Erika Robuck's Blog, page 7
March 3, 2016
Book Recommendation: BLACK RABBIT HALL
“Black Rabbit Hall is not a house that lends itself to ‘getting on.’ any more than it does phone calls…It unfolds at its own pace, its corridors, anterooms, and the repeated pauses of its views fostering a dreamy kind of lingering, an openness to getting lost. Is this because it was build for the leisured class, she wonders, or something else?” Eve Chase, BLACK RABBIT HALL
Publisher Synopsis:
For fans of Kate Morton and Sarah Waters, here’s a magnetic debut novel of wrenching family secrets, forbidden love, and heartbreaking loss housed within the grand gothic manor of Black Rabbit Hall.
Ghosts are everywhere, not just the ghost of Momma in the woods, but ghosts of us too, what we used to be like in those long summers . . .
Amber Alton knows that the hours pass differently at Black Rabbit Hall, her London family’s country estate, where no two clocks read the same. Summers there are perfect, timeless. Not much ever happens. Until, of course, it does.
More than three decades later, Lorna is determined to be married within the grand, ivy-covered walls of Pencraw Hall, known as Black Rabbit Hall among the locals. But as she’s drawn deeper into the overgrown grounds, half-buried memories of her mother begin to surface and Lorna soon finds herself ensnared within the manor’s labyrinthine history, overcome with an insatiable need for answers about her own past and that of the once-happy family whose memory still haunts the estate.
Stunning and atmospheric, this debut novel is a thrilling spiral into the hearts of two women separated by decades but inescapably linked by the dark and tangled secrets of Black Rabbit Hall.
My Recommendation:
Rebecca, Little Stranger, The Distant Hours…
Gothic, romantic, house-centered fiction laden with family secrets is a favorite of mine. I enjoy nothing more than cozying up with a multi-period mystery, set in an unforgettable estate, peopled with men and women brought together by blood and circumstance.
Black Rabbit Hall is a welcome addition to the genre. I could see the action as if I were watching a film. The prose is elegant, the plot kept me reading late into the night, and though the story is heartbreaking, redemption comes. Prepare to be drawn to, beguiled by, and to fall in love with Chase’s moody, fascinating characters.
Fans of multi-period mystery set on crumbling British country estates will devour Black Rabbit Hall.
What is your favorite novel in the genre?
March 2, 2016
Giveaway: AMERICA’S FIRST DAUGHTER
Publisher Synopsis:
In a compelling, richly researched novel that draws from thousands of letters and original sources, bestselling authors Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie tell the fascinating, untold story of Thomas Jefferson’s eldest daughter, Martha “Patsy” Jefferson Randolph—a woman who kept the secrets of our most enigmatic founding father and shaped an American legacy.
From her earliest days, Patsy Jefferson knows that though her father loves his family dearly, his devotion to his country runs deeper still. As Thomas Jefferson’s oldest daughter, she becomes his helpmate, protector, and constant companion in the wake of her mother’s death, traveling with him when he becomes American minister to France.
It is in Paris, at the glittering court and among the first tumultuous days of revolution, that fifteen-year-old Patsy learns about her father’s troubling liaison with Sally Hemings, a slave girl her own age. Meanwhile, Patsy has fallen in love—with her father’s protégé William Short, a staunch abolitionist and ambitious diplomat. Torn between love, principles, and the bonds of family, Patsy questions whether she can choose a life as William’s wife and still be a devoted daughter.
Her choice will follow her in the years to come, to Virginia farmland, Monticello, and even the White House. And as scandal, tragedy, and poverty threaten her family, Patsy must decide how much she will sacrifice to protect her father’s reputation, in the process defining not just his political legacy, but that of the nation he founded.
