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What will the greatest ruling family in the history of the galaxy be like?

When the studious, determined microengineer Lady Felicia Sorensen is asked to partner Emperor Victor Sinclair at a ball, little does she realize that her world is about to be overturned. Sick of the socialites who can only see his status, the Emperor falls madly in love with her. But she is so single-minded in her dedication to her scientific career that she treads, more than once, on his most painful memories and psychological issues!

Nevertheless, he is so determined to have her that he entices her with all the resources at his command, from sexual stimulation and outrageously expensive gowns to promising her that she can ‘write her own job description’. Is it love, or is it manipulation? Felicia does not want to be merely the source of ova for the Imperial Heir, nor does she like being the center of attention. And an assassination attempt proves that the publicity of being an Imperial fiancée means her mere presence generates continuous danger, even from rival scientists on other planets!

Will Felicia choose her Imperial lover and tough out the extreme political and social pressures with the supreme ruler of the Empire, or will she choose her goals and help thousands, millions, possibly billions of people through her intellectual achievements?


This science fiction romance is the first of the seven-part To Be Sinclair series. The saga begins with DIGNITY and its companion volume MAJESTY, which describe the romance and first years of marriage of the Emperor and Empress of the Sinclair Demesnes. A few scenes describe sexually explicit behavior.

390 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 8, 2012

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About the author

Eva Caye

18 books26 followers
Eva Caye morphed from dilettante writer into obsessive author after a health crisis caused her to re-evaluate her life. Set 600 years in the future, the To Be Sinclair series is her vision of the greatest ruling family in the history of the galaxy. All thirteen ebooks are available on Amazon and Smashwords, with two prequels and two others set in the Sinclair universe as works-in-progress. Eva lives in Louisville, Kentucky with her magnificent husband of twenty-five years.

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5 stars
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14 (29%)
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11 (23%)
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Profile Image for Tanita Davis.
Author 13 books114 followers
Read
December 12, 2012
I have read this book now twice, which is high praise from me.

Cinderella meets Science - and votes for Science.

Felicia's really not all that interested in being royal, she's a scientist. So what if, after being chosen from her college sorority, the Emperor is interested in seeing her again? That way lies madness - and pain. But, sometimes madness and pain are what goes with. This is a love story like I've not read before - all of the nitty-gritty real-life detail and the aspirations - and the cool science - of an amazing college student-turned-empress.

I have NEVER read a book like this - and I'm a big fan of space operas. This one has the scope to be fairly epic.

I don't do stars, but I REALLY, REALLY liked this.
Profile Image for Carol O'Bryan.
88 reviews2 followers
October 1, 2012
I enjoyed this book. However, a word of caution is required - you really have to be a fan of romance AND sci fi to enjoy this one. More, you have to be willing to waive disbelief and get through a somewhat oversimplified "love" story to get at the plot. I kept feeling like the author should pick one genre and stick with it - but the feeling wasn't strong enough to overcome my simple enjoyment of the plotline. One suggestion I would make is that it's frustrating having the entire plot of all the novels laid out at the beginning. That destroys the sense of wonderment you get from watching the books unfold. I will, however, definitely keep my eye out for the next novel(s).
Profile Image for Frances Law.
1,123 reviews14 followers
February 11, 2018
What a delightful surprise.

My interest in this book was first sparked by a review I read of it on Facebook. I read the blurb and decided to download it. Wow! I'm so pleased that I did.
Emperor Victor Sinclair was orphaned at six years of age when a coup killed his mother and older brothers. So a young boy who should never have been Emperor became just that at six years of age. He has been trying to be everything to everybody ever since. At the same time, he has been looking for an Empress and is sick of all the sycophants pushing their vapid daughters and granddaughters at him at every turn. A shrewd move by his Social Secretary introduced him to Lady Fellicia, an introverted science student who has absolutely no ambition other than to be a recognised scientist with her own laboratory. As their feelings for each other grow they realise that they each have to learn to compromise. At the same time there are envious Dukes and their families to deal with and an interstellar insurrection to deal with.
This book is filled with strong, well fleshed out characters. It promotes women as scientists as well as social entities. The many secondary characters who are just as well developed as the major ones.
It is also a romance. It portrays physical love in a private way. If you are interested in more explicit sex there are mini stories at the end of the book for you. Otherwise, just enjoy the beautifully expressed live that Victor and Felicia have for each other.
I can't give this book anything but five stars and I am looking forward to reading the next book!
Profile Image for Amy.
16 reviews12 followers
December 4, 2012
I started this book as I was going to bed, intending to read a chapter or two to wind down, and go to sleep. Before I knew it, it was 5am, and I had finished the novel. Dignity, by Eva Caye, is a beautifully written, well-crafted science fiction romance. It is also a fine example of excellent character development, even better relationship development, and world building in the form of a complex interplanetary political and governmental framework.

