Carole's Sunday Review: Gold Digger - Rebecca Rosenberg

Author: Rebecca Rosenberg 

Title: Gold Digger

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: ebook

Expected publication: May 28th 2019

Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

One look at Baby Doe and you know she was meant to be a legend! She was just twenty years old when she came to Colorado to work a gold mine with her new husband. Little did she expect that she’d be abandoned and pregnant and left to manage the gold mine alone. But that didn’t stop her!

She moved to Leadville and fell in love with a married prospector, twice her age. Horace Tabor struck the biggest silver vein in history, divorced his wife and married Baby Doe. Though his new wife was known for her beauty, her fashion, and even her philanthropy, she was never welcomed in polite society.

Discover how the Tabors navigated the worlds of wealth, power, politics, and scandal in the wild days of western mining.

I was instantly drawn in by the cover and then the summary. That is a lovely cover and the story sounds sooooooo good. 

The story follows Baby Doe,  born Elizabeth McCourt, who would become a legend of Colorado! Things do not start off so great. She thinks she finds her true love but is abandoned pregnant and no money. However, she kept pushing. Things happen and she meets Tabor who would move the Earth for her. 

I felt so bad for Baby Doe. She was treated like crap by that jerkface! Ugh. He didn't deserve her. I'm glad Baby Doe realized this and got a divorce even though it went against her religion and society. But he didn't love her and she deserved better for sure. 

Honestly? I wasn't a huge Tabor fan at first. It took eons for me to really warm up to him. Maybe it is because I didn't trust him? I'm not sure but I was constantly worried that he was going to hurt her. She really deserved happiness! I adored her. She was not only beautiful, but she was smart and strong. 

I liked Billy at first, but grrrr he was a snot. 

The writing was beautiful! I had enjoyed a previous novel by the author a while back and adored the writing style. This was the same. Simply lovely. It really hooks you into the story and characters. 

The ending was cliff-hanger-ish...but not at the same time. I liked how it ended. You can leave as is or move forward. It was very nice, but it did make me sad at the same time. Oooo the feels. 

I had no major issues at all. I really enjoyed the story. I highly recommend it for historical fiction lovers. I'll stamp this with 5 stars. 

Carole's Sunday Review: The Secret life of Mrs London

Author: Rebecca Rosenberg

Title: The Secret Life of Mrs. London

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: ebook

Published: January 30th 2018

Where I Got It: My shelf (Given to me by the author/publisher for my honest and unbiased opinion)

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.

Oooooo Mrs. London. I feel so bad for you. You were certainly born in the wrong time. Not only did I feel for her, but I connected to her in some ways. 

Mrs. London (Charmian) is the wife of Jack London who is a renowned writer. I know a small bit about his work, but not enough to express an opinion really. Mrs. London is also friends with the Houdinis. Yes, the famous Harry Houdini that we all know and scratch our heads at. I liked Harry's wife too. She was fun and I wish we got some more time with her. 

I couldn't stand Jack. Sure, I was intrigued and a part of me felt bad since he was in a lot of pain and his wife was always wanted more and more sex from him and you could tell he either didn't have the time or was in pain. However, I thought he was a jerk a lot of the times and he was pretty open with his affairs (which most men were in the day). Don't get me wrong...Charmian was not a perfect angel either she had her affairs as well. Honestly, I think she made a mistake marrying Jack. She should've picked Lawrence. I think she would've been happier with him. Just my opinion though ;)

There were some dry spots here and there. Overall, though, I was hooked and I couldn't put the book down. I wanted to see what would happen next. I had my hopes that Charmian would get her wish to come true, but as time passed that wish would dry up and I felt so bad for her. I think if she was able to get her wish she might've been happier in her marriage. We'll never know though. 

I find the writing was done well and I am curious to see what else this author has in store for us. Maybe she can show the Houdinis POV! I want to learn about that wife of his who will forever live in Harry's shadow. Poor girl. I liked her a lot. 

In the end, this was good. I liked it a lot. Some dry spots, but I stayed hooked. If you like historical fictions or even want a good people book, I recommend this. Now....what shall I stamp this with? Mhmmmmmm....I'll give it 4 stars.