A compelling alternate history of the Romanov family in which a secret fifth daughter―smuggled out of Russia before the revolution―continues the royal lineage to dramatic consequences In her riveting debut novel, The Secret Daughter of the Tsar , Jennifer Laam seamlessly braids together the stories of three women: Veronica, Lena, and Charlotte. Veronica is an aspiring historian living in present-day Los Angeles when she meets a mysterious man who may be heir to the Russian throne. As she sets about investigating the legitimacy of his claim through a winding path of romance and deception, the ghosts of her own past begin to haunt her. Lena, a servant in the imperial Russian court of 1902, is approached by the desperate Empress Alexandra. After conceiving four daughters, the Empress is determined to sire a son and believes Lena can help her. Once elevated to the Romanov's treacherous inner circle, Lena finds herself under the watchful eye of the meddling Dowager Empress Marie. Charlotte, a former ballerina living in World War II occupied Paris, receives a surprise visit from a German officer. Determined to protect her son from the Nazis, Charlotte escapes the city, but not before learning that the officer's interest in her stems from his longstanding obsession with the fate of the Russian monarchy. As Veronica's passion intensifies, and her search for the true heir to the throne takes a dangerous turn, the reader learns just how these three vastly different women are connected. The Secret Daughter of the Tsar is thrilling from its first intense moments until its final, unexpected conclusion. Debut novelist Laam seamlessly interweaves the stories of three different women from three different times and places into a cross-century thriller. Veronica, a stymied PhD candidate in present-day Los Angeles, desperate to dig up some new information on the Romanov dynasty, falls under the spell of an enigmatic man of mystery, who just may have blood ties to Nicholas and Alexandra. Lena, a trusted servant in the Russian imperial court on the eve of the Russian Revolution, is entrusted by Czarina Alexandra with an explosive, history-altering secret. Charlotte, a former ballerina who unwittingly holds the key to the Romanov legacy, fights for survival in Nazi-occupied Paris. Romance and intrigue abound as each woman struggles with the burdens of history. Laam does a nice job of pacing as she fits the puzzle pieces together before the satisfying big reveal. --Margaret Flanagan “Weaves a lively tale...Laam [tells] her story with verve and imagination.” ― Kate Alcott, New York Times bestselling author of The Dressmaker “Laam has not only created a captivating tale, but has woven a delicate and resonant fabric from the timeless threads of love and loyalty, betrayal and redemption.” ― Pam Jenoff, international bestselling author of The Ambassador's Daughter “Well-researched, clever, and compelling...Jennifer Laam is an emerging novelist to watch.” ― Roberta Rich, author of the international bestseller The Midwife of Venice Jennifer Laam earned her master’s degree in History from Oakland University in Michigan and her bachelor’s degree from the University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA. She has lived in Los Angeles and the suburbs of Detroit, traveled in Russia and Europe, and worked in education and non-profit development. She currently resides in Northern California. The Secret Daughter of the Tsar is her first novel. Secret Daughter of the Tsar By Jennifer Laam St. Martin's Press Copyright © 2013 Jennifer Laam All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-250-02868-6 One     LOS ANGELES PRESENT DAY “I’m trying to change your life for the better,” Jess said. “Just listen for one minute, will you?” Veronica Herrera rubbed her bare left ring finger, a nervous tic she’d indulged too much lately. For a short while, she felt like a well-adjusted thirty-eight-year-old woman enjoying another glorious Southern California morning. She’d thrown on a dark green sundress, rather than one of the black outfits she usually favored, and walked to the café on Tujunga Boulevard. Nobody walked in L.A., except Veronica Herrera. And Aroma Café lived up to its name. The patio always smelled like cinnamon toast. But then Jess ruined it all by raising the forbidden topic of Veronica’s love life, the one subject guaranteed to reduce Veronica to adolescent gawkiness. “Eighteen months is enough time to get over anyone or anything,” Jess added. “I’ve made it my personal mission to return you to the land of the living.” “Forget it.” Veronica picked at the remains of her muffin and threw the crumbs to a trio of little gray birds gathered at her feet. “No set-ups. It makes me feel pathetic.” “But you’ll like this one.” Jess gave an authoritative nod. Veronica imagined her cousin in a tailored business suit, rather than the hippie blouse and Pea in a Pod maternity jeans she wore now. As an assistant district attorney, Jess knew how t