Washington's Lady (Ladies of History Series #3) [Paperback]

Nancy Moser (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2008

A well-researched, unique, fictionalized story from a Christy-award-winning author that brings to life Martha Washington.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Popular historical novelist Moser (Mozart's Sister; Just Jane) turns to Martha Custis Washington in an uncharacteristically slow, unimaginative tale. Moser opens with the death of Martha's first husband and her subsequent marriage to George. When the Revolution commences, Martha is forced to flee Mount Vernon, and Loyalist newspapers claim that she has abandoned the Patriot cause. Moser, who cut her literary teeth on Christian fiction, depicts religious faith throughout: we see Martha attending church, offering up the occasional prayer, devotedly loving her husband and caring for her children. The description of the death of her daughter, Patsy, is especially moving. The novel focuses on the Washingtons' early marriage and experiences during the war. After the Revolution ends, Moser briefly describes George's election as president, and then fast-forwards 11 years to his death. Unfortunately, the novel lacks a real plot; there is no central conflict that demands resolution. The historical details—such as Lafayette's joining the family as another son—are accurate enough, but Moser never fully plunges readers into an earlier world. (June)
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Review

"...the slice of Martha Washington's life that Moser offers in this engaging novel ... provide a good inspirational historical read." -- Cindy Crosby, FaithfulReader.com

"Inventive. Intriguing. Tasteful. Unforgettable. This book was all those things and more.... I cannot recommend this book highly enough." -- Carrie Brownell, 5MinutesforMom.com

"Told with the appeal of first person, don't miss this intimate book of history." -- Deborah Tompkins Johnson, Potomac News/Manassas Journal Messenger

"I truly enjoyed my brief sojourn with Moser's warm and human Martha." -- Violet Nesdoly, BlogCritics.org

"Moser's research, powerful dialogue and flawless creativity give readers a heart-wrenching first-person account..." -- Romantic Times

"Historical fiction does not get any better than this and that is why Washington's Lady is highly recommended." -- Debora Hosey, TheRomanceReadersConnection.com

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 414 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers; Reprinted edition (June 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764205005
• ISBN-13: 978-0764205002
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,136,980 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Nancy Moser is the award-winning author of over twenty novels that focus on the characters discovering their unique purpose. Her genres include both contemporary and historical stories. Her latest release "An Unlikely Suitor" was named to Booklist's "Top 10 Romance Novels of 2011". Both "An Unlikely Suitor" and "Masquerade" are set in the Gilded Age of New York City (see a book trailer for "Masquerade" below.) Coming out in 2012 is a Christmas/Quilt antholgy,"A Patchwork Christmas", containing three novellas by Moser, Stephanie Grace Whitson, and Judith Miller. Moser's contemporary books are known for their big-cast utilization of multiple points-of-view and intricate plotting. Some titles are "John 3: 16", "The Sister Circle", "The Good Nearby", and "The Invitation." Her historical bio-novels allow real women-of-history to share their life stories: "Just Jane" (Jane Austen), "Mozart's Sister" (Nannerl Mozart), "Washington's Lady" (Martha Washington) and "How Do I Love Thee?" (Elizabeth Barrett Browning.) Her time-travel novel, "Time Lottery", won a Christy Award and "Washington's Lady" was a finalist. Nancy and her husband Mark live in the Midwest. She's earned a degree in architecture, traveled extensively in Europe, and has performed in numerous theaters, symphonies, and choirs. She gives Said So Sister Seminars around the country, helping women identify their gifts as they celebrate their sisterhood. She paints canes voraciously, kills all her houseplants, and can wire an electrical fixture without getting shocked. She is a fan of anything antique--humans included. Find out more at www.nancymoser.com, www.sistercircles.com. and her historical fiction blog at: http://footnotesfromhistory.blogspot.com/

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating Biographical Novel, June 2, 2008

By 

Jennifer AlLee (Nevada USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Washington's Lady (Ladies of History Series #3) (Paperback)

If you've ever suffered through a junior high American History class, you probably think you know all you'll ever need to know about the forming of our country. If only history class had been as captivating and enthralling as this novel!

In Washington's Lady, Nancy Moser shines a light on the reluctant First Lady of America. Her life was plagued with heartbreak and the deaths of many that she loved. Yet she also experienced great joy with the love of her life and soul mate, George. She was a woman off contradictions, having great strength during adversity, but fearful of the specter of death that loomed over her life. She showed grace and affection to the soldiers under her husband's command, but she was loathe to become a public figure. Martha Washington was a unique woman, flaws and all.

History truly comes alive in Moser's capable hands. I learned so much reading this story, not just about Martha, but about George and the struggles to form our country. And I enjoyed it immensely. At the end of the book, Moser includes a section titled Fact or Fiction in Washington's Lady. It's another glimpse at the care and diligence taken in presenting the fascinating tale of an extraordinary woman and the family and country she loved.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars strong look at the first First Lady, June 1, 2008

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Washington's Lady (Ladies of History Series #3) (Paperback)

When her beloved Daniel died as well as two of their children, wealthy widow Martha Dandridge Custis vowed death would never mock her again. However, being affluent and young, many want to court her; none interest her. That is until she meets the French and Indian War Colonel George Washington, a shy warrior. She knows she has met her soulmate.

They marry and live in his Mount Vernon home. However, their life together is interrupted by war as George now a general leads the rebel forces against the mightiest army in the world; a side he once belong to. There are several years of separation and worry as Martha tries to hold the family together while George is at war. When they reunite, their love is stronger and helps them several years later when she becomes the first First Lady; but death will return to mock her once again.

As she has done with Jane Austen (see JUST JANE) and Nannerl Mozart (see MOZART'S SISTER), Nancy Moser provides a strong look at the first First Lady, who Washington insisted was "my other self". Readers will see how deaths of loved ones shaped her adult life and helped her as the "mother of our country". Biographical fiction fans and historical novel readers will appreciate this superb glimpse of WASHINGTON'S LADY, Martha.

Harriet Klausner

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Book Enticed Desire to Read More History, February 23, 2009

By 

j.j. - See all my reviews

This review is from: Washington's Lady (Ladies of History Series #3) (Paperback)

My Mom read this book and she told me I needed to read it. So, she had been bothering me for quite some time to read it therefore it sat on the top of my closet for a few weeks...Sorry Mom! In addition, I am not a lover of romance novels and for some reason this book looked like a boring case of "Why Me?" "whininess" over a lost lover wrapped in a dry history lesson. However, I was wrong in all of my "judging a book by its cover" mentality rather, this book became MY romance as Martha Washington was so beautifully unfolded in my mind. Also, I had a whole new appreciation for George Washington and the struggles he endured. In the end, I truly enjoyed this book and I AM NOT giving it back to my Mom:)