Most Popular Books by Eleanor Herman

Weaving the fantasy appeal of Game of Thrones with the shocking details of real history, New York Times bestselling author of Sex with Kings Eleanor Herman reimagines the greatest emperor the world has ever known, Alexander the Great, in book one of the Blood of Gods and Royals series. Imagine a time when the gods turn a blind eye to the agony of men, when the last of the hellions roam the plains and evil stirs beyond the edges of the map. A time when cities burn and, in their ashes, empires rise. Alexander, Macedon''s sixteen - year - old heir, is on the brink of discovering his fated role in conquering the known world, but finds himself drawn to a newcomer ... Katerina must navigate the dark secrets of court life while keeping her own mission hidden: kill the queen. But she doesn''t account for her first love ... Jacob will go to unthinkable lengths to win Katerina, even if it means competing with Hephaestion, a murderer sheltered by the prince. And far across the sea, Zofia, a Persian princess and Alexander''s unmet fiancée, wants to alter her destiny by seeking the famed and deadly Spirit Eaters.

Throughout the centuries, royal mistresses have been worshiped, feared, envied, and reviled. They set the fashions, encouraged the arts, and, in some cases, ruled nations. Eleanor Herman''s Sex with Kings takes us into the throne rooms and bedrooms of Europe''s most powerful monarchs. Alive with flamboyant characters, outrageous humor, and stirring poignancy, this glittering tale of passion and politics chronicles five hundred years of scintillating women and the kings who loved them. Curiously, the main function of a royal mistress was not to provide the king with sex but with companionship. Forced to marry repulsive foreign princesses, kings sought solace with women of their own choice. And what women they were! From Madame de Pompadour, the famous mistress of Louis XV, who kept her position for nineteen years despite her frigidity, to modern-day Camilla Parker-Bowles, who usurped none other than the glamorous Diana, Princess of Wales. The successful royal mistress made herself irreplaceable. She was ready to converse gaily with him when she was tired, make love until all hours when she was ill, and cater to his every whim. Wearing a mask of beaming delight over any and all discomforts, she was never to be exhausted, complaining, or grief-stricken. True, financial rewards for services rendered were of royal proportions -- some royal mistresses earned up to $200 million in titles, pensions, jewels, and palaces. Some kings allowed their mistresses to exercise unlimited political power. But for all its grandeur, a royal court was a scorpion''s nest of insatiable greed, unquenchable lust, and vicious ambition. Hundreds of beautiful women vied to unseat the royal mistress. Many would suffer the slings and arrows of negative public opinion, some met with tragic ends and were pensioned off to make room for younger women. But the royal mistress often had the last laugh, as she lived well and richly off the fruits of her "sins." From the dawn of time, power has been a mighty aphrodisiac. With diaries, personal letters, and diplomatic dispatches, Eleanor Herman''s trailblazing research reveals the dynamics of sex and power, rivalry and revenge, at the most brilliant courts of Europe. Wickedly witty and endlessly entertaining, Sex with Kings is a chapter of women''s history that has remained unwritten -- until now.

One of Washington Independent Review of Books'' 50 Favorite Books of 2018 • A Buzzfeed Best Book of 2018 "Morbidly witty." —Marilyn Stasio, The New York Times "A heady mix of erudite history and delicious gossip." —Aja Raden, author of Stoned Hugely entertaining, a work of pop history that traces the use of poison as a political—and cosmetic—tool in the royal courts of Western Europe from the Middle Ages to the Kremlin today The story of poison is the story of power. For centuries, royal families have feared the gut-roiling, vomit-inducing agony of a little something added to their food or wine by an enemy. To avoid poison, they depended on tasters, unicorn horns, and antidotes tested on condemned prisoners. Servants licked the royal family’s spoons, tried on their underpants and tested their chamber pots. Ironically, royals terrified of poison were unknowingly poisoning themselves daily with their cosmetics, medications, and filthy living conditions. Women wore makeup made with mercury and lead. Men rubbed turds on their bald spots. Physicians prescribed mercury enemas, arsenic skin cream, drinks of lead filings, and potions of human fat and skull, fresh from the executioner. The most gorgeous palaces were little better than filthy latrines. Gazing at gorgeous portraits of centuries past, we don’t see what lies beneath the royal robes and the stench of unwashed bodies; the lice feasting on private parts; and worms nesting in the intestines. In The Royal Art of Poison, Eleanor Herman combines her unique access to royal archives with cutting-edge forensic discoveries to tell the true story of Europe’s glittering palaces: one of medical bafflement, poisonous cosmetics, ever-present excrement, festering natural illness, and, sometimes, murder.