The main character, Felicia, is a student at university working towards her degree in science. She is a member of the noble class, called Royals in the context of this world. She lives in a sorority (reminiscent of a finishing school) within walking distance of the university she attends. She spends her time attending classes at the university, and learning more traditional skills for a lady of her class at her sorority. She is a serious scientist, and her thought processes and behaviors reflect this unfailingly. She works through problems she encounters with thoughtful and logical consideration. She is not unemotional; she has emotional responses and reactions, but usually has the sense to realize when her emotions may cause her to behave irrationally. When this happens, she either asks for, or arranges for, time to process. This was a welcome change from many characters in fiction I have read, who seem to lose every ounce of their intelligence and good sense when faced with the slightest hint of a crisis.

The male lead, Victor, is the emperor of the Sinclair Demesnes. He became emperor at a young age, when his mother was killed in an attempted coup. He has so many responsibilities, he has to struggle constantly (and often unsuccessfully) to get even a few hours of free time every week. He also suffers from bouts of depression. He, like Felicia, is extremely intelligent. He has a deep understanding of people and behavior, and a very high level of empathy. This type of intelligence, and the ability to use the information he garners about people to deal with social and political situations, make him believable as an emperor of a multi-planet empire. He has been searching for a wife for some time, but is unsatisfied with the candidates he has met thus far. When he meets Felicia, he realizes he has found a kindred spirit… someone he can love, and respect enough to make his empress.

Felicia and Victor are both well-developed, and their relationship is extremely well-developed. They are attracted to each other almost immediately, and Victor forms a strong attachment very quickly, certain that he loves Felicia, and wants her to become his empress. Although Felicia likes the emperor, it takes her longer to be certain that they are good match. She is well aware that Victor the man cannot be entirely separated from his role as Emperor, and she wants to consider if she loves him enough to make the adjustments to her future that becoming Empress would require. She is a brilliant scientist, who knows the value of her intellect and her work, and what she might accomplish in service to mankind through science. I particularly appreciated that that Felicia didn’t reject Victor, or write off a relationship as impossible. Instead, she and Victor worked together to come up with a way for her to finish her education, and move forward with her research even if she became Empress. The characters clearly respect each other’s intellect. Through multiple interactions, and a unique exchange of cultural material and letters, they develop a strong bond that ripens as time passes. Mutual respect and understanding for the other’s strengths and weaknesses form the bedrock of their relationship, so the reader is sure of the soundness of the relationship by the end of the novel.

I would like to point out (with a certain amount of glee) that the author has managed to write a scifi romance without relying on The Big Misunderstanding of romance, or (as is more commonly seen in SciFi romance) The Inadvertent or Perceived Betrayal for the climax of the story or the major conflict. I was absolutely thrilled about this; while there is nothing wrong with either of the aforementioned tried-and-true plot devices, they are (dare I say it) a trifle overused. And, in this case, using either would have been out of place… disrespectful of the intellect of the main characters and the nature of their strong relationship dynamic. The characters do have misunderstandings, and occasionally hurt each other, but this is not the main conflict, and the resolution is always satisfying, and helps enhance the reader’s respect for the characters.

The main conflict in Dignity lies in the characters learning how to nurture a relationship against the backdrop of the political and social expectations and pressures of being royalty. Victor is the Emperor, so his actions, and the actions of the future Empress affect many people, and have far reaching political consequences. The complexity of this situation is not minimized, rather, the determination, intelligence, and resourcefulness of the characters is highlighted as they work through each difficulty.

As far as the technical aspects of writing go, the writing quality was excellent: polished, smooth prose that flowed beautifully. The pacing was perfect. Each page made me want to turn to the next, and each chapter made me eager to see what developments would unfold in the following chapter. The ending of the book left me entirely satisfied, while still eager for a sequel.

