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C. W. Gortner holds an MFA in writing, with an emphasis on historical studies, from the New College of California. He is the internationally acclaimed and bestselling author of Mademoiselle Chanel, The Queen's Vow, The Confessions of Catherine de Medici, The Last Queen, The Vatican Princess, and Marlene, among other books. He divides his time between Northern California and Antigua, Guatemala. To learn more about his work and to schedule a book group chat with him, please visit his website.
[A] timely new historical novel . . . The reader is whisked from the stately splendor of the Russian court in the late 1860s to its tumultuous end with the 1917 Bolshevik revolution, seen through the eyes of someone who was as impressive and as complicated as the time in which she reigned. . . . [C. W. Gortner's] ability to weave what reads as a simple tale from such complex historical and familial storylines is impressive. . . . Maria's life as a royal reads like a historical soap opera. -USA Today Gortner, an experienced hand at recreating the unique aura of a particular time and place, will deftly sweep historical-fictions fans into this glamorous, turbulent, and ultimately tragic chapter in history. -Booklist (starred review) A twist on the tragic story you've heard many times before. -Bustle, The 17 Best Fiction Books Coming Out In July 2018 Through the voice of Maria, Gortner succeeds in adding a new perspective to the well-known story of Nicholas, Alexandra, and Rasputin. As a sister, wife, mother, and empress, she is a fierce and dynamic narrator. . . . A solid recommendation for readers of historical fiction, especially those who favor the lives of kings and queens. -Library Journal Mesmerizing . . . This insightful first-person account of the downfall of the Romanov rule will appeal to history buffs; at its core, it's the powerful story of a mother trying to save her family and an aristocrat fighting to maintain rule in a country of rebellion, giving it an even broader appeal. -Publishers Weekly Engaging . . . Gortner is wonderfully subtle, but given the times we live in, the problems are obvious: When a tiny percentage of people hold most of the wealth, it leads to demagoguery. The Romanov Empress relates an important piece of history. It's also a warning about what comes when a nation is marred by rampant inequality. -BookPage In his tenth historical novel, Gortner creates a vibrant portrait of imperial Russia. . . . A briskly narrated tale of power and revolution. -Kirkus Reviews A lost age and a woman for the ages come to life in this epic tale. Gortner skillfully opens a window into the life of a woman who is both complex and entirely human, and sets the stage for the violent end of the Russian empire. Captivating and beautifully told, this story is a gem as rich as the opulent era it depicts. -Lisa Wingate, New York Times bestselling author of Before We Were Yours A sweeping saga that takes us from the opulence and glamour of tsarist Russia to the violent, tragic last days of the Romanovs. Brave and inspiring, Maria Feodorovna confronts assassinations, the Rasputin affair, and the Russian revolution. C. W. Gortner breaks new ground here, skillfully painting an intimate, compelling portrait of this fascinating empress and her family. -Stephanie Dray, New York Times bestselling co-author of America's First Daughter
