Growing up in south Louisiana, I always wanted to write a New Orleans story. The city has so much history, and the residents have such character and emotional complexity. At the same time it has a very dark side.

One cool day after a punishingly hot summer in south Alabama, where I was living at the time, I started thinking about a sad little piano player and a showgirl he would do anything to protect...

A tense young woman trying to escape the threats of her theater home using lies, manipulatio More...

...the lyrics told the story of a cat who was so enchanted by a beautiful bird, he gave up everything, including his life, all for something that could never be...

"You’re in my arms, and it feels so right; but it’s simply an illusion…"

Set in an underground theater in New Orleans, Rouge is a story of singer/cabaret performer, Hale Ferrer . Secretly living with her is Teeny , dirty, half-starved orphan she adopted. She is beautiful but talentless. She’d never cost the show a penny t More...

WOW! Leigh Talbert Moore just knocked my socks off with Rouge! Yep! I love this novel. Rouge is a totally wonderful surprise, with the story taking place in a Cabaret during 1890 New Orleans, and with what’s happening off stage behind closed doors…let's just say, I was not expecting this, but am so thrilled that Moore wrote this sadistic storyline with a beautiful romance between Hale and Beau. Rouge’s awesome storyline and amazing characters stole my heart from the first page, and I couldn't pu More...

3 STARS

I admit, I'm pretty difficult to please when it comes to romance novels. The crying in the rain, the longing looks and the screaming declarations of love gives me a bit of hives. This is a historical, new adult romance story set in a cabaret in New Orleans involving it's star singer, her rich French suitor, Freddie and the stagehand/artist she's in love with, Beau. The blurb promises "Romance. Velvet. Sequins. Murder."



Okay, I didn't hate it. I did love Moulin Rouge outside the frenetic More...

Can't wait to read this!!!

"Rouge" is one of those books that almost got a 5 star rating from me. And in this case almost is good enough. It was a unique story, that had elements of things like "Moulin Rouge", but only small hints. It was a story that was dashed with little bits of intrigue, even up until the very last moments of the novel. In the very last moments Moore threw some details at us that when carefully looked at, could lead you to the truth of the matter. But it also just could have been a trick of your imagi More...

Free on Amazon

This is an indie 'New Adult/Mature YA' book that I'm reading right now. It has sexual situations, and is more romance with romantic intrigue, but I'm really enjoying it so far, I'm at 45%. (I'll review fully later today when I'm finished.)

Just thought I'd mention it in case anyone else wanted to give it a shot.

****Review****

I don't often read books that haven't been recommended to me by one of you GR friends, or that have reviews from people I rely on. Too often randomly selecting More...

I thought the description of the book was interesting. When the author asked if I wanted to read it I couldn't turn her down. I don't usually read historical stories but this story was really good. It is about a girl wanting to escape her life. Hale’s mother worked in a theater house. After she died the manage, Gavinr promised to take care of her daughter. The girls have to earn their keep to live and work at the theater. Along with singing and dancing the girls must be company for the wealthy s More...

I planned on making this my Indie Book of the Week but I just couldn't wait that long to post my review. I had to get it out there for the world to see. The world must know how awesome this book is.

I knew I wanted to read this book the moment I read the description. I love books set in a different era. I love the feel of them and I love it when a good writer can take me back to that different time and place and make me feel like I am a part of it. Like I am right there with the main character s More...

Oh boy. This book is full of so much stuff! I've actually never read anything like it. It has the feeling of Phantom of the Opera and Moulin Rouge. Theater, singing, dancing, danger, intrigue, and forbidden love. It is all there. A tangled weave of a mess. But, that is what makes this books so great.

Rouge is totally edgy. It is not for the faint of heart. Some scene's are hard to watch. They'll pierce your insides. For good and bad. Even when it came to sensitive issues, I think they were handle More...

