The Impaler's Wife

The Impaler's Wife

Author: Autumn Bardot

Publisher: Autumn Bardot

Published: 2019-03-27

Total Pages: 484

ISBN-13: 098820925X

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A dark tale of love, obsession, and revenge. A young woman is swept into a life of intrigue, revenge, passion, and betrayal when she falls for the world’s most notorious prince, Vlad Dracula. The year is 1464. King Matthias controls Hungary, his family, and the fate of the world’s most notorious political prisoner, Prince Vlad Dracula. Ilona Szilágy, the king’s cousin, is young and ambitious. Dracula is determined to marry into the family. It is love at first sight, but the king has other plans. The Impaler Prince, however, never takes no for an answer. Eager to become his trusted confidant, Ilona enters a treacherous world where revenge, betrayal, ambition, and passion transcend all that is sacred. And love demands the ultimate sacrifice. Woven throughout is a peek into the life and times of one of the world’s most enigmatic and maligned rulers…the man before the legend. With Bardot’s decadent period detail and a cast of gritty evocative characters, The Impaler’s Wife offers a fierce yet sensuous glimpse into the violent 15th century.


Book Synopsis The Impaler's Wife by : Autumn Bardot

Download or read book The Impaler's Wife written by Autumn Bardot and published by Autumn Bardot. This book was released on 2019-03-27 with total page 484 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A dark tale of love, obsession, and revenge. A young woman is swept into a life of intrigue, revenge, passion, and betrayal when she falls for the world’s most notorious prince, Vlad Dracula. The year is 1464. King Matthias controls Hungary, his family, and the fate of the world’s most notorious political prisoner, Prince Vlad Dracula. Ilona Szilágy, the king’s cousin, is young and ambitious. Dracula is determined to marry into the family. It is love at first sight, but the king has other plans. The Impaler Prince, however, never takes no for an answer. Eager to become his trusted confidant, Ilona enters a treacherous world where revenge, betrayal, ambition, and passion transcend all that is sacred. And love demands the ultimate sacrifice. Woven throughout is a peek into the life and times of one of the world’s most enigmatic and maligned rulers…the man before the legend. With Bardot’s decadent period detail and a cast of gritty evocative characters, The Impaler’s Wife offers a fierce yet sensuous glimpse into the violent 15th century.

Dracula

Dracula

Author: Bram Stoker

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers

Published: 1982-04-12

Total Pages: 97

ISBN-13: 0394848284

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String garlic by the window and hang a cross around your neck! The most powerful vampire of all time returns in our Stepping Stone Classic adaption of the original tale by Bran Stoker. Follow Johnathan Harker, Mina Harker, and Dr. Abraham van Helsing as they discover the true nature of evil. Their battle to destroy Count Dracula takes them from the crags of his castle to the streets of London... and back again.


Book Synopsis Dracula by : Bram Stoker

Download or read book Dracula written by Bram Stoker and published by Random House Books for Young Readers. This book was released on 1982-04-12 with total page 97 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: String garlic by the window and hang a cross around your neck! The most powerful vampire of all time returns in our Stepping Stone Classic adaption of the original tale by Bran Stoker. Follow Johnathan Harker, Mina Harker, and Dr. Abraham van Helsing as they discover the true nature of evil. Their battle to destroy Count Dracula takes them from the crags of his castle to the streets of London... and back again.

Vlad the Impaler

Vlad the Impaler

Author: Biographiq

Publisher: Biographiq

Published: 2008-02-01

Total Pages: 52

ISBN-13: 9781599862026

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Vlad the Impaler - The Real Dracula is a biography of the 15th century Wallachian Prince in what it now modern day Romania. Vladthe Impaler was the inspiration for the main charachter in Bram Stoker's Dracula novel which was originally published in 1897 and loosely based off of the real person. Vlad the Impaler got his name because he used cruel punishments agaisnt his political enemies, most notably impaling them with a large stake and sticking them in the ground to die. During the impalement, Dracula had the blood collected and he dipped his food in their blood, which is what made him known to this day as a blood drinker. Vlad ruled Wallachia during the periods of 1448, 1456-62, and 1476. Vlad the Impaler - The Real Dracula is a highly recommended publication for those interested in learning the details of the story of Vlad the Impaler and also for those who are fans of Dracula and would like to learn about the real man behind the story.


