Mrs. Victoria buys a brothel
a novel by Talhí Briones
1865, United States— It took thirty years and a dislocated arm for Victoria to leave her abusive husband. Heartbroken, she has to choose her own life over the hope of ever seeing her son again. She escapes the manor in the dead of night, only bringing with her a white wedding dress.
She ends up in Swainsburg, a minuscule town in Wyoming, where she’s adopted by the local prostitutes. To save them from expulsion, she buys the building and learns that in these parts, entertainment is worth more than gold. It’s almost easy, even fun, to organize piano recitals and cancan shows for the cowboys of the area, but being a Madam comes with responsibilities and dangers she isn’t ready to face. Her husband, after all, has contacts everywhere.
It’s hard to navigate the delicate tensions between respectable ladies and whores, between white society and the ‘others.’ Her new friends are women who carved their place in this merciless life; people who, like her, ended up in Swainsburg when they got tired of running.
Victoria doesn’t notice, can’t even imagine the possibility; but she falls in love. The townfolk say the widow Díaz is strange, but Natane is actually incredibly awkward, kind, and very lonely. Victoria has no name for this burning friendship, but the feeling grows and demands to be acknowledged.
This is a story about women who age, gossip, drink, love... and help you hide the body of your dead husband.
June 2026 ANNOUNCEMENT: Mrs. Victoria buys a brothel will be changing publishers
The current publisher, Renaissance Press, will be closing soon. I am currently in the process of signing with another Canadian publisher, to be announced.
This means the books will not be available for the upcoming weeks, while we are dealing with the transition of rights. If you want to be alerted when the books become available again, subscribe to my newsletter.
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Kickstarter news
The kickstarter for Mrs. Victoria buys a brothel managed to reach more than 350 backers! All the reach goals were unlocked in 48h!
Kickstarter fulfillment list:
Physical and e-books copies of Mrs. Victoria buys a brothel : ✅️
Physical and e-book copies of Tales of Swainsburg ✅️
Physical and digital art: ✅️
Audiobook: In production, end of 2026. Narrator to be announced, she's amazing.
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Discord channel
Want to read along with everyone else? We have chatrooms specifically tailored to share your reactions with other readers without spoiling the rest of the story.
Link to the discord channel
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Review the book!
If you liked the book and want to help, you can write a review on Goodreads.
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FAQ
- Is this book in English of French?
English :) My previous books were in French, but this one was written directly in English.
- Is this an illustrated book?
There are chapter headers drawn by me, and illustrated maps. All the other illustrations you see online are not included in the book, I just like to draw my girls.
- Will there be an audiobook?
Yes! The kickstarter reached enough money to let us produce a professional audiobook. We have a narrator! She's amazing. It will be available to the general public and sent automatically to the Kickstarter Subscribers. We're aiming for end of 2026.
- Can I buy your art?
Not for the moment, but I do want to reopen my online store. Any updates will be posted here.
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Mrs. Victoria buys a brothel will be available again very soon. Subscribe to my newsletter to be alerted.
