I love finding obscure bits of history that I can build a story around. My soon-to-come novella came about in just that way. As I was looking through some history timelines, I came across a reference to The Toledo War in Ohio. With a little more digging, i discovered that the state of Ohio and the territory of Michigan each did a some grandstanding over the official placement of the line between them. And the new city of Toledo was literally caught in the middle. Thus, Time Will Tell was born.
I’m so excited that this story will wing its way into the world in the next couple of weeks. And very excited about the cover that will accompany it! (If you want to know when the book is ready for purchase, be sure to sign up for my newsletter on the home page of my website: www.annemateer.com
Now enjoy a bit more about the story followed by the cover itself.
Spring 1835
Returning home after two years at the Buffalo Ladies’ Seminary, Annis Jackson believes God has blessed her with the perfect homecoming: a whirlwind romance with a man she’s loved from afar during her time at school. Except the object
of her affections, Hugh Hylton, is related to her father’s most bitter enemy, a man determined to see Toledo firmly in the grip of the state of Ohio and the very one funding Hugh’s newspaper venture.
After several years of newspaper work in Buffalo, New York, Hugh Hylton jumped at his uncle’s offer of financial help to start a newspaper on the opposite shore of Lake Erie. And when he discovers during the steamship voyage to his new home that the woman he’s been dreaming about for the past year, Annis Jackson, loves him back, his future seems secure. He arrives in Port Lawrence, part of the newly named town of Toledo, ready to approach her father and declare his intentions toward her.
But Annis fears Hugh doesn’t understand the depth of the personal conflict over the positioning of Ohio’s state line and persuades him to conceal their relationship until she can prepare her father to accept Hugh in spite of his family connections. Then the Michigan militia arrives in the Toledo Strip, determined to prevent Ohio elections, and the situation gets out of hand, making their secret more difficult to guard. Suddenly the future of the newspaper—and their relationship—is as unstable as the fate of Toledo itself.
Will Hugh and Annis survive their feuding families? Only time will tell.
How much does your connection with a cover influence your decision to purchase or not purchase a book?
Just yesterday I was thinking about you. I was wondering if you were going to put another book out soon because I have missed reading them so much. I absolutely can’t wait to read this one. I love the cover and the description has intrigued me. I try not to let the cover of a book influence me but it does. Anything you write, I will buy knowing it will be a great read.
You are so sweet, Karen! Thank you for thinking of me! This one should be out near the beginning of September! 🙂
That is a beautiful cover! I do think covers have quite a bit of influence on me and my book buying (and reading) choices. I have never heard of The Toledo War before…what an interesting part of history! Can’t wait to read this!
Thanks, Becky! So glad it intrigues you! 🙂