Book Synopsis Vlad the Impaler by : Biographiq

Download or read book Vlad the Impaler written by Biographiq and published by Biographiq. This book was released on 2008-02-01 with total page 52 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Vlad the Impaler - The Real Dracula is a biography of the 15th century Wallachian Prince in what it now modern day Romania. Vladthe Impaler was the inspiration for the main charachter in Bram Stoker's Dracula novel which was originally published in 1897 and loosely based off of the real person. Vlad the Impaler got his name because he used cruel punishments agaisnt his political enemies, most notably impaling them with a large stake and sticking them in the ground to die. During the impalement, Dracula had the blood collected and he dipped his food in their blood, which is what made him known to this day as a blood drinker. Vlad ruled Wallachia during the periods of 1448, 1456-62, and 1476. Vlad the Impaler - The Real Dracula is a highly recommended publication for those interested in learning the details of the story of Vlad the Impaler and also for those who are fans of Dracula and would like to learn about the real man behind the story.

Heart of the Impaler

Heart of the Impaler

Author: Alexander Delacroix

Publisher: Swoon Reads

Published: 2021-12-07

Total Pages: 261

ISBN-13: 1250756154

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Alexander Delacroix's darkly romantic debut Heart of the Impaler is perfect for fans of Kiersten White's And I Darken. Vlad Dracula has long lived in the shadows cast by his bloodthirsty father, the voivode, and his older brother, Mircea. Despite their cruelty, Vlad has yearned to prove himself worthy of the throne his whole life. In the cold halls of the voivode's palace, Vlad can only rely on his cousin and closest friend, Andrei Musat. When Vlad and Andrei meet Ilona Csáki, the daughter of an influential boyar, they each find themselves inextricably drawn to her. But then Ilona is betrothed to Mircea as part of a political alliance, and Vlad's resentfulness of his brother begins to seethe into something far darker. Ilona has no desire to marry the voivode’s eldest son, but love and marriage are the least of her worries. The royal family’s enemies have already tried to put an arrow through her back—and if anyone discovers her blossoming feelings for Andrei and Vlad, she may just wish they’d succeeded. Beneath the shadow of impending war, the only battle that will be deadlier than the one for Ilona’s life will be the one for her heart. Praise for Heart of the Impaler: "Flowing and fast-paced as court intrigue, spies, family secrets, romance, twists, and turns pull readers into fifteenth-century Romania—and into the heart of Vlad the Impaler. Highly recommended." —Booklist "Delacroix adroitly immerses readers in a delicious blend of romance and 15th-century politics that leans more historical than mythic, while exploring the power of love to change history’s tides." —Publishers Weekly


Book Synopsis Heart of the Impaler by : Alexander Delacroix

Download or read book Heart of the Impaler written by Alexander Delacroix and published by Swoon Reads. This book was released on 2021-12-07 with total page 261 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Alexander Delacroix's darkly romantic debut Heart of the Impaler is perfect for fans of Kiersten White's And I Darken. Vlad Dracula has long lived in the shadows cast by his bloodthirsty father, the voivode, and his older brother, Mircea. Despite their cruelty, Vlad has yearned to prove himself worthy of the throne his whole life. In the cold halls of the voivode's palace, Vlad can only rely on his cousin and closest friend, Andrei Musat. When Vlad and Andrei meet Ilona Csáki, the daughter of an influential boyar, they each find themselves inextricably drawn to her. But then Ilona is betrothed to Mircea as part of a political alliance, and Vlad's resentfulness of his brother begins to seethe into something far darker. Ilona has no desire to marry the voivode’s eldest son, but love and marriage are the least of her worries. The royal family’s enemies have already tried to put an arrow through her back—and if anyone discovers her blossoming feelings for Andrei and Vlad, she may just wish they’d succeeded. Beneath the shadow of impending war, the only battle that will be deadlier than the one for Ilona’s life will be the one for her heart. Praise for Heart of the Impaler: "Flowing and fast-paced as court intrigue, spies, family secrets, romance, twists, and turns pull readers into fifteenth-century Romania—and into the heart of Vlad the Impaler. Highly recommended." —Booklist "Delacroix adroitly immerses readers in a delicious blend of romance and 15th-century politics that leans more historical than mythic, while exploring the power of love to change history’s tides." —Publishers Weekly

