Lover, mother, murderer, Tsarina

SHORTLISTED FOR THE AUTHOR'S CLUB BEST FIRST NOVEL AWARD SHORTLISTED FOR THE HWA DEBUT CROWN 'It makes Game of Thrones look like a nursery rhyme' - Daisy Goodwin Lover, mother, murderer, Tsarina 1699: Illegitimate, destitute and strikingly beautiful, Marta is sold into labour at the age of fifteen - where in desperation she commits a crime that will force her to go on the run. Cheating death at every turn, she is swept into the current of the Great Northern War. Working as a washer woman at a battle camp, she catches the eye of none other than Peter the Great. Passionate and iron-willed, Peter has a vision for transforming the traditionalist Tsardom of Russia into a modern, Western empire. With nothing but wits, courage and formidable ambition, Marta will rise from nothing to become Catherine I of Russia. But it comes at a steep price and is tied to the destiny of Russia itself.

"Alpsten's colourful narrative does full justice to her extraordinary career" - Sunday Times

"With its sprawling canvas and huge cast...it's an entertaining romp through the endless intrigue, violence and debauchery of court life.'" - Mail on Sunday

"The extraordinary life of Catherine I of Russia is brought to life in Alpsten's colourful novel." - Sunday Times, Summer Picks

"This is the ultimate Cinderella story of an illiterate peasant girl who becomes the empress of Russia. It makes Game of Thrones look like a nursery rhyme." - Daisy Goodwin

"As detailed as the jewels and enamel inlay on the creations of Faberge...[a] crisp, elegant fictional account of history, woven with emotion and brio.'" - Adriana Trigiani

"Luscious...Alpsten has clearly done some brilliant research. It reads like Game of Thrones without the dragons." - Natasha Pulley

"[Alpsten] recounts this remarkable woman's colourful life and times." - Count Nikolai Tolstoy