Martha “Patsy” Jefferson Randolph
From Monticello to Jefferson’s White House,
America’s First Daughter Shaped the Legacy
of Our Nation
Sweeping New Historical Novel Pays Homage to an American
Heroine In a Story Never Before Revealed…
AMERICA’S FIRST DAUGHTER (William Morrow,
on-sale March 1, 2016, ISBN 9780062347268; eISBN 9780062347275; audio ISBN
9780062463548), is a compelling, richly researched novel by bestselling authors
Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie. Drawing from thousands of letters and original
sources, the authors reveal the fascinating, untold story of Martha “Patsy”
Jefferson Randolph, Thomas Jefferson’s eldest daughter. Patsy was
one of the most influential women in American history: not only the progeny of
a founding father – and the woman who held his secrets close to her heart – but
a key player in the shaping of our nation’s legacy. And her story is one
seldom told, until now.
This sweeping family saga will appeal to readers who loved
The Paris Wife , The Aviator’s Wife and Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker . Early
critical acclaim is incandescent, with copious praise from renowned voices such
as Erika Robuck (bestselling author of Hemingway's Girl and The House Of
Hawthorne ), who says, “Not since GONE WITH THE WIND has a single volume family
saga so brilliantly portrayed the triumphs, trials, and sins of a family in the
American South.”
AMERICA’S FIRST DAUGHTER is a poignant read,
about a woman who knows that, although her father loves his family dearly, his
devotion to his country runs deeper still. As Thomas Jefferson’s
oldest daughter, Patsy becomes his helpmate, protector, and constant
companion in the wake of her mother’s death, traveling with him when he becomes
American minister to France.
It is in Paris, at the glittering court and among
the first tumultuous days of revolution, that fifteen year-old Patsy
learns about her father’s troubling liaison with Sally Hemings, a slave girl
her own age. Meanwhile, Patsy has fallen in love—with her father’s protégé
William Short, a staunch abolitionist and ambitious diplomat. Torn between
love, principles, and the bonds of family, Patsy questions
whether she can choose a life as William’s wife and still be
a devoted daughter.
Her choice will follow her in the years to come, to Virginia
farmland, Monticello, and even the White House. And as scandal, tragedy, and
poverty threaten her family, Patsy must decide how much she will sacrifice to
protect her father's reputation, in the process defining not just his political
legacy, but that of the nation he founded.
“Painstakingly researched, beautifully hewn, compulsively
readable” (Allison Pataki, New York Times bestselling author of The Accidental
Empress ), AMERICA’S FIRST DAUGHTER by Stephanie Dray and
Laura Kamoie will be recorded in the historical fiction annals as a
compulsively readable political and
personal page-turner.
My Thoughts…
Historical Fiction can be so daunting. This is a story with a lot of history
shared in it and I devoured it. I took
the reading of this book slowly. I read
every word, not wanting to miss a single syllable. The story of Patsy Jefferson is not a
story I am familiar with. Honestly,
history was an incredibly boring subject to me in school and most of what I
learned is long gone.
The fact that the entire story is told from a woman growing
up during the Revolutionary Era is wonderful.
She is able to give facts that a man might have missed, such as the
clothing, the treatment of slaves, and the politics of the men. Most things are taboo for a women but Ms.
Jefferson is let into the inside world of men due to her mother’s death and her
father’s incredible need for her to be his right hand person. Life was not easy for Patsy. She raised 11 children, burying some before
their time, raised her husband’s siblings, and dealt with the life expects of
Thomas Jefferson’s family. I really
enjoyed getting a glimpse into her life and learned so much about that era, the
life of families, and the history of Thomas Jefferson’s Family.
America’s First Daughter is not a light read but it is an
excellent read. I devoured it slowly,
agonizingly slow at times. Yet, I could
have continued reading for another 500 pages. This is a book I would love to have a
discussion with my book club about. I
highly recommend getting your own copy.
Book Links
About the Authors:
STEPHANIE DRAY is an award-winning, bestselling and two-time
RITA award nominated author of historical women’s fiction. Her critically
acclaimed series about Cleopatra’s daughter has been translated into
eight different languages and won NJRW's Golden Leaf. As Stephanie Draven, she
is a national bestselling author of genre fiction and American-set historical
women's fiction. She is a frequent panelist and presenter at national writing
conventions and lives near the nation's capital. Before she became a novelist,
she was a lawyer, a game designer, and a teacher. Now she uses the stories of
women in history to inspire the young women of today.
LAURA KAMOIE has always been fascinated by the people,
stories, and physical presence of the past, which led her to a lifetime of historical and archaeological study and training. She holds a doctoral degree in early American history from The College of William and Mary, published two non-fiction books on early America, and most recently held the position of Associate Professor of History at the U.S. Naval Academy before transitioning to a full-time career writing genre fiction as the New York Times bestselling author of over twenty books, Laura Kaye. Her debut historical novel, America's First Daughter, co-authored with Stephanie Dray, allowed her the exciting opportunity to combine her love of history with her passion for storytelling. Laura lives among the colonial charm of Annapolis, Maryland with her husband and two daughters.
Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamioe’s AMERCA’S FIRST DAUGHTER Blog Tour Schedule:
February 29th
What Is That Book About – Guest Post
Only One More Page – Review
A Fortress of Books – Excerpt
For the Love of Books & Alcohol – Review
March 1st
My Girlfriends Nook Korner – Review
Talking Books Blog – Excerpt
Smexy & Fabulous – Excerpt
Ramblings From This Chick – Excerpt
March 2nd
Maari Loves Her Indies – Excerpt
This Wacky Momma Reads – Review
Roxy's Reviews – Excerpt
Brooke Blogs – Excerpt
March 3rd
A Diary of a Book Addict – Review
E-Reading After Midnight – Guest Post
Small Review – Guest Post
March 4th
Sassy Moms Say Read Romance – 2 Reviews
Leeanna.me – Review
Creative Madness Mama – Excerpt
March 5th
A Dream Within A Dream – Guest Post
Chick with Books – Review
Vagabonda Reads – Review
March 6th
Mama Reads Hazel Sleeps – Review
Movies, Shows & Books – Excerpt
I Read Indie – Excerpt
March 7th
No BS Book Reviews – Interview
My fictional escape – Review
Words with Sarah – Review
March 8th
The Maiden's Court – Review
Unabridged Chick – Review
The Book Cellar – Interview
Becky on Books – Review
March 9th
Sofia Loves Books – Review
A Soccer Mom's Book Blog – Review
One Book At A Time – Review
Curling Up by the Fire – Review
March 10th
A Bookish Affair - Interview
Curled Up and Cozy – Review
Into the Hall of Books – Review
Margie's Must Reads – Review
March 11th
Book Talk – Review
JB's Book Obsession – Excerpt
Genre Queen – Review
Leigh Anderson Romance - Interview
Thank you so much! ~Jessica, InkSlinger PR
ReplyDeleteThank you for including me. I learned so much about a wonderful and interesting lady.
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