Against the backdrop of St. Petersburg in the wild, decadent years just before the Revolution unfolds this towering novel of grand passions and spectacular moments—of men and women caught up in forbidden love and the savage destiny that lay in wait for them all...
Irina—Beautiful, pampered, fiery. Her rebellious nature leads her to the forbidden experience of love...
Mikhail—Wealthy, arrogant, he strides through life like an untamed gypsy conquering women wherever he goes...
Tanya—Sensual, exotic, uninhibited. She takes her pleasures where she finds them...
Dimitri—The dashing young officer of the Imperial Guard. Irina’s husband-to-be—until...
Rasputin—Russia’s dread holy man, a faith healer, a lecher, a power behind the throne—and always a seducer of women...