Spotlight: The Invisible Woman

The Invisible Woman by Erika Robuck

Published:  February 9, 2021 – Berkley Trade Paperbacks

Content courtesy of the publisher 

Description:

Based on the remarkable true story of an American woman who defied the odds to become the most dangerous Allied spy in France during World War II, comes a gripping historical novel about strength, humanity, and bravery from the bestselling author of Hemingway’s Girl.

March 1944. Virginia Hall wasn’t like the other young society women back home in Baltimore–she never wanted the debutante ball or silk gloves. Instead, she traded a safe life for adventure in Europe, and when her beloved second home is thrust into the dark days of war, she leaps in headfirst.

Once she’s recruited as an Allied spy, subverting the Nazis becomes her calling. But even the most cunning agent can be bested, and in wartime trusting the wrong person can prove fatal. Virginia is haunted every day by the betrayal that ravaged her first operation, and will do everything in her power to avenge the brave people she lost.

While her future is anything but certain, this time more than ever Virginia knows that failure is not an option. Especially when she discovers what–and whom–she’s truly protecting.


About the author:

Erika Robuck is the national bestselling author of Receive Me Falling, Hemingway’s GirlCall Me ZeldaFallen Beauty, and The House of Hawthorne. She is a contributor to the anthology Grand Central: Original Stories of Postwar Love and Reunion and to the Writer’s Digest essay collection Author in Progress. Robuck lives in Annapolis, Maryland, with her husband and three sons.


Praise for The Invisible Woman:

“An extraordinary profile of the immense courage and daring of Virginia Hall and an intimate look at the cost of war, The Invisible Woman is a must-read. “–Chanel CleetonNew York Times bestselling author

“[A] captivating, page-turning read. . . . The Invisible Woman shines a light on this courageous historical woman, whose pioneering work as an agent deserves recognition.”–Marie BenedictNew York Timesbestselling author of The Only Woman in the Room

“Erika Robuck shows us exactly how biographical fiction should be written: with respect for the historical record, a deep understanding of the subject, and the empathy to allow the character at the heart of the novel to shine through. . . . If you only read one World War II book this year, make it this one.”–Natasha Lester,New York Times bestselling author ofThe Paris Orphan

“Virginia Hall . . . is the stuff of inspiration and legend . . . [with] feats of human goodness and bravery amid some of modern history’s darkest moments. . . . Breathtakingly beautiful.”–Allison PatakiNew York Timesbestselling author of The Queen’s Fortune


 

Blog Tour Review: The House of Hawthorne by Erika Robuck

  • the house of hawthorne (review 5:21)Title:  The House of Hawthorne: A Novel
  • Author:  Erika Robuck
  • Genre:  Historical Fiction
  • Published:  May 2015 – NAL
  • Source:  Publisher

My take:  The House of Hawthorne is the story of Nathaniel Hawthorne and Sophia Peabody Hawthorne. She was a painter and he, of course, a writer.

Erika Robuck’s novel takes the reader from Cuba to Massachusetts to England to Italy and back to Massachusetts. Their daily life included visits by people such as Emerson, Thoreau, the Alcotts – to name just a few. The House of  Hawthorne is a story about love between two people who understood the other so much so that words were not always necessary.  That’s not to say life was perfect or easy. Sophia had health issues and he seemed to suffer from occasional bouts of depression. They struggled financially most of their lives and yet managed to travel and live where they chose. There were times of great joy and deep sadness and their relationship carried them through it all.

I loved learning about the Hawthornes. I knew virtually nothing about Nathaniel other than his books. I think Robuck probably got to the core of his true character – at least it felt that way to me. He was very fortunate to find Sophia and that she returned his love and admiration. Not all marriages at that time were a love match and these two appreciated that theirs was. It’s what held them together, I’m sure, when life was hard.

For some reason the book had a slow start for me but after several pages I was swept up in the story of Sophia and Nathaniel. I think fans of historical fiction and 19th century American writers would like The House of Hawthorne as much as I did. I was grateful for the Author’s Note that brought me up to speed with the Hawthornes at the end of the book. I’m also curious about their son Julian’s book about his parents that is listed in the bibliography.