The General's Mistress

September 3, 2012
Elzelina is seduced into marriage by an ambitious, grasping Dutch politician who soon turns cold and abusive. As the young French republic takes the first steps toward Bonaparte’s doomed empire, Elza flees her cruel husband for the relative safety of Gen. Victor Moreau. When the jealous Moreau turns on her as well, Elzelina, now known as Ida St. Elme, becomes an actress and writer; this demanding, arduous life provides the freedom conventional society has previously denied her. This dramatic and often erotic novel hews closely to the biography of the real Ida St. Elme (Maria Versfelt), whose many affairs and career provide more than enough material for an engaging narrative. The moments of occult adventure and predestined romance, revealed to Ida by second sight, are entirely unnecessary; her history was intimately entangled with events that reshaped Europe, and her struggle for autonomy and meaning require no fantastic embellishments.

September 15, 2012
Liberty and libertinage, reason and magic--the conflicting passions of the French Revolution swirl throughout the adventures of Elzelina van Aylde-Versfelt. Based upon the real life of Maria Versfelt (alias Ida St. Elme)--courtesan, actress and writer--Graham's (Stealing Fire, 2010, etc.) latest entwines history, romance and a delicious dollop of fantasy. Hearing voices and seeing ghosts in mirrors, the women of Elza's family have always stood a bit outside society's bounds. The mirrors and the death of her only son, Charles, have maddened Elza's mother. Elza comforts her mother by cross-dressing as Charles, which soon becomes a habit--for it is, indeed, easier and safer to travel as a man. Soon, Charles becomes an alter ego. In addition to teasing gender lines, Elza has herself seen the image of her true love in the tarot card image of the King of Chalices. By 12, she has been coerced into marriage to handsome Jan Ringeling. Seven years and two children later, she finds herself chained to a cold man with political aspirations but little talent. Elza makes a daring escape, cross-dressing and fleeing her enraged husband (who threatens to have her confined as mad, just like her mother). She seeks protection from a commander in the French army, the brilliant military strategist Victor Moreau. Yet his protection comes at an interesting price: Elza must become his mistress. So begins an erotic metamorphosis from Elza, the dutiful wife, to Ida, the seductive courtesan. On Moreau's arm, Ida enters Parisian society, gaining admiration from men and women alike. Yet, the tarot card reading lingers with her. While she respects Victor, she longs to find the King of Chalices. On her journey towards her red-haired beloved, Ida/Elza becomes an actress, a medium channeling an angel and even Bonaparte's paramour. Sexy and dashing.

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October 15, 2012

As France searches for a new identity in the late 18th century through radical political, social, and military means, 19-year-old Elzelina wages her own personal revolution by freeing herself from a marriage to a cold, unscrupulous man. Educated, witty, and beautiful, the young Dutch woman makes her way from prostitute to paramour of Napoleon Bonaparte while searching for "liberty." VERDICT This excellent, historically accurate, quasi-erotic novel based on the adventures of Ida Saint-Elme (1776-1845), who accompanied Napoleon's army into Russia dressed as a man, is a breath of fresh air in a usually stuffy genre; Graham's (Black Ships; Hand of Isis; Stealing Fire) narrative will take you to an exciting time portraying real historical figures through an unconventional female perspective. But keep it on the adults-only shelf. Fans of Philippa Gregory will enjoy.--Debbie Haupt, St. Charles City-Cty. Lib. Dist., St. Peters, MO

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