In this follow-up to her bestselling Sex with Kings, Eleanor Herman reveals the truth about what goes on behind the closed door of the queen''s boudoir. Impeccably reseached, filled with page-turning romance, passion, and scandal, Sex with the Queen explores the scintillating sexual lives of some of our most beloved and infamous female rulers, including the notorious Catherine the Great, the passionately foolish Marie Antoinette, the destructively willful Tsarina Alexandra, and the bastion of virtue, Queen Victoria - mother of nine children.

New York Times bestseller Eleanor Herman, author of Sex with Kings and Sex with Presidents, returns with another work of popular history, exploring the history of misogyny against women with power from Cleopatra to Kamala Harris. Imagine Donald Trump as a woman, called Donna. Would Donna Trump have been viewed as blunt, honest, and refreshing? Would she have won the election? Imagine Hillary Clinton as a man. Howard Clinton says and does the exact same things as Hillary. Would Howard Clinton have been portrayed in a thousand Pinterest images as a witch, stirring a cauldron or riding a broomstick? Would he have been called a bitch on countless T-shirts? Would his thoughtful, circumspect answers to media questions have been seen as inauthenticity, secretiveness, and untrustworthiness? There is a particular kind of rage—let’s call it unadulterated bloodlust—usually reserved for women, especially women in power or vying for it. From the ancient world, through the European Renaissance, up to the most recent U.S. elections, the Misogynist’s Handbook, as Eleanor Herman calls it, has been wielded to put uppity women in their place. In a story that is shocking, eye-opening, and a powerful force for change, Eleanor Herman’s signature wit and humor explores the patterns that have been operating for more than three thousand years—and are still operating today—against powerful women across the globe, including Cleopatra, Anne Boleyn, Marie Antoinette, Catherine the Great, Hillary Clinton, Kamala Harris, and more. Each chapter analyzes a tried-and-true misogynistic method to keep women down, including: Her Overweening Ambition, Why Doesn’t She Do Something About Her Hair?, The Dangers of Female Hormones, The Alarming Shrillness of Her Voice, The Mysterious Unlikability of Female Candidates, She’s a Bitch and Other Animals, She’s a Witch and Other Monsters, and Her Sexual Depravity. Herman ends the book by looking forward, examining ways to rip up the Misogynist’s Handbook once and for all.

Eleanor Herman, the talented author of the New York Times bestselling Sex with Kings and Sex with the Queen goes behind the sacred doors of the Catholic Church in Mistress of the Vatican, a scintillating biography of a powerful yet little-known woman whose remarkable story is ripe with secrets, sex, passion, and ambition. For almost four centuries this astonishing story of a woman’s absolute power over the Vatican has been successfully buried—until now.

AS HUMANS AND MONSTERS CLASH AND ROYAL BLOOD FLOWS, A NEW AGE WILL DAWN… Prince Alexander of Macedon has battled both men and monsters, but his final war will determine his fate…and the future of all mankind. While Macedon’s enemies close in from all corners of the earth, Alexander must fulfill one last prophecy that dictates only he—and he alone—can ensure humanity’s survival against the age of the deadly Spirit Eaters. As the threads of fate draw Alexander closer to his destiny, an exiled queen will meet a runaway princess, a young sorceress will set the final path of her heart and generals will choose their final battles. Before the light of victory can shine, enemies must become allies, Death must be tamed and hearts must break. Who will rise and who will die? All is revealed in the epic finale to New York Times bestselling author Eleanor Herman’s rich and fantastical Blood of Gods and Royals series.

In this fascinating work of popular history, the New York Times bestselling author of Sex with Kings and The Royal Art of Poison uncovers the bedroom secrets of American presidents and explores the surprising ways voters have reacted to their leaders’ sex scandals. While Americans have a reputation for being strait-laced, many of the nation’s leaders have been anything but puritanical. Alexander Hamilton had a steamy affair with a blackmailing prostitute. John F. Kennedy swam nude with female staff in the White House swimming pool. Is it possible the qualities needed to run for president—narcissism, a thirst for power, a desire for importance—go hand in hand with a tendency to sexual misdoing? In this entertaining and eye-opening book, Eleanor Herman revisits some of the sex scandals that have rocked the nation''s capital and shocked the public, while asking the provocative questions: does rampant adultery show a lack of character or the stamina needed to run the country? Or perhaps both? While Americans have judged their leaders'' affairs harshly compared to other nations, did they mostly just hate being lied to? And do they now clearly care more about issues other than a politician’s sex life? What is sex like with the most powerful man in the world? Is it better than with your average Joe? And when America finally elects a female president, will she, too, have sexual escapades in the Oval Office?

