01 April 2014

Today's Read: Madam by Cari Lynn and Kellie Martin

Madam by Cari Lynn and Kellie MartinWhat would you do if your sole means of support was going to be deemed illegal? In 1897, Mary Deubler faced this problem, finding a way not only to survive but to thrive by complying with the morality regulations of New Orleans. She moved her business to Storyville.

I come from a long line of whores.

In my nine decades on this earth I have never uttered these words, let alone seen them written, in my own hand, indelibly staring back at me. But now, as a summer storm rages strong enough to send the Pontchartrain right through my front door, I sit with a curious sense of peace and clarity. My past is more than just my own history. Although this story shames me in so many ways, it is the legacy I leave. I must embrace the very truth I spent my life denying.
Madam: A Novel of New Orleans by Cari Lynn and Kellie Martin (Penguin Random House / Plume, 2014, prologue, uncorrected proof)

Quick Facts
  • Setting: Storyville, the red-light district of New Orleans, at the turn of the twentieth century
  • Circumstances: Common prostitute Mary Deubler's transformation into the successful and powerful Madam Josie Arlington
  • Characters: Mary/Josie; her brother & his wife; voodoo queens & underworld figures; morality crusaders; fellow whores; musicians, actresses, & politicians
  • Genre & themes: historical fiction; period details (food, drink, music); politics; morality; race relations; women's choices
  • Miscellaneous: based on a true story; book contains period photos, postcards, and broadsheets; well researched
  • Authors: Cari Lynn is a journalist and nonfiction writer; Kellie Martin is an actress and television writer
ISBN-13: 9780142180624
Copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads, all rights reserved (see review policy).

23 comments:

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea 4/1/14, 7:02 AM  

Love the intro and definitely plan to read this one. Great pick.

Unknown 4/1/14, 7:14 AM  

Kind of an abrupt intro. Not sure if I would keep reading this one.

rhapsodyinbooks 4/1/14, 7:30 AM  

Sounds interesting to me!

Juli Rahel 4/1/14, 7:37 AM  

This sounds really good! I love New Orleans and have always wanted to go there, it just has so much history. Thanks for sharing :) hope you have a good week!
My Teaser Tuesday
Juli @ Universe in Words

Paulita 4/1/14, 7:40 AM  

I like the sound of that one. Hope you enjoy it. Here's Mine

Kim@Time2Read 4/1/14, 7:58 AM  

It's caught my interest. I'd keep reading.
I'm spotlighting Mrs. Lincoln's Rival today.

Man of la Book 4/1/14, 8:07 AM  

Agree with previous posters, the first line would have made me pick up the book.

http://www.ManOfLaBook.com

Daryl 4/1/14, 8:59 AM  

i am intrigued .. especially as i recall Kellie Martin from Life Goes On

Beth Hoffman 4/1/14, 10:20 AM  

I'd keep reading for sure! I've had this book on my list since I first heard about it.

Nise' 4/1/14, 10:56 AM  

The first sentence is an attention grabber.

Literary Feline 4/1/14, 11:46 AM  

The opening of Madam really drew me in and makes me want to know more. I especially like the line:

"My past is more than just my own history."

Sandra Nachlinger 4/1/14, 12:22 PM  

I'm fascinated! Love the setting. I'll read this one for sure.
My Teaser is from WITHOUT A TRACE.

Karen and Gerard 4/1/14, 1:42 PM  

Guess we have different taste in books today--this one doesn't appeal to me.

Alice Audrey 4/1/14, 2:48 PM  

That sounds like quite the book. Great teaser.


My teaser is here.

Sarah (Sarah's Book Shelves) 4/1/14, 2:57 PM  

This sounds so interesting! And I love that it's set in New Orleans.

Here's Mine: http://www.sarahsbookshelves.com/fiction/first-chapter-first-paragraph-tuesday-intros-black-chalk-christopher-j-yates/

Unknown 4/1/14, 3:22 PM  

I love those kind of stories and the writing is enticing, I would continue.

Anonymous,  4/1/14, 4:06 PM  

Sounds like an interesting read.

Heather 4/1/14, 4:33 PM  

An interesting and intriguing intro. My teaser: The Perfect Hope

Margot 4/1/14, 8:28 PM  

The first paragraph grabbed me and made me want to know more. I'd like to read this one.

kayerj 4/2/14, 1:21 AM  

an interesting way to begin your own story--dealing with the truth. Thanks for stopping by today. kelley—the road goes ever ever on

Leslie (Under My Apple Tree) 4/2/14, 2:52 AM  

Sounds good, I would keep reading.

Anonymous,  4/2/14, 3:32 AM  

The last line is so powerful.

Thanks for stopping by. I read all comments and may respond here, via e-mail, or on your blog. I visit everyone who comments, but not necessarily right away.

I cannot turn off word verification, but if you are logged into Blogger you can ignore the captcha. I have set posts older than 14 days to be on moderation. I can no longer accept anonymous comments. I'm so sorry if this means you have to register or if you have trouble commenting.

Copyright

All content and photos (except where noted) copyright © cbl for Beth Fish Reads 2008-2020. All rights reserved.

Quantcast

Thanks!

To The Blogger Guide, Blogger Buster, Tips Blogger, Our Blogger Templates, BlogU, and Exploding Boy for the code for customizing my blog. To Old Book Illustrations for my ID photo. To SEO for meta-tag analysis. To Blogger Widgets for the avatars in my comments and sidebar gadgets. To Review of the Web for more gadgets. To SuziQ from Whimpulsive for help with my comments section. To Cool Tricks N Tips for my Google +1 button.

Quick Linker

Services

SEO

  © Blogger template Coozie by Ourblogtemplates.com 2008

Back to TOP