, the other a series of books about a woman whose life I've always found intriguing. And while Empress Elisabeth was, for the most part, not politically involved, she was one of the best equestriennes of her time, quite an athlete, and an active philanthropist. Her political ambitions were discouraged by her mother-in-law, Archduchess Sophie, early on in Sisi's marriage to Emperor Franz Joseph I. I suppose I've always been a bit of royalist. After all, royals are the original superstars whose lives have fascinated people from all walks of life for centuries. Needless to say, researching Sisi's life has been and still is exciting.

People often ask me the value and purpose of historical fiction, and if I've changed my mind about it over time. To me, historical fiction is not only entertainment but also an art form. Does it really need to have another purpose or value beyond that!? Why does anyone even bother reading books? What pleasure do people derive from a well-spun tale? I think most would argue that a good story takes us away from our daily hum-drum. We trust the author to provide us the opportunity to immerse ourselves in a completely different world as soon as we turn the pages of a book to the first chapter.

Historical fiction can also educate readers. As writers of this genre, we can, if we’re fortunate enough, even make contributions to the historical record because novelists often ask different questions than historians tend to do. We are not bound by the limits of pure historical facts. We can even go so far as to ask: What if...? Historical fiction affords a writer the rare opportunity to right wrongs. We can create a story starring historical figures in a new light. We can restore them to life, although theirs was stolen or exact justice on their behalf, although they received tragic condemnation. We can even award posthumous accolades to the heroes who left us all too soon.

Why am I so passionate about historical fiction!? I feel strongly about preserving the biographical portion of historical novels as an art form. It makes me unhappy every time a historical fiction writer has to justify him/herself. Like so many of us, I’ve often been asked with all this research, why wouldn't I just write a history book or biography instead of a piece of fiction? Because I believe that some tales can only be told in a responsible fashion in the form of a novel. Not to mention that history books are typically dry reading material, which just isn't my style.

For a storyteller, this genre requires more research than most other forms of writing. This is my favourite stage of the writing process! I get to transport myself to that time and place in history and "experience" (albeit second-hand) the same things as the people of that time. Using modern-day phrases, or mentioning inventions that have not yet been discovered, could negate all of my efforts. However, despite the extra challenges, or possibly because of them, I feel it is also the most rewarding type of writing. It allows me to introduce the relatively unknown people and periods in history while indulging my inner history buff and writer in the process.

by A. Piper Burgi

Piper is the award-winning author of The Country Girl Empress series. When she isn't busy typing on her computer, she can be found chasing after her furry children or holding on tightly to a good cup of coffee. Follow her on LinkedIn, Facebook, Medium, and Goodreads.

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Book Cover Reveal: LOVE, POWER, AND THE EMPEROR WALTZ - A Country Girl Empress Novel

 

I am so excited to reveal the cover of my upcoming historical fiction novel: LOVE, POWER AND THE EMPEROR WALTZ, book six of The Country Girl Empress series. To make it a little more interesting, I decided to turn it into a game. Below, you will find two images of the new book cover, but there's a difference. Can you spot it? If so, go ahead and comment that you found it. Spoiler alert! Some of you might be too excited to keep the answer to yourself, and that's alright. So, if you don't want to risk seeing a spoiler, then you might want to avoid reading the comments at first, and don't forget to read on to get the inside scoop!

About the book: 

Over and over, Empress Elisabeth of Austria seeks to escape the magnificent but spiteful Viennese court. She travels to foreign lands accompanied by her old, faithful Grand Chamberlain, Baron Nopsca, and her ladies-in-waiting. But as soon as she returns home, she is confronted with the upcoming visit of Grand Duke Nikolaj Aleksandrovič Romanov of Russia. To smooth things over between the two Empires, Franz Joseph plans to host a reception, banquet, and one of Vienna’s famous balls at Schönbrunn Palace. To give the festivities an air of a familial get-together, he expects Sisi to attend, even though she’s still in mourning.

The rest of her extended family doesn’t make it any easier for the overwhelmed Empress. Sisi finds out that the future heir presumptive, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, has fallen head over heels in love with a simple Bohemian noblewoman. Unfortunately for him, Sophie Maria Josephine Albina Countess Chotek von Chotkow and Wognin is far below his own societal rank.

The connubium of the House of Habsburg and the traditional-thinking Emperor Franz Joseph seem to make the young people’s relationship impossible. To be eligible to marry a member of the imperial House of Habsburg, one has to be a member of one of the reigning or formerly reigning dynasties of Europe. The Choteks are not one of these families. Deeply in love, Franz Ferdinand refuses to consider marrying anyone else that includes the Emperor’s suggestion he marry Crown Princess Dowager Stéphanie.

The Emperor decides to send his potential heir to the throne on a world tour. He hopes that he will finally forget about the “unworthy” bride that his nephew has chosen. One whole year must the young Archduke spend away from home. No contact is allowed between the two lovers. In desperation, Archduke Franz Ferdinand turns to the only person whom he trusts – his aunt, Empress Sisi. She understands her nephew and wants to help him. However, she also loves her husband, with whom she has shared so much happiness and countless misfortunes.

