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“Abbey is a wonderful storyteller.” —Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of Magnolias
The New York Times bestselling author of “The Second Mrs. Astor” returns with a gripping new book, perfect for fans of HBO’s “The Gilded Age” as well as Mary Benedict, Karen Harper, and Lisa Pataky Reader. This sweeping historical novel is inspired by the true rags-to-riches story of Arabella Huntington—a woman whose beauty was surpassed only by her extraordinary business acumen, courage, and artistic vision who defied the times. tethered to become the richest self-made woman in America.
1867, Richmond, Virginia: Although Arabella wore the same low-cut purple dress as all the girls at Worsham Casino, she was different. It’s not just her statuesque beauty and skillful charm. Even at seventeen, Arabella possesses unyielding courage and determination to rise above her background of struggle and poverty.
Railroad tycoon and self-made multimillionaire Collis Huntington was attracted to Arabella from the first moment they met. Collis was married, thirty years her senior, but their temperaments were well matched and the flirtation soon escalated into an affair. With Collis’s help, Arabella eventually moved to New York, posing as an elegant, wealthy Southern widow. Using Collis’s seed capital and her own savvy investing instincts, she began building a fortune.
Their relationship was an open secret, and no one was surprised when Corliss married Arabella after his wife’s death. But the Four Hundred—the elite circle that includes the Astors and Vanderbilts—have their rules. Arabella must earn her place in society—not just through her vast wealth, but through taste, style, and impeccable behavior. Some people doubted this shameful fact and would blackmail her about it. And then there’s another threat – an unexpected, unlikely romance that will test her ambition, her loyalty, and her heart. . .
“American Beauty” brings to life the splendor and drama of a fascinating chapter in history and an extraordinary woman who lived by her own rules.
“This story of one woman’s rise is a riveting look at the choices she made to become a Gilded Age titan.” — Kirkus Reviews
From the publisher
ASIN : B0B6D8MCCL
Publisher : Kensington Books (April 25, 2023)
Publication date : April 25, 2023
Language : English
File size : 5682 KB
Text to Speech : Enabled
Screen Reader : Support
Enhanced typography : Enabled
X-Ray : Not enabled
Word Wise : Enabled
Print length : 386 pages
Page source ISBN : 1496739426
Customers say
Customers find the story fascinating, brilliantly written, and beautiful. They describe the book as a great read that keeps them engaged. Readers praise the characters as graciously developed, intelligent, and exciting. They also describe the story as enthralling, haunting, and inspiring. Opinions differ on the pacing, with some finding it well-paced and others saying it drags at the end.
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