Vlad the Impaler

Vlad the Impaler

Author: M J Trow

Publisher: Independently Published

Published: 2022-12-08

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13:

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Who was the real man who inspired the Dracula legend? In spring 1460, a contemporary wrote, 'untold abuses, damage hardly reparable, sad murders, mutilations, sorrows' were visited upon the city of Brasov, by 'the unfaithful cruel tyrant Dracula, who calls himself Vlad, prince ... He did this following the teaching of the Devil'. According to legend, he impaled his victims, then sat at table mopping up their blood from his plate; later he hung the still alive bodies of opposing forces on a field of stakes. So began the history of Vlad the Impaler. But were his actions the righteous defence of a kingdom, an act of vengence for the cruel deaths of his father and brother? Or the unspeakable fury of a madman with a taste for blood? Here, M.J. Trow reveals the real man whose name gave birth to a legend. He explores the terror with which the character was once associated, going backwards in time from the celluloid Count of Hammer and Universal Studios to the literary creations of Bram Stoker, Sheridan le Fanu and John Polidori. This book also looks at Vlad from the many facets he has left to history - the Impaler; the Renaissance prince 'more sinned against than sinning' whose reputation was destroyed by his enemies; the hero on a white horse, who welded Wallachia into a fighting and defiant nation-state; the defeated martyr, captured by the Hungarian king Corvinus. A stylishly written and compelling narrative, this book unravels the true story behind the image, and takes us into the heart of the bloody, uncertain world of medieval Europe. M.J. TROW is a crime novelist and historian. His previous books include Boudicca and Who Killed Kit Marlowe?


Book Synopsis Vlad the Impaler by : M J Trow

Download or read book Vlad the Impaler written by M J Trow and published by Independently Published. This book was released on 2022-12-08 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Who was the real man who inspired the Dracula legend? In spring 1460, a contemporary wrote, 'untold abuses, damage hardly reparable, sad murders, mutilations, sorrows' were visited upon the city of Brasov, by 'the unfaithful cruel tyrant Dracula, who calls himself Vlad, prince ... He did this following the teaching of the Devil'. According to legend, he impaled his victims, then sat at table mopping up their blood from his plate; later he hung the still alive bodies of opposing forces on a field of stakes. So began the history of Vlad the Impaler. But were his actions the righteous defence of a kingdom, an act of vengence for the cruel deaths of his father and brother? Or the unspeakable fury of a madman with a taste for blood? Here, M.J. Trow reveals the real man whose name gave birth to a legend. He explores the terror with which the character was once associated, going backwards in time from the celluloid Count of Hammer and Universal Studios to the literary creations of Bram Stoker, Sheridan le Fanu and John Polidori. This book also looks at Vlad from the many facets he has left to history - the Impaler; the Renaissance prince 'more sinned against than sinning' whose reputation was destroyed by his enemies; the hero on a white horse, who welded Wallachia into a fighting and defiant nation-state; the defeated martyr, captured by the Hungarian king Corvinus. A stylishly written and compelling narrative, this book unravels the true story behind the image, and takes us into the heart of the bloody, uncertain world of medieval Europe. M.J. TROW is a crime novelist and historian. His previous books include Boudicca and Who Killed Kit Marlowe?

The Medieval Crossbow

The Medieval Crossbow

Author: Stuart Ellis-Gorman

Publisher: Pen and Sword Military

Published: 2022-07-20

Total Pages: 238

ISBN-13: 1526789566

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An in-depth, illustrated history and technical study of this iconic weapon of the Middle Ages. The crossbow is an iconic weapon of the Middle Ages and, alongside the longbow, one of the most effective ranged weapons of the pre-gunpowder era. Unfortunately, despite its general fame it has been decades since an in-depth history of the medieval crossbow has been published, which is why Stuart Ellis-Gorman’s detailed, accessible, and highly illustrated study is so valuable. The Medieval Crossbow approaches the history of the crossbow from two directions. The first is a technical study of the design and construction of the medieval crossbow, the many different kinds of crossbows used during the Middle Ages, and finally a consideration of the relationship between crossbows and art. The second half of the book explores the history of the crossbow, from its origins in ancient China to its decline in sixteenth-century Europe. Along the way it explores the challenges in deciphering the crossbow’s early medieval history as well as its prominence in warfare and sport shooting in the High and Later Middle Ages. This fascinating book brings together the work of a wide range of accomplished crossbow scholars and incorporates the author’s own original research to create an account of the medieval crossbow that will appeal to anyone looking to gain an insight into one of the most important weapons of the Middle Ages.


