Review of The Secret Life of Mrs. London by Rebecca Rosenberg

The Secret Life of Mrs. London by Rebecca Rosenberg
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was amazed at how quickly I was sucked into the trials and tribulations of Charmian and Jack London’s marriage. This book was especially meaningful to me as I live on the California coast where part of the story takes place. Charmian longs to be considered an equal in her marriage to Jack London. He constantly has an entourage hanging around and Charmian believes he is unfaithful. Jack is prone to bouts of drunkenness, stubbornness, tantrums, and self-destruction. Charmian immerses herself in trying to become a published writer, even though neither her husband nor his publishers takes her seriously. She eventually finds acceptance and a sense of equality in her friendship with magician Harry Houdini, who has marital issues of his own. Houdini’s wife becomes her good friend, and Charmian fights against feelings she has developed for Houdini. Rebecca Rosenberg is masterful in creating ingenious characters the reader will fall in love with!


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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

“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 Feature at What Is That Book About Friday, February 2 Review at View from the Birdhouse Feature at Historical Fiction with Spirit Monday, February 5 Review at Creating Herstory Tuesday, February 6 Review at Planting Cabbages Wednesday, February 7 Review at A Bookish Affair Review at History From a Woman's Perspective 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 Review at What Cathy Read Next Friday, March 2 Review at Svetlana's Reads and Views Monday, March 5 Review at Caryn, the Book Whisperer Tuesday, March 6 Review at Bookish Beck