Mademoiselle Eiffel: A Novel

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From the author ofThe School for German BridesandA Bakery in Paris,this captivating historical novel set in nineteenth-century Paris tells the story of Claire Eiffel, a woman who played a significant role in maintaining her familys legacy and their iconic contributions to the city of Paris.

Claire Eiffel, the beautiful, brilliant eldest daughter of the illustrious architect Gustave Eiffel, is doted upon with an education envied by many sons of the upper classes, and entirely out of the reach of most daughters. Claires idyllic childhood ends abruptly when, at fourteen, her mother passes away. Its soon made clear that Gustave expects Claire to fill her mothers place as caregiver to the younger children and as manager of their home.

As she proves her competence, Claires importance to her father grows. She accompanies him on his travels and becomes his confidante and private secretary. She learns her fathers architectural trade and becomes indispensable to his work. But when his bright young protg, Adolphe Salles, takes up more of Gustaves time, Claire resents being pushed aside.

Slowly, the animosity between Claire and Adolphe turns to friendship...and then to something more. After their marriage in 1885 preserves the Eiffel legacy, they are privileged by the biggest commission of Eiffels career: a great iron tower dominating the 1889 Worlds Fair to demonstrate the leading role of Paris in the world of art and architecture. Now hostess to the scientific elite, such as Thomas Edison, Claire is under the watchful eye not only of her family and fathers circle, but also the world.

When Gustave Eiffels involvement in a disastrous endeavor to build a canal in Panama ends in his imprisonment, it is up to Claire to secure her fathers freedom but also preserve the hard-won family legacy.

Claire Eiffels story of love, devotion, and the frantic pursuit to preserve her familys legacy is not only an inspired reflection of real personages and historical events, but a hymn to the iconic tower that dominates the City of Lights.

Reviews

"For anyone who has ever admired the Eiffel Tower, this fascinating tale of a woman ahead of her time will leave a mark on your heart, in much the same way that Claire Eiffel left her mark on the world." Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Daughter The story of one of the most iconic landmarks in the world is entwined not only with its architects but with the families of those who built it. Its creation is due in large part to the efforts and support of Claire Eiffel, a young woman forced to grow up too soon but who rose to the challenge. MADEMOISELLE EIFFEL shines a glorious light on an unseen woman from history. Erika Robuck, National Bestselling Author of The Last Twelve Miles "Mademoiselle Eiffel is a charming and affecting portrait of a young woman caught between the long arm of grief and her own hopes for her future, who is thrust into adulthood before her time and yet builds a life worthy of the tower that bears her familys name. Comme le tour Eiffel, cest magnifique!" Bryn Turnbull, internationally bestselling author Atmospheric, immersive, and brimming with fascinating details surrounding the construction of the Eiffel Tower, Aimie Runyans Mademoiselle Eiffel will delight historical fiction lovers.A powerful tribute to the incredible life and legacy of Claire Eiffel!" Chanel Cleeton, New York Times & USA TodayBestselling Author "An engaging story about the inner strength of the woman behind the man, who might have made a name for herself if only given the opportunity." Booklist

Author Bio

Aimie K. Runyan isa multi-published and bestselling author of historical and contemporary fiction. She has been nominated for a Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Writer of the Year Award, a Historical Novel Societys Editors Choice selection, and a four-time finalist for the Colorado Book Awards. She is an adjunct instructor for the Drexel University MFA in Creative Writing program and endeavors to be active in the literary community in Colorado and beyond. She lives in the Rocky Mountains with her wonderful husband, two (usually) adorable children, two (always) adorable cats, and a dragon.