Book Synopsis The Medieval Crossbow by : Stuart Ellis-Gorman

Download or read book The Medieval Crossbow written by Stuart Ellis-Gorman and published by Pen and Sword Military. This book was released on 2022-07-20 with total page 238 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An in-depth, illustrated history and technical study of this iconic weapon of the Middle Ages. The crossbow is an iconic weapon of the Middle Ages and, alongside the longbow, one of the most effective ranged weapons of the pre-gunpowder era. Unfortunately, despite its general fame it has been decades since an in-depth history of the medieval crossbow has been published, which is why Stuart Ellis-Gorman’s detailed, accessible, and highly illustrated study is so valuable. The Medieval Crossbow approaches the history of the crossbow from two directions. The first is a technical study of the design and construction of the medieval crossbow, the many different kinds of crossbows used during the Middle Ages, and finally a consideration of the relationship between crossbows and art. The second half of the book explores the history of the crossbow, from its origins in ancient China to its decline in sixteenth-century Europe. Along the way it explores the challenges in deciphering the crossbow’s early medieval history as well as its prominence in warfare and sport shooting in the High and Later Middle Ages. This fascinating book brings together the work of a wide range of accomplished crossbow scholars and incorporates the author’s own original research to create an account of the medieval crossbow that will appeal to anyone looking to gain an insight into one of the most important weapons of the Middle Ages.

Vlad Dracula

Vlad Dracula

Author: Michael Augustyn

Publisher: iUniverse

Published: 2014-04

Total Pages: 297

ISBN-13: 1938908546

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In October of 1448, Vlad is a month shy of his seventeenth birthday when he leads a cavalry two thousand strong to the wooden walls of Tirgoviste. They are the last obstacle preventing him from reclaiming the throne held by his father. Determined to be his father's son in every way possible, Vlad finally walks through the open gates where, in due course, he plans to free himself of the Turks and declare himself "Son of the Dragon"--Dracula. At last, he is prince. Dracula presides over Wallachia, a principality caught between two voracious predators: the kingdom of Hungary and the Ottoman, better known as the Turks. Bitter at God and left wondering if He even exists, Dracula faithfully follows his life's purpose to free Wallachia, battling criminals and factions who attempt to break him with overwhelming force and terror. But as a sultan watches the feud from a distance and gloats, Dracula eventually turns his enemies' tactics against them, finds love, is taken prisoner, and stands at a crossroads where he is faced with an agonizing choice: renounce his past, or embrace his fate. In this historical novel, a fifteenth-century warlord cursed by his church and torn between his code of ethics and his humanity evolves into a legend who soon proves that he is neither a man nor a prince, but something beyond both.


Book Synopsis Vlad Dracula by : Michael Augustyn

Download or read book Vlad Dracula written by Michael Augustyn and published by iUniverse. This book was released on 2014-04 with total page 297 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In October of 1448, Vlad is a month shy of his seventeenth birthday when he leads a cavalry two thousand strong to the wooden walls of Tirgoviste. They are the last obstacle preventing him from reclaiming the throne held by his father. Determined to be his father's son in every way possible, Vlad finally walks through the open gates where, in due course, he plans to free himself of the Turks and declare himself "Son of the Dragon"--Dracula. At last, he is prince. Dracula presides over Wallachia, a principality caught between two voracious predators: the kingdom of Hungary and the Ottoman, better known as the Turks. Bitter at God and left wondering if He even exists, Dracula faithfully follows his life's purpose to free Wallachia, battling criminals and factions who attempt to break him with overwhelming force and terror. But as a sultan watches the feud from a distance and gloats, Dracula eventually turns his enemies' tactics against them, finds love, is taken prisoner, and stands at a crossroads where he is faced with an agonizing choice: renounce his past, or embrace his fate. In this historical novel, a fifteenth-century warlord cursed by his church and torn between his code of ethics and his humanity evolves into a legend who soon proves that he is neither a man nor a prince, but something beyond both.

