Rouge: A Novel of Beauty and Rivalry
by Richard Kirshenbaum
Like Swans of Fifth Avenue and Truman Capote’s Answered Prayers, Richard Kirshenbaum’s Rouge gives readers a rare front-row seat into the world of high society and business through the rivalry of two beauty industry icons (think Helena Rubenstein and Elizabeth Arden), by the master marketer and chronicler of the over-moneyed.
Rouge is a sexy, glamorous journey into the rivalry of the pioneers of powder, mascara, and rouge.
This fast-paced novel examines the lives, loves, and sacrifices of the visionaries who invented the modern cosmetics industry: Josiah Herzenstein, born in a Polish Jewish Shtlel, the entrepreneur who transforms herself into a global style icon and the richest woman in the world, Josephine Herz; Constance Gardiner, her rival, the ultimate society woman who invents the door-to-door business and its female workforce but whose deepest secret threatens everything; CeeCee Lopez, the bi-racial beauty and founder of the first African American woman’s hair relaxer business, who overcomes prejudice and heartbreak to become her community’s first female millionaire. The cast of characters is rounded out by Mickey Heron, a dashing, sexy ladies’ man whose cosmetics business is founded in a Hollywood brothel. All are bound in a struggle to be number one, doing anything to get there…including murder.
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press (June 25, 2019)
ASIN: B07J4LQ4WX
ISBN-10: 1250150957
ISBN-13: 978-1250150950
Genre: Historical Fiction
Amazon – Goodreads
About the author: Richard Kirshenbaum is CEO of NSG/SWAT, a high-profile boutique branding agency. He has lectured at Harvard Business School, appeared on 20/20, was named to Crain’s New York Business’s “40 under 40” list, and has been inducted into the Advertising Hall of Fame. He is the author of Under the Radar, Closing the Deal, Madboy, and Isn’t That Rich? and the New York Observer’s “Isn’t That Rich?” column. He lives in New York City with his wife and three children.
Goodreads Author Page – Amazon Author Page
Review of Rouge: A Novel of Beauty and Rivalry
Rouge: A Novel of Beauty and Rivalry is a captivating historical fiction novel written by Richard Kirshenbaum. A story that mirrors what is happening in the real world with characters that are intriguing, relatable, and realistic. Rouge is a fast-paced read that gives you an inside behind the scenes look at the start to finish of cosmetic industry giants. The setting is the 30’s and 40’s which tells a story of how this time dictated opportunities and the way people lived. I was drawn in from the beginning and could not stop reading until I found out how the story would end. Rouge tells a true to life representation of what life was like for Americans during this time and the determination it took to achieve the American dream. ** I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.**
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