Welcome to my stop on the blurb blitz for The Spinster, the Rebel, & the Governor: Margaret Brent Pre-Colonial Maryland 1638-1648 by Charlene Bell Dietz. This blitz was organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. On my stop, I have an excerpt from the book and the blitz wide giveaway for a chance to win a $25 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card. Be sure to visit the other stops on the blitz for more content. Enjoy!
--
Author: Charlene Bell Dietz
Publisher: Quill Mark Press
Publication Date: September 2nd 2022
Print Length: 466 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
~
Move over Susan B. Anthony. There’s an unsung woman asking for the vote 224 years before you.
In 1638-1648 Margaret Brent, fighting for justice became a voice in court for others, educated an Indian princess, built a fort and saved pre-colonial Maryland from destruction. The American Bar Association each year honors select women attorneys, such as Ruth Bader Ginsberg and Sandra Day O’Connor with their Margaret Brent Award.
Goodreads * Amazon * Apple Books *
Kobo * Thrift Books * Walmart
---
EXCERPT:
The Wells girl covered her eyes with both hands. Margaret, ignoring the buzzing of flies and the damp heat of the morning sun, worked to untangle the girl’s words in her mind.
“If the river doesn’t take me, then I shall have my baby alone and will have to live with Master Cole, and I shall never see my dear Tom again.” With that, she burst into tears.
“You do not look like you are about to have a baby. Why do you say your time is up?”
“Master Cole brought me here four years ago. He said after I had worked for him for four years, I wouldn’t owe him a tad more, and now he says I can’t leave, and so I might as well marry him. Lady Brent. I worked hard from early morning until after dark every day, and my time is up. Even the devil would say this isn’t right.” She sniffed and looked away.
Margaret set her jaw. “Heaven help us if other masters here in Maryland treat their servants in this manner.”
“There’s nothing I can do.” She bit her lip. “I thought maybe the next time you talked with Governor Calvert you might say something on my behalf, and I pray my request is not one of cheekiness.”
“Mary.” Margaret called sharply across to the soap making group. “Would you please come here?”
When Mary finished saying something, she trotted over to the garden. “Hello, Carrie. Are you not feeling well—your face seems flushed?”
“So, you are acquainted with Carrie Wells?” Margaret studied her sister, slipped the basket from Carrie, and moved it into Mary’s hands. “She brought these for us and herbs to scent your soap.”
“Sometimes on Sundays after church Carrie walks with me in the woods and shows me barks, roots, and herbs that heal.” She glanced at the basket. “Why, these are lovely.” She glanced at the young woman, then put her hand on Carrie’s arm. “Are you still having trouble with Jacob Cole?”
“Jacob Cole is about to have troubles with her. Has Giles returned from Kent for Assembly today? Will both our brothers be at the meeting?” Margaret’s frogs roiled inside her.
How dare these men take advantage of their servants?
“I saw him and Fulke along with some other men heading to Lewger’s home earlier.”
“Come, Carrie Wells. We shall also attend Assembly.”
“But—Margaret,” Mary grabbed her arm. “Certainly, women would not be allowed—”
Margaret shrugged Mary away, snatched Carrie Wells by her hand, and stomped off down the path.
“Sister,” Mary called after her, “you must take off that filthy apron. You’re covered in soil.”
Margaret jerked it untied and slung it. “There is a difference between God’s soil and men’s dirt. Carrie Wells and I are about to sort this very thing out with all those fine gentlemen of Assembly.”
---
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Charlene Bell Dietz writes science and historical-suspense, award-winning mystery novels and short stories. Her award-winning short stories have been published in the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers 2016 Anthology and SouthWest Writers 2019 Anthology. The Flapper, the Scientist, and the Saboteur combines family saga with corporate espionage. The Flapper, the Impostor, and the Stalker propels readers back into 1923 frenetic Chicago during the Roaring Twenties. Both these novels were named to Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books of 2018, and each won the coveted Kirkus Starred Review. Her latest novel, The Scientist, the Psychic, and the Nut, gives readers a frightening Caribbean vacation. Her current work in progress, a biographical historical novel, starts in England in 1638 and ends in precolonial Maryland.
Charlene, a retired educator, traveled the United States as a consultant for Houghton Mifflin Publishers after a career of teaching little ones, older ones, and college graduates. Surrounded by forests and meadows, she currently lives in the foothills of the mountains in central NM several miles from the small village of Torreon.
Charlene is the current president of Croak & Dagger, New Mexico Chapter of Sisters in Crime. She belongs to Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, Rocky Mountain Mystery Writers, Mystery Writers of America, and SouthWest Writers.
---
GIVEAWAY:
Charlene Bell Dietz will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter. Good luck!
(All the Ups and Downs is not responsible for this giveaway, its entries, or the prize. Goddess Fish Promotions and the author assume all responsibility for this giveaway.)
Looks like an excellent book.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the contest.
My Pleasure. Thank you!
DeleteThanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to read this book!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for hosting my newest book. What an engaging website! I learned so much I didn't know in writing it, and it became such a joy to me. I'd love to know what you think about it after you read it. I'm on Facebook, come be my friend, and post lots of wildlife photos. Or check out my webpage at http://inkydancestudios.com . Hope you'll check me out. Good luck to all of you who enter.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! Thank you for visiting my blog <3
DeleteSounds like a very good book.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy it.
DeleteGreat excerpt and cover.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your sweet praise.
Deletevery nice cover, congrats on the release
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteThank you so much this sounds awesome
ReplyDeleteAw, how sweet. I appreciate your comment.
DeleteGreat excerpt
ReplyDeleteSo happy you enjoyed reading it.
DeleteWhat a great historical book. Good work
ReplyDeleteI thought it was a story that needed to be told. Thanks!
Deletelooks like a fun one
ReplyDeleteBelieve me, I tried to make it unpredictably fun. Thanks!
DeleteI don't read a lot of historical fiction, but every once in a while one will catch my eye.
ReplyDeletesherry @ fundinmental
This isn't your typical historical. I'm basically a mystery-suspense writer, so this story has twists and turns and danger everywhere. I hope you take a chance on this one. Considering everyone ridiculed her and her sister for building a fort, then later rush to her fort when there's a rebellion tells you this woman is most unusual for her times.
DeleteThis sounds like a great Historical Fiction read. I like the cover.
ReplyDeleteThank you everyone for all the sweet comments. This story, of all my stories, has my heart. My next one will be a challenge to equal this, I fear. Good luck to all of you, and I hope you have a wonderful rest of Dec. with the people (or animals) you love, a good book, a warm fireplace, and yummy eats!
ReplyDeleteHistorical Fiction - Haven't tried this genre yet.
ReplyDeleteThis would be a great one to start with.
Thank you for sharing this.
Barbara, I would enjoy knowing what you think after reading it. Thanks.
DeleteAdding this one to my Christmas break list!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Amy.
DeleteLooks like a good book.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteDo you have any advice for new writers?
ReplyDeleteHi, Jamie. Write so it doesn't sound like writing, and learn to love revision. Delete unnecessary words and leave out anything that's redundant: He slammed the door in anger. ("in anger" is unnecessary because your readers aren't stupid. They know what a slammed door means in most cases.) Also, find a mentor or a competent critique group. Enjoy the journey!
ReplyDeleteThe Spinster, the Rebel, & the Governor sounds like an excellent read and I am looking forward to it. Thank you for sharing your bio and book details
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bea. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great read!
ReplyDeleteI hope you find it so.
DeleteThe historical fiction book sounds like a fun book to read.
ReplyDeleteBelieve me, I worked to give my readers something to be delighted about--hope it does.
DeleteThe book sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Deb.
DeleteBest to you.
DeleteThis looks like a great book and a good way to see how women have had to fight for our rights-Thanks
ReplyDeleteI had no idea how it permeated everything they thought or did.
DeleteHappy Thursday
ReplyDeleteAnd a happy week ahead to you, too.
DeleteLAST DAY. Thanks
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
DeleteMy daughter would enjoy this book
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the excerpt. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, and good luck.
DeleteVery intriguing i cant wait, awesome
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteCongratulations on your release of The Spinster, the Rebel, and the Governor, Charlene, I enjoyed the excerpt and I enjoyed following the tour and learning about your book, which sounds like a fascinating historical read for me and I like the cover! Good luck with your book and I hope the tour was a success!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing it with me and have a magical holiday season!
Aw, thank you so much Stormy. What thoughtful and kind words. I've enjoyed doing this, and so appreciate everyone who participated. Here's to you having a wonderful year ahead. We all need it. (Big smile)
Deletethanks again for the great giveaway best wishes with your book
ReplyDeleteThe excerpt is interesting. Thank you for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the first book that made you cry?
ReplyDeleteWhat have learned from this year?
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an interesting book and I also like the cover.
abfantom at yahoo dot com
I wish you a wonderful year ahead, and best of luck in everything you endeavor. Thank you for making this a great blog tour for me and my book. Maybe we'll do this again next year. Be warm and safe, everyone.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a very interesting read.
ReplyDelete