Welcome back! This is it, the FINAL First Sentence Friday and Free Book Friday! I feel like we’ve been on a journey together. Over the last thirty-five weeks, (almost nine months!) I’ve shared the first sentences from each chapter as well as the history behind this story. I hope you found the posts interesting and educational, but mostly, I hope knowing some of the shocking details behind the book will enhance your reading of it!
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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
Library Reads Top Ten Pick for January 2026
Indie Next Pick, February 2026
Listed as one of BookBub’s The Best Historical Fiction for 2026
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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First Sentence Friday Thoughts
When an event takes place, big or small, how quickly are you aware of it? I’ll admit, if I’m in my office and I’m working (writing, or doing the other things that involve my books, like social media, responding to emails, etc., ) I’m in a bubble. The other day Verizon had an outage that impacted customers across half of the United States. I’m a Verizon customer. Did I know about it? Nope. At least not until hours later when I tried to make a phone call. It’s not the first time something of significance took place and I was oblivious.
For those who were inmates at the Colony, they were in a microcosm, a place that was as shut off as some of the remote tribes living in Brazil’s Amazon Jungle. Not much came their way from the outside world, except the letters they might receive – if they got them – and those were heavily scrutinized by the Colony staff. Even so, in these final days, and with one tragedy after another, the grapevine was smoking hot with talk about the mysteries unfolding within the Colony as well as what happened there.
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Chapter 35
Ruth
When something inexplicable takes place, news travels faster than usual.
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ASK DONNA!
For this final week, I’d like to give you the chance to ask a question, or, if you don’t have a question, feel free to share your thoughts about First Sentence Friday/Free Book Friday. What you liked, didn’t like, think I could do better on, etc.
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Those who answer respond get a chance to win A FINISHED COPY! 😍📚😍 The winner is announced Monday morning at 9:00 a.m.
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TOUR Schedule!
(more events to come – be sure to visit my Events Page here on the website to stay updated)
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ORDER Women of a Promiscuous Nature
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
I hope you’ll follow me out on social media where I’ll share tour information and the latest news
- 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!
Donna, congratulations on your amazing book! I love your marketing skills with First Sentence Fridays! I wouldn’t change a thing. I was super excited to see your book on order in my county library system. I look forward to watching your book blossom!
Thank you,
Michele Waite
Hi Michele,
Glad to know it’s at your library. And thank you for being part of my First Sentence Fridays!
Good morning Donna, your book sounds like such a Great read!! I will definitely be adding it to my TBR. My question for you is: Who has been your most difficult character to write about and why? Thank you for the chance. Have a Great weekend.
Oh – this is a hard question before morning coffee. Haha.
They’ve all been difficult to write in some way. With each book, it’s a challenge to create entirely “individuals” who engage a reader and keep them turning pages. If I had to pick one – right now it’s one of them in my current WIP. I’ve killed him off a few times, but keep bringing him back. 🤷🏻♀️Thank you for being part of my First Sentence Fridays!
I’ve loved your research posts and especially loved this story that was often difficult to read, knowing it was based on history. My question is if during the research you ever found something so horrendous that you felt you couldn’t dig further? The treatment of the women was horrible, and yet, we know it happened. This book is an important piece of women’s history!
I’m glad to hear that!
I actually would go the other way, most likely. I.e. dig more. Maybe because I’d think something along the lines of “are you kidding me? How bad did this get?” kind of thing. Yes, the treatment was horrible, without a doubt, and I agree, it’s important women’s history and should be read. Thank you for being part of my First Sentence Fridays!
Donna: I think First Sentence Fridays are genius. Not only do we get insight into your upcoming book, your questions kick off some really interesting discussions.
My question: After leaving the business world, why did you turn to writing? Was this something you’d always wanted to do?
Beverly Turner
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed my posts.
I had the idea I wanted to write back in my teens, but life got in the way. I got married young, had two kids, got divorced and had to support myself, and them. I think writing comes to us when we’re ready. When I knew I was going to be let go from my job (the company went bankrupt) I turned to writing full time. That was in 2012 and while I had no idea if I would ever become published, it was my sole focus. It took three years after I lost my job to get an agent and another three years to get a book sold. (and I’m not counting the fact that the book that sold I’d started writing in 1989, or somewhere around there.) So, I guess you could say it was something I’d always wanted to do. Thank you for being part of my First Sentence Fridays!
I can relate to the ‘life getting in the way’ part. I wrote one book (and it was bad…LOL) and dropped the idea of writing when I got divorced. Taking care of my son became my number one priority. And later when I was working a non-stop, intense job for state government, I didn’t have the bandwidth to even think. But writing wouldn’t ‘let go’ and when I picked it up again about 4 years ago, it felt right. Looking back, I don’t think I would’ve had anything worthwhile to ‘say’ in my earlier years.
Beverly
Hi Beverly,
Yes, I truly think writing comes at the write time for all writers. It might be when they’re eight years old – or eighty. It was there for me in that same way, percolating in the background. Thank you for being part of my First Sentence Fridays! 🙂
I really like the First Sentence Friday idea. The way you do that demonstrates how much research goes into your writing and has drawn me into the characters and plot.
There’s a typo (I think) on your list of events- one of the April events is April 13, 2025, not 2026. Just wanted to mention. My question: as you are finishing up one book, are ideas for next books already simmering? Or, do you wait until one is launched before considering the next project?
I’m glad you’ve enjoyed the posts – and thank you for mentioning that error on the event date.
