Welcome to my stop on the The First Emma blog tour sponsored by Suzy Approved Book Tours! Thank you to Suzy for the invitation!
About the Book:
Inspired by true events
1914 – Young bride Emma Koehler dreams of a happy marriage and a simple life with her husband, but her hopes are quickly dashed by Otto’s obsession with his business. Though they become one of the wealthiest couples in the country – a fortune made on beer, mining, and hospitality – Emma is lonely in their stone mansion, unable to have children and unable to keep his attentions at home. When a tragic accident changes everything, Otto presents a new betrayal – and Emma must choose between loyalty and independence in a world that demands convention.
1943 – Mabel Hartley flees Baltimore after the war leaves her broken and alone. She answers the advertisement of a dying woman in San Antonio, with an urgent plea to come write her memoirs. In Emma Koehler, Mabel discovers astounding resilience – a pioneer who weathered personal devastation and navigated her large brewery through the storm of Prohibition. Soon Mabel realizes that Texas holds more for her than this new friendship. Romance blooms even as she’s given up on love, and an unexpected phone call gives her hope that not all goodbyes are final.
The First Emma is a moving story of love, hope, and murder that captures one woman’s journey to make her mark on history and another’s desire to preserve it.
My Thoughts:
The First Emma has two timelines. The first includes Emma Koehler, a wealthy newlywed living in 1914 with her husband, Otto. She’s lonely as her husband works and philanders. There’s an accident and another betrayal, leaving Emma forced to decide whether she’ll stay or go.
The second time takes place in the 1940s as Mabel Hartley leaves Baltimore with a broken heart. A terminally ill woman in San Antonio placed an ad for someone to write her memoirs, and Mabel accepted. The ad was written by Emma Koehler.
The First Emma is the story of two powerful and formidable women, each in their own ways resilient and inspiring. I learned so much about these two time periods from Mabel and Emma’s perspectives. The storytelling drew me in from the start.
Overall, I highly recommend this beautiful book to my friends who love stories of strong women in history. I’m so grateful these stories are being told.
I received a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
About the Author:
She appreciates you stopping by, and welcomes you to reach out and share a love of books!
Facebook: www.facebook.com/camilledimaio.author
Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/camil…
Instagram: www.instagram.com/camilledimaio
Have you read The First Emma, or is it on your TBR? Happy Reading! ~ Jennifer THR
Lovely picture, wonderful review, and blog tour, Jennifer! I enjoy stories about strong women and added this one to my tbr. Happy Thursday! ❤️📚🌹😘💕
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Thanks so much, Virginia! I think you’d enjoy this beautiful book! Hope you had a great Thursday! ❤️
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I love dual timelines and I’m fascinated by the idea of telling a story through a memoir😁
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It was an intriguing way to write this one, Tammy!
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Sounds like another wonderful find.
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Thank you, Marialyce! I enjoyed it!
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Excellent review, Jennifer💜 This sounds like a powerful story.
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Thanks, Jonetta! It definitely was! ❤️
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This sounds fascinating! Great review!
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Thanks, Anne! It was so well done!
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This sounds great!
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I loved it, Carol!
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I also enjoyed this novel.
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I’m happy to hear it!
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I love duel timelines. This sounds fantastic!
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Thank you, Lily! I really enjoyed this one!
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I love the sound of this one, Jennifer. I always love stories written in two in two timelines and I feel like this story will have some strong female characters. Very interested to read this one and added to my list!
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I really enjoyed this one, LP! It’s such a standout read!
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Stories about strong women in history? SOunds fantastic! Great review, Jennifer! A gorgeous picture once again! I notice you have that book placement thingy 🙂 And I wanna live in your garden!
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Thanks so much, Jee! That is a bookmark stand! It holds your place for you at night! I loved this book!
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I need to meet the two women too. Wonderful review.
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Thanks, Diana! I hope you get a chance to!
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This book is not even on my radar Jennifer. I need to see if my library has it. I love learning about different times in history, especially how they affect women. Great review.
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Thanks so much, Carla! I hope you get a chance to check it out! It made me want to read all the other books by this author!
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Sometimes that is dangerous to the TBR. 😆😆
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