Rouge is a book that is set in the 1890s and it is about theater, mainly singing as Hale does just to get by in the world that she was left at. She is an orphan and it is hard out there but, to make matters worse she is also taking care of another orphan that she found almost starved to death in the back of the theater. Hale has to find a way out of the theater before the owner decides that Teeny has to earn her keep in one of the back rooms.

Enter Freddie who is a rich suitor that Hale has deci More...

Leigh's talent is clear in everything she writes. Polished, expert. Likeable characters, well-drawn plot. But I have to admit, though I love all her stuff, this is THE BEST ONE so far. It is historic romance set in steamy New Orleans in the late 19th century.

Hale has grown up in the cabaret hall--a place that carefully balances outward glamor and private sleaze. The girls all need to earn their keep... one way or another... and only through a promise by the manager to her dying mother (and a tal More...

This book was recommended to me by one of my favorite Authors on her FB page to check out because it was on sale. I decided what the heck, for $.99. I started reading this book, and could NOT put it down. I started reading about 8pm, and finished at 4:30AM. Man, what an emotional roller-coaster!!!I would highly recommend this book, but I would not considered it a YA book for all you parents out there.

Awesome read!! Well - developed characters and a plot that leaves you wanting MORE! What a love- triangle!

I don't normally write reviews because 1) I suck at writing and 2) there are many talented writers and bloggers who do a phenomenal job at writing them (if I find one review that sums up what I feel/think I feel like there would be no purpose for me to write one). However, I couldn't not write a review for this book.

I first read Moore's The Truth About Faking, and I enjoyed that book so much I decided to buy Rouge. After reading Rouge...well, lets just say I vowed to read anything and everything More...

Hale loves to sing and perform in the theater in New Orleans where she grew up, but the time is coming for her to leave. She understands how the other women earn their keep by taking gentlemen into the back rooms after the shows. Even though she’s a star, and Gavin, the owner, promised her mother he’d look after her, Hale knows she can’t go on this way forever. And she’s got Teeny to think of. Teeny who’s still a child but will soon be a woman. And since Teeny can’t act or sing, there’s no way f More...

Rouge by Leigh Talbert Moore was a story that took me by surprise. It was one that I ended up really enjoying. A majority of the characters were engaging and full of personality. Author, Leigh Talbert Moore, does a fantastic job in spinning a tale detailing how far one would go to keep someone they love safe from any harm, and to find a new life.

Rouge by Leigh Talbert Moore follows the life of main character, Hale Ferrer, who is the star of the very theatre she lives in. On the stage, her voice More...

Three and a half stars: Visit the cabaret and learn the dark secrets behind the velvet curtains.

Hale hurries to her dressing room after another electrifying performance. She is anxious to remove her heavy headdress. As soon as the showy costume is stripped away, a hesitant knock sounds at her door. She opens the door to find a lavish bouquet of roses. Her wealthy suitor, Freddie, beams behind the flowers. For Hale, the showering of expensive gifts is something foreign to her as she is a poor orp More...

'Rouge' By Leigh T Moore is a well balanced story about Hale, a young woman who has everything to lose inside her small world at the theatre. Though she may the star attraction, behind the scenes nothing is as it should be. She lost her family when she was very young and marrying for love is the last thing on her mind. Her main goal is to escape the brothel type theatre act and protect her young friend from the horrors of making money via non traditional methods.

I fell in love with Hale right aw More...

Reading Rouge was a lot like watching Moulin Rouge for the first time. I felt like I was watching in awe, anxiously waiting what would come next and wishing I'd been born in an entirely different time period! The underground theater in New Orleans in the late 1800's is such an amazing setting, it feels like an entirely different world and I couldn't help but fall in love with both Hale and Teeny - and finding yourself pulling for them throughout the book.

And Beau?? SWOON!! (That is the easiest w More...

Rouge was a very fun and exciting read for me. Anyone who knows me knows I love historical books that have descriptions that draw you in and you can actually feel the time period. With Rouge that is what I got and so much more. Set in New Orleans in the 1800's we get to meet an underground theater group. Hale is a singer for the show and she has adopted a small girl Teeny who was left to fend for herself. Hale is a strong character that I loved right away. She tried to do what was right but when More...