Because I write to contract, the next book is already about 1/2 way done. It’s been a tough one to write (just the creation of it, not so much the topic) and the idea it’s due in the fall – well, it seems impossible I’m going to get it done. Thank you for being part of my First Sentence Fridays!
I just received my copy of Promiscuous and I can’t wait to read it. First Sentence Fridays are an impressive and impactful way to publicize each book. I’m sure that your many fans will want you to continue this with each new story. Do you have ideas or plans for your next writing adventure? Thanx for Everything!
I’m glad it arrived safe and sound!
And, I’m glad you’ve enjoyed these posts. I’m well into my next book. No rest for the weary! Thank you for being part of my First Sentence Fridays!
Good Morning Donna.. I’m also a Donna 😊
I think the fact that you take time out of your busy day to connect with your readers is just amazing.. I follow you on Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook and Instagram.
I’m like you when it comes to finding out what goes on in this world. I always have my nose in a book 📕 so am pretty oblivious until someone, usually my daughter gives me the latest.
My question for you: How do you decide what events in this crazy world to write about? Do you start writing about one and then completely abandon it for another? Or does something just jump out and grab you and you just HAVE to get it out into the world?
Thank you so much for being a wonderful writer and for your passion for your subject. I cannot wait to read this!
I think First Sentence Friday is a neat idea to entice readers about upcoming projects. However, I personally like to go into a new book as “blind” as possible so I can be surprised at everything haha
Question for you: As a N.C. native, which college/university do you cheer for?
Well, I’m a follower of . . . my husband’s teams. haha. To be honest, I could care less, but if someone said you HAVE to choose, I’d go with the Wolfpack and that’s because I grew up near the University. 🙂
Hi Donna, I finished reading Women Of A Promiscuous Nature late last night/early this morning my chronic pain was keeping me awake & agitated so your book was the perfect distraction. Thinking about what those women endured. ‘People’ thought they deserved it? Stella who was there because of her father’s heinous behaviour, Ruth was taken there because she dared to live alone, Josephine taken because she dared to be single and run her own boarding house along with her boarders.
I hadn’t heard or read much about Eugenics/the American Plan though I have read about the mother & baby homes in England & Ireland as well as Hitlers Plan for his perfect race.
Where on earth do people get these warped ideas from and then act on them and get support from others. We live in a crazy world, or is it a world without crazy people.
I just wanted to say thankyou for educating me, its opened a whole new area of history to explore (and be angry at). The scariest thing is looking round at the world today and seeing these crazy people are still out there.
Good morning!
You came through as anonymous, so not sure who I’m responding to! I’m sorry you’re in pain. UGH. BUT – I’m happy the book was a distraction! I think this book has been a bit of an eye-opener for lots of readers. I hope it will generate discussions among reader friends and book clubs, etc. Thank you for being part of First Sentence Fridays!
Hey Donna,
I was also affected by the Verizon outage. At the same time, it reminded me that an unexpected disconnect from life’s consistent craziness can sometimes be a welcoming gift. With the ice storm slowing everything down, I found comfort in the quiet moments by baking my first sourdough loaf! My question for you is how do you spend your quiet moments?
I was laughing at myself once I found out the issue had been going on for hours. At least I can keep the world out while I’m writing/working.
I do THE SAME THING! Or at least that’s one of the things. I bake! I used to bake a lot, but my husband and I have tried to cut back on sugar. I have been wanting to make my own sourdough bread. They say it’s the best bread to eat. I also take a walk with my pups, or get in the yard with them. Right now, with this weather though. Yuck. We did a walk yesterday and the wind chill had it at about 19. I kept thinking, where ARE we? This doesn’t feel like North Carolina! Thank you for being part of my First Sentence Fridays!
I received my starter from a coworker, but this is the recipe I followed it’s from @chefgenevieve on YouTube
Ingredients:
80g sourdough starter
250g purified water
350g bread flour
10g salt
Directions:
After feeding your starter (40g starter + 40g purified water + 40g flour) and it has doubled in size, pour 80g into a bowl.
Add 250g of purified water, and mix together. Next, add 350g of bread flour. Mix together, making sure all the flower is incorporated.
Cover the dough and measure out 10g of salt.
After 30 minutes have passed add your salt and begin shaping into a ball. This process should take less than 1 minute. Cover.
45 minutes after your shaping, stretch and fold you dough. With damp hands, pull the dough up from the side and fold over. Rotate the bowl and repeat 2 more times. Cover.
After another 45 minutes, I like to do coil folds.
With damp hands, pull the dough up from the center and allow the bottom to fold under itself.. rotate the bowl and repeat this two more times.
After 45 minutes perform coil folds one more time.
Cover for the bulk rise (about 4 hours or until dough has doubled in size)
Lightly flour your surface area and flip your bowl over releasing the dough.
Fold the right and left side in, then the top and bottom in, then roll tightly up into a burrito shape (this method is best if using an oval basket) If using a round basket, a push and pull method to shape your dough is preferred.
Add some flour to a lined banneton basket then add your dough seems side up.
Cover and refrigerate for 12 hours. After twelve hours (the cold ferment) preheat your Dutch oven pot in a 450°F oven.
Flip banneton over on the parchment paper. Brush any remaining flower evenly then make your scores.
To your preheated Dutch oven pot, add your dough with parchment paper, cover with the lid and place in the oven on the middle rack.
Turn the heat down to 400° and bake for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, remove the lid and bake for an additional 20 minutes.
Allow to rest at room temperature for one hour before slicing.
Thank you! I’m going to try this!