Book Review: The House of Hawthorne By Erika Robuck

THE HOUSE OF HAWTHORNE

By: Erika Robuck

Published: May 5, 2015

Publisher: NAL

Fiction/Historical Fiction




I feel very ignorant when it comes to knowledge about our most prolific and talented writers from history. Yes, I have heard of Thoreau, Hawthorne, Emerson, and Melville, but didn't realize they were all friends. I didn't realize some lived in poverty, with depression, or had vast political connections. Nathaniel Hawthorne, most famous for his book THE SCARLET LETTER, was such an odd man. He was passionate, secretive, and deeply in love with his wife Sophia. But he often acted selfishly and left Sophia to handle things without giving a thought to her needs. He would have drove most wives mad, but Sophia was always waiting patiently for him. She waited for him to decide to marry her, stayed with him through poverty and depression, and put aside her artistic talents to raise and mother their children. THE HOUSE OF HAWTHORNE tells their story, from her perspective.

Robuck details Nathaniel and Sophia's passionate and intense relationship that was also full of disappointment and failures. Robuck begins by telling of Sophia's younger years, detailing her debilitating headaches, her beautiful paintings, and how she eventually meets Nathaniel. Sophia Peabody Hawthorne was a captivating woman who was kept in Nathaniel's shadow and often took a backseat to his notoriety when she was likely just as talented in her own right. He was a complex man and an irritating husband who often put his relationships with other authors and even presidents above his family's needs. They lived with much discord between family and friends because of their political beliefs against slavery which also resulted in financial and job loss.  The publishing of THE SCARLET LETTER came at a impoverished time for the family and helped ease their difficulties but also thrust Hawthorne into the spotlight, which he didn't like.

Photo taken from the pages of THE HOUSE OF HAWTHORNE

Robuck aptly offers a spotlight on women and their role (even if it was viewed as less important) in history. She gives an honest and revealing portrait of the lives of artists and writers in the 1800's. This story shares a very intimate look at the lives of the Hawthorne's and their families. It details the many different homes they lived in and especially Sophia's deep connection to nature. The reader will appreciate the many descriptions of the country at that time and will feel the emotions along with the characters.

Photo taken from the pages of THE HOUSE OF HAWTHORNE

It took me a bit to get used to the writing style as Robuck used language befitting of the era and of course, of an artist. But Robuck definitely has a way with words that are delicate and deep. Her sentences are beautifully written. I can only assume she writes as Sophia herself would have written in her journals.

THE HOUSE OF HAWTHORNE is emotional, believable, and well-researched. Robuck is extremely talented at bringing historical literary figures back to life. If you would like to read my review of her book, FALLEN BEAUTY, click HERE.

Erika Robuck - Photo Credit Catsch Photography LLC

Erika Robuck is a contributor to the fiction blog Writer Unboxed, and she maintains her own blog, Muse. She is a member of the Hawthorne Society, the Hemingway Society, the Historical Hovel Society, and the Edna St vincent Millay Society. She lives in Annapolis, Maryland, with her husband and three sons. For more information, check her website, www.erikarobuck.com. You can also find her on Twitter, HERE, and Facebook, HERE.


If you would like to purchase a copy of THE HOUSE OF HAWTHORNE, click the photo below:

Thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy of this novel. This review is my honest opinion. I was not compensated in any way for this review. If you choose to purchase a copy of this book through the above link, I may receive a small commission without you paying a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com. 

Book Review: Grand Central - Original Stories of Post War Love and Reunion

GRAND CENTRAL
Original Stories of Postwar Love and Reunion

By: Melanie Benjamin, Jenna Blum, Amanda Hodgkinson, Pam Jenoff, Sarah Jio, Sarah McCoy, Kristina McMorris, Alyson Richman, Erika Robuck, and Karen White

Published: July 1, 2014

Publisher:  Berkley Trade - Penguin Group

Fiction/Short Stories/Historical Fiction

Last year Grand Central Station turned 100 years old. This drew a renewed interest in its history and the millions of stories of people who had passed through its doors.  A group of best-selling authors decided to create their own stories set at Grand Central on the same day, just after the end of World War II.  After reading each other's stories, the authors found a way to piece their stories together, connecting characters from one story into the next. The result is truly well-done. 

All of the stories in this anthology are connected to the war.  A Jewish violinist plays at Grand Central for the pure joy of it and for a beautiful woman who visits a pastry stand every day.  A Holocaust survivor works as a busboy at the Oyster Bar, but can't seem to forget his previous life before the war. A woman returns home to a man she loved before the war and finds life isn't as she expected. An abused wife and son wait for her husband to return from the war and meet a woman who will change their lives forever. A woman pilot visits the family of her best friend and realizes she needs to trust her instincts in order to move on. A budding actress waits for the audition of a lifetime in the famous Kissing Room.  These stories and five others bring in iconic pieces of Grand Central that visitors to the terminal will be able to envision and feel part of the story. Every single story left me in tears and wishing there was more, but Sarah Jio's and Erika Robuck's are ones I am still thinking about days later.

In each of these stories, you feel the devastating pain of war and the love that kept hope alive.  You will be left wanting more and you won't be able to forget the characters or their choices.  The unique way the stories are intertwined is a treat that the reader will enjoy finding as they read. This anthology is emotionally moving and so descriptive that you will be able to place yourself in Grand Central and see the lives played out.  It truly is a splendid compilation of high-caliber writing.  Fans of historical fiction and love stories will be riveted and deeply moved.  It was a book I didn't want to end. 

GRAND CENTRAL Authors: Pam, Alyson, Jenna, Sarah, Erika, Kristina, Karen - Source

GRAND CENTRAL features stories from:

Melanie Benjamin, New York Times bestselling author of The Aviator’s Wife
Jenna Blum, New York Times bestselling author of Those Who Save Us
Amanda Hodgkinson, New York Times bestselling author of 22 Britannia Road
Pam Jenoff, bestselling author of The Ambassador’s Daughter
Sarah Jio, New York Times bestselling author of Blackberry Winter
Sarah McCoy, bestselling author of The Baker’s Daughter
Kristina McMorris, New York Times bestselling author of Bridge of Scarlet Leaves
Alyson Richman, bestselling author of The Lost Wife
Erika Robuck, critically acclaimed author of Hemingway’s Girl
Karen White, New York Times bestselling author of After the Rain

With an Introduction by Kristin Hannah, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Home Front.

For more on the authors and the book, visit http://grandcentralanthology.com/ or like the book on Facebook, HERE. 

To purchase a copy of GRAND CENTRAL, click the photo below:

Thanks to Penguin Group for sending an eBook for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. I was not compensated in any way for this review. If you choose to purchase the book through the above link, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com reviews.

Book Review: Fallen Beauty By Erika Robuck

FALLEN BEAUTY

By: Erika Robuck

Published: March 4, 2014

Fiction

I am thrilled to be a part of the FALLEN BEAUTY Official Blog Tour.  Today FALLEN BEAUTY is officially on sale.  You can get your very own copy, HERE. 

Erika Robuck will embark on a national tour in March, meeting with booksellers, bloggers, and readers across the country…

March 7 - Launch event at BARNES & NOBLE in Annapolis, MD

March 11 - Luncheon at PAGE & PALETTE in Fairhope, AL (12PM) 

March 12 - Reading and book signing featuring friend and NYT Bestselling author, Karen White, at FOXTALE BOOK SHOPPE in Woodstock, GA (6:30PM)

March 13 - Ticketed luncheon at FICTION ADDICTION in Greenville, SC (City Range at 12PM)

March 14 - Reading and book signing at MALAPROPS in Asheville, NC (7PM)

March 15 - Reading and book signing at PARK ROAD BOOKS in Charlotte, NC (2PM)

March 17 - Reading and book signing at THE COUNTRY BOOKSHOP in Southern Pines, NC (4:30PM)

March 22 - A multi-author event featuring Nora Roberts’ Shadow Spell at TURN THE PAGE in Boonsboro, MD (12PM)

                                                               

*For more information on Erika’s tour events, please visit www.ErikaRobuck.com and participating bookstore websites. 

Please be sure to check out the other stops along the FALLEN BEAUTY Blog Tour for more unique review coverage and additional chances to enter to win a giveaway copy of FALLEN BEAUTY!!