As the end of an age approaches, blood soaks the earth, twisted prophecies wield immeasurable power and tyrants demand impossible sacrifices Prince Alexander of Macedon’s mind has been touched by an incomprehensible evil, even as his betrothed travels from afar to unite their kingdoms against a terrible darkness that threatens both realms: the Spirit Eaters. From the distant shores of Illyria to a small deserted island, the deadly consequences of Smoke Blood magic loom and lost civilizations emerge to reveal the existence of a weapon that may do the impossible—kill the last living god. As magic rises and warriors clash, the fate of all Macedon rests in the hands of the unstable prince and those whose loyalty can no longer be trusted.

The charming real-life fairy tale of an American secretary who discovers she has been chosen king of an impoverished fishing village on the west coast of Africa. King Peggy chronicles the astonishing journey of American secretary, Peggielene Bartels, who suddenly finds herself king to a town of 7,000 people on Ghana''s central coast, half a world away. Upon arriving for her crowning ceremony in beautiful Otuam, she discovers the dire reality: there''s no running water, no doctor, no high school, and many of the village elders are stealing the town''s funds. To make matters worse, her uncle (the late king) sits in a morgue awaiting a proper funeral in the royal palace, which is in ruins. Peggy''s first two years as king of Otuam unfold in a way that is stranger than fiction. In the end, a deeply traditional African town is uplifted by the ambitions of its decidedly modern female king, and Peggy is herself transformed, from an ordinary secretary to the heart and hope of her community.

Weaving the fantasy appeal of Game of Thrones with the shocking details of real history, New York Times bestselling author of Sex with Kings Eleanor Herman reimagines the greatest emperor the world has ever known, Alexander the Great, in book one of the Blood of Gods and Royals series. Imagine a time when the gods turn a blind eye to the agony of men, when the last of the hellions roam the plains and evil stirs beyond the edges of the map. A time when cities burn and, in their ashes, empires rise. Alexander, Macedon''s sixteen-year-old heir, is on the brink of discovering his fated role in conquering the known world, but finds himself drawn to a newcomer... Katerina must navigate the dark secrets of court life while keeping her own mission hidden: kill the queen. But she doesn''t account for her first love... Jacob will go to unthinkable lengths to win Katerina, even if it means competing with Hephaestion, a murderer sheltered by the prince. And far across the sea, Zofia, a Persian princess and Alexander''s unmet fiancée, wants to alter her destiny by seeking the famed and deadly Spirit Eaters.

New York Times–bestselling author Eleanor Herman continues her Blood of Gods and Royals fantasy saga based on the history of Alexander the Great. As war rises like smoke and old magics mix with rage, one prince may be a hero . . . or the downfall of an empire Prince Alex wants to be the ruler his kingdom demands . . . but the line between ruler and tyrant blurs with every new threat. With his controlling father away at war and a royal council turned mad for power, Alex relies on his wits for guidance . . . but what happens when those he trusts most may have betrayed him? Empire of Dust continues an epic fantasy unlike any other, as an ambitious queen taunts fate with the blood of an angry god, a tribe of warlords hunts the last heirs of ancient magic, two captive princesses seek freedom at any price and the brave are lured into darkness. As tests of loyalty lead to blood and death, the prince’s next move will bring his enemies to heel . . . or turn an empire to dust. Praise for Legacy of Kings “An engrossing combination of fantasy and history—readers who love myth and magic will devour it!” —#1 New York Times–bestselling author Alex Flinn “A richly detailed world full of romance, magic, and intrigue.” —New York Times–bestselling author Amy Ewing Blood of Gods and Royals series Legacy of Kings Empire of Dust Reign of Serpents Dawn of Legends

