Unwrapping a Guest Review by Connie Fischer of AMERICA'S FIRST DAUGHTER: A Novel by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie

Greetings my darling readers, I know I’ve been remiss in providing you reviews of good reads this past year and I apologize. Life has a hold on me which does not allow me much reading time. I have tried to make up for that in publishing my own good reads for you and I hope you’ve given them a try. So to make up for my neglect, I will be offering up guest reviews for you enjoy. I hope to be back reviewing for you soon but in the meantime, I hope you’ll enjoy my dear friend, Connie Fischer’s reviews to guide you to good reads. Enjoy and Happy Reading!

I present to you a guest review of AMERICA’S FIRST DAUGHTER: A Novel by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie, published March 1, 2016.

Blurb for AMERICA’S FIRST DAUGHTER: A Novel:

The New York Times and USA Today Bestseller

In a compelling, richly researched novel that draws from thousands of letters and original sources, bestselling authors Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie tell the fascinating, untold story of Thomas Jefferson's eldest daughter, Martha "Patsy" Jefferson Randolph--a woman who kept the secrets of our most enigmatic founding father and shaped an American legacy.

From her earliest days, Patsy Jefferson knows that though her father loves his family dearly, his devotion to his country runs deeper still. As Thomas Jefferson's oldest daughter, she 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.

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Connie’s Review:

This story revolves around Thomas Jefferson and his daughter, Patsy Jefferson. It begins with the death of Jefferson’s wife, Martha, leaving behind 3 daughters, Patsy, Polly, and baby Lucy. Jefferson is left bereft and Patsy takes over the responsibility for her father and sisters.

Jefferson is then sent to France and Patsy accompanies him. There, she acts as her father’s hostess, learns French, and how to interact well with international people. She also meets William Short who steals her heart. When it comes time to return to America, Short wants Patsy to stay in France but she feels she cannot leave her father so they are parted.

Back in America, Patsy meets and marries Thomas Randolph.

Without going into a long dissertation here, suffice to say that Patsy becomes her father’s lifelong advocate including taking the name, Martha, as her mother was named. We learn of Jefferson’s illicit long affair with Sally, a slave, and the children they had. Martha’s marriage to Randolph is rocky and she gives birth to 11 children.

There are hardships faced by many members of the family and while Martha does not like slavery, in Virginia, it is accepted.  

Much of the story here is gleaned through the letters Jefferson wrote and the numerous papers he amassed.  

This is a difficult review for me to write because there is so much I want to share. But it such a beautifully written novel that I hope will find itself on everyone’s bookshelf. I would love to see this book as required reading in every American history class.

A huge thank you to the authors for their amazing research in writing this novel. It is a must read.

Copy provided by the publisher via Edelweiss.

AMERICA’S FIRST DAUGHTER: A Novel by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie, William Morrow Books, available now ebook, print, and audio at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobobooks.

Cover Reveal Tour for AMERICA'S FIRST DAUGHTER by Stephanie Dray & Laura Kamoie +#giveaway

AMERICA’S FIRST DAUGHTER

by Stephanie Dray & Laura Kamoie

Releasing March 1st, 2016 from William Morrow

In a compelling, richly researched novel that draws from thousands of letters and original sources, bestselling authors Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie tell the fascinating, untold story of Thomas Jefferson’s eldest daughter, Martha “Patsy” Jefferson Randolph—a woman who kept the secrets of our most enigmatic founding father and shaped an American legacy.

From her earliest days, Martha “Patsy” Jefferson knows that though her father loves his family dearly, his devotion to his country runs deeper still. As Thomas Jefferson’s oldest daughter, she becomes his helpmate in the wake of her mother’s death, traveling with him when he becomes American minister to France. And it is in Paris, at the glittering court and among the first tumultuous days of revolution, that she learns of her father’s liaison with Sally Hemings, a slave girl her own age.

Patsy too has fallen in love—with her father’s protégé, William Short, a staunch abolitionist intent on a career in Europe. Heartbroken at having to decide between being William’s wife or a devoted daughter, she returns to Virginia with her father and marries a man of his choosing, raising eleven children of her own.

Yet as family secrets come to light during her father’s presidency, Patsy must again decide how much she will sacrifice to protect his reputation, in the process defining not just Jefferson’s political legacy, but that of the nation he founded. 

About Stephanie:

STEPHANIE DRAY is a bestselling and award-nominated author of historical women’s fiction. Her series about Cleopatra’s daughter has been translated into six different languages, was nominated for a RITA Award and won the Golden Leaf.

As STEPHANIE DRAVEN, she is a national bestselling author of paranormal romance, contemporary romance, 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.

Stephanie’s Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

About Laura:

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. 

Laura’s Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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