The hidden love child of a famous San Francisco madam, Vera knows what it is to be invisible. Occasionally summoned by her mother yet mostly ignored and raised by someone else, Vera is torn between wanting to hate her mother and her desperate need for her affection. Rose goes missing as the great earthquake tears through the city and it is Vera who must keep her little group of survivors safe. She is the one who takes charge in her mother's mansion, solves problems and eventually finds Rose. Vivid historical fiction that blends a disaster with a coming of age story. Carol Edgarian paints a truthful picture of old San Francisco from the glittering society to the corruption beneath the golden gates and the decimation left by the earthquake and fires. Vera is a character who will melt your heart and one that you will root for. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.

This is the story of Vera Johnson, a resilient young woman who has just turned fifteen. We find out that she is the daughter of a notorious madam and that her mother has parked her with a Swedish woman and her daughter so that she doesn't have to grow up in a brothel. The relationship between Vera and her mother, Rose, is complicated. Vera's drive for survival even at such a young age is something she shares with her mother, and when the earthquake of 1906 hits, she has to find her. Even though her mother has never been friendly, Vera needs to care for her. The earthquake and the recovery story are fascinating as the reader sees Vera overcome struggle after struggle. There are crooked politicians, good people, and a little romance. Great book!

I obtained this book from Net Galley and have left an honest review.

I loved loved loved this book! Great characters and a well written story set during the time of the San Francisco earthquake and it’s aftermath.
Read this book!

At 15 years old, Vera is leading a double life. As a young child, her mother Rose, a San Francisco madam, makes a deal with Morie, a widow. In exchange for money, food, gifts, Morie will raise Vera as her own alongside her daughter Pie. 3 times a year Vera meets with her mother. When a great earthquake levels San Francisco, Morie is left dead, and Vera and Pie make their way to Rose's house. Together, they must learn how to survive.

This book was very slow and plodding. The characters were not very likeable, and I found it hard to get into the story. At the beginning of each chapter, an older Vera put in her thoughts about events, which was very annoying. I don't want to read what an older version of a character thinks, I want to read what happened. Overall, not a book I would reread or recommend.

Vera is a girl who has two mother figures who take care of her but show no love. The biological mother in charge of a prostitute home and the newly widowed woman with a daughter paid by the other to raise her. A "sister" who pretends to care about her but actually does not. Dealing with her life seemed hard enough but then the earthquake hit in San Francisco and her life completely changed. It amazed me how Vera dealt with all the blows the earthquake brought. Vera grew up quickly and learned a lot about life. The author did a great job describing what she went through and the complexities of her relationships. There were quite a few characters I did not like which just made me like Vera even more. The book describes the corruption within the city well. I definitely recommend this book! Thank you netgalley for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This is a coming of age story in San Francisco, a city that through reinvention is constantly coming of age. The year is 1906 and the great earthquake and subsequent fire will force the people of San Francisco to make hard decisions for their survival. Vera is a fifteen-year-old girl who will choose her destiny – a combination of warring ideals of what she wants and what she needs to become master of her fate.

Vera’s pre-earthquake life was living (meagerly) with another young girl and her mother; Pie and Morie. Rose, the best and baddest madam of San Francisco’s finest bordello, is Vera’s mother. But for Rose, business came first, mothering was not in her skill set. So, she placed Vera with this duo for their financial consideration. But when the earthquake hits, all their world’s change into a scenario none has known before nor navigated.

Edgarian interlaces the story of this catastrophe with the real well-known figures of early San Francisco, the wealth, the graft, the fortunes to be made and lost. Vera has plenty of moxie and daring to push ahead, gain friendships of the right people, and form new, but tenuous bonds.

This reader connected more with the real denizens of the city, than the fictional ones. Minor characters seemed wooden. It was also hard to accept Vera as a hard-nosed teen able to scope out what to do next….for her own benefit and sometimes others. The fractured relationship between Rose and Vera showed that willpower and cleverness seemed to be a hereditary trait. Yet, neither character seemed compelling. This title is a good choice for those seeking a historical fiction novel with a feisty protagonist – those readers may be more satisfied. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this title.

It's 1906 in San Francisco, right before the big earthquake. Vera, the child of bordello madam Rose, has been placed with a widow and her daughter. Her guardian is a drinker and a gambler, and is dependent on the income she receives from Rose. Everything changes after the earthquake, and Vera at age 15 proves that she is a survivor. I found the characters unlikable and somewhat lacking in depth. I did find the setting of turn of the 20th century San Francisco interesting, and recommend this novel to anyone who is also intrigued by this time period. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.

