I'm usually pretty good with genres. I've previously written a paranormal romance/urban fantasy trilogy and a YA fantasy - all fairly straightforward. But my latest, as yet unpublished, manuscript is a bit of an odd one. Obviously it's tricky for anyone to say definitely without reading the whole thing, but from this description, what would you say?
In 2030, a military dictatorship governs Britain, led by the First Lord of the Treasury, Julien St John Helmsley. Julien is charming, charismatic, and utterly ruthless, particularly towards the resistance group known as the Treaty.
Melanie Bonham, a member of the Treaty and enemy of the state, volunteers for a deadly mission. She must become the First Lord’s mistress, learn his secrets, and then assassinate him. Failure would mean torture, death, and vicious retaliation against the rebels, but success would restore democracy.
But “Melanie” has a secret that no one in the Treaty suspects: once, she was Julien’s beloved but equally merciless wife, Marianne Helmsley. Five years previously, after a furious disagreement with her husband, she faked her death and fled to the Treaty in disguise. Instead of sneaking into the Regime’s stronghold, she makes a triumphant return as the long-lost First Lady, claiming the rebels have held her prisoner for years. Still in love with the man she’s meant to kill and tempted by absolute power, Marianne must choose between freeing the country and breaking her heart or ruling at Julien’s side and losing her soul —before both sides seek to execute her as a traitor.
In 2030, a military dictatorship governs Britain, led by the First Lord of the Treasury, Julien St John Helmsley. Julien is charming, charismatic, and utterly ruthless, particularly towards the resistance group known as the Treaty.
Melanie Bonham, a member of the Treaty and enemy of the state, volunteers for a deadly mission. She must become the First Lord’s mistress, learn his secrets, and then assassinate him. Failure would mean torture, death, and vicious retaliation against the rebels, but success would restore democracy.
But “Melanie” has a secret that no one in the Treaty suspects: once, she was Julien’s beloved but equally merciless wife, Marianne Helmsley. Five years previously, after a furious disagreement with her husband, she faked her death and fled to the Treaty in disguise. Instead of sneaking into the Regime’s stronghold, she makes a triumphant return as the long-lost First Lady, claiming the rebels have held her prisoner for years. Still in love with the man she’s meant to kill and tempted by absolute power, Marianne must choose between freeing the country and breaking her heart or ruling at Julien’s side and losing her soul —before both sides seek to execute her as a traitor.