A Prince to Be Feared

A Prince to Be Feared

Author: Mary Lancaster

Publisher: Mary Lancaster

Published: 2014-02-28

Total Pages: 348

ISBN-13: 9781910245002

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Europe's most fearsome prisoner, Vlad Dracula, gifted military commander and one time Prince of Wallachia, the notorious Lord Impaler himself, is about to be released after twelve long years, in order to hold back the tide of Ottoman aggression. The price of his new alliance with his Hungarian captors is the king's cousin Ilona. Ilona does not wish to be married. In particular, she doesn't wish to marry Vlad. Gentle, faded and impossibly vague, Ilona is hardly fit for court life, let alone for dealing with so difficult a husband. But Ilona's wishes have nothing to do with Vlad's reputation and everything to do with a lifelong love affair that finally broke her. Ilona's family blame Vlad; Vlad vows to discover the truth and sets out by unconventional means to bring back the woman who once enchanted him. Among court intrigues, international maneuverings and political deceptions, Vlad reveals himself more victim than villain. But he's still more than capable of reclaiming his lost rights to both Wallachia and Ilona; and Ilona, when it counts, has enough strength for them both.


Book Synopsis A Prince to Be Feared by : Mary Lancaster

Download or read book A Prince to Be Feared written by Mary Lancaster and published by Mary Lancaster. This book was released on 2014-02-28 with total page 348 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Europe's most fearsome prisoner, Vlad Dracula, gifted military commander and one time Prince of Wallachia, the notorious Lord Impaler himself, is about to be released after twelve long years, in order to hold back the tide of Ottoman aggression. The price of his new alliance with his Hungarian captors is the king's cousin Ilona. Ilona does not wish to be married. In particular, she doesn't wish to marry Vlad. Gentle, faded and impossibly vague, Ilona is hardly fit for court life, let alone for dealing with so difficult a husband. But Ilona's wishes have nothing to do with Vlad's reputation and everything to do with a lifelong love affair that finally broke her. Ilona's family blame Vlad; Vlad vows to discover the truth and sets out by unconventional means to bring back the woman who once enchanted him. Among court intrigues, international maneuverings and political deceptions, Vlad reveals himself more victim than villain. But he's still more than capable of reclaiming his lost rights to both Wallachia and Ilona; and Ilona, when it counts, has enough strength for them both.

Dracula

Dracula

Author: Bram Stoker

Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform

Published: 2017-01-23

Total Pages: 420

ISBN-13: 9781542625173

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HOME TITLES GENRES AUTHORS LANGUAGES NEW TITLES RECOMMENDED POPULAR Dracula Cover image for Download download author: Bram Stoker published: 1897 language: English wordcount: 160,098 / 423 pg flesch-kincaid reading ease: 73.3 loc category: PR series: World's Best Reading audiobook: librivox.org downloads: 117,966 mnybks.net#: 6694 origin: gutenberg.org more info: litsum.com genres: Horror, Gothic, Fiction and Literature, Audiobook Read Online in Browser Here The world's best-known vampire story begins by following a naive young Englishman as he visits Transylvania to meet a client, the mysterious Count Dracula. Upon revealing his true nature, Dracula boards a ship for England, where chilling and gruesome disasters begin to befall the people of London... Show Excerpt ll and opened up the lofty, snow-covered peak of a mountain, which seemed, as we wound on our serpentine way, to be right before us. "Look! Isten szek!"--"God's seat!"--and he crossed himself reverently. As we wound on our endless way, and the sun sank lower and lower behind us, the shadows of the evening began to creep round us. This was emphasized by the fact that the snowy mountain-top still held the sunset, and seemed to glow out with a delicate cool pink. Here and there we passed Cszeks and slovaks, all in picturesque attire, but I noticed that goitre was painfully prevalent. By the roadside were many crosses, and as we swept by, my companions all crossed themselves. Here and there was a peasant man or woman kneeling before a shrine, who did not even turn round as we approached, but seemed in the self-surrender of devotion to have neither eyes nor ears for the outer world. There were many things new to me. For instance, hay-ricks in the trees, and here and there very beautiful masses of wee


