In 1855 New York, Ginger Fitzpatrick has no interest in participating in the newest rage in high society--The Cotillion Ball. That is, until she meets a handsome stranger who has her questioning her staunch beliefs that marriage and feminine equality can't go hand in hand.
Ginger Fitzpatrick would rather be working alongside Amelia Bloomer to campaign for women's rights rather than participate in the current craze among affluent New Yorkers--the Cotiliion Ball, imported from Europe as a means to introduce eligible young ladies into society and to their prosopective partners. Her mother, however, has other plans, since there are six female siblings in the family, all of whom will need a spouse sooner or later. Ginger must take her place at the Cotillion in order to pave the way for her younger sisters to make their own marks. This is the first book of a series.
Excerpt
Ginger Fitzpatrick was in a pickle, that much was certain.
Her mother took her by surprise at breakfast by announcing to the family that Ginger would participate in the Cotillion ball two months hence. While her younger sisters squealed in excitement, Ginger couldn't find her voice to object to her mother's idea. She knew she must, since her father was known to grant every wish his wife had, but Ginger could only stare in confusion. And that wasn't the worst of it.
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Reviews for "The Reluctant Debutante"
Reviewed by Amanda Shalaby
6/12/2012
Becky Lower’s The Reluctant Debutante is a well-researched, richly drawn portrait of 1855 America that intertwines a number of historical events and persons with a very romantic and sensual tale. Vastly entertaining, with a fabulous tie-in to the famous Gasconade Bridge train disaster, Lower skillfully constructs a story full of challenges, betrayals, love and enduring friendships that has a way of pulling you into her character’s lives and wanting more. All in all, The Reluctant Debutante is a portal to another time that held my attention from beginning to end!
Reviewed by Patricia Lynch
6/11/2012
Becky Lower has brought Ginger Fitzpatrick to life in the historical romance of "The Reluctant Debutante". This book is riveting and I found it hard to put down. Ginger is not at all impressed with the Cotillion Ball, even thought her younger sisters are all atwitter about it. Ginger would rather be doing what society would not approve of, from suffragette movements to relocating to the frontier from her prim and proper home in NYC. This is truly a story that uses actual historical facts to build on. Becky Lower has done an impressive job of portraying a loving family who only wants what is best for their daughter. I can't wait to read the sequels.
Becky Lower’s The Reluctant Debutante is a well-researched, richly drawn portrait of 1855 America that intertwines a number of historical events and persons with a very romantic and sensual tale. Vastly entertaining, with a fabulous tie-in to the famous Gasconade Bridge train disaster, Lower skillfully constructs a story full of challenges, betrayals, love and enduring friendships that has a way of pulling you into her character’s lives and wanting more. All in all, The Reluctant Debutante is a portal to another time that held my attention from beginning to end!
Reviewed by Sharon Lee Fernberg
6/5/2012
Talented and gifted author Becky Lower has taken a love of history and words and woven them into a beautiful tale of family, love, suspense and true historical events taking place from NYC to St. Louis, Missouri. At a time when most women want to attend a Cotillion Ball to meet that special someone, the heroine, Ginger, has to relent to her parents' wishes if she wants her own way. "The Reluctant Debutante" captivated this reader from the very beginning until the last page, and knowing that this is the first novel in The Cotillion Series, I look forward to reading each and every one to come. Ms. Lower is sure to become a best selling author when it comes to historical romance, and any other genre that she puts her words to.
Reviewed by Karen Newstead
6/4/2012
I stayed up until 2 a.m. reading "The Reluctant Debutante" in one sitting. Ginger thought she wanted to be a woman's activist and an employee in a man's world but because of the rules of society at that time, her parents made her promise to attend the Debutante's Cotillion to introduce her to the right men of society. Becky Lower did a superb job keeping this reader in suspense as to who would be the proper man for Ginger. Even though society wouldn't approve, her parents love and understanding of their daughter played an integral part in this book! I can't wait to read the sequels!
Zara’s Bois:
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