Another Time - Another Place

About the Book

The time is the beginning of the 18th century. Peter the Great is on the throne of Russia. His sweeping reforms change the lives of every subject. As he tries to pull his nation forward - the provinces, the petty politicians, the church and his subjects - all balk at change. The new city of St. Petersburg is being built in the northernmost swampland at the mouth of the Neva. It is the gateway to the open sea of the Baltic. The city officials are the Boyars, who rule as a councils and brook no interference. These ten or more individuals appoint judges, make instant laws and rules and are meant to help the Tsar maintain order. In reality they vie with each other to see who can maintain more power. Sergei and Anton Bulyanov are father and son . . . chief Boyar and his second in command. They are petty thieves and bullies who hold the new society of the city in a grip of steel. In the Tsar’s efforts to create a ‘Window-on-the-West’, all the best arts of Europe are emulated. The various settlements of French, German and Italian artisans offer their learned disciplines. A Guild is begun to continue the finest work in many fields. Entries begin to be judged in a feast to showcase talent. Finalists compete for the ‘Royal Warrant’. On the same night, Russian winter sets in with a vengeance. It strands hundreds in the worst blizzard of the century. Into this grand affair comes the new Province General, Viktor Fenochkin. He has full power over the city and the Guild. He also has information that points to a Swedish assault on the new city at any moment. His lancers join the regular army in defense of the port. The boyars resent the newcomer’s intrusion but before they can do anything to change it, a theft of valuable jewels and a murder occur. It is also revealed that Alexi, the head of the ‘house of Dachoff’ is really a noble. Police Chief Ivan Ziav tries to untangle the web of lies spun about the two crimes. The death of one of the Guild ‘Masters’ puts his daughter Natalia and her four brothers in jeopardy. Alexi Dachoff, an old family friend, seems to be the only one to help them keep their inheritance. The lives of those attending the banquet are forever changed as mortar fire and cannon force an exodus to abandoned carpenters’ huts a few kilometers from the city gates. But not all are fortunate enough to escape. A group that includes Natalia, her brothers, a monk, Iosef, a young goldsmith, and Alexi Dachoff seek refuge in the ice-cellars. There hides a coward, intent on a vengeful rape of Natalia. She is badly beaten and barely saved by the combined rescue of the group. She is then taken to a doctor in the hut complex and another murder takes place. The Provence General, Viktor Fenochkin, is on the way to the same complex when a bear attacks. His aide-de-camp is unable to thwart the beast and Viktor is injured and taken to the same doctor who is treating Natalia. After many weeks, both are healed and both have fallen in love with each other. The Tsar had issued an edict ordering all nobles to build estates in the new city as well as maintaining their homes in Moscow. Alexi Dachoff’s home is finished and he invites Natalia and her brothers to live there after he gains temporary custody of them. But the Bulyanovs spread gossip about them and Natalia’s reputation is tarnished. The news reaches the ears of the church and an ultimatum is given. In spite of her love for General Viktor Fenochken, Natalia is directed to marry the man she is living with. The church demands this as an example for others . . . especially the Tsar, or the custody ceases! In the Bulyanov family, Anton sees his father’s beautiful mistress as his next conquest and rapes her. Thinking that his beloved mistress is seeing someone behind his back, Sergei shoots the man as he rises from the bed. He is shocked to discover that the man is his son Anton. The ensuing cover-up leads Police Chief Zaiv into a l

About the Author

Virginia J. Kasza has always been fascinated by the lands of her family’s origins: Russia and Poland. As a child, Virginia lost contact with her relatives of Russian origin and began research to learn about her heritage. Her fascination with Russia led her to write this book. She brings the richness of her understanding of Czarist Russia in the early 1800’s to the pages of this historical fiction. Virginia J. Kasza has had several poems published as well as a short novel written for children and young teens.