Book Review: Fallen Beauty By Erika Robuck

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.

To purchase FALLEN BEAUTY, click on the photo below: