James O. Miller - Historical Fiction

https://theoviebooks.wordpress.com/ Ivan the Terrible sat motionless, his eyes hollow and black, deep pits of emptiness, yet gleaming with a fire that burned as fiercely as ever. His face, hardened by years of bloodshed, was an unforgiving mask, a cruel and twisted reflection of the man who had reshaped Russia with the stroke of a sword. His mouth, set in a permanent sneer, showed no hint of mercy, no sign of remorse. He was the embodiment of his name, the Terrible and the empire he ruled trembled beneath the weight of his malice. The Oprichnina, the infamous guard of Ivan's will, had been his greatest weapon, a force of unspeakable cruelty that tore through the land with impunity. Their black robes, adorned with the symbols of a dog and a broom, marked them as the Tsar's loyal dogs, sent to root out those who dared to defy him. The Oprichniki were more than soldiers; they were Ivan’s eyes and ears, his instruments of terror, and they moved with a purpose that was as efficient as it was ruthless. A historical novel. James O. Miller. After 23 years of high school teaching history and four years teaching in Germany retirement didn’t come well especially since I hate gardening and golf. So I decided to exercise my imagination combined with my academic knowledge. Ovi eBook Publishing 2025