The Last Honest Seamstress

by Gina Robinson

THE LAST HONEST SEAMSTRESS
Seattle,1889--A frontier town filled with rough men and prostitutes who call themselves seamstresses.

SHE NEEDS A HUSBAND...
After too many business setbacks and unwanted marriage proposals, beautiful and ambitious Fayth Sheridan, a seamstress who actually sews for a living, desperately needs to find a husband of convenience. Now if she can only convince handsome sea captain Con O'Neill, the one man in Seattle who's shown no interest in her, that he's the one...

HE NEEDS TO WIN HER LOVE...
When Seattle burns to the ground, taking Fayth's shop with it, Con vows to do anything to protect her. Even marrying her before she falls in love with him. When he's forced to make a deal with Seattle's notorious madam, he risks losing everything, including any chance at love with the last honest seamstress in Seattle.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical Fiction, Historical, Ebooks, Fiction, Westerns

299 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 4, 2012

About the author

Romance addict. Hopeless daydreamer. People watcher. Total romantic at heart.

That's me. When I'm lost in a good book a nuclear bomb could go off next to me - I wouldn't flinch. I'm not afraid to read in public and laugh until my eyes water and my sides hurt. I'll cry at a tender moment. Dab my eyes when a couple finally realizes they're in love. Race with my heart pounding to the end of an adventure. Give me a little mystery – now I'm really intrigued.

I'll fall in love with a hot, witty hero any day of the week. Shhh. Just between you and me? My biggest turn-on? A man with a sense of humor. Let me melt now. I'm hooked.

Give me billionaires, modern-day dukes and royals. Give me hot, witty nerds, and intelligent men.

Marriages of convenience? Fake relationships? Second-chance romances? I'm in!

I write books that I want to read. That make me laugh. That make my heart race. If any of this sounds good to you, join me! If you want to be sure to hear when I have a new release, visit me at www.ginarobinson.com and sign up for my newsletter.

Reviews

[Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

At 65% I chose to skip to the last chapter. I just couldn't bear for one more bit of escalating trouble to land on their shoulders.

Although it was well written, I wanted to bang the H/h's heads together more than once.

In a way, it's my least favorite style of book. Anything that can go wrong, goes wrong in the most horrible fashion. And there's little to no relief until they're nearly down to their last penny, then they confess the love they've been hiding and suddenly the world is bright and right.

Still, it was a very interesting look at late 19th century Seattle and the history of how the underground came to be. From that perspective I enjoyed it very much.

Mixed review, I know. But if you love the agonizing pain of characters in downward spirals, then you'll adore this book.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.25 Stars. Right around the 70% mark the obstacles reach such heights that the book becomes absolutely ridiculous. Lack of communication is often overused in romance novels, but I don't mind it - much. But it became so ludicrous.

Also, usage of sewing euphemisms in the bedroom? Not sexy.

Despite having way too many tangled pieces in the plot, Robinson didn't lose any of them along the way. A few funny moments, a very 'readable' writing style. So, I would be willing to give another book of hers a chance - but probably just one.

[Marilyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing to say the least. The first third was good, the middle third completely collapsed into cheesy soap opera the last third picked up a bit but by then I was just too jaded.

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I typically really enjoy historical romances but this was just ok. There was a great deal of tragedy in this novel but there is a happy ending at least for the two main characters. The characters were well developed and interesting but sometimes the storyline dragged along and other times it went too fast. The ending and wrapping up everything at the end just seemed hurried along like the author realized here comes the end and have to wrap everything up super fast.

[Ina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did enjoy the story, the historical setting and details and most of the time also the relatable characters of this book, but at around three quarters I couldn't bear any more drama. Everything that can go wrong does, mostly due to the characters' stupidity, and after a while you just don't wish them to have a happy ending.

[Debbie · Rating 1 out of 5]

It started out not bad

But ran steadily downhill. The book showed some initial promise that sadly was short lived and culminated in a truly awful love scene. Would not recommend either book or author.

