“Is that story about Catherine the Great and the horse really true?”
That’s the question a young woman asked me recently when she heard that my new novel, Sins of the Empress, about Catherine the Great of Russia, would be published in May. I’ve had that question many times from people who know I’ve written a novel about Catherine.
In the unlikely case that there is anyone out there who hasn’t heard that bawdy story, it has long been told and retold that Catherine had such a voracious sexual appetite that she demanded to have sex with a horse and died as a result of being crushed to death as the horse was lowered over her.
And no, it’s not true.
She died of natural causes after an illustrious reign that brought Russia from a poor backwater country to an important and vital European nation. She did have a healthy sexual appetite, though, and she had numerous lovers. Just for the record, she was an excellent horsewoman, too. Is that how that crazy story got started?
Sins of the Empress is a fictionalized account of her life, a life that was so dramatic and romantic and exciting that there was no need for me to include anything as far-fetched as the horse story. There were enough authentically bizarre incidents in her life. Her marriage to Peter III, for example. Peter had been an alcoholic since the age of eleven, and it stunted both his physical and emotional growth. He had no interest in sex and, indeed, didn’t even know how it was done. He brought his toy soldiers to the bed he shared with Catherine, and he once hung a rat for treason because the rat chewed on one of the soldiers.
Nevertheless, Peter, a Romanov, was first in line for the throne, and Catherine was pressured to produce an heir. At the urging of those close to her, she took lovers in order to conceive. Tragically, her children were taken from her to be raised—ineptly—by the reigning Empress Elizabeth.
Once Elizabeth died and the blundering, pathetic Peter ascended to the throne, Catherine knew she had to seize control in order to save her country. Her schemes eventually led to Peter’s death. Did she have him murdered? How about the mysterious child in the dungeon who was said to be the true Romanov heir? Did she have him murdered as well?
Catherine’s life was more than politics and schemes and military coups, however. She believed in love and sought it with passion. Sometime she didn’t have to seek. At times love and passion found her.
“The empress exercises complete control over my movements,” I said.
Stanislas laughed. “Obviously not complete control. And for that, I’m grateful.” As he spoke he led me away toward a small anteroom that led to the exit. “You’re so lovely,” he said as he leaned toward me and brushed my forehead with a kiss. I tilted my head to look at him, and he moved even closer to me so that our lips were almost touching. I could feel blood rushing in my veins, and every inch of my body was heightened with sensation.
He kissed me. It was gentle at first and grew more passionate. Powerful without being aggressive. I was being devoured by velvet flower petals.
“I’ve wanted to do this for so long,” he said.
I wanted to respond, but in the next instant, he had picked me up in his arms and was carrying me up the stairs. I didn’t protest. I did nothing except enjoy the moment and the sensation of being consumed by such gentle, seductive pleasure. He kicked open the door to one of the rooms and lay me on the bed then sat down next to me and ever so slowly began to unbutton the man’s shirt I wore, pulling it open until both of my breasts were exposed. He bent over them and kissed and nibbled with such sweet and tantalizing movements of his mouth that I thought I could not bear it.
Every touch, every movement he made was of such gentleness, of such worshipful care, that I wanted nothing more than to give my body up in complete surrender to his.
This particular scene was written to contrast with the aggressive manner many of the men in her life treated Catherine. She was a vulnerable woman capable of great love and great sorrow, but it was her strength and remarkable intellect that intimidated many of the men with whom she came in contact and occasionally brought them to ridicule and make fun of her by inventing ridiculous stories such as the one about the horse.
Do you think strength and intellect in a woman is intimidating?
Also, to "celebrate" the 283rd birthday of Catherine, Paula's publisher, Cool Well Press, is holding a Kindle/spa basket giveaway through May 31st. Wanted to send details in case you wanted to do a teaser post about about Paula's upcoming guest piece! Contest here. You can also find the book jacket on the site or I can send as a file if needed.
Paula Paul
Paula Paul is the award-winning author of 25 novels for both children and adults. She also had a career as a newspaper journalist and has won several state and national awards in that field. A native Texan, she grew up on a cotton farm/ranch in Bailey County, a county named for her ancestor who died at the Alamo. She loves playing the piano and learning how to or about just about anything. Oh, and big family get-togethers with her two children and their families. She lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with her husband.
Leave a Comment