Book Synopsis Dracula by : Bram Stoker

Download or read book Dracula written by Bram Stoker and published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform. This book was released on 2017-01-23 with total page 420 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: HOME TITLES GENRES AUTHORS LANGUAGES NEW TITLES RECOMMENDED POPULAR Dracula Cover image for Download download author: Bram Stoker published: 1897 language: English wordcount: 160,098 / 423 pg flesch-kincaid reading ease: 73.3 loc category: PR series: World's Best Reading audiobook: librivox.org downloads: 117,966 mnybks.net#: 6694 origin: gutenberg.org more info: litsum.com genres: Horror, Gothic, Fiction and Literature, Audiobook Read Online in Browser Here The world's best-known vampire story begins by following a naive young Englishman as he visits Transylvania to meet a client, the mysterious Count Dracula. Upon revealing his true nature, Dracula boards a ship for England, where chilling and gruesome disasters begin to befall the people of London... Show Excerpt ll and opened up the lofty, snow-covered peak of a mountain, which seemed, as we wound on our serpentine way, to be right before us. "Look! Isten szek!"--"God's seat!"--and he crossed himself reverently. As we wound on our endless way, and the sun sank lower and lower behind us, the shadows of the evening began to creep round us. This was emphasized by the fact that the snowy mountain-top still held the sunset, and seemed to glow out with a delicate cool pink. Here and there we passed Cszeks and slovaks, all in picturesque attire, but I noticed that goitre was painfully prevalent. By the roadside were many crosses, and as we swept by, my companions all crossed themselves. Here and there was a peasant man or woman kneeling before a shrine, who did not even turn round as we approached, but seemed in the self-surrender of devotion to have neither eyes nor ears for the outer world. There were many things new to me. For instance, hay-ricks in the trees, and here and there very beautiful masses of wee

Sleeping With the Impaler

Sleeping With the Impaler

Author: Juliana Cummings

Publisher:

Published: 2020-07-30

Total Pages: 374

ISBN-13:

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The year is 1457. Prince Vlad Dracul now sits on the throne of Wallachia. Seventeen-year-old Anastasia Holszanska, the bastard daughter to Hungarian war hero, John Hunyadi, finds herself betrothed to the new Prince, at the request of her father. As Anastasia travels to Targoviste Palace, she is filled with trepidation about her marriage, for she has heard unspeakable things about Prince Dracul and the way he deals with his enemies. But Anastasia discovers a side to her new husband that she never dreamed of. Vlad is a fierce and loving man who is determined to protect his kingdom at all costs. Anastasia learns about his traumatic childhood and comes to understand the reasons behind his brutality. She comes to realize the continuous threat to his throne from those who wish to usurp him. Her husband's desperation for a male heir forces Anastasia to understand what it really takes to be a Romanian Princess. She never thought she would fall in love with a man who impales and tortures those who disagree with him. But along with Vlad's thirst for power and cruelty, there lies a profound love that only Anastasia can comprehend.


Book Synopsis Sleeping With the Impaler by : Juliana Cummings

Download or read book Sleeping With the Impaler written by Juliana Cummings and published by . This book was released on 2020-07-30 with total page 374 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The year is 1457. Prince Vlad Dracul now sits on the throne of Wallachia. Seventeen-year-old Anastasia Holszanska, the bastard daughter to Hungarian war hero, John Hunyadi, finds herself betrothed to the new Prince, at the request of her father. As Anastasia travels to Targoviste Palace, she is filled with trepidation about her marriage, for she has heard unspeakable things about Prince Dracul and the way he deals with his enemies. But Anastasia discovers a side to her new husband that she never dreamed of. Vlad is a fierce and loving man who is determined to protect his kingdom at all costs. Anastasia learns about his traumatic childhood and comes to understand the reasons behind his brutality. She comes to realize the continuous threat to his throne from those who wish to usurp him. Her husband's desperation for a male heir forces Anastasia to understand what it really takes to be a Romanian Princess. She never thought she would fall in love with a man who impales and tortures those who disagree with him. But along with Vlad's thirst for power and cruelty, there lies a profound love that only Anastasia can comprehend.