She couldn’t have known then that someday she would meet and marry the congressman from Virginia, James Madison. He would go on to become the fourth president of the young United States of America.

And now, without further ado, may I present to you, Dolley and James!

Dolley would just love this! Happy Birthday, America’s First Lady! And Happy 250th Birthday to the US of A!

Releasing soon!

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be always acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my strength and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14

Ten years ago, I was a first-time author with three freshly published books. The Southold Chronicles were the stories of my ancestral grandparents who came to the New World in the 1600’s from England. I’d developed a talent for slipping back in time, as I imagined their lives based on the facts we knew. A curious mix of fact and fiction.

With the release of my third book, my new agent suggested I write a novel about Dolley Madison. He told me her story was an interesting one that was perfect for my genre. From there I embarked on research and writing that would take the next decade to complete. Some life changes, large and small, complicated my desire to finish this book. But I’d fallen in love with the story of Dolley and James, and I couldn’t let go.

You’ve heard that our timing is not always God’s timing? I’d prayed for this book from the start. Sometimes my prayers were why not, God? But I hope you’ve heard there are also times when God’s answer is not a no, but a wait. And there can be blessings in the wait. One of the blessings is that the story became stronger, more focused on how Dolley’s and James’s lives impacted our country. Another blessing is His timing is perfect timing.

It is my thrill to announce my fourth novel, Dolley and James, A Story of Love, Power, and America’s First Lady, will release this June. And God’s timing? It couldn’t be more perfect for this story as we are preparing to celebrate the 250^th anniversary of the signing of our Declaration of Independence.

During the Revolutionary War, James Madison served both with the Virginia Council of State, and in the Continental Congress. He would go on to be a close advisor to President Washington and draft the Constitution of the United States. Dolley was a young Quaker widow in Philadelphia when she met the congressman from Virginia. James will become the fourth president of our United States, and Dolley many years later will be eulogized as “our First Lady for over half a century” by President Zachary Taylor. It marked the first time the wife of a president was referred to as First Lady.

Our 250^th celebration this year is more than just a historic milestone. It’s a time to reflect on the sacrifice and vision of those who forged a new path, a new nation. And a call to honor our past, engage thoughtfully with our present, and help shape the future that fully completes the promise of freedom and justice for all.

I know you will love their story as I do. Their love and devotion to one another, and to their country, was unique. Together they became a power couple that set the pace for future presidential men and women.

Coming next month: a cover reveal!!

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be always acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my strength and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14