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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.
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Praise for The Secret Life of Mrs. London
“An impressively original and exceptionally well-crafted novel by an author who is a master of character- and narrative-driven storytelling, Rebecca Rosenberg’s The Secret Life of Mrs. London is an inherently riveting and thoroughly reader-engaging story from beginning to end and feature[es] many an unexpected plot twist and turn.” —Midwest Book Review
“Interesting, and based on the actual lives of the participants…Learning more about Jack London was enjoyable, as well as seeing early feminist examples.” —Historical Novel Society
“…Rosenberg paints an immensely intriguing portrait of a marriage and tells it in an accomplished lyrical prose that captures each moment with poetic intensity.” —Prairies Book Review
“The Secret Life of Mrs. London is a riveting behind-the-scenes look at the marriage of Jack and Charmian London, both fascinating and complicated characters with rich inner lives that Rosenberg conveys in crisp yet poetic prose. This contemporary historical fiction raises questions that are still relevant today about what makes a good marriage, and whether creativity and stability are incompatible. A rich, resonant, deeply satisfying novel sure to delight and leave readers thinking long after they put it down.” —Malena Watrous, author of If You Follow Me and Sparked!, and director of the Stanford Continuing Studies Program in Novel Writing
“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
This book was received from the Author, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own
The secret life of Mrs. London by Rebecca Rosenberg Is an alluring fictionalized account of Charmaine London and her legendary husband Jack London. Rebecca Rosenberg delivers quite the fascinating, intriguing, vulnerable, lifelike, and beautifully written read here with deep and realistic characters, a brazen and dynamic premise and an extremely spellbinding and enthralling storyline.
What really stood out about this novel for me was how realistic and raw these characters were written. I could see myself and others in probably every single one of these characters in this story. I thought the inner thoughts of Charmian and dialogue was absolutely spot on. With skillful narration the author gives the reader an insight Into almost two years in the life of Charmian Kittredge London. Through Mrs. London’s voice we get a glimpse of what it must have been, being a strong a creative determined female living in the shadow of her famous husband.
We are introduced to other famous figures of the past, all weaved perfectly into the absorbing in storyline. The reader is shown how Charmian and Bess Houdini, the wife of the world-renowned Harry “Handcuff” Houdini, despite being exceptional women in their own rights, have put aside personal ambition to support their celebrated husbands. Through trials and heartbreak we see Charmian character development as the progressive of the plot.
A passionate look of a woman struggling to find herself during a time when woman still did not have a right to vote. Set to the backdrop of America on the verge of enter a world war.
The author respectively includes some of political aspects of that time period. The author interweaves superb well researched historical details to capture the enduring life Mrs Charmian London.
Rebecca Rosenberg has written an incredible American historical fiction, where the characters the come to life within the pages of enjoyable and highly entertaining read.
What a joy to was for me to read this book. Like most authors their personal and sometimes chaotic life we only get a glimpse of every know and then.
I own most Jack London work. From novels to his short stories I especially enjoyed how each chapter opens with an extract from the real Jack London’s writing.
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
Monday, September 2
Review at Gwendalyn’s Books
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Excerpt at The Book Junkie Reads
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Review at CelticLady’s Reviews
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Mrs. London
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