"Readers who love myth and magic will devour it!" —Alex Flinn, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Beastly "Fantasy just the way I like it." —Cinda Williams Chima, New York Times bestselling author of The Seven Realms series Fantasy, magic, royalty and danger swirl together in Voice of Gods, the ebook prequel to Legacy of Kings by New York Times bestselling author Eleanor Herman! As the end of an age approaches, gods whisper horrors, families scheme for power and one woman may hold the secret to a lost legacy. At nineteen, Ada of Caria yearns to take the Snake Blood throne from her mad older siblings. She seeks the help of a young orphaned girl named Helen, the first True Oracle to have walked the earth in more than three hundred years. Helen may be able to channel the voice of the gods, but she hates her gift and will do anything to get rid of it—even lie to her best friend, Myrtale, the priestess-princess of Epirus who is destined to marry King Philip II of Macedon even though she loves another. And in the shadows lurks a handsome green-eyed stranger who has more at stake—and more to lose—than anyone could possibly imagine. Amid jealousy and heartbreak, torrid affairs and secret rendezvous, it is spoken by the gods that either Helen or Myrtale—newly named Olympias—will carry the destiny of the known world within her womb. The prequel to Legacy of Kings, Voice of Gods traces the intricate web of love and betrayal that led up to the birth of history''s most powerful leader, Alexander the Great.

De-a lungul secolelor, amantele regale au fost venerate, temute, invidiate și batjocorite. Ele au dat tonul modei, au încurajat artele și, în unele cazuri, au condus națiuni. În pat cu regele, de Eleanor Herman, ne conduce în sala tronului și în dormitoarele celor mai puternici monarhi ai Europei. Plină de personaje excentrice, umor irevențios și observații șocante, această poveste fermecătoare despre pasiune și politică reprezintă cronica a 500 de ani de aventuri palpitante. În mod straniu, principala îndatorire a unei amante regale nu era de a-i oferi regelui partide de sex, ci companie. Obligați să se însoare cu prințese străine respingătoare, regii căutau alinare lângă femeile pe care le alegeau singuri. Și ce femei! De la Madame de Pompadour, faimoasa metresă a lui Ludovic al XV-lea, care și-a păstrat poziția vreme de 19 ani în ciuda frigidității sale, la Camilla Parker-Bowles, care i-a uzurpat locul nimeni alteia decât strălucitoarei Diana, prințesă de Wales. Amanta regală de succes se făcea indispensabilă. Era gata să converseze cu regele plină de voioșie atunci când era obosită, să facă dragoste la orice oră când era bolnavă și să-i răspundă fi ecărui capriciu. Purtând masca încântării peste toate neplăcerile, nu era niciodată istovită, nu se plângea și nici nu suferea. De la începuturile istoriei, puterea a fost un afrodisiac plin de forță. Folosind jurnale, scrisori personale și depeșe diplomatice, Eleanor Herman dezvăluie dinamica sexului și a puterii, a rivalității și a răzbunării, la cele mai pline de strălucire curți ale Europei. Inteligent și amuzant, În pat cu regele este un capitol al istoriei femeilor care rămăsese nescris – până acum.

La curțile regale pline de testosteron – generali îndrăzneți, curteni cizelați și cardinali virili – v-aţi întrebat vreodată cum și-au găsit fericirea doamnele? - Anne Boleyn a flirtat cu bărbații de la curte; Catherine Howard s-a culcat cu unul. Henry al VIII-lea le-a decapitat pe amândouă. - Ecaterina cea Mare și-a omorât soțul idiot și a condus Imperiul Rus alături de o listă lungă de favoriți tineri și virili. - Maria Antoaneta s-a îndrăgostit de frumosul conte suedez Axel Fersen, care a încercat cu dârzenie să o salveze de la ghilotină. - Prințesa Diana a renunțat la garda de corp regală pentru a se bucura de nenumăratele aventuri amoroase, care, în mod tragic, au dus la moartea ei timpurie. În această continuare a bestsellerului În pat cu regele, Eleanor Herman dezvăluie adevărul despre ceea ce se întâmplă în spatele ușilor închise ale budoarului unei regine. Documentată ireproșabil, plină de povești captivante despre romantism, pasiune și scandal, În pat cu regina explorează viețile sexuale tumultuoase ale unora dintre cele mai iubite și celebre conducătoare. Regina, care trăia într-un palat opulent, purta rochii elegante și bijuterii strălucitoare, era invidiată, admirată și respectată. Dar de cele mai multe ori era, de fapt, o femeie nefericită, forțată să se căsătorească cu un prinț străin pe care nu-l văzuse înainte, cu un căpcăun regal care era sadic, cu spume la gură, respingător fizic, incompetent mental sau impotent sexual – iar în cazurile mai triste, toate cele de mai sus. Sătulă până peste cap de soțul ei, când o regină își lua un amant, totul era posibil – defăimare și moarte, dar și triumf politic. Unii regi își închideau pe viață nevestele infidele; alți monarhi, mai binevoitori, îi numeau pe amanții reginei prim-miniștri. Factorul crucial care decidea soarta unei regine infidele se referea întotdeauna la implicațiile politice ale relației amoroase. La curțile regale europene, tragedia reginelor și a soțiilor de prinți nu s-a născut din aventurile lor sexuale, ci din uneltirile politice. „Herman prezintă toate detaliile fierbinți și intense ale vieţilor scandaloase ale amanților regali... o carte extrem de captivantă.“ Entertainment Weekly „... detaliile picante despre personaje uneori uitate... fac această carte să strălucească mai puternic decât bijuteriile coroanei.“ Emily McCombs, Bust „Stilul lui Eleanor Herman este spumos.“ Boston Globe Eleanor Herman este istoric, autoare a volumului În pat cu regele, bestseller New York Times. Printre alte cărți ale sale se numără: Mistress of the Vatican, King Peggy, Legacy of Kings, Blood of Gods and Royals. A avut numeroase apariții la National Geographic Channel, The History Channel și American Heroes Channel, pentru a oferi comentarii de specialitate pe diverse teme.