VERA
BY CAROL EDGARIAN

This novel was such a pleasure to read and if I could award it one-hundred stars I would most definitely do so. Carol Edgarian has in my humble opinion written the finest coming of age historical novel's to thrill and delight adult audiences I have ever come across in my entire lifetime. From its beginning pages it attracted and held my interest and attention until I read the very last word. In Vera, Ms Edgarian has created a fifteen year old protagonist that both captivated and charmed me with her iron will spirit and courage. This was an elaborately invented character that in the face of adversity possesses noble qualities and is both confident and courageous with leadership skills that are plentiful in the aftermath of a catastrophe. I don't normally gravitate towards reading coming of age novels nor do I seek them out but Vera had my soul smiling with her wit out performing an ensemble of eclectic character's.

This is a novel exquisitely written for adult audiences and it is both epic and literary in its rich and lush descriptions. On April 18, 1906 an earthquake strikes killing hundreds and gravely wounding thousands. Vera is being taking care of by a Swedish woman named Morie who owes the haj a great deal amount of money. Morie's daughter, Piper whom goes by the name of Pie and Vera stumble their way out of the house miraculously surviving the devastation that has destroyed their house and all of those in their neighborhood. The roof caved in and Morie is killed being buried under the bricks, wood and stucco just like all of the rest of the houses in their community.

Vera and Pie who is older make their way by their horse to Vera's birth mother's mansion which is on Nob Hill a much higher terrain with only minor roof damage to both the lavishly furnished sturdier opulent home. The stables are where the beloved horse is put in a stall. Part of the stable's roof is also damaged and the horse breaks one of his legs and a man shoots the horse. Rose, Vera's birth mother who is a Madam is nowhere to be found. That same day Tan, Rose's servant who was just fired shows up with his father and his teenage daughter Lifang who are from Chinatown. Rose has a pantry filled with food and Tan sets up an outdoor cooking hovel and with his excellent culinary skills and spices quickly cooks all of the Roasts and before long has an endless line of displaced person's which are paying him for each plate of food. Tan is keeping all of the proceeds of the money and when Vera asks him about it he lies and empties his pockets showing her that he only has a few pennies. The air quality is poor with all of the fires burning from exploding gas lines in the lower downtown district and most of the city.

Vera depends solely on herself with her resources, mental sharpness, firmness of purpose and keen intelligence forging forward in an uncertain world after a devastating catastrophe. Charting her own course with her improbable new family who depend on her in a completely new way of life after the city's natural disaster I grew to love her. I doubt that I would be able to make the crucial decisions that Vera did establishing solving the challenges that she faced for searching for an indifferent mother and the risks that she took bringing Rose home and saving her life. My heart broke for Vera in not receiving the two most important loves of her life. In Vera, Edgarian brings forth a survivor whose quest is tested compassionately by con artists, thieves and liars.

Vera's story brings into existence remarkable and legendary characters to come to life. Enrico Caruso, corrupt Mayor Eugene Schmitz and his wife Pearl. Prominent tabloid celebrity Alma Spreckels. Vera's first love boyfriend and the love of her life, Bobby, the bold champion at the House of Protections who looks out for the orphans.

A story told without the hesitation of fear, with the insight of remaining open, honest, fresh and with the enterprise of inventiveness with keen intelligence. It encompasses the coming of age experience with an inquiry that examines the nature of sex, power and the courage whether being in pain or adversity an examination of the bravery that triumphs and heals. This is one of the the novels that I will be sure to purchase for myself, family members and my special friends who love good literary fiction with unforgettable heroine's. I highly, highly recommend Vera. It is only January but I am certain that this is going to be one of the best reading experiences that I have had in my life. I can't wait to read Carol Edgarian's other work who has been endorsed by James Salter who is an excellent Author who knows how to write fiction that reaches in and touches the human heart in all of us.

Publication Date: March 2, 2021

Thank you to Net Galley, Carol Edgarian and Simon & Schuster/Scribner for generously providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

#Vera #CarolEdgarian #Simon&SchusterScribner #NetGalley

This is a story set around the San Francisco earthquake of 1902. Interesting writing and descriptions of the devastation and the desperate struggle for survival. Vera is a take charge 15 year old that takes the lead in their fight. #Vera #CarolEdgarian NetGalley

I tried to get into this book knut it felt too flat and didn't hold my interest. I'm sure it's a delightful novel but just not for me.

