Author Heather Webb

on Tour

January 19-28

with

Rodin's Lover cover

Rodin’s Lover

(historical fiction/ women’s fiction)

Release date: January 27, 2015
at Plume/Penguin

320 pages

ISBN: 978–0142181751

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SYNOPSIS

A mesmerizing tale of art and passion in Belle Époque France

As a woman, aspiring sculptor Camille Claudel has plenty of critics, especially her ultra-traditional mother. But when Auguste Rodin makes Camille his apprentice—and his muse—their passion inspires groundbreaking works. Yet, Camille’s success is overshadowed by her lover’s rising star, and her obsessions cross the line into madness.

Rodin’s Lover brings to life the volatile love affair between one of the era’s greatest artists and a woman entwined in a tragic dilemma she cannot escape. [provided by the author]

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ADVANCE PRAISE

“Dazzling!….. In Rodin’s Lover, author Heather Webb brings to life, with vivid detail, the story of brilliant and tormented sculptress Camille Claudel and the epic love affair with the legendary sculptor who worshiped her. Deeply moving and meticulously researched, this book will capture your heart, then hold it tightly long after the final page.” –Anne Girard, author of Madame Picasso

“A rich, sensuous novel…[was] written with great empathy for the very human Rodin and his lover, this novel of the visceral world of the 19th century Paris ateliers, of clay-stained dresses and fingernails, lithe models who vow to remain and then go, family love which stays through all difficulties and talent which endures, comes vividly to life.” –-Stephanie Cowell, author of Claude & Camille: A Novel of Monet

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 What I Thought
In the Nineteenth Century, affairs were more common, and mental illness dealt with more poorly. Sculptor Camille Claudel managed to have both a high profiled career and a rather difficult to treat even now mental illness-schizophrenia. Heather Webb tackled both subjects with the right amount of propriety, while writing a book that was fascinating, easy to read, and left me swooning and screaming at other parts.
I felt she dealt with Claudel’s mental illness in the most suitable way. There was no stigma to be seen, where it would come across with an agenda of sorts. Writing books that feature mental illness are always tricky, but Webb handled herself well. The illness felt real, not too over the top, and not in the way that is too much for a reader to handle, graphic wise. I thought it was handled nicely.
The love affair! Oi! That was intense. I liked it. And didn’t like it. I’m all over the place. At the end, I think I was for it. I’m not sure. I might have to read the book again.
I really enjoyed Webb’s writing. I immediately liked Camille from the moment I met her. I liked her fierceness, her audacity, and her spirit. It’s sad what became of her. I wish she, and she and Rodin, had a happier ending.
This is definitely not a book to pass on if you are a fan of either of these sculptors’ works; or, of historical fiction in general. Webb did a wonderful job portraying these two artists. I really enjoyed this novel. I hope you will, too.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rodin's Lover- Heather WebbHeather Webb is the author of historical novels BECOMING JOSEPHINE
and RODIN’S LOVER published by Plume/Penguin,
a freelance editor, and blogger.
You may also find her contributing to award-winning writing sites
including WriterUnboxed and RomanceUniversity.org.
When not writing,
Heather flexes her foodie skills
and looks for excuses to head to the other side of the world.

Visit her website and her blog. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter

Subscribe to her newsletter.

Buy the book: Plume/Penguin | Amazon | B&N | IndieBound

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Entry-Form

Visit each blogger on the tour:
tweeting about the giveaway everyday
of the Tour will give you 5 extra entries each time!
[just follow the directions on the entry-form]

Giveaway open to US/Canada residents:
your choice of print/kindle copy of this book
2 winners

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