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New Book Release: Queen of Lies

Please join me in congratulating my client Achilleas Mavrellis on the release of his debut historical fiction novel Queen of Lies! I worked with Achilleas on a developmental edit, and Queen of Lies was my first foray into Byzantine Constantinople. The Roman Empire comes to life in Achilleas's hands and the story is a juicy one, full of lust, ambition, and betrayal! Here's the book description:


New Rome. An unholy trinity. 

9th Century Constantinople. A new age of prosperity dawns amid war, invasion and religious upheaval. 

Viking-Greek Empress Eudokia Ingerina tells her sons the real story behind the myth of their fathers. It is a tale of humiliation, cunning, intrigue . . . and love! 

Vassilis, a village lad, loses his family to marauders in the forests of eastern Macedonia. He must learn quickly to survive, both in the wilds and at the Bulgar court. Eventually he finds his way to Constantinople, where he gains the favor of the young Emperor Michael, and Ingerina, Michael's mistress. 

Michael resents his mother, the Regent Theodora, and his guardian, the Eunuch Theoktistos, who forced him to marry against his will. His uncle, the brilliant but degenerate Vardas, returns from exile and encourages Michael's more capricious side, only to fall foul of both Patriarch and Pope. 

As the Roman court lurches from crisis to crisis, Michael, Vassilis and Ingerina find common purpose, friendship and affection in one another. But now Ingerina must convince both her lovers that her sons have a right to the imperial throne, though the price may be greater than anyone ever imagined!


Please visit Achilleas's website, where you can read a sample of Queen of Lies, view a short film, and find links to purchase the book. Achilleas also posts a wealth of information from his extensive Byzantine research.

Need an editor?
Email me anytime to chat about your project: jennyq@historicaleditorial.com