[Lois · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Characters, Great Setting

Good romance read with a twist of marriage for business.

The only regret was that it would have been a better ending to have Elizabeth get her baby and Coral find a new fulfilling business.

[Frannie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointed

A good story, but not for younger readers. The references to lust, arousal, bulges, etc were totally unnecessary for the development of the plot.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the start of this book, the middle lack of communication annoyed me and I wanted more of a wrap up at the end.

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written love story that is moving and hard to stop reading.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

long

This book is long and the main characters make the dumbest mistakes they’re each too proud to even have any common sense. don’t waste your time reading it.

[Amanda Hicks · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a hard book for me. I spent the first quarter of the book annoyed and irritated with the main character. The second quarter I still hated the main character, and enjoyed the love interest. The third quarter I was annoyed with both of them. The final quarter they became completely different people who I felt absolutely no connection to. The sex scene at the end was ridiculous and the book would have been just fine without it as it was just weirdly written.

The whole book was very descriptive with details (to the point where I often wanted people to shut up and get on with the point) and then the end quickly rushed through several days.

I just don't know.

[Jeffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set during the events of the great Seattle fire of 1889, beautiful newcomer Fayth Sheridan struggles to establish and grow her sewing business since her unhappy departure from Baltimore. Arriving in Seattle following the untimely deaths of her parents and the betrayal of her unfaithful husband-to-be and his ruin of her business, she desperately seeks capital but cannot obtain credit of any kind.

Single women are scarce in the Seattle market and Fayth is besieged with unwanted marriage proposals but seeks a respectable marriage of convenience only. She set her sights on handsome prosperous sea captain Con O’Neil who is probably the only man in Seattle who has never shown the least romantic interest in her.

However, Captain O’Neil secretly is attracted to Fayth and agrees to her unconsummated marriage proposal hoping to win her love. Following the disastrous fire which destroys Fayth’s business and Captain O’Neil’s vital shipping wharf, neither can borrow any further legitimate bank’s money to rebuild so both turn to the City’s wealthiest madam Lou Gramm.

Both Fayth and Con declare their dislike for dishonesty. However, an ironic trail of deceit builds between the two of them that is both amusing and confusing as they snoop into each other’s businesses, something they swore they would never do. Why? Their mutual financial well-being is vital to their survival and they selflessly try to secretly shore each other up. To muddle the proceedings even further, Fayth’s fickle fiancé shows up from Baltimore begging her to reconsider the possibility of their thwarted marriage. Complicating matters, kind-hearted Fayth seeks to rescue a young prostitute from Lou Gramm’s upscale house of ill-repute. As if it could not get any crazier, Fayth discovers the captain’s accountant has been embezzling his funds, thus jeopardizing their future.

Full of both romantic and financial tension, the story is a constant and harrowing struggle for survival as Seattle rebuilds from the destructive fire. The deceptive cover-ups perpetrated by both Fayth and Con are both risky and, at times, comical in their unintended consequences.

I dearly loved the courage and determination of Fayth as she struggled to succeed in a man’s world and likewise admired Captain O’Neil as he sought to protect and help Fayth while trying not to openly show his growing love for her. Likewise, Fayth realized she was falling madly in love with the good-natured confident and protective Captain, going directly against her marriage for convenience agreement. How long can she hold out against her magnetic attraction to the captain?

The author’s authentic and gritty account of the great Seattle fire adds tremendous historical interest and vibrancy to the romantic backdrop of the story. There were a couple of somewhat erotic encounters between the heroine and hero but timely interruptions thwarted them before they could sexually consummate their “marriage of financial convenience.” (Well, they WERE legally married weren’t they?)

In summation, this story grabbed my interest immediately and held it throughout to the end. It is one of the best historical romances I have recently read because of its unusual historical backdrop and the complex romantic relationship between the two principals. I highly recommend this thoroughly entertaining read.

