A Hundred Sweet Promises

By the award-winning author of the bestselling novel, "THE HARMLESS NECESSARY CAT: A World War II Family Saga in Allied-Occupied Iran"

A HUNDRED SWEET PROMISES - AS FEATURED ON NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO (NPR)

- WINNER - 2023 AMERICAN FICTION AWARDS - Historical Fiction & Historical Romance
- 2022 HFC GOLD CATEGORY WINNER - Historical Audiobook

A family secret revealed 40 years ago by a grandmother to her grandson is now an acclaimed Russian historical fiction novel. "A Hundred Sweet Promises" is the tale of the author’s grandfather, Nasrosoltan, a famed composer, who on the eve of World War I travels from Persia to Russia to study classical music at the St. Petersburg Conservatory with such masters as Rimsky-Korsakov. While there, Nasrosoltan falls in love with a Romanov princess, but the royalty surrounding him considers this a forbidden love. Unexpectedly, the Tsar gets involved, and Nasrosoltan suddenly finds himself in a battle between head and heart while being carried forward on a wave of destiny toward an uncertain future. A novel based on a true story set against the backdrop of the final days of Imperial Russia.

KIRKUS REVIEWS
"...An exceedingly intelligent tale that thoughtfully juxtaposes the maddening effects of romantic love with the violent paroxysms of political insurrection. Furthermore, the reader is given a rare literary treat: a peek into distinct revolutionary periods—Russia and Iran in the early years of the 20th century and Iran in the century’s last quarter. A dramatically affecting novel that is also politically astute."

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY REVIEW
"....one of the peculiar pleasures of this novel is that its author seems deeply familiar with & fond of 19th century Russian literature; there are hints of Chekhov, Tolstoy’s “Kreutzer Sonata” and Pushkin’s “The Queen of Spades.” The narrative style evokes the writers of that period, and their influence is felt throughout the text. The novel is well-researched and convincingly recreates the pomp and glitter of St. Petersburg in the twilight of the Romanov empire. The story brings back how honor was an achievable ideal and nobility of character and behavior were the qualities sought after in a romantic hero and heroine. Nasrosoltan Minbashian is an appealing and vividly drawn romantic hero in his grandson's retelling of the ill-fated love between the Persian composer and the Russian princess who ultimately wound up wed to Rasputin's assassin, Prince Felix Yusupov. Nasrosoltan's complex inner life and character are depicted with a sure hand."-

"Already this novel is being compared to Chekhov, Tolstoy, and Pushkin, but I would venture to add another famous Russian novelist into the mix – Boris Pasternak – for in the story I saw the reflection of the rich and meaty tale of Doctor Zhivago, which blends the turbulence of the political arena at the precipice of the Great War and the Russian Revolution with the lovely refrains of young love and the dreamy world of an artist in search of escape where love reigns supreme. Zhivago’s love of poetry and his homeland is overshadowed by reality, just as Nasrosoltan’s love of music along with his love of both Russia and Iran is brought face to face with the harsh reality of his station in life – face to face with Tsar Nicholas, himself, in a confrontation and pronouncement of love as to place this book firmly alongside those classic Russian novels as a contender for pure, exquisite literature. And if ever a book needed to be made into a movie, this is it for it offers all the elements of a perfect historical romance melding together the powerful lessons taught as a result of the political upheaval and national unrest which grew to a frenzy against the Russian nobility of that time."- Author DK Marley, HFC Editorial Review