Sins of the Empress

by Paula Paul

All that she did was done for love... Princess Sophia knows nothing of the world before she is taken away to marry Peter III, the heir to the throne of Russia. The Empress Elizabeth changes her name to Catherine and commands her to produce a son, but Peter is incapable of fathering a child. He plays with wooden soldiers while leading the Empire into a long and expensive war. Catherine takes lovers to provide Russia with an heir, keeping silent and to the shadows––until the day Peter is assassinated. Rumors rage that Catherine’s unbridled passion was the reason Peter was murdered. Embroiled in court intrigue, danger and betrayal, Catherine must do what she can to save her adopted country, her child, and her life.

Genres: Historical Fiction

374 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2012

About the author

Paula Paul writes novels that touch the heart and challenge the mind. She has published 25 novels, some with major New York publishers and some with small presses. They include historical fiction, mysteries, YA and literary novels.

She is a native of Texas. She wasn't really born in Lubbock, as her profile info states. She was actually born outside of Lubbock on her grandparents' farm. She grew up on a ranch about 80 miles from where she was born and attended a country school where she graduated as valedictorian.

She has a degree in journalism and worked for several years as a print journalist, winning a number of state and national awards. She has also won national awards for her novels.

Reviews

[Lucy Bertoldi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 Stars..

This is the first time I read an HF novel on Catherine the Great- and I loved it! I had read here and there about this grand empress and about her many lovers…hmmm- but there’s always more to the story than that.

Together with her very strict, self-serving and uncaring mother, the young Sophia (later confirmed to Catherine) leaves her home in Berlin to go live in the court of Elizabeth, Empress of Russia. There she is betrothed to Peter III- an immature and senseless young man (he never does grow up- or improve). The whole purpose of this marriage was to produce an heir for Russia. Pathetic as can be, Peter had no idea how to be a man, in any sense of the word. Poor Catherine who gave up everything to live up to her every role, was belittled, chastised, disillusioned and consequently, never truly happy.

Catherine did find some peace within her newly found Russian Orthodox faith (definitely a positive thing in her favour with regards to Empress Elizabeth). Other than that though, many who opposed the marriage, made Catherine out to be this rather cold, detached, somewhat defiant and calculating being- all things that she was most certainly not. All she ever did was for love, for her people and her country.

Catherine did find some joy in friendships created within Peter’s circle, and through the trust of her closest chamber maid, Sveta. Sadly and to her own demise, the love she sought was found through lovers who never reciprocated in complete honesty.

I was amazed at how easy it was to dupe Peter and the rest of the court-and country- into believing the legitimacy of the heir born to Catherine! Not only that, as the country rejoiced this birth, Catherine again was to suffer alone as her baby was literally grabbed away from her to be raised by the Empress herself. It would be months before she would even get a glimpse of him. Another chance at love snatched away from her with no recourse. Throughout the course of the book I learned that this was the least of the pain she would suffer when it came to her children and the great love she had for them…

The book is filled with such moments where you can’t help but feel for Catherine and her pain..So, yes, Catherine may have had a few men in her lifetime (and there are long detailed passages about this…), but each time she gave her love completely and faithfully; thinking this was her one and only- and her last, only to be deceived once more.

Although ever-so- unlucky at love, Catherine finally triumphed in gaining what she craved most; love, loyalty, respect and trust, ultimately, as great ruler of Russia.

I definitely enjoyed this book and want to read more about Catherine the Great.

[Liese Sherwood-Fabre · Rating 5 out of 5]

lived and worked in Russia for five years and visited both the Kremlin where Catherine the Great's carriages and dresses are on display as well as the Hermitage--the Tsar's winter palace in St. Patersburg and now art museum. While the guides would recite the intrigues and politics between the current Tsar (or Tsarina) and possible successors (often close family members like brothers and sisters), this book provides an insider's view of the manipulations that go on to ensure and secure power within the court. Told primarily from Catherine The Great's point of view, starting as an early teen and her first meeting with her future husband, Ms. Paul shows her development from a young girl to a strong, politically-savvy woman who was considered one of the major developers of Russia.

A thoroughly enjoyable read.

[Literary Chanteuse · Rating 4 out of 5]

With an engaging and easy, reading style, the essence of Catherine is captured with much charm and wit. Not a dauting historical for those who can find them rather wordy and stuffy. She is such a fascinating historical figure and the author did her justice here. It is equally given to The Empress Elizabeth and Peter III and the events that that took place. The cover is somewhat uninspiring and could use a grander update, still it is a 4 star read for me. I look forward to reading another book by this author.

I was given a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Heather Domin · Rating 4 out of 5]

To be reviewed for HNS Magazine August '12