Author Description

A princess bound by duty. A samurai bound by honor. A forbidden love that could change the fate of nations. France, 1652. Princess Marguerite de Valois has everything-wealth, status, beauty-but within the gilded walls of Fontainebleau she feels trapped, yearning for freedom and adventure. When a rare envoy from Japan arrives, her world collides with one unlike any she has ever imagined. Among the retinue is Saito Hiroshi, a disciplined samurai whose life is sworn to service. His presence is commanding, his silence profound-but beneath his armor lies a heart that cannot help but be moved by Marguerite's spirit. Drawn together beneath the blossoms of cherry trees gifted to France, they share stolen lessons of calligraphy, music, and dance. Their bond deepens into a love as dangerous as it is undeniable. But whispers spread through the royal court, and treachery sharpens its knives. As political intrigue and foreign powers conspire to tear them apart, Marguerite and Hiroshi must decide whether their forbidden love is worth defying crowns, honor, and war itself. Sweeping from the glittering courts of France to the lantern-lit bridges of Kyoto, Beneath the Blossoms is a lush, romantic tale of passion, betrayal, and courage. Perfect for fans of historical romance and epic love stories, this novel will sweep you away into a world where every choice carries the weight of destiny.