My Recommendation:
I loved AMERICA’S FIRST DAUGHTER so much, I provided this blurb:
“AMERICA’S FIRST DAUGHTER is the story of a generation caught between the past and the future of a nation, and illuminates how the actions of one woman managed to sustain a family in spite of the consequences of both privilege and poverty. Not since GONE WITH THE WIND has a single volume family saga so brilliantly portrayed the triumphs, trials, and sins of a family in the American South.”
This is one of the finest historical novels I have ever read, and I have a copy to give away to one lucky reader. Please comment below by Wednesday, March 9th at 9 PM ET about your favorite epic historical drama, or why you are interested in this period in American history to win, and please share on social media. (US only, please.) Good luck!
February 28, 2016
Oscar Night Giveaway: STARS OVER SUNSET BOULEVARD
Publisher Synopsis:
Los Angeles, Present Day. When an iconic hat worn by Scarlett O’Hara in Gone With the Wind ends up in Christine McAllister’s vintage clothing boutique by mistake, her efforts to return it to its owner take her on a journey more enchanting than any classic movie…
Los Angeles, 1938. Violet Mayfield sets out to reinvent herself in Hollywood after her dream of becoming a wife and mother falls apart, and lands a job on the film-set of Gone With the Wind. There, she meets enigmatic Audrey Duvall, a once-rising film star who is now a fellow secretary. Audrey’s zest for life and their adventures together among Hollywood’s glitterati enthrall Violet…until each woman’s deepest desires collide. What Audrey and Violet are willing to risk, for themselves and for each other, to ensure their own happy endings will shape their friendship, and their lives, far into the future.
Giveaway:
In 1940, GONE WITH THE WIND swept the Oscars. (The Oscar statuette–purchased by the late Michael Jackson–is still in the news because it has “gone” missing.) I would love a behind the scenes glimpse of the drama that went into making one of the most beloved (and controversial) films of all time.
Susan Meissner‘s moving novels have made me a long-time fan, and STARS OVER SUNSET BOULEVARD is high on my TBR pile. I have one copy to give away to a lucky commenter below. Please tell me your favorite Meissner novel, or who you want to see win an Oscar in 2016. Please share on social media and enter by 9 PM ET on Wednesday, March 2nd. (US and Canada only.) Good Luck!
February 24, 2016
Giveaway: Hamilton: The Musical CD, Receive Me Falling
“Every slave story is a ghost story.” Receive Me Falling
In 2009 I self-published my first novel, RECEIVE ME FALLING, with the hopes of learning the publishing process, with traditional publishing as my ultimate goal. I was also interested in growing readership and starting a conversation with those readers about the relationship of the past and the present, and human connection across time, space, and race. It was a positive experience, I’m glad I did it, and I’m even gladder to now have four traditionally published novels.
RECEIVE ME FALLING is set on the Caribbean island of Nevis, the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton, and the setting where he grew to abhor slavery. The novel takes place in 1831 and in the present day, where two women–centuries apart–grapple with issues of identity and the inheritance of sin. Their connection is a plantation house called Eden, where the lives of those in residence are far from the paradise the name and setting suggest.
HAMILTON: THE MUSICAL is taking Broadway by storm. With its diverse cast, hip-hop music, and poignant themes, David Brooks of the New York Times says this:
“[I]t is one of the most exhilarating experiences I’ve had in a theater. Each element in the show is a jewel, and the whole is bold, rousing, sexy, tear-jerking and historically respectful — the sort of production that strips things down and asks you to think afresh about your country and your life.”
Since tickets for this masterpiece are sold out into the next millennium, I have the next best thing: the CD.
You have until March 2nd to enter the Goodreads giveaway for the HAMILTON: THE MUSICAL CD and my novel, RECEIVE ME FALLING. Please enter and share, and let me know below if you have seen the production. I’m dying to hear more about it. Good luck!
