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Thursday, August 16, 2018

New Release -- THE RELUCTANT DEBUTANTE by Becky Lower

Book One of the Cotillion Ball Series

Beautiful Ginger Fitzpatrick wants nothing to do with New York City’s conventional society— after all, she is a bloomer-wearing suffragette who holds a position in her father’s bank! Her mother is determined her willful daughter must go to the popular Cotillion ball and look for a suitable husband during the “season”—and Ginger is given no choice.  But when she meets her brother’s best friend, handsome Joseph Lafontaine, the mysterious man sets Ginger ablaze with a mere glance—and gives her second thoughts about remaining single.

Joseph knows he can never have Ginger. He’s totally unsuitable as a husband for this spirited, cultured woman, for many reasons. He’s from the rough-and-ready Western city of St. Louis, and he’s her brother’s best friend. But there’s one thing he can never overcome: he’s a half-breed Ojibwa, forever tainted in the eyes of these high-society whites from the East. Despite the budding love between them, her family will never accept him.

Joseph returns to St. Louis, and months later, Ginger follows with her father to attend to banking business there. Through a twist of Fate, a deadly accident brings Joseph and Ginger together once more, and this time, neither will allow another separation. Can they find happiness together despite their different backgrounds? It’s all or nothing for THE RELUCTANT DEBUTANTE


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, considering that 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. 
     “George,” her mother stated calmly to her father, “you must relieve Ginger of her duties at the bank so I have time to teach her the rules of etiquette she’ll need for a full season of events. Dear Lord, I have only a couple months to cram in everything.”
     Astonished and stunned, Ginger turned to her father, hanging onto a thread of hope that her valued involvement at the bank would save her. 
     “Let me think about the best way to handle the shift in responsibility, darling. I’ll make sure Ginger is free by the end of the week.” He glanced at Ginger’s stupefied expression and reached across the table for her hand. “Perhaps we could also offer a reward of some kind. Possibly a trip to St. Louis if she gets through the season without incident?”
     He had actually smiled over the breakfast table at her. As if the allure of a trip would make everything all right. 

Kindle edition coming soon. 

9 comments:

  1. Becky, I loved this story so much--and what a great beginning to this wonderful series! You've surely created a fantastic cast of characters and exciting storylines, and this is the beginning of so many great tales of the Cotillion Ball and the Fitzpatrick family!

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  2. Oh, these books look right up my street. I'll be getting these! I love the heroine already.

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  3. Congratulations on the new series. The story sounds like you're starting with a bang. Best of luck. Doris

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  4. WOW! Congratulations, Becky. This sounds like it's sure to be a hit. I look forward to this one, and all others in the Cotillion Ball Series. Wishing you much success. I love that time period.

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  5. Becky,

    Congratulations!! Release Day is so fulfilling for an author. Your series premise offers interesting opportunities for all sorts of juicy plots.

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  6. I like the premise and the excerpt and look forward to reading this story which promises lots of conflict and challenges. Lovely cover and heroine. Congratulations and good luck with this series.

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  7. I am enthralled with your story line. The hero is fascinating with his Ojibwa lineage, and I like a heroine who isn't afraid to get her hands dirty and make good use of her intelligence.
    The cover is fantastic!

    Congratulations, Becky. I wish you tremendous success with THE RELUCTANT DEBUTANTE.

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  8. Thank you all, ladies. I tried to leave individual replies, but couldn't get it to work. This series is my all-time favorite. Each sibling has his or her own tale to tell, and weaving the stories with American history was so much fun.

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  9. It sounds wonderful, Becky. Congratulations on the release!

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