Clark fondled his hat brim. “Tell me which shop, and I shall go find her.”
Chen clenched his teeth. “I think that is not a good idea,” he said.
Clark frowned. “Forever why not?”
Chen fell silent. . . .
Clark’s face reddened. “Chen, are you hiding something? Out with it, my man. Why would it not be a good idea?” He looked up at the ceiling, then let out a heavy sigh. . . .
Ah peered through the crack in the door. Chen was probably wondering if he should tell Clark the truth—or not. She watched him gaze at Clark whose lips pressed flat.
Then Chen broke Ah Toy’s rules for servants—again. . . . “I will face great trouble from my mistress for telling you this. You can never tell her how you learned this information.”
Clark leaned forward, sliding his chair closer. “Of course, Chen, your secret is safe with me.”
“She is to be married. She is out shopping for a wedding garment.”
Clark blinked rapidly. Was he trying not to show his surprise?
She held her breath for a moment. A debate raged inside of her: if she went to Clark, here and now, as she was sorely tempted, her risk was great. After his wife’s loss, Clark had already drifted away from her to New York. How could such a man be trusted?
Clark stiffened; his knuckles white around the rim of his hat. “She is going to wed?”
MADAM IN SILK is California teacher and editor Gini Grossenbacher’s second historical fiction novel. Her debut novel MADAM OF MY HEART garnered the 2018 IPPY silver medal for Historical Fiction; finalist in the 2018 American Fiction Awards for Historical Fiction; honorable mention at the 2018 San Francisco Book Festival for General Fiction; and runner-up in the 2017 Hollywood Book Festival for Genre Fiction. She is also a copyeditor and leads an aspiring writers group called Elk Grove Writers and Artists, providing lessons in novel writing, memoir, poetry, and flash fiction. When she’s not writing, Gini can be found taking long walks, tending the roses in her garden, and barbecuing with her husband and beloved dog, Murphy Brown.
Sounds like a great read, thanks for sharing and for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteThank you, James. This is a great beach or vacation read and the perfect birthday or anniversary gift, too! I appreciate your following my promotion. Cheers, Gini
DeleteSuch a beautiful cover too.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mary Preston! I had fun working on it with my designer.
DeleteThanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteWho is your favorite character from your book?
ReplyDeleteThat's hard to answer since I love my characters the way parents love their kids. That said, I enjoyed writing Chen's part of the story since he had such a sad background as a eunuch but he continued to support Ah Toy in all her challenges and was such a faithful friend.
DeleteThank you, #Andra_Lyn for hosting me and Madam in Silk today. Much appreciated and please let me know how I may return the favor. www.ginigrossenbacher.com
ReplyDeletethis sounds really good, thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteI love the excerpt and the cover is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is interesting that this book is based on the accounts about the life of Ah Toy, one of San Francisco's most legendary madams.
ReplyDeleteNancy
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