February 16, 2016
Book Recommendation: FLIGHT OF DREAMS
“The friendships of men are, by and large, less complicated than the friendships of women. They hinge on loyalty, territory, and tolerance. And the best way to get a man to deliver information is to threaten his friend. It’s an unfair tactic, to be honest. But he has never been all that interested in fairness.” Ariel Lawhon, FLIGHT OF DREAMS
Publisher Synopsis:
With everyone onboard harboring dark secrets and at least one person determined to make sure the airship doesn’t make the return trip, Flight of Dreams gives an utterly suspenseful, heart-wrenching explanation for one of the most enduring mysteries of the twentieth century.
On the evening of May 3, 1937, Emilie Imhof boards the Hindenburg. As the only female crewmember, Emilie has access to the entire airship, from the lavish dining rooms and passenger suites to the gritty engine cars and control room. She hears everything, but with rumors circulating about bomb threats, Emilie’s focus is on maintaining a professional air . . . and keeping her own plans under wraps. What Emilie can’t see is that everyone—from the dynamic vaudeville acrobat to the high-standing German officer—seems to be hiding something.
Giving free rein to countless theories of sabotage, charade, and mishap, Flight of Dreams takes us on the thrilling three-day transatlantic flight through the alternating perspectives of Emilie; Max, the ship’s navigator who is sweet on her; Gertrud, a bold female journalist who’s been blacklisted in her native Germany; Werner, a thirteen-year-old cabin boy with a bad habit of sneaking up on people; and a brash American who’s never without a drink in his hand. Everyone knows more than they initially let on, and as the novel moves inexorably toward its tragic climax, the question of which of the passengers will survive the trip infuses every scene with a deliciously unbearable tension.
My Recommendation:
FLIGHT OF DREAMS is a multilayered and fascinating imagining of what could have happened leading up to one of the most famous disasters in history. Research reveals names, charts, and survival stories, but leaves more questions than answers, most notably: was the explosion of the Hindenburg an accident?
With Lawhon’s gift for writing memorable characters, sharp dialogue, and enthralling suspense, FLIGHT OF DREAMS becomes an unputdownable epic tragedy. Fans of both mystery and history will enjoy trying to piece together the motivations and actions of the characters, and after finishing the book will search for photographs and video of the Hindenburg and its passengers. I highly recommend FLIGHT OF DREAMS.
February 12, 2016
Pinterest for Writers
I am a visual person. To write something well, I have to visit as many places in my books as possible. I spend hours scouring archives–in person and online–to find photographs of my subjects, their settings, their muses. Before I write I “cast” my books with living actors. Even when I read, I underline, scribble notes, highlight, draw pictures. I have to be able to see what it is I’m trying to capture with words.
Even if you are a writer who does not need much visual stimulation, you might consider your reader. Pinterest can be a powerful tool for helping her to see your characters, your settings, and your time period. It can supplement a work in a powerful way that continues the conversation even after the last pages are turned. Whether viewed before reading or after, your pin boards can enrich the entire story experience.
Here is a screenshot of my Pinterest page:
You’ll find images associated with each of my books, day trips to my book settings, tidbits for readers, casting for movies (HELLO GEORGE CLOONEY WITH A MUSTACHE AS HEMINGWAY!) Lower down the page are boards for my own interests–house projects, decor, etc. Make sure the boards you want to share with the public are featured first.
Starting a Pinterest page is simple, and once you have an account set up, the red Pinterest icon will appear on the upper right side of your browser menu:
To add photos from pages you search to your boards, simple click the icon at any website you visit. It will arrange a screen of images that may be pinned. 
Click on the image you want to pin, and a menu will pop up asking which Pinterest board you’d like to add it to, or you may create a new board. Add a description, hit enter, and voila!
Warning: Pinterest is addictive. You will find friends there. They will have great boards. Three hours will pass and you will find yourself scouring hundreds of images for brunch recipes, book recommendations, window treatment options, fantasy vacations, and cutest cat breeds–and you might not even like cats! Consider setting a timer to pull yourself out of the vortex of distraction.
