I, Eloise Rousell, grew up with Elizabeth, the queen. My aunt, Kat Ashley, was her governess, and Elizabeth and I transitioned together from girlhood to womanhood. My talent for needlework keeps me by Elizabeth's side, creating exquisite gowns as she moves from discarded daughter of Anne Boleyn, to princess, to prisoner and feared rival of her sister, Mary Tudor. I strive every day to protect her from harm. Conspiracies, nobles, and even her own family try to topple her, but I stand guard, along with my partner-in-crime, James Colby. Nothing will get past the two of us, no matter what machinations we have to work to keep Elizabeth safe. Colby has a secret of his own, a deadly one, which becomes more and more perilous the closer Elizabeth comes to the throne. I'm pushed toward the day I will have to choose which one of them my heart will follow … Jennifer Ashley is the New York Times bestselling author of 75 published novels and novellas in romance and mystery. She writes historical and paranormal romance as Jennifer Ashley; mysteries as Ashley Gardner; and paranormal romance and urban fantasy as Allyson James. She has been published since 2002 at Penguin / Berkley, Ellora's Cave, and now independently, and has won numerous awards for her work. See her websites for more information.
