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“American Gilt – Début” (Vol 1)

"This was the best gilded age novel I have read in such a long time." – Ted M.
"I literally could not put this book down! I felt like I’d been transported to another time." – Amy H.
“You will get hooked”

Based on a true story from the Gilded Age.

Newport, R.I. 1880 - American débutante Sara Swan Whiting has been trained for one purpose: to marry well into society. Together with her friends, Carrie Astor and Edith Jones (Wharton) Sara débuts into society and is introduced to the bachelor’s of New York’s wealthy families, hoping to find the perfect marriage.

‘Ethereally beautiful’ and ‘the spirit of the ball’, Sara garners many suitors. But none steal her heart, until destiny steps in and she is introduced to Oliver Belmont, the handsome son of financier August Belmont.

Sara begins courting the handsome Mr. Belmont. While on an afternoon outing Oliver spontaneously proposes marriage, breaking protocol by not getting his parents approval first. Sara accepts the proposal – only to discover his parents disapprove of the match.

What develops is a story that will transport you through time as ‘American Gilt – Début’ unfolds. With information gathered from letters, historical newspapers and personal interviews, J. D. Peterson weaves a compelling tale based on the true account of the Belmont-Whiting Scandal of 1883.

(Previously published as "SWAN SONG - The Vocation of Marriage”)