Tuesday, July 15, 2014

THE LADY AND THE OFFICER - Mary Ellis - One Free Book

Welcome back, Mary. As an author, I know it takes a lot of people to birth each book. Who were the people involved in the birthing of this book, and what were their contributions?
There were too many to name, but I’d like to especially thank the Western Reserve Historical Society, Cuyahoga Valley Civil War Roundtable, and the Peninsula Valley Foundation of Ohio and GAR Hall, whose appreciation for Civil War history has kept my passion alive locally.

If you teach or speak. What’s coming up on your calendar?
Library talk and Book-signing on Saturday Aug. 9th 11:00 at the Youngstown Library, 305 Wick Ave., Youngstown, OH 44503

Reception and book-signing with author, Kylie Logan on Monday, Aug. 11th from 6:00-8:00 pm. Location: Novel Destinations Bookstore, 177 Fluvanna Ave., Jamestown, New York 14701 Refreshments will be served.

Library talk and book-signing on Saturday, Aug. 23, 12:00 to 2:00, Milan-Berlin Library, 19 E. Church St. Milan, Ohio 44846

Ohio River Festival of Books on Saturday, Sept. 20th, at the Big Sandy Superstore Civic Arena in Huntington, WV. See the festival website for more details: www.ohioriverbooks.org

If you had to completely start over in another place, where would you move, and why?
I would live on one of the barrier islands of Georgia. I have vacationed there a dozen times—in both summer and winter. The weather is lovely just about year-round. I love my home state of Ohio, but I’m tired of shoveling snow!

If you could only tell aspiring novelists one thing, what would it be?
Read, read, read in the genre you wish to become published in. Reading a variety of published authors will help you develop your own unique voice.

You’ve been asked to be in charge of a celebrity cruise. Who would you ask to take part, and why? (AS in what program, singers, etc. [it doesn’t have to be writing related])
I would love to be in charge of a celebrity cruise on a paddlewheel boat like the American Queen for history lovers! I would invite novelist Jeff Shaara to participate. He wrote several wonderful Civil War novels.

And I would love to be on that cruise. Tell us about the featured book.
My featured book is The Lady and the Officer, part of my Civil War Heroines series, although the story “stands alone.” As a nurse after the devastating battle of Gettysburg, Madeline Howard saves the life of Elliot Haywood, a colonel in the Confederacy. But even though she must soon make her home in the South, her heart and political sympathies belong to General James Downing, a Union Army corps commander. Colonel Haywood has not forgotten the beautiful nurse who did so much for him, and when he unexpectedly meets her again in Richmond, he is determined to win her. While spending time with army officers and war department officials in her aunt and uncle’s palatial home, Madeline overhears plans for Confederate attacks against the Union soldiers. She knows passing along this information may save the life of her beloved James, but at what cost? Can she really betray the trust of her family and friends? Is it right to allow Elliott to dream of a future with her? Two men are in love with Madeline. Will her faith in God show her the way to a bright future, or will her choices bring devastation on those she loves.

Please give us the first page of the book:
Late June, 1863
Cashtown ,Pennsylvania
“Gentlemen, please take heed to what your horses are doing to my flowers!” Madeline Howard spoke with as much authority and indignation as possible after two long years of war.

Four blue-clad officers paused in their conversation to gaze down on her heat-wilted ageratums and hollyhocks. Beneath their horses’ hooves the flowers were trampled beyond recognition. The soldiers offered faint smiles and then resumed their postulating and pointing, affording her as much attention as a gnat.

Except for one officer, who straightened in his saddle and removed his broad-brimmed hat. Tugging gently on his reins, the man guided his mount out of the flowerbed toward the road. “Good afternoon, miss, General James Downing, at your service. I apologize for the damage.” He tipped his hat and then turned his attention back to the others.

“Madeline Howard, General. Mrs. Howard.” She marched down the porch steps. “Now if you would kindly move your meeting to someone else’s yard, I shall be forever in your debt.”

A thin, gangly officer mounted on a sorrel mare was quick to retort. “See here, madam. In case you’re unaware, the war has come to the fine Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with the arrival of Robert E. Lee’s infantry. Your posies are of no importance to the Union Army.” His glare could have cut down an oak tree.

“I’m well aware of the war, sir. My husband died on the banks of Bull Run Creek, leaving me alone to run this farm.” Madeline settled her hands on her hips with growing indignation. “Those Rebs you’re chasing marched through last week, stripping every ear of corn from the fields and every apple from my orchard. They stole my chickens, killed my hogs, and led my milk cow away on a tether. They took every bit of food from my kitchen and larder. So if I request that you not to trample my flowers for no apparent reason, I would think you could oblige me.” Maddy completed her diatribe with a flushed face and sweating palms. But after months of privation, she had lost her temper.

Where can we find you on the Internet?

Thanks, Lena!!! You’re the best!

And thank you, Mary, for sharing this new book with us. I really enjoyed reading the first book in this series, and this second one came in the mail yesterday. Can’t wait to get started on it.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
The Lady and the Officer - Christianbook.com
The Lady and the Officer (Civil War Heroines Series) - Amazon
The Lady and the Officer (Civil War Heroines Series Book 2) - Kindle


Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

37 comments:

Anonymous said...

