Set against the background of the opulence of the Ottoman Empire in 1518.
Russian slave Rusalka is rescued from drowning by charismatic Orhan heir to the Sultan of Türkiye. Ignoring his powerful mother's advice, he falls in love with Rusalaka, takes her into his opulent harem and renames her Süreyya.
But she has a secret that could cost her life or have her banished. The harem is a hotbed of jealousies and intrigue. Sureyya is determined to escape until she spends some intimate time with Orhan.
When Sureyya is unexpectedly offered her freedom, it comes at a price.
Historical, Literary, Historical Romance, 16th Century Turkish Harem
About The Author
Born in the UK, now resident in Sydney, Australia. Cindy has worked and travelled in Turkey and the Middle East and speaks Turkish. She is a graduate in English Literature from Sydney University. Cindy has taught Business Studies, and English as a Second Language.
She’s worked as a freelance writer and been a tour guide in Sydney and Turkey. She’s won competitions for her short stories and non-fiction pieces.
Her third novel, The Favourite of the Harem, published by Odyssey Books in November 2023, is an historical novel set in the harem of the Topkapı Palace, Istanbul.
Her two award-winning novels also published by Odyssey Books, The Afghan Wife and The Revolutionary’s Cousin are set in Iran, the USA and Australia.
From May to July 2023 Cindy was in the UK, after being awarded the Professor Di Yerbury Writer’s Residency in 2020.
She is a popular speaker at library workshops, U3A, Probus Clubs and recently at the Rose Scott Writers Festival in Sydney.