Finally, consider sharing your boards. Post a couple times a month on your blogs and social media accounts with boards that have to do with your books. This will give you a chance to engage your readers and continue bringing your work to life.
Some excellent author Pinterest pages:
Who are your favorite authors on Pinterest? Are you on Pinterest? Do you have any helpful tips for making Pinterest meaningful to your readers? Happy Pinning!
February 9, 2016
Book Recommendation: GEORGIA
“A life is built of lies and magic, illusions bedded down with dreams. And in the end what haunts us most is the recollection of what we failed to see.” Dawn Tripp, GEORGIA
Publisher Synopsis:
Georgia O’Keeffe, her love affair with photographer Alfred Stieglitz, and her quest to become an independent artist come vividly to life in this sensual and exquisitely written novel, a dazzling departure into historical fiction by the acclaimed novelist Dawn Tripp.
This is not a love story. If it were, we would have the same story. But he has his, and I have mine.
In 1916, Georgia O’Keeffe is a young, unknown art teacher when she travels to New York to meet Stieglitz, the famed photographer and art dealer, who has discovered O’Keeffe’s work and exhibits it in his gallery. Their connection is instantaneous. O’Keeffe is quickly drawn into Stieglitz’s sophisticated world, becoming his mistress, protégé, and muse, as their attraction deepens into an intense and tempestuous relationship and his photographs of her, both clothed and nude, create a sensation.
Yet as her own creative force develops, Georgia begins to push back against what critics and others are saying about her and her art. And soon she must make difficult choices to live a life she believes in.
A breathtaking work of the imagination, Georgia is the story of a passionate young woman, her search for love and artistic freedom, the sacrifices she will face, and the bold vision that will make her a legend.
My Recommendation:
Tripp has long been a favorite literary writer of mine, and O’Keeffe is a favorite artist; naturally I was eager to read GEORGIA. I expected the prose to be beautiful and the story to be interesting, but it far surpassed even my highest expectations.
I did not know GEORGIA would be written in the first person–from the point of view of the artist, herself–and if I had, I might have cringed. How to harness that voice? That person! Tripp has done it. O’Keeffe is so electric, so alive on these pages, the power and passion are almost too much. It must have taken great courage to take on O’Keeffe’s voice, but Tripp has accomplished a true channeling and faithfulness in this portrayal.
I also did not know the epic scope of the novel, and it pleased me to discover it. It’s incredibly difficult to write a life story that is not a biography, but Tripp has executed the writing to perfection, keeping every scene sharply focused on O’Keeffe’s development as an artist, while continually exploring what it means to be a woman.
Sensual, savage, revelatory, and heartbreaking, GEORGIA is a must read for fans of James Salter or Priya Parmar. This is one of the finest pieces of biographical historical fiction I have ever read–if not the best. I will forever be an evangelist for GEORGIA.
I have one copy of GEORGIA to give away to anyone (in the US) who comments on and shares this post by Thursday, February 11th at 4 PM ET. Tell me your favorite work of biographical fiction or your favorite O’Keeffe painting. Good luck!
February 4, 2016
Book Recommendation: WHY WE WRITE ABOUT OURSELVES
“A memoirist’s brain acts out the coal-to-diamond process. A story puts pressure on the brain; the book is what comes out.” @Darinstrauss
Publisher Synopsis:
All the secrets a reader or writer of memoirs needs to know—and all the secrets an aspiring writer or lover of literature wants to know—in one readable volume, a follow-up to the acclaimed writers’ handbook Why We Write.
For the many amateurs and professionals who write about themselves—bloggers, journal-keepers, aspiring essayists, and memoirists—this book offers inspiration, encouragement, and pithy, practical advice. Twenty of America’s bestselling memoirists share their innermost thoughts and hard-earned tips with veteran author Meredith Maran, revealing what drives them to tell their personal stories, and the nuts and bolts of how they do it. Speaking frankly about issues ranging from turning oneself into an authentic, compelling character to exposing hard truths, these successful authors disclose what keeps them going, what gets in their way, and what they love most—and least—about writing about themselves.
