Gini Grossenbacher

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 downs for me, with some parts working better for me than others. 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.… (altro)

I am thoroughly enjoying my efforts in reading more books about American history. Most of my historical fiction has been in the realm of the English and French kingdoms. This year I have I have tried to stay on this continent. Madam in Silk tells the tale of Ah Toy, one of the first Chinese women in San Francisco. The novel is based on a real woman who came to San Francisco, lost her husband on the way over, and managed to become a wealthy woman. There are also records of her fighting for herself and for her business interests. The book was very well written and hard to put down, I just had some issues with the lionizing of a woman who basically subjugated other women to create her wealth. Ms. Grossenbacher has a series of books about Madams. I don’t dispute her skill as a writer, I just wonder why she has chosen to highlight these women.

Ah Toy leaves China with her husband and companion/friend Chen. Her husband dies en route and when she lands she finds that the man whom had promised them jobs now has no jobs for them. He encourages her to return to China but she knows that if she does that she will be forced to marry her brother in law. That will only continue the abuse she suffered while married to her husband. She is determined to be free. But with little money, few skills and bound feet what can she do? She opens a “lookee” shop where men will pay to see her naked. One of her first customers is a police officer who forms an attraction to her and Ah finds herself liking him very much as well. Soon her business is booming and this brings her some unwanted attention.

Her brother in law has not forgotten her and sends someone to kidnap her but the plot is foiled. In order to stay on the good side of the local Chinese bosses she agrees to expand her business and open a brothel. As she navigates the changing times in the city, the anti-immigrant feelings that are growing and the threat from China Ah finds herself trying to also find love. Two men have expressed feelings for her but one has lied to her and other does not make her heart flutter. After her bad marriage in China does she want passion or security?

This was a detailed and descriptive book about life in San Francisco during the gold boom. Ms. Grossenbacher brings the city to life from the gritty port area to the shanties of little Canton. Her research shows in her depiction of the roving bands of thugs and the newly formed Vigilantes formed by the police to help keep the thugs in line. It was a time of great growth and much lawlessness. Ah Toy was a strong woman dealing with a raft of issues in a country that was completely alien to her. One has to respect the courage that took. It’s just sad that she felt that the only avenue open to her was the sex trade.

It’s a book that grabs you from the beginning and keeps you immersed until the very end.… (altro)