The powerful Russian tsar has a German wife, four daughters and one son. Being the youngest daughter, Anastasia is often dismissed or forgotten. She likes to play the role of a clown to make her family laugh. But even being in this position has its privileges. Anastasia’s world is safely wrapped up in a luxurious package, tightly bound with family love. She enjoys the finest clothes, private tutors, rich cuisine, and plenty of armed guards to keep her safe. She has all the material things a girl could ask for, plus she’s blessed to live in the shine of her family’s love. The royal family is very close and supportive of each other, with the sisters being the best of friends and everyone adoring the youngest, Alexi, the next in line for the throne. When Alexi falls ill with one of his frequent attacks, the entire family joins forces to aid in his recovery.

One day, Anastasia slips unnoticed into the garden and discovers someone else who has crept away for some quiet time. His name is Sasha, and he is a young guard in the tsar’s army. Anastasia and Sasha bond right away, but their newly-formed friendship must remain hidden. She relishes her secret and her new friend, and it becomes a game to find ways to communicate and arrange meetings with him. Sasha also opens her eyes to life outside of the palace --- to the poverty, the starvation, the political opinions. He tells her the truth of the world, and as the years pass, the two begin to fall in love.

As their love grows, Russia starts to fall apart into violent pieces. War erupts. Some begin to doubt Anastasia’s mother’s loyalty as she was born German. Then some in the Russian rebellion take control and place the royal family under arrest. Anastasia and her family are now prisoners who fear for their lives. And Sasha is one of their guards.

Susanne Dunlap has brought history to life in ANASTASIA’S SECRET. She tackles this work of historical fiction with grace and honesty, accuracy and conviction. She sticks to the historical facts as closely as possible and then fills in the fiction with an intuitive imagination. The story moves along at a steady pace; the secretive and romantic meetings with Sasha add a flair of mystery and excitement, as the family’s downfall implores sympathy and concern. Dunlap does a great job maturing Anastasia from a little girl to a young woman; readers will connect with the character, feeling both her heartaches and elations. The author writes with an elegant and classy style, right in the running with Louisa May Alcott and Jane Austen.

ANASTASIA’S SECRET is Dunlap’s second novel, and with her vast writing talent, it certainly won’t be her last.