Living in a shallow and jealous court society, greedy for position and power, Elisabeth's strength of character, her determination, her skill as a horsewoman and love of travel allowed her to endure her life and gave her freedom from her domineering mother-in-law. Tragedy haunts the pages of her life, but she lives again, beautiful, charming and strong, in Allan's novel. Born of royal blood, 15-year-old Elisabeth (Sisi) is a free-spirited child of nature, with no social graces to speak of, when Franz Joseph, Emperor of Austria, falls madly in love with her. In 1854, as the new Empress of Austria, she is swept into the harsh world of the Habsburg Empire, with its power struggles and political intrigues. Her mother-in-law is determined to crush her into submission and her husband has a roving eye that never misses a pretty lady. But Elisabeth is no ordinary woman. In the face of adversity, her determination knows no bounds and her beauty becomes her strength. While blazing her own path to power and freedom, love comes into her life. A Walk on Broken Glass is a compelling story of Elisabeth’s loves, tragedies and triumphs. Her love of Hungarians brought about her greatest achievement — helping to influence the formation of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.