The Midwife of St. Petersburg

Whenever I open one of Linda Lee Chaikin's books, I know I'm about to dive into a rich world where both characters and history come alive. Her latest novel, The Midwife of St. Petersburg, sends the reader to the splendor and fervor of pre-revolutionary Russia.

Karena Peshkova and her sister Natalia aren't sure what to expect when they visit their cousin Tatiana Roskov's posh summer home in Kazan, but neither expect the intrigue that awaits them. All Karena wants is acceptance into the Imperial College of Medicine and Midwifery, but since her mother is a Jew, every year Karena is passed over. She hopes that contacts from her father's side of the family will help. If not, her brother knows a Bolshevik leader whose sister works at the college.

Colonel Aleksandt Kronstadt would much rather be with his regiment than joining Okhrana - the Russian secret police - but his new assignment comes at the hand of his intended's father, General Roskov. Yet as Tatiana continues to admire Rasputin, confidante of the czarina, Alex finds his gaze turning toward her cousin, Karena.

Highly recommended for historical fiction fans.