And as if that wasn’t enough, Crown Princess Dowager Stéphanie and Princess Elisabeth of Bavaria, Archduchess Gisela’s oldest daughter, don’t make life any easier for the Emperor. Steffi’s fallen in love with her Grand Chamberlain, Count Elemér Lónyay, and Sisi’s granddaughter, Princess Elisabeth, eloped with Otto Baron zu Hagenbach. These relationships are no less undesirable than the one Franz Ferdinand pursues.

For her part, the Empress cannot bear the strains and constraints of life at the imperial court and embarks on an odyssey crisscrossing the Mediterranean Sea. From Algiers to Gibraltar to Spain, Portugal, Corfu – everywhere she goes, she is haunted by the past, unable to find inner peace. But with her incessant travel mania, she not only hurts her husband deeply but gives the oppositional forces plenty of reason to speculate that she’s become unhinged. An insane woman is wearing the Austrian crown – that is gossip the House of Habsburg can’t afford or tolerate!

Are you eager to learn more about the book? If so, more snippets are coming your way soon! LOVE, POWER, AND THE EMPEROR WALTZ is coming to your favourite online book retailer in November 2021. 

by A. Piper Burgi

Piper is the award-winning author of The Country Girl Empress series. When she isn't busy typing on her computer, she can be found chasing after her furry children or holding on tightly to a good cup of coffee. Follow her on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Goodreads.

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Break Out the Champagne - It's Time to Celebrate!

 

So, this thing happened last week. I woke up Thursday morning to find that my historical fiction novel, THE COUNTRY GIRL EMPRESS, book one of the series, won the Firebird Book Award in the historical fiction category. Woohoo! First thing I did is get out a bottle of bubbly and danced around the kitchen like a little maniac. I know - sounds totally silly right? But I just couldn't help it! I just couldn't believe my good fortune! I felt elated and honoured to join the ranks of distinguished award winners. 

About the book:

It was THE romance of 19^th century Europe! The young and dashingly handsome Emperor Franz Joseph I of Austria needed an Empress by his side according to his mother, Archduchess Sophie. The House of Habsburg was the most powerful ruling family in Europe, and the line of succession had to be maintained. For centuries, marriages had been arranged based on dynastic considerations as well as serve the expansion of the Empire’s power and it was not going to be any different this time.

Princess Elisabeth was born on the 24th of December 1837 at the Wittelsbach Palais in Munich. As a daughter of Duke Max in Bavaria and his wife Ludovika, Elisabeth called “Sisi”, grew up with her many siblings far away from all protocol in the small castle of Possenhofen on the shore of Lake Starnberg. More of a tomboy than a Princess, she spent much of her childhood there.

Sisi and her cousin Franz Joseph first met when she was 11 years old, and the girl promptly fell in love with the Emperor’s younger brother Karl Ludwig. Franz Joseph, on the other hand, fell head over heels for Sisi’s cousin Anna, niece of the King of Prussia. The handsome young Emperor had no shortage of female admirers, all hoping to one day become his wife. A few years later, Franz Joseph traveled to Bad Ischl to meet Sisi’s older sister Helene who was predestined to be his wife. Little did he know that fate had other plans!

The years of Sisi’s youth took place in the background of an unsettled Europe. Revolts, revolutions, and political intrigue were part of daily life. However, when Duchess Ludovika, along with her daughters Nene and Sisi receive an invitation to join the imperial family in Bad Ischl for the Emperor’s birthday festivities, an elaborate game of love and royal marriage politics ensues and finds an entirely unforeseen end in the idyllic resort town.

I wish to thank everyone for stopping by and celebrating this milestone with me! As always, I am grateful to my readers for following my writing journey. Here's to many more happy tales ahead - Cheers! 

by A. Piper Burgi

Piper is the award-winning author of several non-fiction books and recently added six historical fiction novels to her ever-expanding collection of published writings, In the Shadow of Her Majesty , The Country Girl Empress, A Life in the Shadow of the Crown, The Perpetual Traveler, Excerpts from the Imperial Diary, and At the Castle of Dreams. When she isn't busy typing on her computer, she can be found chasing after her furry children or holding on tightly to a good cup of coffee. Follow her on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Goodreads.

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Sneak Peek of my Upcoming Historical Fiction Novel AT THE CASTLE OF DREAMS

 

As most of my readers know by now, I've been diligently working on my next historical fiction piece, AT THE CASTLE OF DREAMS for some time, and the fifth book of The Country Girl Empress series is nearly ready to hit a bookshelf near you. I can also well imagine that many of you wouldn't mind a sneak peek. Well, you won't have to wait any longer. Here it is....Enjoy!

                                                                          Piper

PS: Please keep in mind that this is just an excerpt of an unpublished manuscript, and although it has undergone several rounds of vigorous editing already, it's not the polished, final product. Thank you!  =)

Chapter One

The Secret of Mayerling

The city of Vienna was filled with rumors and speculations. The newspapers published special editions, bordered with a black edge. Foreign papers were being confiscated left and right. But a few hundred issues almost always escaped the police’s grip. They were passed on in secret. The articles were read over and over, and their contents spread like wildfire.

