Book Title: John Brown's Women: A Novel
Author: Susan Higginbotham
Publication Date: 7th December 2021
Publisher: Onslow Press
Page Length: 402 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
As the United States wrestles with its besetting sin—slavery—abolitionist John Brown is growing tired of talk. He takes actions that will propel the nation toward civil war and thrust three courageous women into history.
Wealthy Brown, married to John Brown's oldest son, eagerly falls in with her husband's plan to settle in Kansas. Amid clashes between pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers, Wealthy's adventure turns into madness, mayhem, and murder.
Fifteen-year-old Annie Brown is thrilled when her father summons her to the farm he has rented in preparation for his raid. There, she guards her father's secrets while risking her heart.
Mary Brown never expected to be the wife of John Brown, much less the wife of a martyr. When her husband's daring plan fails, Mary must travel into hostile territory, where she finds the eyes of the nation riveted upon John—and upon her.
Spanning three decades, John Brown's Women is a tale of love and sacrifice, and of the ongoing struggle for America to achieve its promise of liberty and justice for all.
Trigger Warnings:
Deaths of young children through illness or accidents (not graphically described); implied heavy petting involving a willing minor.
Buy Links:
Amazon: https://books2read.com/u/4jP27l
Read an Excerpt
Bundled up in winter clothing, John came into the parlor. Handing his coat and other things to Bessie with a nod in acknowledgement of her services, he said, “I heard from my sister Ruth that Mr. Hotchkiss had died. I wanted to express my sympathies to Miss Hotchkiss—and to the rest of the family.”
Wealthy’s mother smiled wanly. “That is very kind of you, sir. Do sit down, you look frozen. Did you come from a great distance?”
“Akron. I got rides here and there, but I footed it much of the way.”
“You walked?” Wealthy asked.
He nodded. “I’m an inveterate walker. It’s invigorating.”
“Well, you must stay for supper after all that walking,” Mother said. “And stay overnight, unless you have made other arrangements.”
John shook his head. “No, I was going to find a tavern rather than impose.”
“Goodness, no,” Mother said. “There’s certainly no need for that.”
Wealthy listened as her mother launched into her favorite topic—temperance. It was the most animated she had seen Mother in days, and she was pleased to see John making such a good impression, even while hardly getting in a word edgewise.
Early the next day, after a hearty breakfast and a disquisition from Mother about healthful eating, John rose and prepared to go. “Ruth said that you would be returning to school. Am I right, Miss Hotchkiss?”
“Yes, Father wanted me to finish what I had started.”
“Good. Then I’ll see you back there in just a few days.”
Knapsack in hand, John bade them farewell. The weather outside could hardly look any less inviting. They hadn’t even been able to bury Wealthy’s father, the ground had been so hard; they had had to place his body in the cemetery’s holding vault until conditions improved. “Wait,” Wealthy said. “I’ll walk with you for a bit.”
“Dear! You’ll catch your death of cold!” Mother protested.
Even John asked, “Are you sure?”
“I won’t be out but for a minute.” Before her mother could say more, Wealthy gathered her cloak around her and enveloped her head in its warm hood.
It was even colder than she had supposed, but she grimly faced down the wind as John said, “I was glad to see you’re not in deep mourning.”
“Mother said I was too young to assume it, though I believe I’m quite old enough.”
“Well, I think it unnecessary no matter a woman’s age. Unnecessary and unfair, really, as no one expects a man to drench himself in black to prove his grief.”
“I hadn’t thought of it that way.”
“My mother died when I was twelve, as I guess Ruth has told you. None of us put on mourning—not even an armband for Father—but it didn’t mean we didn’t grieve. Once or twice, I found Father sobbing at her grave. I wept there as well.” He took Wealthy’s gloved hand. “You’ll miss your father a great deal in the days to come, but don’t fear; after a while, the grief does settle down. It becomes something that you always carry with you but doesn’t obtrude upon you.”
“Thank you.” She shivered.
“Do go home, Wealthy. Your mother’s right; you’ll catch cold.”
“I will after I ask something. You came all the way here in the freezing cold just to give me your sympathies. Why?”
“I guess I was afraid that Ruth was wrong about you going back to school and worried that I’d never see you again.” He hesitated. “It’s the wrong time to say this, I know, but I love you.”
She stared up at him. “I love you too,” she breathed.
Susan Higginbotham
Susan Higginbotham is the author of a number of historical novels set in medieval and Tudor England and, more recently, nineteenth-century America, including The Traitor's Wife, The Stolen Crown, Hanging Mary, and The First Lady and the Rebel. She and her family, human and four-footed, live in Maryland, just a short drive from where John Brown made his last stand. When not writing or procrastinating, Susan enjoys traveling and collecting old photographs.
Social Media Links:
Website: www.susanhigginbotham.com
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Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/susan.higginbotham
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Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Susan-Higginbotham/e/B0028OC748
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/260080.Susan_Higginbotham
Thank you so much for hosting the blog tour for John Brown's Women.
ReplyDeleteAll the best,
Mary Anne
The Coffee Pot Book Club
You are welcome! Good luck to the author for the book and tour!
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