Monday, August 21, 2023

About the Book

Book: Maeve’s Pledge

Author: Linda Shenton Matchett

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: March 21, 2023

Pledges can’t be broken, can they?

Finally, out from under her father’s tyrannical thumb, Maeve Wycliffe can live life on her terms. So what if everyone sees her as a spinster to be pitied. She’ll funnel her energies into what matters most: helping the less fortunate and getting women the right to vote. When she’s forced to team up with the local newspaper editor to further the cause, will her pledge to remain single get cropped?

Widower Gus Deighton sees no reason to tempt fate that he can find happiness a second time around. Well past his prime, who would want him anyway? He’ll continue to run his newspaper and cover Philadelphia’s upcoming centennial celebration. But when the local women’s suffrage group agrees that the wealthy, attractive, and very single Maeve Wycliffe acts as their liaison, he finds it difficult to remain objective.

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About the Author

Linda Shenton Matchett writes about ordinary people who did extraordinary things in days gone by. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, she was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry (of Star-Spangled Banner fame) and has lived in historical places all her life. She is a volunteer docent and archivist at the Wright Museum of WWII and a former trustee for her local public library. She now lives in central New Hampshire where she explores the history of this great state and immerses herself in the imaginary worlds created by other authors.

More from Linda

When asked to contribute a story to the Suffrage Spinsters series, I immediately sat down and researched the suffrage movement. I was surprised to discover that the crusade to get women the right to vote began the 1830s. Nearly twenty years later, a women’s rights convention was held in Seneca Falls, New York, an event considered the actual “birthplace” of women’s suffrage.

The history of suffragism in America is fascinating because of the large percentage of women who were against getting the right to vote. As I continued to delve into the history of the movement, I unearthed many references to an incident that occurred at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition. Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton decided to write a document similar to the US “Declaration of Independence,” call it the “Declaration of the Rights of Women,” and present it at the Exposition’s July 4thcelebration.

Their request to speak was summarily dismissed, and in fact, few women were able to obtain tickets to the event.

Undeterred, Anthony came up with an alternate plan. On July 4th, in the midst of Richard Henry Lee’s speech (grandson and namesake of one of the Declaration of Independence signers), she marched down the aisle inside Independence Hall and handed a scroll tied in a festive navy-blue ribbon to the host, then turned and made her way out of the building, distributing copies to the clamoring crowd as she went. Outside, she read the document aloud as the remaining copies were distributed. Newspapers covered her presentation and printed portions of the document. Word spread, and countless newspapers outside of Philadelphia picked up the article.

I knew I had my story, and I hope in some small way Maeve’s Pledge honors those tenacious men and women who fought to gain women the right to vote.

Blessings,

Linda Shenton Matchett

MY REVIEW

The story is a look at how women had to fight for the right to vote. The author gives us important historical facts that enhance the story. I loved reading about Susan B. Anthony and her dedicated work to help women become active in voting and other areas where women were thought of as a weak link. It surprised me how long it took to get the laws changed and I admire the women who went before me to pave the way for our rights.

Maeve is a woman who happens to be wealthy and looked on as a commodity to some men. Her money could help them expand their business ventures but they never treated her as a person who was intelligent. She has a fire within her to change the stigma about women and sets out to do her part. I don’t think she was quite ready to be a reporter for a newspaper though.

Gus doesn’t make a great first impression on Maeve but as things go, he finds himself with a new employee. He is not sure how this arrangement will work but I like that he was willing to give it a try. Not everyone is pleased with the new hire and a scene unfolds in the office. As a widower he never thought having Maeve around would be so upsetting to his deceased wife’s sister. Talk about being rude, Hester makes it known she is not happy to see Gus with another woman.

I loved how the author portrays Maeve as a gentle and kind woman. Instead of being offended by Hester she shows her grace. I wonder if we are quick to judge others instead of giving them grace? Like Maeve explains, no one knows what other people are going through. Their anger could be their way of showing how much emotional pain they are in. It is a great lesson for us to remember. God wants us to love our enemies.

The author intrigued me as I followed Maeve and Gus. Although Gus may be having feelings for Maeve she doesn’t seem interested. He seems to understand her more than she realizes though. She has this idea that all men are controlling and is closed off to the idea of marriage. Her lack of trust in men is something she will have to deal with.

I enjoyed learning more about a pivotal historical fact that changed the lives of women. Maeve has proven to be a good advocate and also along the way has a chance to allow God to heal her heart. I loved the ending and applaud the author for writing a story that inspires readers to stand up for what is right.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.