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?

http://http://www.maryellis.net//

http://www.maryeellis.wordpress.com/

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Mary-Ellis/126995058236

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

Christian Book Store

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