In public houses, cafes, and plenty of cabs, such papers could be “rented” in exchange for a pretty penny. They were brought out from their secret hiding places and read in the backroom of public houses or in a closed carriage with the curtains half-way drawn, and then returned to their respective owners. Their contents were not necessarily the truth, but the stories were definitely sensational.

The mysterious and sudden death of Crown Prince Rudolph naturally heated the people’s temperaments. Had he become the victim of a hunting accident, or did he indeed have a heart attack? At least that’s what the newspapers had reported shortly after the Crown Prince’s death. However, those special editions received their information from the K. and K. Court Press Bureau. But the question staring in everyone’s face was this: Could the source be trusted?

Soon enough, people heard and read many different versions. Was the Crown Prince poisoned? Mr. Loschek, Rudolph’s valet, who had been one of the first people to discover the bodies, testified that there was more than likely cyanide in the water on the bedside table. So, what really happened at Mayerling? Did the Crown Prince shoot himself, or had he been knocked over the head with a champagne bottle? Those and similar theories were voiced by the people who had seen Rudi’s dead body with his head wrapped in gauze. Was it a love story gone horribly wrong, or did a killer commando of a foreign power assassinate the Crown Prince of the most powerful Empire in the world? What did the imperial court know, and what were they hiding?

Slowly but surely, the news leaked that a second body had been discovered at Mayerling, and rumor had it that it was the corpse of young Freiin Mary Vetsera. She was barely 17 years old and lived in the third Viennese city district. During the night, the poor girl’s body had been secretly removed and expediently buried at the cemetery of Heiligenkreuz. Her mother had gone half-mad over the loss, had been issued an imperial gag order and forced to leave the country.

What was so mysterious about those two dead bodies? How did the young woman get to Mayerling, and how did Mary Vetsera die? Had she become an unwilling witness to Rudi’s murder, and that’s why she had to perish as well? The conundrum weighed heavily on the grieving Empire during one unusually cold February day. Black flags of mourning were on display all throughout Vienna.

by A. Piper Burgi

Piper is the author of several non-fiction books, and recently added five historical fiction novels to her ever-expanding collection of published writings, In the Shadow of Her Majesty, The Country Girl Empress, A Life in the Shadow of the Crown, The Perpetual Traveler, and Excerpts from the Imperial Diary. When she isn't busy typing on her computer, she can be found chasing after her furry children or holding on tightly to a good cup of coffee. Follow her on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads.

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Why I Love to Write and Read Historical Fiction

Someone recently asked me why I decided to write historical fiction. I had, after all, up until just a few years ago, written nothing but non-fiction. What is it about historical fiction? What makes it so charming? And what ensures its continuing popularity? I will gladly admit that I’ve always been a bit of a history buff and enjoy researching different eras and cultures.  But my love of this genre goes well beyond that.

Why does anyone even bother reading books? What pleasure do people derive from a well-spun tale? I think most would argue that a good story takes us away from our daily hum-drum. We trust the author to provide us the opportunity to immerse ourselves in a completely different world as soon as we turn the pages of a book to the first chapter.

Who among us has not imagined ourselves or our alter ego, living in another period? Perhaps we think we were born in the wrong century and believe we would have felt more at home way back when. Or maybe it's a yearning for a simpler time, or a desire to live in another country. Perhaps we're looking for an opportunity to meet our cherished heroes. Or we wish to right one of history’s horrific wrongs. After all, there have been many! If that’s you, then you are probably already a fan of historical fiction and many of its sub-genres. There are so many to choose from: Romance, horror, mysteries, tragedies, westerns, etc. set in history ready to captivate their readers and bewitch them with a sense of another time and space.

Stories from our past expose us to unfamiliar cultures, and sometimes even the strange aspects of our own. It shows us who we were as a people, but also provides a map to our future. An astute reader might even pick up on the commonality of all faiths and nations when our basic needs were exposed, rawer.

Historical fiction affords a writer the rare opportunity to right wrongs. We can create a story starring historical figures in a new light. We can restore them to life although theirs was stolen, or exact justice although they received tragic condemnation. We can even award posthumous accolades to the heroes who left us all too soon. After all, it is fiction, and nowhere does it say we can't ask: What if...? 

For a storyteller, this genre requires more research than most other forms of writing. This is my favourite stage of the writing process! I get to transport myself to that time and place in history and "experience" (albeit second-hand) the same things as the people of that time. Using modern-day phrases, or mentioning inventions that have not yet been discovered, could negate all of my efforts. However, despite the extra challenges, or possibly because of them, I feel it is also the most rewarding type of writing. It allows me to introduce the relatively unknown people and periods in history while indulging my inner history buff and storyteller in the process

by A. Piper Burgi

Piper is the author of several non-fiction books, and recently added five historical fiction novels to her ever-expanding collection of published writings, In the Shadow of Her Majesty, The Country Girl Empress, A Life in the Shadow of the Crown, The Perpetual Traveler, and Excerpts from the Imperial Diary. When she isn't busy typing on her computer, she can be found chasing after her furry children or holding on tightly to a good cup of coffee. Follow her on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Goodreads.

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