WTF Are You Reading?: HFVBT Presents: Madam In Silk + Giveaway

Madam in Silk by Gini Grossenbacher

Publication Date: July 15, 2019

JGKS Press

eBook & Paperback; 476 Pages

Series: The American Madams, Book 2

Genre: Historical Fiction

San Francisco,1849. Despite her objections, twenty-year-old Ah Toy and her servant Chen voyage from China to San Francisco with her husband who dies on board ship. With little cash and bound feet, how is she to find employment in the Gold Rush town? Since she is the only Chinese woman there, she opens a "Lookee Shop," catering to miners who pay in gold dust to see her exotic beauty. As her notoriety grows, so does her attraction to the devoted policeman, John Clark. Yet should she put her faith in one man? Will their love survive despite her frightening encounter with Sydney Ducks, threats from rival madam Li Fan, and a tempting offer from Henry Conrad who promises her wealth and security? Armed with her mystical beliefs of the inner dragon and Goddess Mazu, Ah Toy faces much more than the journey from the ancient ways in China to the new world in America. In fact, she must find the true source of courage in a life or death struggle for her own fate, justice, and dignity. Based on page-turning accounts about the life of Ah Toy, one of San Francisco's most legendary madams.

"Readers were effusive in their praise of Gini Grossenbacher's dynamic debut novel Madam of My Heart, based on the life of the infamous brothel owner Belle Cora. This, the prequel to her American Madams Series, is inspired by the life of a beautiful young Chinese woman of high birth brought to California against her will. She was able--and willing--to do whatever it took to find security and fortune in Gold Rush San Francisco. Madam in Silk is this year's exciting addition to historical fiction." -Cheryl Anne Stapp, Author of Disaster & Triumph: Sacramento Women, Gold Rush Through the Civil War

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound

My Thoughts

It is often an undeserved consequence of infamy. That the person at the center of it becomes defined by it. At the cost of any acknowledgement of who and what they may have been before.

As might have been the case for "Gold Rush madam," Ah Toy

If not for the masterful wordsmithing and meticulous attention to detail given to her story by authoress, Gini Grossenbacher.

Through vividly descriptive phrasing. Settings so alive they seem painted with an artist's brush. And characters brimming with both emotion and motive.

Ms. Grossenbacher seems to effortlessly transport readers directly into the life of Ah Toy.

A woman scared and alone. Fresh off the boat from China. Who finds herself thrust headlong into a world she never asks for. Nor understands.

A world that is in no way a place for an Asian woman.

But a world in which she is determined to make her own way.
No matter the costs.
The world of Victorian era California's gold rush.

This is by no means a story for the faint of heart.
A story filled with equal parts institutionalized racism, bigotry, an misogyny. And triumph, pluck, and success.
This tale is one that makes readers believe in the true indomitability of the human spirit.
And the sheer force of nature who is both the woman, Ah Toy. And the Madam in Silk.

*This is the second offering in a related stand alone collection.
It is highly recommended that all books in this series be enjoyed in their entirety.

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, September 23 Review at Gwendalyn's Books
Wednesday, September 25 Excerpt at Chicks, Rogues and Scandals
Friday, September 27 Review at Reading is My Remedy
Feature at CelticLady's Reviews
Monday, September 30 Review at WTF Are You Reading?
Tuesday, October 1 Review at Books In Their Natural Habitat
Thursday, October 3 Excerpt at What Is That Book About
Friday, October 4 Interview at Passages to the Past
Monday, October 7 Review at Passages to the Past
Thursday, October 10 Review at @jypsylynn
Review at my.boys.mom
Friday, October 11 Review at Broken Teepee

Review at Coffee and Ink

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour, we are giving away a paperback copy of Madam in Silk! To enter, please use the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules – Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on October 11th. You must be 18 or older to enter. – Giveaway is open internationally. – Only one entry per household. – All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion. – The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen.