Finally.
After dreaming and studying and visiting battlefields for nearly thirty years–not to mention writing approximately 140,000 words–it’s happening.
Tomorrow, May 7, 2019, THE YANKEE WIDOW, my new book, will be released in hardcover and as an audiobook.
Like any author, I hope my ‘book baby’ will be well received, but, basically, seeing these long-cherished characters come to life, sharing their joys and sorrows, triumphs and failures, is a huge reward in and of itself. I lived with these people for decades, remember.
Lots of people have asked me why I wanted to write about the Civil War in particular, especially when I’m known for my western romances–I love those, by the way, and plan to continue to write them–and I think there are many answers to that question.
I don’t remember studying the subject in high school history (I didn’t get around to attending college); we covered Abraham Lincoln, I’m sure, but only in a fairly superficial way. (I didn’t begin to understand this amazing man until a few years ago, when I read Doris Kerne Goodwin’s marvel of a book, Team of Rivals.) And then there were those episodic stories on Walt Disney World–I loved them, especially the series about Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox, but I’m not sure the Civil War was ever depicted. (If it was, the actors would have been too well-scrubbed, with clean, combed hair, very white teeth and spotless uniforms, both blue and gray, for all concerned.)
The truth was considerably less glamorous, of course–Union soldiers were supplied with uniforms, boots, weapons and decent rations, at least early in the war. The Confederates, on the other hand, showed up to fight in whatever clothing they happened to have–the spiffy gray uniforms belonged primarily to the officers, though some of the troops wore them, too.
Nobody–and I mean nobody–was clean, at least by today’s standards.
Frankly, my dear, I strongly suspect that my original inspiration was Gone With the Wind, first the book, then the movie. The spectacles: epic battles, with casts of thousands, smoke and cannon–Atlanta in flames–and dear, obnoxious Scarlett, foolishly pursuing the wrong man when Rhett Butler–Rhett Butler for heaven’s sake!–clearly loved her. Still, she kept her little band of friends and relations alive in the midst of utter disaster, and that, as we say out West, took some doin’. Scarlett might have been stubborn, selfish, and sneaky, but she had grit, all right.
I didn’t set out to recreate Scarlett–that would have been impossible, of course–but the idea of a great nation tearing itself apart certainly stuck with me.
I became an avid student of American history, largely self-educated; there were questions buzzing around in my head, the main one being: how could a country founded on such profound principles of freedom tolerate so abhorrent an institution as slavery? Words like ‘liberty and justice for all’ were a mockery, obviously, when one human being could own another–or many others.
Clearly, the whole subject is complex, and one blog entry isn’t going to change that. I’ve studied this war and its many causes for years, and yet I know so little.
So, the quest continues.
There is so much more to learn, to understand, to know.
Expect more books.
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I am so glad to hear from you and am looking forward to reading this book. I hope it is a bestseller and brings many different kinds of people together. May God continue to bless your life.
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I have interested in the Civil War time also. As you said it is a complicated issue. In my family it was rumored that my great grandfather on my mother’s side was in the war when he was 15 or 16. I have not been able to confirmed it. Looking forward to reading this new book.
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I have always been interested in the Civil War also and love Gone With the Wind it was the book that got me started reading in the first place. I live in a place where some of the war was fault and have often dream about what went on right where I am sleeping. You have to wonder sometimes about things like that.
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I too look forward to this new book. I’ve long been a history buff and very much enjoy this period. Hard to believe we fought our own countrymen over the owning of slaves; how sad a period that was. Enjoy the day.
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I am so glad it is finally out. can’t wait to read it!!
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I cannot wait! How wonderful for all of us! I’m so glad those people can now come to life for us just as they have for you.
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Dear Linda,
I am so very happy for you that your new baby is finally here for all of us to enjoy!
So very glad you are back- I have missed you and your work! I have been re-reading all my favourites ( which is all of your books) again!!
Best Wishes,
Sharon
xx
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I am hoping mine will come in the mail today !! I’m so busy right now it might take me awhile to read it, but have been so looking forward to reading it, and so looking forward for more books coming in the future..
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So glad to see your newsletter! My daughter will be happy about the Civil War & Gettysburg book being released. LOL Her father dragged us to every Battlefield in the US He was from MD & when we made our first trip to his home (He was an AF pilot who spent 24 years in the Air Force) he gave me a day to rest after our trip from TX & we went to Gettysburg…Cannot tell you how many trips we made to see that battlefield. My great-great grandfather, his brothers & cousins fought in that war. My daughter & her son both have made & trips to Gettysburg, thank goodness for Stephen, have wondered who would give my 35 years of genealogy research to! At age 15 Stephen was as addicted to Family History & the Civil War as his grandfather was to Civil War Battlefields…
We have waited a long time for this book & I for one, am so excited to know it is finished! Congratulations!! Do hope you health is better, have thought about you so often! <3
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I have so looked forward to May 7, when I could order my copy of Yankee Widow from Barnes and Noble. After the long drought on the blog, I was afraid we wouldn’t hear from you again or get to read another of your books. In a couple of days I will be standing beside the mailbox, anxiously awaiting my copy of the book! Thank you!!
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Keep them coming. I’ve missed not seeing any new books by you. It must have been terribly taxing to finish this one.
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Oh happy day! I know you have given this your all and I can’t
wait to start that first page. I learned a precious little in
school about history, too. I’ve actually learned most of the
important things and things that interest me through
historical fiction. When I read something that I want to know
more about, off to the library. My first interest was the Civil
War and now I’m to be blessed with your book. Thank you,
Linda.
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I’m anxious to read this book by audio. I love hand held book’s. Cannot read them anymore due to CNS problems! I was born in Asheville, N.C.. Raised near Jamestown, VA.. Learned a lot about VA history! Wow!
That’s whole new battle ground!
Sincerely missed your book’s!
Godspeed. Evelyn
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I’m anxious to read this book by audio. I love hand held book’s. Cannot read them anymore due to CNS problems! I was born in Asheville, N.C.. Raised near Jamestown, VA.. Learned a lot about VA history! Wow!
That’s whole new battle ground!
Sincerely missed your book’s! Evelyn
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I forgot about the book coming out today. I didn’t see your post until today. I was at Wal Mart and forgot to look. I will have to go to Barn and Noble. I can’t wait to read it.
Linda
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I have been waiting for your new book to come out & I received it in today’s mail . I made sure I was finished re-reading one of your other books before today so I can start as soon as possible . Problem is I read quickly to get to the end & then feel let down because I know I will have to wait for your next book to come out . WHAT A PROBLEM TO HAVE – CAN HARDLY WAIT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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I’m looking forward to reading this book. Linda! I did want to bring to your attention that Frances Marion, aka “The Swamp Fox” was a revolutionary war officer whose ruthless use of modern guerilla warfare made life miserable for the British and loyalist sympathizers in the Carolinas during the war for independence. Perhaps the fact that his attacks were concentrated in the South is the reason for your confusion? His story is told in the popular Mel Gibson film The Patriot.
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I’ve always wondered how family members and friends could end up on opposite sides, having to kill each other in this sad war. From what I’ve read in other civil war stories, slavery was just one aspect; independence and freedom of choice not to be ruled over by the country as a whole seems to be the motivation for much of the south, those who didn’t have slaves or agree with slavery.
As in any war, it’s a shame that the youngest, healthiest and best of our men are lost to any cause.
I look forward to reading your book.
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Gone with the wind is one of my favorite books. The movie too. Usually the movie isn’t quite as good as the book but I loved the movie too. Can’t wait to read yours.
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Gone with the wind is one of my favorite books. The movie too. Usually the movie isn’t quite as good as the book but I loved the movie too. Can’t wait to read yours. Yours sounds spectacular.
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Very interesting, I appreciate the time and toll this has taken from you. I’m anxious to read it. I do especially love your books on the old west, thank you. Sincerely, Donna Dye
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The book is amazing. I am impressed with the amount of research that goes into an historical work. The characters are real and I love them more as I turn every page. Thank you very much for your hard work!!
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I can hardly wait for Rogan and Amalie’s story. How long will we have to wait???
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Read the book & I loved it. I live in Pennsylvania & have been to Gettysburg many many times. We have driven, walked, & taken Ranger tours of the battlefield. I was so waiting for this book to come out, you didn’t disappoint. I shed many tears but they were so worth it, can’t wait for the next one. Rogan & Amalie need to tell their story.
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I am listening to the Yankee Widow right now and I have to tell you, the work and study you put into this book is fantastic. As I said earlier, I was in Gettysburg in 1976 and it was amazing. I am thoroughly enjoying this book. I don’t know who she chooses, but I hope it’s Rogen. Thank you for another amazing book!
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Guess I should have read the previous post about reading about Rogan and Amalie. Well, rats.