My Recommendation:
Writers: WHY WE WRITE ABOUT OURSELVES is a must-read.
I underlined so much of this book, I excerpted the most poignant quotes on Twitter to showcase the buffet of rich, satisfying words provided in its pages. It fills the well.
Whether or not you write memoir, it is undeniable that our *selves* are embedded in anything we write. This book will give you the inspiration, hope, caution, urging, and permission you need to put yourself on the page.
The work is important; do it.
January 28, 2016
BOOK RECOMMENDATION: STILL WRITING
“I prefer to think of [a writing routine] as rhythm rather than discipline. Discipline calls to mind a taskmaster, perhaps wielding a whip…Rhythm, however, is a gentle aligning, a comforting pattern in our day that we know sets us up ideally for our work.” Dani Shapiro, STILL WRITING
Publisher Synopsis:
From Dani Shapiro, bestselling author of Devotion and Slow Motion, comes a witty, heartfelt, and practical look at the exhilarating and challenging process of storytelling. At once a memoir, a meditation on the artistic process, and advice on craft, Still Writing is an intimate companion to living a creative life. Writers—and anyone with an artistic temperament—will find inspiration and comfort in these pages. Offering lessons learned over twenty years of teaching and writing, Shapiro shares her own revealing insights to weave an indispensable almanac for modern writers.
My Recommendation:
I have several nonfiction books and essay collections on the writing process I’ve been saving for the right mood (aka: when I need important reminders.) This is one of those times, and for me, STILL WRITING was the perfect balm for a profession that often leaves one hollow or raw at the completion of a work.
With her elegant phrasing and straightforward organization, Shapiro can be relied upon to not only give voice to the messy feelings one has throughout the writing process, but also offer solutions, comfort, and camaraderie across time and space. From the first whiff of premise through publication, Shapiro is unafraid (or rather, willing) to expose her insecurities and the challenges she faces each step of the way.
Some of my favorite quotes:
“Writing…is an act of faith. We must believe without the slightest evidence that believing will get us anywhere.” (p. 23)
“You do not…need to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others.” (p. 118)
“When I consider endings, I think of music–in particular, the experience of sitting in a concert hall at the end of a performance…When those last notes have sounded, they linger. The music doesn’t screech to a halt. It can’t. We–the listener, the reader–have to lean into it. To meet it as it hangs in the air, as it fades away, until finally it is only memory.” (p. 194)
I recommend STILL WRITING to all writers at all stages of the process. Shapiro’s collection should be shelved alongside the greats, like BIRD BY BIRD and ON WRITING.
Writers: Have you read STILL WRITING? What are your favorite books on the craft of writing?
December 31, 2015
My Favorite Historical Fiction of 2015
Here is my (much agonized over) list of the best historical novels of 2015. Some of the books were not published in 2015, but that is when I read them. My criteria for making the list:
*I read it obsessively.
*I can’t stop thinking about it.
*I can’t stop recommending it.
I read so many outstanding books this year (and some were not historical), so if you’d like to see all my favorites, check out my reviews on Goodreads. Of note: I only review and recommend books I’d give 4 or 5 stars, so this is really a *best of the best* list. Torture, I tell you.
Here we go, and in no particular order:
Vanessa and Her Sister, by Priya Parmar
Almost Famous Women, by Meg Mayhew Bergman
Vienna Nocturne, by Vivien Shotwell
West of Sunset, by Stewart O’Nan
The Edge of Lost, by Kristina McMorris
The Accidental Empress, by Allison Pataki
Rodin’s Lover, by Heather Webb
The Nightingale, by Kristin Hannah
Circling the Sun, by Paula McLain
The Song of Hartgrove Hall, by Natasha Solomons
What a wonderful year in books! Happy Reading, and Happy New Year!!