Acción, intriga, violencia, romances apasionados y traición se aúnan en esta nueva saga, una fantasía histórica basada en la vida del joven Alejandro Magno. Nació con la marca de los elegidos, la cicatriz del guerrero. Con trece años, Alejandro ya había sido instruido en las artes y las estrategias militares. Ahora, con dieciséis, bajo el título de príncipe regente, debe derrotar a su primer gran enemigo. Pero la espada no sirve allá donde se extiende el reino de la magia y la brujería. Alejandro, de dieciséis años de edad, está a punto de descubrir que su destino es conquistar el mundo conocido, al mismo tiempo que se siente profundamente fascinado por una recién llegada. Katerina debe navegar por los oscuros secretos de la vida de la corte mientras mantiene oculta su verdadera misión: matar a la reina. Y no es consciente de que ha encontrado su primer amor. Jacobempleará todas sus fuerzas en conseguir a Katerina, aunque para ella tenga que enfrentarse a Hefestión, el protegido del príncipe. Y al otro lado del mar, Zofia, una princesa persa y prometida contra su voluntad a Alejandro, quiere cambiar su destino mediante la búsqueda de los famosos y letales Devoradores de Espíritus. Tejiendo la fantasía con los verdaderos y fascinantes detalles de la historia real, Eleanor Herman, autora bestseller de The New York Times, reinventa al mayor emperador que el mundo haya conocido: Alejandro Magno, en el primer libro de la serie «Sangre de dioses y reyes», una nueva saga que avanza entre Rick Riordan y George R.R. Martin. Reseñas: «La escritura de Herman centellea en cada página.» The Boston Globe «Infinitamente más divertida que Dan Brown o Danielle Steel.» The Washington Post

Pikante Geschichten über Sex und Macht Mätressen – sie wurden geliebt, gefürchtet, beneidet und führten ein Leben auf dem schmalen Grat zwischen Traumschloss und Kerker. Eleanor Herman stellt sie alle vor: die Berühmtesten und Unsterblichsten ebenso wie die, deren Liaison mit dem König nicht ans Licht der Öffentlichkeit dringen durfte. Begegnen Sie den großen Mätressen der Weltgeschichte: Madame de Pompadour, Lola Montez und vielen anderen. (Dieser Text bezieht sich auf eine frühere Ausgabe.)

Colonne di fumo si levano dai campi di battaglia della Macedonia, mentre nuovi amori sbocciano e un''antica magia pulsante di rabbia minaccia di ridurre l''impero in polvere. Dopo aver vinto la sua prima battaglia, il PRINCIPE ALESSANDRO lotta per diventare il sovrano di cui il suo regno ha bisogno, ma la differenza tra un re e un tiranno è una linea sottile, che diventa sempre più labile di fronte alle nuove minacce. Nel frattempo EFESTIONE, caduto in disgrazia per aver ucciso l''uomo sbagliato, deve portare a termine una pericolosa missione in Egitto insieme a KATARINA, senza lasciarsi sfuggire il devastante segreto di una profezia che forse la riguarda. JACOB, intanto, deciso a dimenticare il suo primo amore, ha giurato di eliminare dalla faccia della terra l''antica magia del sangue ed è convinto che CYNANE, la principessa sua prigioniera, sia la chiave che consentirà ai Cavalieri esariani di distruggere la Macedonia. E ZOFIA, benché in catene, continua a cercare i Divoratori di spiriti anche se prima deve vedersela con i segreti dell''uomo bellissimo – e letale – che l''ha catturata. Nel secondo romanzo della serie Stirpe di Dei e di Re, Eleanor Herman reinterpreta uno dei personaggi più affascinanti della storia antica, Alessandro il Grande, la cui vita è stata talmente straordinaria che persino i fatti sembrano frutto della fantasia.

