In the summer of 1918 a tragedy echoed across the world when the Russian Imperial Romanov family was murdered by communists leaving much of the country crying out in mourning. Yet, there was a myth that one daughter, the youngest daughter; the Grand Duchess Anastasia had escaped. Though many disbelieved, for some this would prove to be more than a rumor and it would change their lives forever. Annalisa Peterson, a senior in high school, is dying to get out and move as far away from her family as possible. Not that she has had a rough childhood, but she wants to get away from constantly being expected to be the perfect A student and consistently having to visit her great grandmother who doesn't seem to like her, and oh yeah, doesn't speak a word of English. One final class assignment could change everything that she's ever known, and could literally re-write history. To find out the truth about her family's history, it isn't long before she's digging through old papers, books, photographs, and even travelling to Russia; not to mention getting her heart tangled up with the enemy along the way. As Annalisa finds out more and more, she's quickly discovering that once the real truth is out, her entire life will be turned upside down, and life will become much more dangerous for her, and those around her. Secrets are revealed. Questions are answered. One thing is certain; Annalisa never thought that her senior year would end like this.

What is a maiden? A beautiful young virgin female. What maiden is unwanted? Mercy. Mercy is a young girl in victorian England living with her widowed father. As she turns of age, she must marry the Duke Of Edinbourgh and succeed in torturing him. Why? His father acussed Mercy's mother of being a witch. Mercy can not help but fall for the dark Duke's charm and grace but can't comprehend why he does not feel the same way. If he pushes her away, will she get her revenge? Or will she perish like her mother for being just like her mother...a witch?

Rose McGregor flees the post-civil war south as a mail-order bride, with no other hope than to have a home of her own, a full stomach, and someone to take care of her. She never expected to find more pain and hardship than she's already suffered as her past catches up with her future. Least of all does she expect to find a love far beyond her wildest dreams in the arms of the stranger she has sworn to honor and obey.

I don't speak. I have no reason to anymore, I have nothing to say to anyone. All they do is twist my words. They don't understand me, no one understands me. I'm to different. I'm broken, i'm crazy, i'm insane. That's how everyone puts it. What they don't understand is that if they had been put into the situation I was thrusted into one year ago they would have done that same thing. I believe i've punished myself enough, but everyone insists that I haven't learned my lesson. If you try and ask them what the lesson I must be learning is though... they won't have an answer. But I have an answer. The lesson is to never let yourself be blinded by love. Take it from a girl who was actually blinded because she loved, and loved him so much.