In "Vera," Edgarian has provided a very unique view of life for those who survived the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. The main character (Vera), a 15-year-old illegitimate and unacknowledged daughter of the city's most popular madam (Rose), proves her mettle when she steps up and takes charge of family and employees when Rose is missing after the quake.

I was impressed by Vera's tenacity and resourcefulness, although it was a bit hard to believe that a relatively sheltered girl could be so capable in such a traumatic situation. Written in first person with an economy of prose, the author does a fine job of addressing Vera's coming-of-age, longing for her mother's love and attention, and her canniness in navigating a city attempting to right itself after such devastation.

The city itself is a major character and the descriptions were so vivid that I researched the historical quake, finding much of the information woven into the story is factual. It's quite amazing to me how many people still choose to make the Bay Area their home!

Thanks to Scribner & NetGalley for providing the ARC.

This book is great! Would definitely recommend. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

The year is 1906 and the city of San Francisco is leveled by an epic earthquake followed by a fire that burns for days and destroys everything in it's path. Vera Johnson is a 15 year old who is basically abandoned by her mother at an early age. Her mother Rose is a well-known madam at a prominent brothel who pays a single mother who has a daughter of her own to raise Vera. After the earthquake everyone - rich and poor - have lost everything. This story explores how some people did everything they could to take advantage of others and make a profit from their desperation while others showed how generous and truly kind they could be in helping each other survive in the darkest of times.

From the description I thought this book would be a good choice to read. At first, it began with promise but as I continued reading my interest waned. I couldn’t immerse myself in the story. I’ve read books on this topic before, but for some reason this story failed to captivate me. I struggled to finish the book and found it not to my liking. It was just was not for me.

“Vera” is the story of a strong, well-rounded character who has you rooting for her throughout the novel. Carol Edgarian draws upon extensive research of the “big one” — the huge earthquake in San Francisco in the early 1900s.

I knew very little about the San Francisco quake, and what little I did know was certainly not the human element that “Vera” so clearly describes. It felt as if I were living through a historical event as I read, rather than learning about it later.

Highly recommend this book of historical fiction. Thank you to @Netgalley for the early review copy.

I received this from Netgalley.com.

Vera Johnson survives the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and from the devastation she learns how to live.

Good story. Lots of real historical people intertwined into the story as well as facts of the era. The fictional characters were believable and the story flowed well.

3.25☆

Publisher sent me ARC,
I was excited to read Holiday hecticness stopped me from beginning
I started Jan 11, 2021; and what a way to start a new year to be transported back in time.
Back to the San Francisco Earthquake and fires.
Walking alongside Vera (meaning truth) who is unloved, believes she is a mistake and a throw away.
Feeling the aftershocks in this book and from this book!

Writing: 4/5 Plot: 5/5 Characters: 4/5

A wild coming-of-age story — Vera is the daughter of the Barbary Coast’s most successful (and infamous) Madam (Rose) and is raised by a “proper” Swedish widow (Morie) who lives on that income. At 15 Vera is a “scrawny and sharp-tongued girl” seething with a fervent desire for more: more time with her real mother, more options, more life. And then the 1906 San Francisco quake hits.

With a cast of unforgettable characters deployed across unforgettable scenes, we follow Vera through adventures during and after the quake and resulting fire (which burned 28,000 buildings and 500 city blocks). From Rose’s “gold house” on Lafayette Square to Chinatown to the many encampments for the suddenly homeless (400,000 people), the novel depicts the new mixtures of uppercrusters, corrupt politicians, wandering orphans, and the military with their overrun field hospitals — all adhering to their own sense of morality, loyalty, and their survival instinct.

Real life personalities Alma Spreckles, Abe Ruef, Caruso, and Mayor Eugene Schmitz (the quake occurring on the eve of his arrest on corruption charges) all play parts. The writing is full of details such as the ingredients in Dills cough medicine (chloroform and a heroin derivative). Completely brings to life the time and the place for a variety of characters with different backgrounds. Could not put it down.

I got an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I couldn’t put this book down! The book opens nine days before the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and our main character Vera’s birthday. Vera was placed in an adopted home when she was 2 and we meet her birth mom in the first few chapters, Rose. Rose is the head of a brothel. The entire book Vera is trying to figure out who she is and how she fits into Rose’s life. The entire book is from Vera’s POV and shows how the earthquake devastated the entire community and how her small area made it through. The ending made me realize I didn’t know what would happen to Vera but her ending made me smile. Highly recommend, I couldn’t finish it fast enough.

𝐀𝐧 𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬.