Magie sanguinaire, amours interdites et soif de vengeance : ni les dieux ni les rois ne sont à l''abri de la folie des hommes. Sorti victorieux de sa première bataille, le prince Alexandre se fait violence pour devenir le chef dont son royaume a besoin. Héphestion, temporairement écarté du pouvoir et envoyé en Égypte avec Katerina, doit la protéger d''une terrible prophétie. Déterminé à faire une croix sur son premier amour, Jacob le guerrier s''est promis d''éradiquer la Magie de Sang et cherche l''aide de Cyané, qui croupit dans les geôles royales. La princesse persane Zofia, enfin, qui poursuit sa quête des Dévoreurs d''Âmes, devra d''abord démêler les noirs secrets de son séduisant mais funeste ravisseur... Le deuxième livre du Sang des dieux et des rois, la saga historico-fantasy bientôt adaptée par Warner Bros en série TV

As the end of an age approaches, blood soaks the earth, twisted prophecies wield immeasurable power and tyrants demand impossible sacrifices. PRINCE ALEXANDER of Macedon''s mind has been touched by an incomprehensible evil, even as his betrothed travels from afar to unite their kingdoms against a terrible darkness that threatens both realms: the Spirit Eaters. From the distant shores of Illyria to a small deserted island, the deadly consequences of Smoke Blood magic loom and lost civilisations emerge to reveal the existence of a weapon that may do the impossible -- kill the last living god. As magic rises and warriors clash, the fate of all Macedon rests in the hands of the unstable prince and those whose loyalty can no longer be trusted. The rich and fantastical world of New York Times bestselling author Eleanor Herman''s Blood of Gods and Royals series has never been so wickedly wonderful...or wildly dangerous.

Aos fios dos séculos, as amantes reais já foram idolatradas, temidas, invejadas e difamadas. DItaram modas, patrocinaram as artes e, em alguns casos, governaram nações. SExo com Reis, de Eleanor Herman, nos faz adentrar as salas do trono e os quartos de dormir dos mais poderosos monarcas da Europa. COm diários, cartas pessoais e despachos diplomáticos, a pesquisa meticulosa da autora revela a dinâmica do sexo e do poder, da rivalidade e da vingança nas brilhantes cortes da Europa. RElata quinhentos anos de mulheres deslumbrantes e dos reis que as amaram. CUriosamente, a principal função das amantes reais não era proporcionar sexo ao monarca, mas sim companhia. FOrçados a se casarem com princesas estrangeiras repulsivas, os reis buscavam consolo com mulheres que eles mesmos escolhiam. E Que mulheres! De Madame de Pompadour, famosa amante de Luís XV que manteve seu posto por dezenove anos apesar de frígida, à contemporânea Camilla Parker-Bowles, que usurpou ninguém menos do que a glamorosa Diana, a Princesa de Gales. A Amante real bem-sucedida sabia se tornar indispensável. DIspunha-se a conversar alegremente com o rei mesmo quando estava cansada, a fazer amor a noite inteira mesmo quando doente, e a realizar todos os seus caprichos. OCultando todo e qualquer desconforto com uma máscara de esplendoroso deleite, ela nunca estava exausta, nunca reclamava e nunca ficava triste. É Bem verdade que as recompensas financeiras pelos serviços prestados tinham proporções régias - algumas amantes reais chegaram a ganhar 200 milhões de dólares em títulos, pensões, jóias e palácios. ALguns reis também permitiam que suas amantes exercessem um poder político ilimitado. POrém, apesar de toda essa grandiosidade, uma corte real era um ninho de escorpiões de insaciável ganância, ilimitada luxúria e cruel ambição. CEntenas de belas damas almejavam destronar as amantes do rei. MUitas seriam alvo dos paus e pedras da opinião pública negativa, algumas teriam fins trágicos ou receberiam pensões compensatórias par dar lugar a mulheres mais jovens. MAs a amante do rei quase sempre ria por último, vivendo ricamente dos frutos de seus "pecados".