[Cindy Woods · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I liked the author's writing very much, this is a little difficult for me to review. The plot is good and I definitely got into the storyline, but there was a little too much angst in this book. The main character is a woman scorned from a previous bad relationship and she has moved to Seattle to start a new life in 1880. She is a businesswoman/seamstress driven by her need to stay independent and succeed in her tailoring/dressmaking business. Due to very limited opportunities for women of business in this era, she decides she must find a husband who will agree to a business-only union so that she can finance her business and protect her interests.
This story is rich in early Seattle history and describes in detail the great Seattle fire that burnt out most of the businesses in 1881. It was done very well, and was very interesting.The man the heroine targets for her idea of a marriage/business arrangement is a sea captain who has previously frequented her shop for clothing needs.
The ensuing relationship between these two people has several obstacles.....a few too many, which made for too many misunderstandings. The book was very good otherwise, and I would readily recommend it to historical romance fiction fans. The history is great!

[Beverly McCall · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE LAST HONEST SEAMSTRESS is a historical western romance tale that is situated in Seattle in 1889. It pretty much follows the plot formula of the mail=order bride genre. However Robinson’s presentation is slightly different in that the main characters are brought together not through a mail order bride advertisement, but, out of the basic need of necessity. So, I guess it is more of an historical romance story.

Life at that time did not look favorably on an independent woman wanting to support herself without being captured in the bounds of matrimony. This was Fayth Sheridan. To keep her seamstress business alive and profitable, however, Fayth has to play the games that society dictates. In doing so, she comes up with a clever answer—an arranged marriage that is based on a business partnership—a marriage of convenience. The quest to fulfill this plan is the plot line that Gina Robinson employs. Using both financial and romantic tension to drive the plot line, the reader accompanies the main characters in their struggle. Aside from this struggle, Robinson also uses her strong and vivid characters to add to the plot line. Each main character is strong, courage and full of determination. Their driving motives, however, differ.

I felt that Robinson did a great job in conveying what life was like in Seattle in the 1890s and these details present a strong backdrop for this tale. She also presents strong supporting characters that definitely add tension to the plot line. There is also a continuing struggle with the seedier elements of 1889 live in Seattle and the double meaning behind the term, "seamstress." I definitely recommend this book to all readers who enjoy historical romance novels.

[Haley Whitehall · Rating 3 out of 5]

In 1899 Seattle prostitutes registered as seamstresses, but what does a woman do who REALLY is a seamstress? Unfortunately, the writing fell flat.. The external conflict was weak and all revolved around not having enough money for business, for friends, for love. While the heroine - the honest seamstress, and the hero - a sea captain - were both strong characters, but I never felt connected to them. The book had little suspense and had a slow pace`- I could skip many pages. It was a book I could put down easily and return to later. I guess I was never really hooked, but I kept reading because the historical detail. I would have liked more scenes from the madam's point of view. There was never really a strong villain and I think she could have spiced up the story. The romance was laughable at times and sweet at times... not the romance I was looking for.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellant book by Gina Robinson.

It starts off a little slow but once you get into you have to finish it just to find out what's going to happen next. Fayth Sheridan finds herself locked up with prostitutes in a local jail because she happened to be in the wrong area at the wrong time. She is outraged and keeps trying to tell the police that she is a seamstress (not knowing that was the name for whore..lol). She gets out when the Madame comes to get her girls and the Madame tells Faythe that she will owe her favor.

Con O'Neill is a man who has fallen madly in love with Faythe so he buys shirts that a ship captain has no need for just to look at her. The eventually get together but not until after many trials and tribulations.

Like a said an excellant book to read if you like historical romances.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has the makings of a classic tale, with epic storytelling and believable characters, that you just fall in love with or hate in equal measure depending on their bent.

I always find the quality of the writing can be judged on the ability of the author to turn the characters of the written page in to living, breathing people that you can actually invest in and worry about how it will turn out for them.

