Good morning, readers,
It’s time! For the next few months I’ll share spoiler free details about my next novel, WHEN THE JESSAMINE GROWS.
I’m excited for everyone to get a chance to read this story! First, I have to tell you how writing a novel set during the Civil War came about. Quite honestly, the credit goes to my husband, Blaine.
When I was struggling (as I often do) to figure out what to write next, he said, “Why don’t you write about the Civil War?”
“Nah, I don’t want to write about that.”
“But, you say you write about family hardship and troubled times in a bygone past, I can’t think of a time any more troubling than that.”
This wasn’t the first time he’d suggested this, and truthfully, he had a point. I began to think about it more seriously, and I believe what kept me from venturing into that lane was that I didn’t want to write a typical Civil War novel where the characters were staunchly on one side or the other. I didn’t want to create a main character who stood by the particulars of the Southern cause, or was an Abolitionist, etc. There are already so many good stories where this has been done.
I spent a LOT of time looking at photos, like these:
What was going through their heads as the photos were taken? There is a resolute look about them, but, even so, I kept thinking there had to be people during that time who wanted nothing to do with the war, who only wanted to live their lives as they’d been doing. I began poking around, trying to find information on this, and here’s what I’m about 99.9% sure of – you won’t find much because NO ONE would have ever admitted to neutrality in that era. They wouldn’t because they could have endangered their family, and themselves. (Remember that scene in COLD MOUNTAIN where the couple was hiding their sons so they wouldn’t have to fight in a war that would surely kill them? Remember what happened to all of them?)
Despite the complexity of such a position of neutrality, I believed it could create a unique perspective, particularly because many were forced into participating through no fault of their own. This unusual stance became the foundation for WHEN THE JESSAMINE GROWS. My next challenge was trying to figure out how I could have my main character, the inimitable Joetta McBride, traverse life in this time period and not be strung up from the nearest tree, shot, or thrown in prison for treason – which was quite common.
I believe her position, and that of her husband, Ennis’s as well, makes for a thought-provoking Civil War story – because it’s not so much about the war, but about the impact it has on the McBrides and those they know. Hard, troubling times, indeed.
*************************************************************************************
The story begins like this:
CHAPTER ONE
Somewhere near Whitakers
Nash County, North Carolina,
1861
Joetta McBride could not stomach conflict.
*************************************************************************************
BOOK GIVEAWAY!!!
Why not start off with a bang!????????
Would you like to read one of my backlist books? I happened to find an extra copy of THE ROAD TO BITTERSWEET – in my travel knapsack. So! If you haven’t read this book yet, I’m giving out what is literally my LAST extra copy this week! For a chance to win the signed copy, tell me which Civil War book/s you’ve read, if any? Do you have a favorite? I’ll tell you mine – it’s ENEMY WOMEN, by Paulette Jiles. While there is mention the main character, Adair Colley’s family declare themselves neutral, the story is centered on the love that grows between her and a Union Captain after she’s thrown into a Union prison. Really good!
***************************************************
PRE-ORDERS
Pre-orders gauge the interest and signal to the publisher readers are eager for an author’s work! Please consider pre-ordering because it really does help! If you’re holding out because you might win an ARC or a finished copy, remember you can always give away the extra as a gift to one of your reader friends. ????
Pre-order links for your convenience:
Kensington Publishing Corporation
***************************************************
Last, but not least, don’t forget to:
- Add WHEN THE JESSAMINE GROWS to your Goodreads “To Read” shelf
- Share this post with your reader friends
- Follow me on Goodreads, Twitter, Facebook, Bookbub, or my blog!
See you all next week!
I cannot wait to read this. I know that you will bring so much to this story and these characters, that I will be thinking and feeling all kinds of things while I’m reading.
I can’t wait for you to read it either! It’s uniquely different from my others, and while it was a hard story to write, I’m really proud of it. ????
I would love to win the Road to Bittersweet. I have not read any books on the Civil War.
I’m partial to books and movies set way back when, like Cold Mountain, most of Paulette Jiles’ work, and movies/shows like Dances With Wolves, The Last of the Mohicans, and 1883.
I can’t think of any Civil War books that I’ve read, but I’m really looking forward to reading yours. Your books always hold my interest and I usually learn a little something from each and every one of them.
I hope this one will hit the mark with you like the others! I appreciate you reading them!
I have only read nonfiction pieces on the Civil War and a couple of journals from the period. I cannot wait until your book comes out. I have read The Road to Bittersweet and The Education of Dixie Dupree. They are wonderful books that bring about all kinds of emotion. Loved them!
Thank you so much for reading them, and I’m so happy you loved them. I loved Ken Burns’ series about the Civil War. SO good!
Book Giveaway – I’m so happy you found that copy of the Road to Bittersweet and are giving us this chance.
I have to admit that I haven’t read a Civil War book, but rather essays, newsletters from the Civil War Round Table, and other conversations with the members of the Moore County Historical Association. I am however rather obsessed with lighthouses and their history through the war. Cape Hatteras, in 1861, was the site of a naval battle early on.
Seemingly, all lighthouses of NC were destroyed and rebuilt and are still standing like the beacons they are – like an old growth tree – harboring the secrets and stories of the people who look/ed upon them, and now preserve them as living testimonies. They breathe recycled air and have the air whip around and through them still. People climb their steps and ships ladders and look out onto the beaches and shores upon which our country was invisibly divided.
I am excited to read about Joetta’s neutrality journey and proud to say that it will be the first book of fiction I’ll read taking place during the Civil War. I’ve read The Saints of Swallow Hill and would love to read and own The Road to Bittersweet.
There is a lot of history about the lighthouses. Because my story takes place in Nash County, there isn’t any mention of them. My mother absolutely loved lighthouses. I’ve seen several here in NC, but I feel like I need to go on a lighthouse tour now that you bring all this up! ????
Book Giveaway…A civil book I’ve read is “Where the Last Rose Blooms” by Ashley Clark. It’s a dual-time story between 1861 and 2005. 1861 in Charleston a brave young lady is an abolitionist, unbeknownst to her father, who is heavily involved with the confederacy. She attempts to reunite an enslaved woman to reunite her with her daughter. and a dashing union spy helps them. There is a connection to 2005 that is rather surprising. I gave this story 5 stars! Loved it!
It’s interesting how many stories are done with the dual timeline! I was just sitting here thinking the only one I think I’ve read that’s written this way is one of Diane Chamberlain’s books – BIG LIES IN A SMALL TOWN.
no fav