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First Emma
First Emma | Camille Di Maio
8 posts | 7 read | 9 to read
Camille Di Maio's fifth novel THE FIRST EMMA is the true story of Emma Koehler, whose tycoon husband Otto was killed in a crime-of-the-century murder by one of his two mistresses--both also named Emma--and her unlikely rise as CEO of a brewing empire during Prohibition. When a chance to tell her story to a young teetotaler arises, a tale unfolds of love, war, beer, and the power of women.
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MargaretPinardAuthor
First Emma | Camille Di Maio
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Pickpick

I‘ll be chatting with author Camille Di Maio about her #dualtineline #histfic THE FIRST EMMA, which was a very good read.
Anyone else like strong women? Texas beer? Women standing up for themselves? Happy homecomings?Sweet love stories? 🤗
https://www.youtu.be/W-V4AZ6T2c8

review
marleed
First Emma | Camille Di Maio
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Mehso-so

I wanted to ‘pick‘ this book since this post background is shot from my former balcony where for 5 years I watched the old Pearl Brewery transform into the incredible Hotel Emma. Unfortunately, this story did not match my idea of Emma Koehler, so in frustration I skipped to the author‘s note. With that, I could read on - my perception intact! This book is much more about fictional characters inspired by Emma K than mysterious Emma herself.

72 likes2 stack adds
blurb
marleed
First Emma | Camille Di Maio
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I‘m just starting the tagged but for anyone else who is reading, read, or has on their TBR, I thought I‘d share with you a picture of the signature drink at Sternewirth Tavern inside the unbelievably gorgeous boutique Hotel Emma. Have I tried it? Well, yes I have! Was it easy to maintain balance following the second one? Next question, please :)

MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm It looks tasty! 🤤 5y
marleed @Bookwyrm42 My friend and I laughed that we spent so much on such a small drink. But was it really as good as we thought!? So we had to go for a second round. Yep it was that good. We were sitting in the balcony area. When we stood up to leave, I quickly realized my balance was wonky. I‘m not one to over drink so I was trying hard to maintain my grace and dignity as I descended the stairs! 5y
MegaWhoppingCosmicBookwyrm @marleed Oh goodness, stairs were involved? 😬 I‘m very glad you lived to tell the tale! 😜 5y
61 likes3 comments
review
MaidaMalby
First Emma | Camille Di Maio
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Pickpick

Well-crafted and evocative, it transported me to 1940s San Antonio.

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Reecaspieces
First Emma | Camille Di Maio
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Pickpick

Review is up on my blog. Check it out. This is a good one. https://reecaspieces.com/2020/05/23/the-first-emma-by-camille-di-maio-suzyapbook...

review
SilversReviews
First Emma | Camille Di Maio
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Pickpick

Wanting her story to be told, Emma Koehler puts out an ad for a journalist to write her book.

Wanting to escape Baltimore, Mable applies and lands the job even though she isn't a journalist.

You will immediately be drawn into the life of Emma, the brewery, and the time period.

A marvelously researched book with characters you will love.

A book you won't want to miss. 5/5

FULL REVIEW: https://tinyurl.com/ydgnquos

47 likes2 stack adds
review
Crazeedi
First Emma | Camille Di Maio
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Pickpick

Thanks to #netgalley and #WyattMackenziePublishing for the opportunity to read and review #TheFirstEmma.
Pub date 5/5/2020
The First Emma is the beautifully written story of Emma Koelher, widow of Otto Koehler, founder of San Antonio Brewing Association/ Pearl Brewing company. The book is based on true events.
Emma is the long suffering wife of Otto, who has founded a brewing empire in the early 1900's and also has begun affairs with two other⬇️

