The Lady's Maid: A Book Review

I love stories with unusual heroines, so I was delighted when I received Susan Page Davis's book The Lady's Maid. Instead of using a rich, important woman of peerage as the main character, Ms. Davis highlights the maid, someone who society tended to ignore and on whom they place very little value at the time. Check out my review, but you'll want to pick up this wonderful novel so you can experience it for yourself.

The Lady’s Maid is a well-written story that explores themes of forgiveness, first impressions, and second chances. I loved that this book is not about the typical protagonist-the “lady,” but rather about the servant (Elise) who might otherwise be overlooked. I also liked that Elise is in her late 30’s, a mature character whom I am able to relate to. I cannot imagine the difficulties of crossing America in a covered wagon, yet Elise and her employer, Lady Anne had the gumption to try it. Eb and Rob are good men, rough-and-ready as trail leaders, yet sensitive enough to care for the women and children on the trip. The dialogue was realistic, and there were several “hair-raising” incidents that added depth to the journey. Messages of God’s love, acceptance, and salvation are subtly woven throughout the story without being preachy. (Please note: I received a copy of this book for free, and a positive review was not required. All opinions expressed are my own.)

Book Blurb:

Lady Ann Stone's uncle is the new Earl of Stoneford. The only problem is, he disappeared into America's West. With only her personal maid, Elise Finster, as determined chaperone, Anne embarks upon a quest to find David Stone. First stop, St. Louis, where the ladies discover their quarry went farther west five years ago. Resolute in their mission, Anne and Elise join a wagon train to Oregon. But will their prairie adventure turn into a Wild West nightmare?

Scout Eb Bentley, initially skeptical that the women can survive the journey, soon finds himself falling for the determined, charming, beautiful Elise. Can he keep her alive long enough to win her love? Or will he ladies succumb to the rigors, ruffians, and rustlers along the trail?

Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XG1L7LF

Linda Shenton Matchett is an author, speaker, and history geek. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, she was born a stone's throw from Fort McHenry and has lived in historic places all her life. She is a member of ACFW, RWA, and Sisters in Crime. Linda is a volunteer docent for the Wright Museum of WWII and a trustee for her local public library. To learn more about Linda visit her website where you can sign up for her monthly newsletter or brows her books.

The Outlaw Takes a Bride: A Book Review

I love historical fiction-my favorite era being WWII, but I'll read just about anything. Recently it seems like most of the books I've read have been set in the Old West, and it's been fun to immerse myself in that time period of America's history. I've learned about laws and customs, but I've also gotten a taste of what it would be like to live off the land-growing your food, hunting your meat, building your home, etc.

Chores such as doing laundry was an all day event: pump water into a huge tub (or get it from a nearby river or lake), build a fire, heat water over the fire, scrub clothes, rinse, hang to dry, and by the way, don't catch your long skirts on fire while you're working. I certainly have a new appreciation for the men and women who often left family behind to scratch out a living in a primitive land.

One of the Old West books I read is Susan Page Davis's The Outlaw Takes a Bride. I won it in a drawing from her website, and a review was not required, but I enjoyed the book so much I wanted to share it with Stitches Thru Time followers. I've included the buy link below because you're going to want to get this book! So without further ado, here's my review:

This is the first Susan Page Davis book that I’ve read, and I wish I had discovered her writings much sooner. I love historical fiction, but don’t read a lot of “cowboy” stories. I may need to change that. The Outlaw Takes a Bride is a well-written, well-researched story with a fascinating premise. The characters are realistic and complex, with strengths and struggles. Sally is sensitive and tender, yet resilient. Her faith is a natural part of her everyday life. Despite living a lie, John is a true gentleman in his thoughts and behaviors to ally. He is not cavalier about the situation, but rather his subterfuge gnaws at him as the story progresses. 

Descriptions of daily tasks effectively evoke the era and gave me an understanding for how challenging it would be to live without modern conveniences, yet made me appreciate the simplicity of the lifestyle. I learned a lot about the social customs, attitudes, and attire of the Old West, and I enjoy a writer who can include that sort of information without it being dry or textbookish. I enjoyed getting to know Sally’s parents, and how they were integrated into the story at the end. I loved the ending. It was exciting and unexpected, and kept me turning pages. This book won a Will Rogers Medallion Award, and I can see why. I look forward to reading more by this author. Highly recommended.

You can purchase The Outlaw Takes a Bride from Amazon.

Don't forget to comment for your chance to win Driver's Confessional by David Winters. Winner will be announced at the January 29th Weekly Windup.

Linda Shenton Matchett is an author, journalist, blogger, and history geek. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, a stone's throw from Fort McHenry, she has lived in historic places most of her life. A member of ACFW, RWA and SinC, she writes historical romance and mysteries. Linda is a docent for the Wright Museum of WWII and a trustee for her local public library. She lives in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire. Visit Linda at www.LindaShentonMatchett.com or sign up for her newsletter. 

Susan Page Davis Interview and #bookgiveaway!

Today I have the pleasure of introducing a blogging pal of mine. 

 

Susan Page Davis is the author of more than 60 novels and novellas in the historical romance, mystery, and suspense genres. She is the mother of six and grandmother of ten. A Maine native, she now lives in western Kentucky with her husband Jim. Visit her website at: www.susanpagedavis.com.

Welcome, Susan! We're so glad you could visit us today. What made you decide to become a writer? 
I’ve always loved stories and have written them since I was a child. I didn’t really think I could become a published author for many years, but I decided to give it a try, and I’ve been blessed with many published books.


What is the first book you remember reading?
Crybaby Calf, by Helen and Alf Evers. I absolutely loved that picture book!



Where did the inspiration for your latest book come from?
For the Seven Brides for Seven Texans collection, the theme and premise for the seven novellas was already in place. When I heard that each brother would have to marry to inherit his part of the ranch, I began to think about how the young man in my story—“For Love or Money”—would come to the aid of a young woman whose family was looked down on in the community. Jane and Crockett find that forgiveness and love are possible even in bleak circumstances.


Why do you write the genre you do?
I write western romance because my readers love it! I also write mysteries for another publisher. I write the kind of stories I like to read myself.


How does your faith and spirituality work in with your writing?
Some of my books have a strong faith thread, and others are more gentle, but all present my life values. My desire is to write stories that will honor God and serve a need for my readers, whether it’s entertainment, encouragement, or a challenge.

What are you working on next?
Today I’m working on a cozy mystery for Barbour Publishing, in the Tearoom Mysteries series. I’ve also got more western romances coming. Seven Brides for Seven Texans releases Dec. 1, and in March I’ll have two new books: Desert Moon and My Heart Belongs in the Superstition Mountains.


How can readers connect with you?
Find me at:

Website: www.susanpagedavis.com
Twitter: @SusanPageDavis
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanpagedavisauthor

Very interesting. I'll have to look into those Tearoom Mysteries. Looks like you have some great stuff going on. Thank you so much for being with us!

About Seven Brides for Seven Texans:

Meet the seven Hart brothers of the 7-Heart ranch in central Texas. Each man is content in his independent life, without the responsibilities of a wife and children—until their father decides 1874 will be the year his grown sons finally marry, or they will be cut from his will. How will each man who values his freedom respond to the ultimatum? Can love develop on a timeline, or will it be sacrificed for the sake of an inheritance? 

Links for Seven Brides for Seven Texans (Now available on Kindle, too!)

From ChristianBook.com:
From Amazon: 

We’re giving away a copy of Seven Brides for Seven Texans! It releases Dec. 1, and the winner will be one of the first to receive it. So be sure to leave Susan a comment to get your name in the drawing!