East of the Sun, West of the Moon

by Carole Bellacera

Book Overview

Can you ever justify cheating on your husband? This is the question that Leigh Fallon is faced with when she learns that her marriage to Congressman Bob Fallon is not as honest as she's always assumed. It feels like Bob has been all but ignoring her, except to criticize, and Leigh finds herself helplessly drawn to Erik, the twenty-something Norwegian exchange student who's staying in their home. When she finds proof that Bob has been spending his...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0765300796
• ISBN13: 9780765300799
• Release Date: September 2001
• Publisher: Forge
• Length: 381 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 5.8" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

An Extraordinary Talent, A Beautiful Story

Forty-year-old Leigh Fallon, mother of three and wife to an abusive politician, comes to a crossroads in her life when they agree to host a Norwegian exchange student. Erik Hausland is thirteen years younger than Leigh, nevertheless the two fall in love. Leigh's determination to remain faithful to boorish Bob ends when she discovers condoms in his overnight bag and realizes his feigned impotence is a lie. As Erik and Leigh grow closer, their relationship is exposed and the sham of a marriage ends, but worse is to come when her husband turns their children against her. Leigh follows Erik to Norway and uncovers secrets that will alter the course of their love.Ms. Bellecera paints a vivid picture of a mature woman's grace and beauty, the age-old story of older woman, younger man, and she does it exquisitely against the backdrop of the beautiful Norwegian scenery. This is a rich emotional drama with many twists and turns. Leigh must overcome many trials to reach her happy ending. Pick up this book; you won't be sorry. Very highly recommended.

Can an Older Woman & Younger Man Find Happiness

Leigh Fallon is married to congressman Bob Fallon who is far more interested in his political career than his marriage or children. Bob has no time for her or their 3 children, and is constantly critical and has become impotent (at least towards Leigh). Leigh tries to find meaning and solace in her budding career as an illustrator of children's books, but Bob trivializes her accomplishments and constantly criticizes her. Erik, a 27 year old Norwegian exchange student, comes to stay with their family for a year, and Leigh, who is 40, finds herself inexplicably attracted to the gentle, handsome, blond psychology student. She tries to deny her feelings for him, but it is obviously a mutual attraction. When she eventually discovers that her husband has been having an affair with his young assistant, she succumbs to her passion for Erik and they begin a steamy affair. When Bob discovers her affair with Erik, he is outraged and indignant and forces her out of the home. The divorce is quick, and in order to prevent any further embarrassment to her children, Leigh agrees to move out of their home. The children are angry and alienated, and Leigh moves in temporarily with a friend in New York. She breaks off the relationship with Erik in order to spare her children any more discomfort and tries to rebuild her life. All this trauma and anxiety has occurred before the book is half over, so you know you're in for a long ride on this emotional roller coaster. Ellie moves back to Washington to be closer to her children, finds another wonderful, sincere man and falls in love with him, and discovers depths of strength and forgiveness that she never knew she had. Will she ever find again the passion and love that she experienced with Erik? You'll want to stay tuned until the end of this heartbreaking, heartwarming romance to discover the answer.

A Fresh perspective on May/December Romance

In her latest novel, East of the Sun, West of the Moon, Carole Bellacera swims against the tide of convention and explores the consequences of a middle-aged woman's love for a younger man. I thoroughly enjoyed this read! Tackling cutting edge subject matter, this talented writer treads where few authors of romantic fiction dare to travel. Set between Washington DC and Norway, Ms. Bellacera's depiction of the Norwegian countryside, customs and myth sweeps the reader into a winter wonderland of poignant beauty. Despite their family's shocked disapproval, society's mores and the ruthless manipulation of other characters, the protagonists, Leigh and Erik struggle to remain true to each other and themselves. It is, however, their own guilt and false assumptions that prove the greatest barrier to love. Ultimately, the affair strips away every shred of false ego and self-doubt to unlock their greatest personal truths. And isn't that what love is supposed to do? Without preaching, this compassionate story urges us all to look within and question our beliefs about right, wrong, psychological bondage and personal choice. Thank you, Ms. Bellacera, for your dazzling characters and fresh perspective on a May/October romance.

A beautiful love story

Leigh is married to a senior congressman. They have three beautiful children and a fantastic home in Virginia. Yet Leigh is totally miserable. Her husband is always on the run and never has time for her. The little time they spend together is celibate because he's impotent at least with her. Her esteem has sunk to an all time low when a postgraduate exchange student from Denmark stays with them for a year. From the time they set eyes on each other, Leigh and Erik have a red hot molten attraction for one another. Leigh resists going to bed with him until she finds some condoms in her husband's bag. She knows then that he is cheating on her because she had her tubes tied years ago. Thus Leigh and Eric have an affair but have much to overcome, including another woman, if they want to make a life together. Carla Bellacera has written a fabulous relationship drama in which people make bad decisions for the right reasons, a practice that leads to heartache for everyone concerned. EAST OF THE SUN, WEST OF THE MOON is a beautiful love story that will appeal to fans of Belva Plain and Laura van Wormer.Harriet Klausner

Riveting Read!

From Washington DC to the snow-capped mountains of Norway, East of the Sun, West of the Moon is a lush extravaganza you won't want to miss--or put down. The sexual tension between Leigh and Erik sizzles until it mounts to the breaking point. Their relationship, set amidst a cast of quirky and sometimes downright evil secondary characters, make this book a must-read. All in all, a riveting read! Ms. Bellacera keeps getting better with every book.