Princess of Hanover

The sad life of of Sophie-Dorothea of Celle, unhappy wife of George Ludwig, heir to the duchy of Hanover and later King George I of England, is the basis of this absorbing biographical novel by the author of A Gallant Passion . A pawn in her uncle's bid to elevate Hanover to an electorate, Dorothea is forced at age 15 to marry her cousin George. He, however, ignores her in favor of his mistress, Melusine von Schulenberg. Desperately bored with the staid life of the court, Dorothea falls in love with an army officer, Swedish Count Philip Konigsmark, one of the many mercenary soldiers who sold their services to various European armies during the 17th and 18th centuries. Her plea for a divorce rebuffed, the hapless woman plans to run off with the count, unaware that he has met a tragic end. Further sad twists of fate remain in store for the hapless Dorothea. Lehr's fine research is evident in her use of historical details, and her narrative skill sustains momentum and interest. ( July )