Leigh Talbert Moore brings readers a new taste of the New Adult genre. The first book in the Cheveux Roux Series is a slinky romance set in 1890s New Orleans that drives hope and desperation through readers like missiles. Rouge takes readers to a time and place where being on the bottom of the social scale means limited opportunities and just about no hope of moving up. It's even worse for Hale Ferrer since she's of mixed race and a woman. Her best options are to keep singing in the theater, whe More...

Rouge was a pretty awesome read. I was nervous at first about reading this book. It takes place in the 1890's and historic books aren't always relatable, that was so not the case with this book! Aside from the highly controversial stuff (for the time period) going on in an underground theatre, I wouldn't have thought this was a historical book....you know, none of that boring repetitive history stuff, lol. BUT The historical setting of this book is what makes it! Without the controversy that sur More...

Rouge will really appeal to fans of theater and Moulin Rouge. (and to people who didn't like Moulin Rouge- if there is anyone else out there besides me. I think I am the only person on the planet to not have enjoyed that movie. Someone pointed out to me on twitter that this book reminded her of Moulin Rouge, and I hadn't even thought of it at that point. I like Rouge way more than I liked Moulin Rouge)

There were a bunch of really great characters in Rouge. I loved Beau and Roland. (and no, they More...

17 year old Hale is the star of a very popular cabaret show in New Orleans during the 1890's. But her life is not really the glamor she lets on. The theater is actually a brothel where all the women live and paying male customers visit. But not Hale, she is the last innocent of the group. She gets to keep her innocence since she draws a crowd for the show as well as the owners promise to her dying mother. Hale has the added responsibility of an orphan girl Teeny she took in when the girl was you More...

Rouge was an intensely brutal read. Hale's life was a terribly tragic story. After the loss of her Mother her life was predestined to remain intertwined with this erotic and dangerous lifestyle. I was caught up in the web of secrets and lies of this story. Far older than her years, she has a premeditated plan that will allow her to overcome this life of poverty, and open a whole new life for her and Teeny. I was mystified to follow this truly righteous young woman as she puts her plan into actio More...

Rouge is a charming, angsty read. I enjoyed Moore's writing and really liked the setting! I am usually not one to read historical, but the time period was not overpowering. It was a light easy read with just enough spicy scenes to make delectable. The story did end on a cliffhanger, and I thought it could've been a bit longer.

Cover and Writing
I really like the cover to this book. I think it suits the time period and the subject matter of the book, and it's just all over pretty! The writing was i More...

Review posted at: Swept Away By Romance



3 Stars


Setting:
1890s New Orleans, cabaret

Overview:
Hale Ferrer, born and raised in the seedier side of the theater world, longs to escape her circumstances. She refuses to leave behind Teeny, the young girl she rescued and helped to raise. Hale, having learned to be practical and think only of survival, has a plan. Wealthy Parisian businessman, Freddie Lovel, has fallen for Hale, and attends her performances most nights. She has convinced him that she is a More...

I must say that I am wholly impressed by Leigh T. Moore's newest book! Rouge is one heck of a read. I came for the story, and fell deeply in love with everything about it. By the end my mouth was gaping open, my eyes were a little teary, and all I wanted was more book. Indie fans rejoice! This is a gem, and I know you're going to want to snag a copy for yourself.

Our narrator, Hale, is portrayed vividly and is easy to fall in step with. Growing up in the back wings of a cabaret, Hale has quickly More...

Leigh is the author of The Truth about Faking, which I absolutely loved, so when she asked me to review this book I was super excited! This book did not let me down. It was absolutely amazing! Leigh is such a talented writer. Her words make you feel like you are right there in the story, her characters are so believable. If you ever get a chance to read one of her books, do it! You will not be disappointed.

I have never read a book with two love interest where I couldn't choose just one. Usuall More...