Tuesday 30 January 2018

#BlogTour The Secret Life of Mrs. London by Rebecca Rosenberg @MrsLondonsLover @hfvbt #Giveaway

The Secret Life of Mrs. London by Rebecca Rosenberg
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Secret Life of Mrs. London by Rebecca Rosenberg

Publication Date: January 30, 2018
Lake Union Publishing
eBook & Paperback; 348 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction

San Francisco, 1915. As America teeters on the brink of world war, Charmian and her husband, famed novelist Jack London, wrestle with genius and desire, politics and marital competitiveness. Charmian longs to be viewed as an equal partner who put her own career on hold to support her husband, but Jack doesn’t see it that way…until Charmian is pulled from the audience during a magic show by escape artist Harry Houdini, a man enmeshed in his own complicated marriage. Suddenly, charmed by the attention Houdini pays her and entranced by his sexual magnetism, Charmian’s eyes open to a world of possibilities that could be her escape.

As Charmian grapples with her urge to explore the forbidden, Jack’s increasingly reckless behavior threatens her dedication. Now torn between two of history’s most mysterious and charismatic figures, she must find the courage to forge her own path, even as she fears the loss of everything she holds dear.

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon AU | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound


BOOK REVIEW

I instantly knew that I wanted to read The Secret Life of Mrs. London from the moment I read the blurb. I just love reading historical fiction about famous persons and I was intrigued by the prospect of reading a book about Jack London, a man that I didn't know much about. Also, the addition of Harry Houdini to the story made my eagerness to read this book even greater.

I've actually been putting off writing this review, you know waiting for the right moment because I was so taken with the story that I needed some breathing pause to be levelheaded to write a review that is just me rambling. To be honest, I'm not sure it helped, but anyway, here we go!

The Secret Life of Mrs. London is about Jack London's wife Charmain London and in this story we get to follow Charmain story through a period in life when everything around her changes. Her marriage isn't the easiest and although Jack loves Charmain do one really get a feeling that she is there to take care of Jack businesses, from his writing to the dream house that he's building. Her own ambition, her own writing is something that she has to just dream about. The Harry Houdini sweeps into her life...
As much as I liked Jack in this book can't I help, but frankly adore Harry Houdini. The attraction between him and Charmain is palpable. It helps that the writing is top-notch that the characters are so alive, so well-developed that I breathlessly turned every page with the desire to know what happens next, but at the same time didn't I want the story to end. Yes, I'm gushing, but seriously, this is one book I could easily read again and nowadays I don't have time to re-read books. Another character I came to like very much is Bess Houdini, she shows up in the book now and then, and just like her famous husband has Bess a strong and vibrant personality. I quite liked her interaction with Charmine.

The Secret Life of Mrs. London is one of the best books I have ever read. It's a story I will never forget and I can't wait to see what Rebecca Rosenberg will write next. 

The Secret Life of Mrs. London by Rebecca Rosenberg

Praise for The Secret Life of Mrs. London


“The Secret Life of Mrs. London is a heart-wrenching portrait of a marriage between two people who utterly depend on one another, but ultimately aren’t enough for each other. With skillful precision of language, Rosenberg weaves a narrative that defines the complexities of love, passion, and art. This is a perceptive, deeply moving novel by a great new talent about a couple who has gone unnoticed in historical fiction until now. Anyone who has ever loved another person will want to read this book.” —Victoria Kelly, author of Mrs. Houdini: A Novel

“One of Houdini’s best kept secrets was his affair with Charmian London in 1918. Now Rebecca Rosenberg tells the story using an elegant blend of fact and fiction, creating a Houdini book like no other. The Secret Life of Mrs. London is a true peek behind the curtain and a page-turner.” —John Cox, Wild about Harry

About the Author


A California native, Rebecca Rosenberg lives on a lavender farm with her family in Sonoma, the Valley of the Moon, where Jack London wrote from his Beauty Ranch. Rebecca is a long-time student of Jack London’s works and an avid fan of his daring wife, Charmian London. The Secret Life of Mrs. London is her debut novel.

Rebecca and her husband, Gary, own the largest lavender product company in America, selling to 4000 resorts, spas and gift stores. The Rosenbergs believe in giving back to the Sonoma Community, supporting many causes through financial donations and board positions, including Worth Our Weight, an educational culinary program for at-risk children, YWCA shelter for abused women, Luther Burbank Performing Arts Center to provide performances for children, Sonoma Food Bank, Sonoma Boys and Girls Club, and the Valley of the Moon Children's Home.

For more information, please visit Rebecca's website and blog. You can also find her on Facebook and Goodreads. Visit the Facebook page for The Secret Life of Mrs. London.

Blog Tour Schedule

Tuesday, January 30 
Review at A Bookaholic Swede 

Wednesday, January 31 
Interview & Giveaway at Passages to the Past 

Thursday, February 1 
Guest Post at Let Them Read Books 

Friday, February 2 

Monday, February 5 Review at Creating Herstory 

Tuesday, February 6 
Review at Planting Cabbages 

Wednesday, February 7 
Review at A Bookish Affair 

Thursday, February 8 
Interview at Planting Cabbages 

Friday, February 9 
Review at Bookish 

Sunday, February 11 
Review at Carole's Ramblings 

Monday, February 12 
Review at Cup of Sensibility 

Tuesday, February 13 
Review & Giveaway at
The Maiden's Court 

Wednesday, February 14 
Review at Donna's Book Blog 

Thursday, February 15 
Review at Jorie Loves a Story 

Friday, February 16 
Guest Post at Short Book and Scribes 

Monday, February 19 
Review at Reading the Past 

Tuesday, February 20 
Review at The Lit Bitch 

Friday, February 23 
Review at Pursuing Stacie 

Monday, February 26 
Review at Back Porchervations 

Tuesday, February 27 
Guest Post at My Reading Corner 

Wednesday, February 28 
Review & Giveaway at Suzy Approved Book Reviews 

Thursday, March 1 

Friday, March 2 

Monday, March 5 

Tuesday, March 6 
Review at Bookish Beck

6 comments:

  1. What a great review! I loved this story too, and charmed by all the details! I had a lot of complicated feelings, in a good way, over Bess Houdini, her circumstances and her choices. Her doll collection made her seem a little uh, spooky, to be honest. What did you think?

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    1. I find collecting dolls always a bit creepy when adults does that...

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  2. Wow, what a fabulous review!! I absolutely loved this book too and am so happy that you did too :) Thank you for hosting Rebecca's Blog Tour!

    Amy
    HF Virtual Book Tours

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    1. Definitely one of the best book I have ever read! Keep those blog tour coming! ;)

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  3. Wow! Wow! Wow! Magdelena! What a way to celebrate my book launch! I am so gratified you liked THE SECRET LIFE OF MRS. LONDON!

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    1. It was my pleasure! I was so thrilled to read a book that really blow my mind away!

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