From the author of three successful historical novels, Portrait of an Empress sweeps readers into nineteenth-century Europe to tell the remarkable story of the most reluctant of royal consorts in Modern History. Elisabeth of Austria, also known as Sisi, is often viewed as a fairy-tale princess. Behind this cliché of beauty and glamour, lies a far more interesting story. Aged sixteen, Elisabeth is married to her cousin Franz Joseph and suddenly elevated to Empress of Austria. The freedom-loving, liberally raised Elisabeth is not suited to Vienna’s old-fashioned court life at all. She is surrounded by much older courtiers, who are all convinced that the young woman needs their guidance. Meanwhile, the pressure grows on Elisabeth to deliver an heir to the throne. Once she has attained that goal, by giving birth to her son Rudolf, the beautiful Empress decides to give a different purpose to her life. Yet she fails to see who loves and needs her most. Portrait of an Empress is a captivating portrayal of one of the most fascinating women in Royal History. This historical novel places Lucas Zandberg on a par with Philippa Gregory, Arthur Golden and Margaret George.