Overall, reading this book was an extremely pleasant experience. The story was excellent, and the characters were easy to like. Reading about the characters and the way they manage their problems and develop their relationship made me smile, and provided a satisfying sense of vicarious accomplishment; I felt invested in their lives, and happiness.

Dignity is the first installment of the To Be Sinclair series. I highly recommend it, and am eagerly waiting the sequel.

This review was written by me, and originally posted on www.thegeekgirlproject.com
Profile Image for Laurie Green.
Author 14 books32 followers
September 14, 2014
The first novel in the To Be Sinclair series was a real surprise for me. The writing and editing was nearly flawless and the story definitely satisfied. I would have rated it 4.5 stars if possible.

This smart, richly-detailed tale beautifully blends science fiction and romance in a lush setting with intricate politics, backstory and world-building. I connected with both Felicia and Victor from their very first exchange and throughout their difficult romantic journey. After all, it's not easy to forge a love affair when he is the reigning Emperor of a planetary system and she is a brilliant, and always chaperoned, student.

Victor's tragic backstory as the sole survivor of his royal family affected me on a very deep level. In spite of this dark history, he's risen to become a powerful and respected but very lonely ruler. The large supporting cast of characters--from royals to rivals to watchmen to mentors to peers--are equally well drawn and fleshed-out.

Though this story may not appeal to those who demand a lightning pace, there are several unexpected and dangerous twists in the plot that continuously up the stakes, as well as offering puzzling mysteries to be solved. Victor and Felicia often struggle through their conflicts and decisions about their future--and whether that future will be together or apart. I related to Felicia's choices on every level as she grappled with what she was driven to do vs. her love for Victor and her desire to be part of his life. I also respected Victor for having the strength to compromise, even in the face of criticism and censure by powerful foes.

In addition to effectively combining science fiction and romance, I think this novel may also hold a lot of appeal for readers of Historical Romances, since there are definite parallels in the society, politics, pacing and style. Although Eva Caye credits Lois McMaster Bujold for her story's inspiration, I think she has created a universe that is completely unique in its own rights.
Profile Image for Leah.
16 reviews2 followers
October 9, 2013
***Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official.
For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fansite: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.ng ***

I received this novel from the author in exchange for an honest review!

This is the classic Cinderella story, if Cinderella was an extremely smart, fiercely independent and dedicated to her studies in a super developed alien world! I enjoyed this book immensely, while slightly predictable it still had me ohhing and ahhing at all the right places!

Lady Felicia has never been interested in the same things as her fellow ladies of stature! She loves science and math and want to leave her mark on her world by helping people! Victor is the emperor with a tragic past, the last remaining member of the immediate royal family he is emotionally scarred in many ways! Tired of the usual socialites that he escorts to many social functions, he demands to meet with someone who can look past his royal status and see the man that he truly is. When the two meet Felicia inadvertently reopens old wounds. Despite this Victor falls for Felicia and is determined to make her his empress! Felicia is determined to finished her engineering degree but cannot deny her feelings for Victor!

I really enjoyed this novel Eva Caye writes a beautiful whirlwind romance that reaches the heart of every girl that loved the princess fairy tales! This series is definitely on my to be read list!!
Profile Image for Lara.
1,597 reviews
October 6, 2013
I learned about this series from a SFR blog post about the second book. I decided to start with the first and really enjoyed reading it. This was a sweet story about a young woman who wants to just wants to follow her dreams, but they don't fit with her gender or class. The heroine is a real science geek who is expected to be a high ranking lady. She takes science classes on the sly and is uninterested in fashion or dating. The hero is the emperor, a man who is too aware of his responsibilities, has no remaining family, and cannot enjoy or trust the many young women who throw themselves at him (the ultimate celebrity of his world).

When they meet on an arranged date neither is what the other expects. The first half of the book is about their slowly developing relationship. The second half of the book sees more reality intruding in their lives as each has to come to terms with what their relationship means for themselves and for others.

