The Dance of the Red Swan

Book excerpt: Amidst a nightmarish Hell, a moment of Heaven is found. In February of 1943, amidst the German Army’s relentless siege of Leningrad, Russia, the destruction of the city and starvation of the population has created an apocalyptic genocide. Yet the dangers within the city are far more perilous. Ilya, a young man forced into prostitution by his brutal father as a means to keep his disabled brother alive, understands this all too well. In his darkest hours, Ilya finds salvation when witnessing the graceful beauty of a ballerina. To him, Tatiana is the red swan of hope, an angel surrounded by devils. As horrific as the city has become, she is an enchanting light within the darkness. As the hours turn desperate, atonement, fate, and revenge become Ilya’s allies to freedom. The intensity of their love affair prompts them to risk all to escape from the carnage of war. And should they fail, Ilya willingly will greet death by having witnessed the sublime dance of the red swan. PUBLISHER NOTE: Historical Romance. 28,700 words. All characters depicted in this work of fiction are 18 years of age or older.