Welcome back! It’s week 30 of First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday! It’s hard to believe there are now only FIVE weeks left before RELEASE DAY! 

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About Women of a Promiscuous Nature

“Both a cautionary tale and a deeply compassionate rendering of women wrongly imprisoned in a system designed to break them, Everhart’s propulsive story is filled with injustice, intrigue, and the determination to fight back.” —LISA WINGATE, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Shelterwood

Accused of “promiscuity” in 1940s North Carolina, a young woman unjustly incarcerated and subjected to involuntary medical treatment at The State Industrial Farm Colony for Women decides to fight back in this powerful, shockingly timely novel based on the long-buried history of the American Plan, the government program designed to regulate women’s bodies and sexuality throughout the first half of the 20th century.

The day Ruth Foster’s life changes begins the same way as many others—with a walk through her North Carolina hometown toward the diner where she works. But on this day, Ruth is stopped by the local sheriff, who insists that she accompany him to a health clinic. Women like Ruth—young, unmarried, living alone—must undergo testing in order to preserve decency and prevent the spread of sexual disease.

Though Ruth has never shared more than a chaste kiss with a man, by day’s end she is one of dozens of women held at the State Industrial Farm Colony for Women. Some, like 15-year-old Stella Temple, are brought in at their family’s request. For Stella, even the Colony’s hardships seem like a respite from her nightmarish home life.

Superintendent Dorothy Baker, convinced that she’s transforming degenerate souls into upstanding members of society, oversees the women’s medical treatment and “training” until they’re deemed ready for parole. Sooner or later, everyone at the Colony learns to abide by Mrs. Baker’s rule book or face the consequences—solitary confinement, grueling work assignments, and worse.

But some refuse to be cowed. Against Mrs. Baker’s dogged efforts and the punishing weight of authority, Ruth and other inmates find ways to fight back, resolved to regain their freedom at any cost . . .

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Chapter 30 – First Sentence Friday Thoughts

Sometimes while writing, an unintentional pairing of characters results in an interesting dynamic. I wish I could brag and say, “oh yes, this was absolutely planned,” but it wasn’t. Stella, at fifteen years old was sent to the Colony at the urging of a local doctor who told her parents, her “white Southern womanhood” could still be restored. At the Colony, like all inmates, she’s given work to do, and this work is alongside Lucille Griffin, or Lucy, who is a prostitute. So, here we have one young woman who is innocent and one who is worldly.

Stella is assigned to work in the laundry, and between the two of them, they’re responsible for all the washing that needs to be done at the Colony. Of course, there are conversations, but, Stella is reluctant to say much. She’s ashamed of her past, and she’s also not sure what to make of Lucy, who intimidates her. Lucy thinks Stella is naive, and knows nothing about men, much less life. Stella knows a lot more than Lucy would ever imagine. Lucy has a reputation at the Colony for “running.” (escaping) And this is exactly what Stella is considering in this week’s sentence.

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Chapter 30

Stella

Stella’s appetite all but disappears when Mrs. Maynard returns, but when she’s assigned to work in that dank bathroom with its mildewy smell and ugly puke-green walls, she’s of a mind to pull a Lucy and run.

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Question of the Week!

There are “best of” lists coming out as they always do at this time of year. Top books of the year, the most talked about books of the year, and even lists talking about “most anticipated” for 2026. (Women of a Promiscuous Nature made one from BookBub!) Out of all these best of lists, I always check to see how “in the know” I am with my reading material. I’ve been selecting more “book club” picks lately because I’m interested in what those authors do. This year I’ve read some of the most popular titles like Buckeye, (actually, I’m still listening to this)  Heartwood, Atmosphere, Broken Country, and Wild Dark Shore to name a few. 

What did you read this year that was a “top” pick for you? Mine was Heartwood by Amity Gaige. IMO, it’s one of the best I’ve read in awhile!

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Those who answer the question get a chance to win a signed Advance Reader Copy, like the one below! I’m almost out of these! Hopefully I’ll get my finished copies before I run out! Winners are announced on Monday morning, at 9:00 a.m.

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EXTRA! EXTRA!

GET READY! Soon, another Goodreads Giveaway is going live! Stay tuned!

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PRE-ORDER Information

Pre-orders gauge the interest and signal to the publisher readers are eager for an author’s next work. If you’re holding out because you might win an ARC or a finished copy from First Sentence Friday, remember you can always give away the extra as a gift to a reader friend. 😉

Pre-order links for your convenience:

• Bookshop.org
• Kensington Publishing Corporation
• Barnes & Noble
• Books-A-Million
• Amazon
• Hudson Booksellers
• Target
• Walmart

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Social Media

Last, but not least, don’t forget to:

• Add Women of a Promiscuous Nature to your Goodreads “To Read” shelf
• Share this post with your reader friends
• Follow me on Goodreads, Twitter, Facebook, Bookbub, or my blog!