This is not a book with detailed sex scenes. The couple do not throw themselves into bed with one another, and we don't have to endure a lot of sexual teasing. I really appreciated how they developed their friendship and love for each other before committing to a more serious relationship. Each character had to grow, and they were sometimes painfully honest with each other. And brave about their fears regarding their relationship.
Profile Image for Melanie's.
566 reviews29 followers
August 2, 2014
*This Book Was Given To Me By The Author In Exchange For An Honest Review*


Hmmmmm I have gone back and forth on how to write this review. Let me start by saying that I don't think the covers do this series any justice at all. I feel they deserve so much more because if I was browsing I would go straight passed this and that would be a mistake.

What we have here is a complete genre crossover, to the extent where I don't think I have ever read anything quite like it before. Now don't get me wrong, I am not saying that this is a bad thing, but it certainly is different.

You have what is basically, almost a regency style romance period piece, set in the future, on another colony. The wars being fought are on a much larger scale but the manners and expectations of the royalty are so very proper and old fashioned.

Definitely and intriguing mix with a very well written love story running through. Sci Fi meets Romance and neither is compromised. It has certainly piqued my curiosity as I move on to book 2 in the saga!

V""V



***Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official.
For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fansite: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.ng ***
1 review
September 10, 2012
How do geeks do romance? Lady Felicia is a scientist who has never had a boyfriend. And the Emperor is tired of the socialites! He needs a lady who can help him with his responsibilities as the ruler of four planets. No wonder he falls in love with Felicia (and her massive intellect) in about fifteen minutes!

Although the book reads primarily as romance for several chapters, the science slowly creeps in until, by the very end, Felicia's abilities and scientific contacts have won the war and saved the day! Another cute thing is the erotic 'Easter egg' short story hidden at the end of the book, which Eva describes as a way to explore other points-of-view, as well as a way to separate her more erotic writings from her books so people who do not wish to read explicit descriptions don't have to. (Explicit = a few body parts mentioned)

This is definitely science fiction romance, not fantasy or paranormal romance. This is written as if there were an actual video camera recording future scenes, as realistic as you can get. The science is not too overwhelming for romance readers, and the romance is not too overwhelming for science fiction readers.
Profile Image for Jami.
537 reviews7 followers
October 6, 2013
Plot: 2 stars
Characters:4 1/2 stars
Style: 4 stars
Pace: 3 stars

(Disclaimer: Got this free from the SFR panel at CoyoteCon. This didn't impact my views on it, though it did bump it to the top of the TBR list since her opinions in the panel made me think I might have found the kind of SFR I always crave.)

I had a hard time deciding if I liked this or not. On one hand, likable, engaging characters and well edited writing made this difficult to put down. On the other, much of it lacks plot-based or romance based tension. From the moment they meet, I never doubted they would work it out. There were no moments of serious conflict between them, and those few bits where there were minor conflicts were so easily and quickly resolved as to be totally insignificant. It's a testament to the quality of the writing that I made it through. There are spots where everything works together- the romance, the plot, the tension, the characterization, where this book is excellent. If the whole thing were like those points, this could have easily been a 5 star book. I suspect I'll try later books of hers to see how they've grown.
Profile Image for  Rosebud.
1,052 reviews194 followers
October 23, 2012
This was a ya sci-fi story that I enjoyed but not to the point that I'm a fan. The story and cast of characters were okay but I really think that it should have been fleshed out more. It had a superficial narrative first person POV take on a romantic story between a geek and Emperor with a suspense adventure theme with emphasis on story. I couldn't get into this book except as an impartial observer. Stilted, predictable, clinical. A sweet story for those of you who like the commoner catching the eye of a royal theme.
Profile Image for Elaina.
Author 126 books77 followers
June 13, 2016
As the first of a series about the Sinclair royals on a world somewhere else surrounded by wormholes, this sets the series up nicely. We are introduced to characters we will, I suspect, come to know well, particularly Felicia and Victor.

This isn’t your average sci-fi, though. Besides the science, there are also worlds and culture and depth in relationships. Felicia is a strong female character and I rooted for her from the get-go.

Well done to the author; this is a worthy read.
Profile Image for Eva Caye.
Author 18 books26 followers
Read
January 21, 2013
My first book will always hold a special place in my heart, for it was a true journey of self-discovery.
Profile Image for Lindsay.
2,234 reviews512 followers
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October 21, 2012
Amazon Freebie 10/21/2012
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews

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