Welcome back! It’s week 33 of First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday! It’s hard to believe after this post there are only TWO (!!!) WEEKS left before RELEASE DAY!  

*********************************************************

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 . . .

*********************************************************

Chapter 33 – First Sentence Friday Thoughts

Stella’s habits and personality are born out of survival. Figuring out ways to make herself invisible, and stay out of trouble. Trouble – what is that for Stella? At home, it was related to her parents, particularly her father. At the Colony, trouble covers a lot of territory. It’s about perceptions under the watchful, invasive eyes of the staff as well as her fellow inmates.

Her habits and the way she behaves stem from both environments. Home was a battlefield. Home didn’t always offer her security and comfort. Home was dangerous. When I thought about this, I could see how Stella might welcome the “reprieve” of a place like the Colony. Even so, it was a reform facility of a different kind, and filled with the rules, regulations and the daunting repercussions for not following those. It was an environment that seemed purposefully set up to test them at any given moment.

Stella has always been a thinker, a planner, an accommodating little soul of angst and worry. She will do what she can to keep herself safe and in good standing with those in power. She likes being prepared, but there are never any guarantees in a place like the Colony. She knows this, and still, she makes attempts to ease her mind.

********************************************************

Chapter 33

Stella

Stella’s latest habit since Mrs. Baker (now Mrs. Dot again!) said she believed her, is to leave her bed early and get ready even before the new and recently hired housemother, Mrs. Rutherford, rouses the dorm.

***********************************************************

Question of the Week!

Stella was a planner, and I’m one, also – at least in certain ways. For example, one time my husband and I were traveling (I was on tour for one of the books) and I was looking into hotels for a one night stay as we made our way to Louisiana. He said, “Oh, you don’t need to do that, we can just find one on the way when we get tired.” My eyes surely bugged out at this and I also know I went ahead and found us accommodations at a hotel about halfway there. I’m not about to drive around looking – at night – when I’m tired. Nope. No way.

What about you? Do you plan? Even beyond a trip? Do you plan out your day, for instance? 

***********************************************************

Those who answer the question get a chance to win a signed Advance Reader Copy, like the one below!  Winners are announced on Monday morning, at 9:00 a.m.

**************************************************************

EXTRA! EXTRA!

Link to giveaway is below!

This is an EXTRA special GIVEAWAY! 100 FINISHED copies are up for grabs! Good luck!

**************************************************************

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

***************************************************************

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!