Crazeedi two other Emma's, immigrants from Germany. They come to care for the first Emma who is disabled from an auto accident.
Fast forward to 1943, Emma places an ad in the paper for an assistant. Mabel has lost her mother, he brothers are serving in the war and her father is an alcoholic living on bv the street. She leaves Baltimore when Emma gives her the job.
Emma is determined to tell the story of her life and Mabel takes dictation and writes ⬇️
5y
Crazeedi writes the story. Emma has no children so she is determined to leave a legacy to her extended family.
I was captured by this book based on a real woman who oversees and builds a vast business in a time that women weren't on the boards of companies. Her strength and fortitude are an inspiration to any one who wins over adversity. I highly recommend
5y
marleed I must own and read this book. I recently lived at The Historic Pearl for 5 years with a balcony view of the front of this building - now the boutique Hotel Emma. The story of Emma Khoeler is famous there. And I must say the signature drink, The 3 Emma‘s, in Southerleigh‘s housed therein is the strongest, best, and most expensive drink I ever consumed! Also, hotel has a guest library - donated by one San Antonion women‘s personal collection. 5y
See All 11 Comments
Butterfinger Do I have this right? There is a man who had relationships with three different Emmas?? In real life??? 5y
Crazeedi @marleed Really?! That is so fascinating, yes you definitely have to read this book. The author explains how she wrote this book. It is fiction based on the facts she could find, which were difficult. A really good book. It's on my kindle or I would have sent to you, it's an ARC 5y
marleed Yes. I watched the renovation on a daily basis. It was fascinating. I literally cried at the beauty when it was finally opened. Pearl‘s owner Kit Goldsbury spared no expense in saving/upcycling old brewery items. I could go on for days on my love for this place. But they very much know and honor the life of Emma Koehler. You can do a search on The Hotel Emma and see some of the pics. That library though - could be my favorite thing. 5y
marleed @Butterfinger Yes, in real life! The history of the San Antonio breweries is fascinating 5y
Crazeedi @marleed I will do that. She was an amazing woman, kept all her employees working during the depression. She was the brains behind the brewery, her husband must have been a jerk 5y
marleed I don‘t really think Otto is remembered as a total jerk. I believe as a couple they were very charitable and helped many German immigrants. They raised his nephew Otto as their son. He took over Pearl when Emma retired. But she is the star (or pearl!). She had beer rolling within minutes of the prohibition repeal - at a time when women had no rights she kept Pearl going. She‘s very impressive - fitting the building now bares her name! 5y
Crazeedi @marleed you are probably right on Otto, I guess the mistresses made me angry. And yes, it takes about how she changed the brewery to a sugary something they sold as sweetner(I forget exactly what) that housewives could make their own beer with a recipe. and what you said they were ready with the beer exactly at the right time. Also came up with near beer during prohibition 5y
72 likes3 stack adds11 comments
review
Crazeedi
First Emma | Camille Di Maio
post image
Pickpick

Thanks to #netgalley and #wyattmackenziepublishing for the opportunity to read and review #thefirstemma.
Pub date 5/5/2020
The First Emma is the beautifully written story of Emma Koelher, widow of Otto Koehler, founder of San Antonio Brewing Association/ Pearl Brewing company. The book is based on true events.
Emma is the long suffering wife of Otto, who has founded a brewing empire in the early 1900's and also has begun affairs with ⬇️

Crazeedi two other Emma's, immigrants from Germany. They come to care for the first Emma who is disabled from an auto accident.
Fast forward to 1943, Emma places an ad in the paper for an assistant. Mabel has lost her mother, he brothers are serving in the war and her father is an alcoholic living on bv the street. She leaves Baltimore when Emma gives her the job.
Emma is determined to tell the story of her life and Mabel takes dictation and⬇️
5y
Crazeedi two other Emma's, immigrants from Germany. They come to care for the first Emma who is disabled from an auto accident.
Fast forward to 1943, Emma places an ad in the paper for an assistant. Mabel has lost her mother, he brothers are serving in the war and her father is an alcoholic living on bv the street. She leaves Baltimore when Emma gives her the job.
Emma is determined to tell the story of her life and Mabel takes dictation and ⬇️
5y
41 likes2 comments