Vera makes no qualms about her blood, she is a mutt, a bastard and an almost orphan. Her mother Rose, a legendary Madam, birthed her but left the raising to a Swedish widow named Elsa. In doing so, this guarantees she will never become a hooker nor bear the stain of her mother’s sins. The earth is about to shake the ground beneath their feet and alter all their plans days after Vera’s fifteenth birthday in San Francisco 1906. With Rose’s blood running through Vera’s veins, she has two warring natures inside of her but which will win out?

Her mysterious mother Rose lives a lavish life in Pacific Heights within a great house of many rooms upon which Vera looks at with deep longing. The time she spends with her mother are rare, and all her wishes are centered on being with Rose. With Vera’s dark looks, it’s impossible to truly pass as Elsa’s daughter and Piper “Pie’s” sister. Rose’s life revolves around meeting the desires of men, in the oldest profession in the world and Vera’s father? Well, he’s not even a factor. Her loneliness is overwhelming, feeling like nothing more than “a madam’s mistake”, Rose’s great shame and yet there lies freedom in being a secret. Vera learns early in life that her mind is her greatest company, and is the very thing that will help her survive and thrive when their great city and its citizens crumble.

San Francisco and Vera could be the same entity, both inhabited by secrets, henchmen, painted ladies, sleazy politicians, and all manner of celebrity and scandal. Vera learns discernment is the name of the game early on, and works hard to earn her keep. Despite Rose’s attempts to see Vera become first class, Vera is oddly proud of what her mother has accomplished as a Madam of the brothel (off limits to her), running the best place downtown. If only she would stop sending Vera away, if only things began making sense. Rose is privy to everything happening in this fine city, from the belly crawling scum to San Francisco’s mayor, she has eyes and ears everywhere. She doesn’t suffer fools and in her own way is teaching Vera how to be strong, a survivor. Vera wants nothing more than to prove herself to her mother and by choosing to shamefully out a liar she proves even she has a price. She may never be as beautiful as her mother, but she can be smart…

There it is, she is not beautiful, a crushing truth but she will need her smarts to survive the destructive forces of the coming earthquakes of her long life.

Rose exemplifies the times and what a woman without many options resorted too. Rather than being beaten down or waiting to be rescued, she used her wits to climb out of ruin, reborn again and again. Her moves are full of calculations and ones that Vera can’t always comprehend. But there are hard lessons between want and desire she is bound to absorb. The Chinese man Tan, her mother Rose’s butler and cook is the kink in the chain, the cause of confusion and anger. Tan, her mother’s spy- the very man who, though resentful of Vera’s very existence, can sometimes be bribed into revealing secrets to her. He will play a far greater role in all their lives, despite their shared mutual hatred.

Vera is learning she isn’t as far removed from the rest of the filth as she once believed. Everything in life is a game, she learns this the night of the opera, a game she has to learn to play and this she does on the streets of the glorious city. A city that is an orchestra that the mayor controls. Just as she is chewing on thoughts of that night, the city cracks. Everything falls upon them and it is up to Vera to save both she and love-sick, heart-broken Pie. Vera has no choice but to lead the way.

Soon the city is alight with fires, the dead lay buried, and society is suddenly equal, at least in their devastation. Everyone is a target for criminals, Rose is nowhere to be found dead or alive, and Vera is motherless as always. There is no gas, no running water, no electricity, no food but some grit has entered her soul, and in Rose’s house she and Pie become squatters. No telling how long before the world will right itself, she grudgingly allows Tan into their lives again, but he isn’t alone. He has brought a beautiful girl with him. It is because of him that another usurps her place as her mother’s daughter, and it’s a crushing blow. Everything is burning, and follows suit with history. Nearly 500 city blocks destroyed in the span of 3 days. The Palace Hotel, Chinatown… everything engulfed. Vera is only 15 and full of pride, but she is about to grow up fast. How will it all end, where will this event take them all and will Vera reunite with her mother Rose? Will her mother always reside in her head, watching over her, there to impress?

Vera is first and foremost about reinvention, Rose was already planning her daughter’s future before her birth, deciding what path would be better, but never could she have predicted the forces of nature, the earth’s or her own child’s. The best laid plans and all that… nature, nurture, pride, class, love, lust, desire, all these things build a city and bring it down. Vera and the city of San Francisco are both rebuilt but each retain the memory of what the destruction cost them, regardless of how much time passes.

Yes, read it, it is engaging historical fiction.

Publication Date: March 2, 2021

Scribner