FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—Toronto, ON, Friday, June 13, 2025 — On what would have been Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna of Russia’s birthday (June 13), a compelling new historical novel is set to bring her extraordinary life and resilience to the forefront. Escape of the Grand Duchess, by award-winning author Susan Appleyard, offers the gripping story of a Romanov who survived the Russian Revolution and made a new life for herself in Canada.
 
Published by Ingenium Books, Escape of the Grand Duchess is available for preorder now and will be officially released on July 30, 2025. This meticulously researched novel shatters common misconceptions about royal life, instead presenting Grand Duchess Olga’s tumultuous journey from the imperial Russian court to her final resting place in York Cemetery.
 
“I was fascinated by how a woman born into the grandeur of the Romanov court could end her life in such modest circumstances in Canada,” says Appleyard. “Her strength, grace, and quiet heroism were worth writing about—and remembering.”

The novel delves into Olga’s challenging early life, including being pushed into a loveless marriage of convenience, and finding hope with a dashing army lieutenant. Readers will be transported to the brutal realities of World War I, where Olga served as a frontline nurse, and witness the tightening grip of Rasputin on the imperial court, leading to the Bolshevik revolution. The book vividly portrays Olga’s impossible choice to risk everything to flee into the unknown with her true love and their children, rather than face certain death.

“Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna’s story is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity for survival in the face of unimaginable adversity,” says author Susan Appleyard. “I believe Toronto and Southern Ontario audiences, particularly those interested in local history, world events, and compelling literature, will find her journey incredibly resonant, especially given her connection to our city.”

Susan Appleyard is an award-winning historical novelist. Born in England and now a proud Canadian, she has a passion for forgotten figures and untold histories. Escape of the Grand Duchess is her second novel focused on the Romanovs.

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