Pledges can’t be broken, can they? Finally, out from under her father’s tyrannical thumb, Maeve Wycliffe can live life on her terms. So what if everyone sees her as a spinster to be pitied. She’ll funnel her energies into what matters most: helping the less fortunate and getting women the right to vote. When she’s forced to team up with the local newspaper editor to further the cause, will her pledge to remain single get cropped? Widower Gus Deighton sees no reason to tempt fate that he can find happiness a second time around. Well past his prime, who would want him anyway? He’ll continue to run his newspaper and cover Philadelphia’s upcoming centennial celebration. But when the local women’s suffrage group agrees that the wealthy, attractive, and very single Maeve Wycliffe acts as their liaison, he finds it difficult to remain objective. |
Release Date: March 21, 2023
Interview with Linda
My novellas typically take me about two months to complete. I outline my stories, so when I sit down to write, it’s easy for me to start. Unfortunately, I had unexpected surgery which derailed my plans somewhat. My recovery went well and on track with what the doctor told me to expect. However, I was sure I would be different from every other patient and heal faster and get my stamina back sooner. Didn’t happen that way, so I took over three months to complete the story. It was a lesson in patience for me and my characters!
I adore history, but only because I discovered it after graduating from school. Unfortunately, most of my history teachers were dry, and the classes were all about dates, places, and names. Then I went to museums and historical sites where docents made the stories from history come alive. I want to do the same thing for my readers.
I love Gus for several reasons. He’s older which means he’s seen a lot more of life, so he’s not easily shocked. He’s easy-going and takes things in stride, a trait I wish I had. He also is a stickler for the truth and for the full story, so he does he research before writing an article. But mostly because he’s compassionate. There’s a scene in which he interacts with a troubled young man where this quality comes through.
God’s plans are always best for us, and best of all, He never gives up on us.
Read outside your normal genre. I’ve discovered new authors and books I’ve loved that I never would have if I’d stuck to historical romance.
More from Linda
The history of suffragism in America is fascinating because of the large percentage of women who were against getting the right to vote. As I continued to delve into the history of the movement, I unearthed many references to an incident that occurred at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition. Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton decided to write a document similar to the US “Declaration of Independence,” call it the “Declaration of the Rights of Women,” and present it at the Exposition’s July 4th celebration.
Their request to speak was summarily dismissed, and in fact, few women were able to obtain tickets to the event.
Undeterred, Anthony came up with an alternate plan. On July 4th, in the midst of Richard Henry Lee’s speech (grandson and namesake of one of the Declaration of Independence signers), she marched down the aisle inside Independence Hall and handed a scroll tied in a festive navy-blue ribbon to the host, then turned and made her way out of the building, distributing copies to the clamoring crowd as she went. Outside, she read the document aloud as the remaining copies were distributed. Newspapers covered her presentation and printed portions of the document. Word spread, and countless newspapers outside of Philadelphia picked up the article.
I knew I had my story, and I hope in some small way Maeve’s Pledge honors those tenacious men and women who fought to gain women the right to vote.
Blessings,
Linda Shenton Matchett
Linda Shenton Matchett writes about ordinary people who did extraordinary things in days gone by. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, she was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry (of Star-Spangled Banner fame) and has lived in historical places all her life. She is a volunteer docent and archivist at the Wright Museum of WWII and a former trustee for her local public library. She now lives in central New Hampshire where she explores the history of this great state and immerses herself in the imaginary worlds created by other authors. |
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Blog Stops
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 16
Simple Harvest Reads, August 17 (Author Interview)
For Him and My Family, August 17
Bizwings Book Blog, August 18
Tell Tale Book Reviews, August 19 (Author Interview)
Locks, Hooks and Books, August 20
Artistic Nobody, August 21 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, August 22
Stories By Gina, August 23 (Author Interview)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 23
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 24
Sylvan Musings, August 25 (Author Interview)
Connie’s History Classroom, August 26
The Book Club Network, August 27
Bliss, Books & Jewels, August 28 (Author Interview)