This author managed to do exactly that, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend you read this 5 star gem for your reading delectation. Personally, I can't wait to read other stuff she has produced, and won't mind paying for them!




In case I didn’t mention this was a Free Kindle Download at the time (see my blog www.toodlesbookclub.blogspot.com for daily selections of free downloads).

[Dee-Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this historical romance which was set in Seattle in the ? late 1800s sometime. The ending was a bit predictable and the moralistic views of the heroine was a bit overbearing at times, but could see where she was coming from. The speliing of the name 'Fayth' bothered me a bit int hat it seemed like the modern spelling - but then again it may have been around.

The pumping scene got to me --- wasn't sure if I was dealing with a seamstress, a seamstress according to the other defintion in the book or a plumber.

Other than that ... enjoyable!

[Jina Howell-Forbes · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story was simplistic and bland. It was a whole book of mis-communication, lies, secrets, deception and hurt feelings. Then at the end everything is revealed, and they all live happily ever after. I chose to read the book because it is historical fiction, and set just 50 miles from where I live. But there was very little actual history,(except for dress and moral norms), and very little about Seattle, other than the fact that it is a port city. It was very dry reading, with little to cheer about or cry about.

[Nancy Goldberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book wasn't bad, but toward the end the author did something that Ill never forgive her for (if I tell, it's a spoiler). Also, I had to skup some scenes when the fire took place -- they were too realistic to a person who lost her home and most possessions in a fire.

Sometimes the book moved a little too slowly.

I liked Fayth and Con, and how their marriage began to seem real. I liked some of the secondary characters.

[Lisa C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the setting of 19th century Seattle. It was a great picture into the fire and subsequent rebuilding of the area. As for the characters, I loved the Captain and Fayth had potential if she didn't try to hard to be someone she wasn't.

The plot was entertaining but I found it to be confusing at times with all the different stories and deceit going on by so many different people. This was a typical story of poor communication between key characters.

[Cary · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are so many books that base their whole premise on dishonesty or at least not telling the other protagonist the truth out of fear or some other reason. This book, despite the title does the same thing! They love each other but aren't going to be the first one to say it and hence trouble and misunderstandings ensue. Also honesty in what they were doing would have been refreshing... but that being said I did like the characters and the plot was different.

[Carolyn Bunkley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Average period romance. It's a quick read, and the characters are engaging. The story line was a cut above what I've come to expect.

The love scene was priceless. I happen to love the lusty metaphors used in romance novels, and these were hilarious. His "little man" was mentioned before the Big Act, which made me snicker. but the sewing metaphors used had me laughing out loud.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Misunderstandings abound

I loved this novel, though at times the stress from misunderstandings and lies almost overwhelmed me to the point I had to stop reading. I smiles quite a few times at some of the teasing and jokes. I would definitely be interested in reading more novels by this author.

[Meg · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.7* I did enjoy the setting and historical background, the characters and the plot, but I did feel at one time that the story was beginning to drag. I left it for a day or two and then came back to it refreshed and finished it happily. It was a very believable slice of Seatlle life, and who knew that women had the vote and it was taken from them! I love being surprised by a factoid.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this story although I found a few parts frustrating and unbelievable (did they really paint graffiti on walls back then?). I liked the characters. The story has some unexpected twists and turns and overall was interesting to read. I'd recommend it. I read it on my Kindle.

[Mermarie]

"The Last Honest Seamstress"...tsk tsk..sigh. That's before build-a-boob and booty bump paddin' made its way onto the seamstress's request form. Long, long ago, when they still had integrity......


Lolzy.

[Afton Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great historical romance with perfect bits of detail about Seattle in the late 1800's, including the great fire and the rebuilding of the city. The only downfall was the super awkward "sewing" metaphors in a scene towards the end. Gah!

[Blackravens Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ms. Robinson does a great job of introducing the reader to a bevy of characters that are very likable and as I stated before, she does an excellent job of grabbing the reader’s attention.Read More...