Diana Biller Knihy

A sparkling historical romance set against the backdrop of Vienna's ball season as a charming hotel manager tries to save her hotel with the help of a taciturn secret service agent.

In Diana Biller's The Brightest Star in Paris, love is waiting; you only have to let it in.Amelie St. James, prima ballerina of the Paris Opera Ballet and the people's saint, has spent seven years pretending. In the devastating aftermath of the Siege of Paris, she made a decision to protect her sister: she became the bland, sweet, pious “St. Amie” the ballet needed to restore its scandalous reputation. But when her first love reappears, and the ghosts of her past come back to haunt her, all her hard-fought safety is threatened.Dr. Benedict Moore has never forgotten the girl who helped him embrace life again after he almost lost his. Now, he's back in Paris after twelve years for a conference. His goals are to recruit promising new scientists, and, maybe, to see Amelie again. When he discovers she's in trouble, he's desperate to help her—after all, he owes her.When she finally agrees to let him help, they disguise their time together with a fake courtship. But reigniting old feelings is dangerous, especially when their lives are an ocean apart. Will they be able to make it out with their hearts intact?

In this effervescent Gilded Age debut novel, a young widow embarks on a journey to restore a dilapidated mansion, only to uncover dangerous secrets lurking within its walls. Set in 1875, Alva Webster, having endured public scrutiny for fleeing her abusive husband, returns to New York following his death to reclaim her life and reputation. She sets her sights on restoring Liefdehuis, a crumbling Hyde Park estate, but soon learns that fresh starts come with unexpected challenges. Whispers of a haunting at the mansion reach her ears, yet Alva remains skeptical of ghosts. When the eccentric and brilliant professor Samuel Moore offers to help her unravel the mystery, she initially rejects his assistance, wary of complications—especially those arising from a handsome and unconventional man like Sam. However, Alva reluctantly realizes that Sam, a pioneer in electric lighting and part of the renowned Moore family of scientists, is her best hope. Together, they explore the tragic secrets of her new home while Sam seeks to understand Alva's past and win her heart. This captivating tale combines darkly Victorian Gothic elements with a resilient American heroine, promising to enchant readers.