Hello Gracious Readers,
Welcome to my stop on the Blog Tour for
A Dress Of Violet Taffeta By Tessa Arlen
Title: A Dress of Violet Taffeta: A Novel
Author: Tessa Arlen
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Berkley (July 5, 2022)
Length: (352) pages
Format: Trade paperback, eBook, & audiobook
ISBN: 978-0593436851
Tour Dates: June 27-July 11, 2022
BOOK DESCRIPTION
A sumptuous novel based on the fascinating true story of La Belle Époque icon Lucy, Lady Duff Gordon, who shattered the boundaries of fashion with her magnificently sensual and enchantingly unique designs.
Lucy Duff Gordon knows she is talented. She sees color, light, and texture in ways few people can begin to imagine. But is the male dominated world of haute couture, who would use her art for their own gain, ready for her?
When she is deserted by her wealthy husband, Lucy is left penniless with an aging mother and her five-year-old daughter to support. Desperate to survive, Lucy turns to her one true talent to make a living. As a little girl, the dresses she made for her dolls were the envy of her group of playmates. Now, she uses her creative designs and her remarkable eye for color to take her place in the fashion world—failure is not an option.
Then, on a frigid night in 1912, Lucy’s life changes once more, when she becomes one of 706 people to survive the sinking of the Titanic. She could never have imagined the effects the disaster would have on her fashion label Lucile, her marriage to her second husband, and her legacy. But no matter what life throws at her, Lucy will live on as a trailblazing and innovative fashion icon, never letting go of what she worked so hard to earn.
PURCHASE LINKS
AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY | BOOKSHOP | GOODREADS| BOOKBUB
ADVANCE PRAISE
“Fans of the 1991 BBC series The House of Eliott will find familiar comfort in Arlen’s descriptions of fabrics, colorworks, and evolving fashions.” —Library Journal
“Tessa Arlen’s novel is as elegant as a Lucille gown, full of movement, color and beauty…For anyone interested in fashion, in the Gilded Age, in stories about strong, visionary woman, Tessa Arlen’s novel is a must read!” —Jeanne Mackin, author of The Last Collection
“A sumptuous treat of elegant prose, evocative descriptions, and compelling emotions. Arlen’s writing absolutely shines.” —Anna Lee Huber, USA TODAY Bestselling author of A Perilous Perspective
“Tessa Arlen delivers a fascinating tale based on the real-life fashion icon, Lucy, Lady Duff-Gordon, who went up against a male dominated industry and revolutionized it…A must read for fashion fans everywhere.” —Renee Rosen, USA Today bestselling author of The Social Graces
“…written in a sumptuous, engaging style that appeals to all the senses and brings Lucy, her creations, and her world vividly alive.” —Alyssa Maxwell, author of The Gilded Newport Mysteries
REVIEW
This book was received from the Author, and Publisher, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.
This is a non spoiler review, because you as reader need to read this book. Also, I feel sometimes I have in the past gave away to much of the plot line. This has diminished the pleasure for would be readers.
A Dress Of Violet Taffeta By Tessa Arlen is a captivating book
about the innovated Belle Epoque icon Lucy, Lady Duff Gordon. A pioneer clothing designer in late 1800s England. The author richly chronicles the life of Lady Duff Gordon. The story is set in the gilded age, Lucy Wallace along with her younger daughter Esme finds themselves abandoned and destitute. Her trifling husband, ran off with a showgirl and she has had to dismiss all her household staff, except talented Celia. Strong willed and determined she does the unthinkable and divorces her husband in 1893! Taking things into her hand, she sets about about to changing the course of her life. Lucy starts to design her own dresses, and realizes that her talent is profitable. Each design was creatively unique, making them sought after by socialites and entertainers. She became a revolutionary in fashion industry during the Edwardian era.
Tessa Arlen has Wray propulsive storyline, offering both drama and historical authenticity to appeal to anyone interested in strong heroines and female friendships. The books detailed imagery along with the dual narration, made for a compelling reading experience.
I highly recommend this book to my family and friends
AUTHOR BIO
Tessa Arlen writes historical fiction when she is not toiling away in her garden. She is the author of the Edwardian mystery series: Lady Montfort and Mrs. Jackson; the Woman of World War II mystery series. Poppy Redfern. And two standalone historical novels: In Royal Service to the Queen, and A Dress of Violet Taffeta.
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EXCLUSIVE AUTHOR INTERVIEW
Read an in-depth interview with author Tessa Arlen revealing insights into her new historical fiction novel, A Dress of Violet Taffeta.
Gwendalyn’s Books 
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Gwendalyn. Lucy was such a trailblazer for fashion and women entrepreneurs. Arlen did a fabulous job describing the era, fashions, and developing the characters. I am looking forward to her next novel.
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