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Book Spotlight: The Last Romanov by Dora Levy Mossanen & Giveaway (US/Can)

From Sourcebooks: Even now in 2012, one of the greatest mysteries has been the fate of Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov of Russia, the last of four daughters born to the Tsar Nikolas and his wife Alexandra. After the tragic execution of the Russian Royal family in1918, officials were never able to recover the remains of Anastasia. Tales of her supposed escape from Russia have gripped thousands for decades, fueling speculation that a daughter of Russia’s last sovereign ruler survived the revolution that destroyed her immediate family.

June 18th marks what would be the 111th birthday of Her Imperial Highness Anastasia Romanov. In honor of the lost Duchess I am able to share a copy of The Last Romanov by Dora Levy Mossanen for giveaway to my readers!  So let’s learn a bit about the book and the author and be sure to enter to win a copy of your own at the end of the post!

 

About The Last Romanov (from Dora’s website)

 

IN A TIME OF RASPUTIN’S MAGIC AND ROMANOV MYSTERY,
A YOUNG GIRL FINDS HERSELF AT THE HEART OF THE ROYAL FAMILY.

She was an orphan, ushered into the royal palace on

the prayers of her majesty. Yet, decades later, her time

spent in the embrace of the Romanovs haunts her still. Is she

responsible for those murderous events that changed everything?

If only she can find the heir, maybe she can put together the

broken pieces of her own past—maybe she can hold on to

the love she found. Bursting to life with the rich and glorious

marvels of Imperial Russia, The Last Romanov is a magical tale

of second chances and royal blood.

 

Read an excerpt
Learn the Backstory
Buy at: Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, B&N, and IndieBound

 

About Dora Levy Mossanen (from Dora’s website)

Christine Marie Photography

Dora Levy Mossanen was born in Israel as the country was gaining its independence and moved to Iran with her family when she was nine years old. After living in Israel, where female soldiers wore shorts and carried Uzis, she had a difficult time adjusting to Iranian culture, which required women to conceal themselves under chadors. The first days of her arrival coincided with the 1953 coup of Dr. Mossadegh when the Shah fled to Italy. Streets brimmed with demonstrators, supporting Dr. Mossadegh and dragging down statues of Mohammad Reza Shah. And the very next day, portraits of the Shah were displayed again and blaring microphones announced his return. These were her first experiences in a country of contradictions, a culture rich in legend, mythology, folklore, and superstition.

Her family’s roots go back 2,500 years in Persia, where her first inspiration and invaluable source of history was her grandfather, Doctor Habib Levy, a renowned historian. Dr. Levy introduced Dora to life in Mahaleh, the Jewish ghetto, to the horrors of anti-Semitism, and to the challenges of being Jewish in a Moslem country. The Islamic Revolution of 1979, the fall of the Shah, and arrival of the Ayatollah Khomeini forced Mossanen and her family to leave Iran. They settled in Los Angeles, California and became part of what is now the largest Iranian community in the United States.

Despite being married, raising two daughters, and facing great opposition, Ms. Mossanen went back to school, causing another mini revolution—this one in her own home. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in English literature from the University of California Los Angeles and a master’s degree in creative writing from the University of Southern California.

Dora is the bestselling author of the widely acclaimed novels Harem and Courtesan, which have been translated into numerous languages, and is the recipient of the prestigious San Diego Editor’s Choice Award. She blogs for Huffington Post, reviews fiction for the Jewish Journal, and has been featured in various publications.

Dora’s website
Dora’s blog
Dora on Facebook
Dora on Twitter

 

GIVEAWAY DETAILS (US/Can)

I have one copy of The Last Romanov by Dora Levy Mossanen courtesy of Sourcebooks to share with my readers.  To enter…

  • For 1 entry leave me a comment entering the giveaway.
  • For 2 entries follow my blog.  If you already do, thank you, and please let me know so I can pass the extra entry on to you as well.
  • For 3 entries, blog or tweet this giveaway and spread the word.

This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winner on Saturday, June 30/12.  Good luck!

Comments

  2. I have long been fascinated by the Romanovs, but I thought recent discoveries verified the death of the entire family. Nevertheless, the novel sounds interesting. Thanks for the giveaway.

    GFC follower

  6. I love historical fiction based on the Romanov’s! I also follow your blog.

  8. This book sounds compelling and interesting. Thanks for this chance. I am an e-mail subscriber.

  13. I have been very interested in the Romanovs since I saw the movie “Anastasia” with my parents. I was enchanted by the story. Later I read and re-read the special issue of Look or Life magazine that came out later. It was richly illustrated with pictures of the family’s crowns and other jewells, and furs and clothes and detailed history. I so wish that I still had that issure.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  17. This historical would be memorable and special. A topic that is definitely thought provoking.

  18. This book sounds fascinating! Thanks for the giveaway –
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

  21. Such a fascinating story! I love reading the different books and watching the various movies about the Romanovs.
    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

  24. This sounds like a very interesting story. One that I would love to read.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

  27. When I was younger I was obsessed with reading about the Romanovs. I would love to read this book!

    Google follower: lafra86 at gmail dot com (Lara Frame)

  30. I love the cover! Looks and sounds amazing! Thank you for the awesome giveaway! wendynjason04 at gmail.com I follow via email and GFC also tweeted.

  31. Oh my goodness! This is the first time I’ve heard of this book! I remember reading about Anastasia when I was a lot younger, I remember there was a made for TV movie about it–there was so much mystery about her! I so want to win! Thank-you for the giveaway and bringing this book to my attention!

    Laura Kay
    laurakay(@)a-novel-review(.)com

  34. I don’t know very much about the romanovs but would love to learn more. Thanks for the giveaway!

  38. When I was younger, I use to love the “mystery” behind Anastasia. I use to love the old movie too, so when the cartoon movie came out about 15 or 16 years ago, I was so eager to see it. I was disturbed how they portrayed Rasputin and had a talking bat, etc. They ruined they story for me!

  40. would so love to read the Last Romanov, as i’ve always been fascinated by The Romanovs!!
    thank you for the giveaway!!
    i also follow via GFC as Cyn209……

    cyn209 at juno dot com

  41. Thanks for this amazing giveaway! This book sounds great and I would love to win it!

  50. I haven’t read much about Anastasia. This book sounds fascinating.
    Thanks for the giveaway.

  52. I’ve had my eye on this book for a while and can’t wait to read it. Please enter me in the giveaway.

    I’m a GFC follower – Kristin T.

    k2reader (at) gmail (dot) com

  53. 1+ I would love to read this!

    2+ blog follower

    3+ tweeted

    Margaret
    singitm(at)hotmail(dot)com

  57. I find the Romanov subject to always be intriguing. Thanks for the chance to win!