I would love to win. Angela in KY

Unknown said...

The looks really neat!!

Indiana!

Anonymous said...

Great interview Mary! Love to win the book! Shelia from MS

Caryl McAdoo said...

Hi Mary, I speak blessings and favor over THE LADY AND THE OFFICER! Thank you for the interview, Lena. Mary and I are Seymour Siblings :) Blessings to you both!

Lisa Stifler said...

Hi Mary, I have been waiting to read this book ever since I read a preview in The Quaker and the Rebel. I love that book so much I think I read it in less than two days. I could not put it down. I live in Virginia now so I am surrounded by Civil War History and have visited many of them. I use to live in Md. and we use to go to Gettysburg a couple times a year. Thank you for a chance to win. I will for sure be buying this book if I don't win. ~ Blessings to you ~ lisastifler(at)yahoo(dot)com

Melanie Backus said...

Great interview for a great book. Keeping my fingers crossed!

Melanie Backus, TX

Library Lady said...

Being from the South I'm very interested in books dealing with the Civil War, be they Yankee or Rebel. Thanks for entering me in your giveaway.
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
Florida

Britney Adams said...

Thank you for sharing this lovely interview! I loved the excerpt and look forward to reading THE LADY AND THE OFFICER!

Britney Adams, TX

Emma said...

I am looking forward to reading The Lady and the Officer.Thank you for the opportunity to win.I enjoy reading your books.

Danielle Hull said...

I suppose 2 hours is a bit far to drive for a book signing! We're in Indiana :)

sm said...

I enjoy reading Civil War novels. It's a great way to review history. Love to win your book. sharon, CA wileygreen1ATyahooDOTcom

Anonymous said...

This looks like a great story! I'd love to win it!
J.C. -Indiana-

Mary Preston said...

I love the sound of Maddy. Great first page.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

JordySandoz said...

So excited for this book.

Bonnie Roof said...

Thank you for the interesting interview, Mary and Lena!!

I love books set in the Civil War era but haven't read any of the books in Mary's series on it. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of "The Lady and the Officer"!!

bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com

Kentucky

Shawn said...

I understand Mary's frustration with shoveling snow! That is why I moved to Georgia! However, we do still get snow here, just not as much for as long. I absolutely love what I've read so far of your book. (What was posted here). It immediately draws you in! I can't wait to read the rest. Hopefully, I will win a copy to share! Thank you for the opportunity! Shawn C. from Georgia

Vera Godley said...

Mary Ellis writes books that are always a delight to read. I'd love to win this one.

I'm in NC

Mary / Touch of Heaven said...

I've read some of her books before and really liked them. Would love to win a copy of this one. Mary B.
atouchofheaven2010 at gmail dot com

Holly I. said...

Sounds wonderful! I love Civil War era books and would love to win!!
~Holly in Morehead, KY

Patsy said...

I love Mary's writing. Would enjoy reading this book!
From South Mississippi
plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net

sm said...

I'm always excited to read historical fiction and learn or re-learn the history of that time in an interesting way; the Civil War is especially interesting and I've read Lynn Austin's series, among others, and love to read more on it. sharon, CA wileygreen1ATyahooDOTcom

Jean said...

I love historical fiction.

Thanks for this opportunity.

Jean K
West Palm Beach, FL

Cindi A said...

After reading just the first page of the book, I'm hooked. This sounds like a great novel.

Please enter me in the drawing to win a copy of The Lady and the Officer.

Thanks,

~Cindi Altman from Pennsylvania

Sharon Richmond Bryant said...

Enter me!!
Sharon Richmond Bryant
Conway,SC.
sharonruth126@gmail.com

Brenda Burch said...

I'm in love with your books !! It was an honor to meet you the first time in Jamestown, NY at Novel Destination.....and looking forward to your return visit in August !!!!

~sharyn said...

This book sounds great, Mary! One page and I'm hooked. Can't wait to read it!

kam110476 said...

I'd love to read Maddy's story! (And I'd love to go on your paddle boat cruise as well!)
Kristen in OK
kam110476 at gmail dot com

Brittany said...

Your book sounds so good! Thank you so much for the chance to win. I love that they are coming from two different sides of the war in this story.
Brittany McEuen(TX)

Unknown said...

I really enjoyed the interview and would enjoy being on that paddle oat cruise with you. I like to read civil war historicals too!!

Tonja S. from VIrginia

Unknown said...

Looks like another fabulous book by Mary Ellis! Would so love to win!
Cheryl B from VA

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the giveaway!
sydney harries
georgia

Anonymous said...


Another interesting book from Mary. She has some really good books. I like these Civil War books. Had had a great grandfather in that war. Don't know but probably more ancestors.Don't know if I could have been strong enough to survive the hard times. I would be happy to win Mary's book. Maxie
> mac262(at)me(dot)com <

Anonymous said...

I love Mary's writing and this book sounds like a great read
marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
Maryann in NY

Christy said...

Mary Ellis has been a favorite of mine. Would love to win. Christy in North Carolina

susanlulu said...

You have a fan here in NC. I've read several of your books and always enjoy them! Keep up the great work!
susanlulu@yahoo.com

Rebecca said...

Thanks for the giveaway!
Oregon

rubynreba said...

I love these Civil War books!
Beth from IA