My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Madam of My Heart by Gini Grossenbacher
Publication Date: February 6, 2017
eBook & Paperback; 476 Pages
ISBN-13: 978-0998380605
Series: American Madams, #1
Genre: Historical Fiction/Victorian
"A debut historical novel that chronicles the struggles, loves, and joys of an exceptional madam in 19th-century America. Grossenbacher's book, the first in a planned series, dramatizes the early life and busy career of a woman named Brianna Baird. Grossenbacher's prose is both graceful and inventive. She absorbingly limns the various cities Brianna inhabits, from New Orleans and its 'web of Creole cottages, chaotic marketplaces, and secretive balconies, simmering outside her window, ' to the rowdy atmosphere of frontier-era San Francisco. The occasional marvelous metaphor will surprise readers, as when 'the truth hit Brianna like a badly aimed bowling pin.' This isn't just a novel for lovers of history's more prurient corners; it's for everyone who likes well-deployed language and intense stories. A seamier side of American history, engagingly told through one woman's unexpected adventures." -Kirkus Reviews, A Recommended Review
I usually don't read romance books, but this book intrigued me with its gorgeous cover and fascinating blurb. I was interested in the prospect of getting a romance book set in the middle of the 19-century, among brothels, madams, and scoundrels, with social injustice and evil man. And that book has it all.
Brianna Baird is a young woman taking advantage off by a man and is left pregnant and then is cast out on the street of Baltimore by her drunken father. Thanks to help from her sister and the local midwife and her husband who is a doctor can she get a passage to New Orleans and a boarding house for unwed mothers. However, life in New Orleans isn't easy and she finds herself destitute and then is when Madam Desalle tricks her into her brothel to work as a seamstress, at last, that's her hook, but if the Madam isn't pleased, well there are other things "to sell". Brianna has the good fortune to catch the eyes of gambler Edward Spina, a man who will change her life.
Now, the book had some ups and down for me, with some parts working better for me than other. For instance, I enjoyed the last part of the book, set in San Francisco the best, not that I did not enjoy the stories set in Baltimore and New Orleans. But, the San Francisco story had more action to it, more thrilling drama. The beginning in Baltimore, for instance, was good, but we all knew where Brianna's naivety would get her in the end. Although I have to give it to Brianna, I really felt sorry for her, hardly knowing anything about the risk of pregnancy other than sex is a sin.
So, all in all is this a good book and I bet romance readers will love it.
**********
I usually don't read romance books, but this book intrigued me with its gorgeous cover and fascinating blurb. I was interested in the prospect of getting a romance book set in the middle of the 19-century, among brothels, madams, and scoundrels, with social injustice and evil man. And that book has it all.
Brianna Baird is a young woman taking advantage off by a man and is left pregnant and then is cast out on the street of Baltimore by her drunken father. Thanks to help from her sister and the local midwife and her husband who is a doctor can she get a passage to New Orleans and a boarding house for unwed mothers. However, life in New Orleans isn't easy and she finds herself destitute and then is when Madam Desalle tricks her into her brothel to work as a seamstress, at last, that's her hook, but if the Madam isn't pleased, well there are other things "to sell". Brianna has the good fortune to catch the eyes of gambler Edward Spina, a man who will change her life.
Now, the book had some ups and down for me, with some parts working better for me than other. For instance, I enjoyed the last part of the book, set in San Francisco the best, not that I did not enjoy the stories set in Baltimore and New Orleans. But, the San Francisco story had more action to it, more thrilling drama. The beginning in Baltimore, for instance, was good, but we all knew where Brianna's naivety would get her in the end. Although I have to give it to Brianna, I really felt sorry for her, hardly knowing anything about the risk of pregnancy other than sex is a sin.
So, all in all is this a good book and I bet romance readers will love it.
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound
About the Author
California author Gini Grossenbacher was a successful high school English teacher until she abandoned grades and term papers, choosing to write historical novels instead. Now she leads small writing groups and coaches other writers. She loves researching the history behind her novels, and enjoys traveling to the setting where they take place. Her hobbies include needlepoint, nature walks, and Scrabble. She lives in the Sacramento Valley where she grew up, east of San Francisco. For more information, please visit Gini's website.You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads.
Blog Tour Schedule
Monday, April 16
Feature at Passages to the Past
Tuesday, April 17
Review at Pursuing Stacie
Interview at The Princess and the Pen
Wednesday, April 18
Review at A Book Geek
Guest Post at Let Them Read Books
Thursday, April 19
Review at A Bookaholic Swede
Friday, April 20
Review at Oh, for the Hook of a Book!
Saturday, April 21
Interview at Be Inspired By Books
Sunday, April 22
Review at Clarissa Reads it All
Monday, April 23
Review at Janice Mess
Guest Post at Just One More Chapter
Tuesday, April 24
Feature at The Lit Bitch
Feature at CelticLady’s Reviews
Wednesday, April 25
Excerpt at LadyJ’s Bookish Nook
Thursday, April 26
Review at Carole’s Ramblings
Interview at Donna’s Book Blog
Friday, April 27
Review at A Chick Who Reads
Monday, April 30
Review at Cup of Sensibility
Review at So Many Books, So Little Time
Giveaway
During the Blog Tour we will be giving away two copies of Madam of My Heart! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below.Giveaway Rules
– Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on April 30th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
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– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.
Madam of My Heart
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