February 17 -  A Patchwork of Books and Maurice On Books

February 18 - Jenn’s Bookshelves, Burton Book Review, and Leah's Thoughts

February 19 - Great New Books

February 20 - Chick Lit Plus and Girls Just Reading

February 21 - Book Dilettante, Chefdruck: French, and Bookfoolery

February 22 -  *Millay's Birthday* - BookNAround,  Entertainment Realm, and Two Classy Chics

February 24 - Laura's Review Bookshelf and Crystal Book Reviews

February 25 - Literally Jen and Confessions of a Book Addict

February 26 - Literate Housewife and LitChat

February 27 - Anita Loves Books, To Read or Not To Read, and Kayla's Reads and Reviews

February 28 - Silver's Reviews, A Novel Review, and The Write Teacher(s)

March 3 - Alison's Book Marks

March 4 - *On-Sale* - Biblio File, Sincerely Stacie, Minding Spot, and Bookalicious Mama

March 5 - Teresa's Reading Corner, Book Addict Katie, and So Many Precious Books, So Little Time

March 6 - Entomology of a Bookworm, Steph The Bookworm, and Kritters Ramblings

March 7 - My 5 Monkeys and Traveling With T

By visiting all these other sites on the "Book Tour" you can get a real sense for what this book is about.  I am honored to be a part of the "Book Celebration" in a sense and excited to share my thoughts with you about FALLEN BEAUTY. 

In Erika Robuck's tale, you will find passion, intrigue, romance, and feel a sizzling energy during a very difficult time in two women's lives.  First we are introduced to Laura.  She is the daughter of a dress-maker who suddenly dies and Laura must find a way to take over the business. In the mean time, her sister is planning to marry an upcoming political figure and Laura has just found out she is pregnant with her forbidden lover's child.  The other woman in the story goes by many names including Vincent, but is really Edna St. Vincent Millay, the famous poet.  She and her husband live a "progressive" life in the mountains near a small village in upstate New York.  They have lots of wild parties that include sex and alcohol.  The people of the community are horrified to have such debauchery take place so near their homes and have shunned Millay from their lives as well as anyone who takes part in the wild parties.

The story begins in 1928, a time when family loyalty, responsibility and respect are the driving forces behind everyone's choices.  When Laura falls in love with someone who is not available, their one night of passion leads to a child that she is forced to raise on her own, much to the glaring eyes of the people in her community.  She watches as her shop bell no longer rings and orders stop coming in.  Desperate for a way to pay her bills, she agrees to make costumes for the flagrant poet.  Even though she is already shunned by her community and friends, Laura must take this risk to be able to keep her shop and take care of her daughter.  

Each chapter we are told the story from both Laura's and Vincent's perspective.  I was mainly interested in Laura's story.  She was a women that I would have chosen as a friend. She had a deep care and concern for others and was passionate about her clothing designs. Vincent on the other hand, was selfish, dramatic, and narcissistic. I found her whining to be nauseating and annoying.  In her world, there are no rules and she is in charge.  She has no care of what others think and was extremely full of herself. I was glad her parts of the book were short.  I am not a huge poetry fan, but for those that are, they will appreciate that Millay's poems are sprinkled throughout the story.  

When I was approached to review this book, the first thing that drew me to it was the cover. I have always felt that the cover truly is the first part in the sale of a book and this one definitely catches the eye and will make you pick it up.  It is just gorgeous. I love the title, FALLEN BEAUTY as it tells so much about both Laura and Millay. Even though it was used to describe Laura in the book, it can equally be used to paint a picture of Millay's life throughout the story. As we travel through ten years in these two women's lives, we are treated to heartache and love, growth and change. How did the two women fare by the end of the story? You will have to read to find out.

My favorite line from the book actually came from Vincent's story.  I read an uncorrected proof and can't state for sure that this part of the book made the final cut, but I hope it did.

"If my life was a quilt, there would be squares I'd want torn out."

Don't we all wish we could recreate past incidents in our lives? Those blocks of a quilt tell our story and no matter the pain, the blocks must remain. 

In the beginning, I wasn't sure I liked the book, but it grew on me as I turned the pages.  I was reading it fast at first because I had a deadline, but as I neared the last third of the book, I was turning the pages more to find out what would happen.  If you can get past the sordid life of Edna St. Vincent Millay, you will find much about this novel to love.

Erika Robuck - Photo Credit Catsch Photography LLC

Erika Robuck has appeared on the Southern Independent Bestseller List for CALL ME ZELDA and is the critically acclaimed author of HEMINGWAY'S GIRL.  Born and raised in Annapolis, Maryland, Erika was inspired by the cobblestones and old churches.  She is a contributor to the popular fiction blog, Writer Unboxed, and maintains her own historical fiction blog called Muse.  For more information please visit www.erikarobuck.com, and Twitter @ErikaRobuck.

To purchase FALLEN BEAUTY, click on the photo below:

Thanks to Penguin Group for sending me a copy of this book for review and for the spot in the "Book Tour". I was not compensated in any way for this review.  This review is my honest opinion.  If you chose to purchase the book through the above links, I will receive a small compensation without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase. Thanks for supporting SincerelyStacie.com book reviews.