Eleanor Herman Knihy

Katharina die Große verbrauchte ein gutes Dutzend Liebhaber. Selbst als sie schon 50 Jahre alt und ihre Schönheit verblüht war, boten ihr 20-Jährige noch ihre Dienste an. Marie Antoinette begnügte sich vermutlich mit nur einem einzigen Galan, von dem sie allerdings schwanger wurde und einen Sohn bekam – den späteren König Ludwig XVII. Es gab Königinnen, die sich aus Lust und Langeweile Liebhaber nahmen – weil sie aus politischen Gründen als junge Frauen mit alten Herrschern oder deren debilen Nachkommen verheiratet wurden, ihre Ehemänner homosexuell oder impotent waren. Anderen wurden aus dem Umfeld des Königs Liebhaber zugespielt, um die Königin der Untreue anklagen und beseitigen zu können, wie es Anne Boleyn geschah. Die Schicksale untreuer Königinnen: ein großes Tabuthema der Geschichte.

In "Blood of Gods and Royals," war, forbidden romance, and ancient magic threaten Macedon. Prince Alexander struggles between leadership and tyranny after his first battle. Hephaestion hides a prophecy while on a mission with Katerina. Warrior Jacob seeks to destroy Blood Magics, and captive princess Zofia faces secrets of her captor.

The story of poison is the story of power... The Royal Art of Poison is a hugely entertaining work of popular history that traces the use of poison as a political - and cosmetic - tool in the royal courts of Western Europe from the Middle Ages to the Kremlin today.

Born without a dowry, nearly forced into a convent, and later married off to a man she didn't love, Olimpia Maidalchini vowed never to be poor, powerless, or beholden to any man again. Instead, using her wits, Olimpia became the unofficial ruler of the most powerful institution in the world: the Roman Catholic Church. The Church firmly states that women must be excluded from church leadership positions—but for more than a decade in the seventeenth century, Olimpia ran the Vatican. As sister-in-law and reputed mistress of the indecisive Pope Innocent X, she appointed cardinals, negotiated with foreign ambassadors, and helped herself to a heaping portion of the Papal States' treasury. In Mistress of the Vatican, New York Times bestselling author Eleanor Herman brings to life not only an extraordinary woman lost in history but an entire civilization in all its greatness . . . and ignominy. This is the unforgettable story of a woman ahead of her time.

Traces the history of poison in centuries of royal courts, from the intentional poisonings to the unintentional side effects of commonly used makeup and medications.

In this follow-up to her bestselling work, Eleanor Herman delves into the intriguing lives of queens, revealing the hidden truths behind their opulent exteriors. Through meticulous research, she uncovers the romantic entanglements and scandals that marked the reigns of some of history's most famous female rulers. While these queens lived in luxury, adorned in fine gowns and jewels, many were trapped in unhappy marriages to unsuitable husbands—ranging from sadistic to incompetent. To seek happiness, they often engaged in love affairs amidst a court filled with powerful men. Notable figures include Anne Boleyn, who flirted with courtiers, and Catherine Howard, who was executed alongside her. Catherine the Great took drastic measures against her husband to rule Russia with a series of young lovers, while Marie Antoinette found solace in her relationship with Axel Fersen during turbulent times. Empress Alexandra’s connection with Rasputin contributed to the upheaval of the Russian revolution, and Princess Diana’s numerous affairs ultimately led to her tragic demise. The consequences of these affairs varied widely, from disgrace to political power shifts, often influenced by the dynamics of power, wealth, and rivalry. Ultimately, it was the political implications of their actions—not just the romantic escapades—that determined the queens' fates, showcasing the complex interplay between love and politics in royal life.