CAROLE'S BOOK CORNER: Book Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway: THE LOST DIARIES OF ELIZABETH CADY STANTON BY SARAH BATES

Lost Diaries of Elizabeth Cady Stanton by Sarah Bates

Publisher: Booklocker.com, Inc. (February 15, 2016) Category: Historical Fiction, Historical Romance Tour Dates: Oct/Nov, 2016 ISBN: 978-1634910262 ASIN: B01D6YS52G Available in: Print & ebook, 420 Pages

The Lost Diaries of Elizabeth Cady Stanton

From award winning author, Sarah Bates,

Johnstown, New York, 1823: It is a time when a wife’s dowry, even children, automatically becomes her husband’s property.
Slavery is an economic advantage entrenched in America but rumblings of abolition abound.
For Elizabeth Cady to confront this culture is unheard of, yet that is exactly what she does. Before she can become a leader of the women's rights movement and prominent abolitionist, she faces challenges fraught with disappointment.
Her father admires her intellect but says a woman cannot aspire to the goals of men.
Her sister’s husband becomes her champion–but secretly wants more.
Religious fervor threatens to consume her. As she faces depression and despair, she records these struggles and other dark confidences in diaries. When she learns the journals might fall into the wrong hands and discredit her, she panics and rips out pages of entries that might destroy her hard-fought reputation. Relieved, she believes they are lost to history forever.
But are they? Travel with Elizabeth into American history and discover a young woman truly ahead of her time.

Praise for Lost Diaries of Elizabeth Cady Stanton by Sarah Bates

"Secrets of a suffragette. After six years of research and writing, author Sarah Bates has published a new novel detailing the early life of suffragette Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Bates crafted a historical novel weaving fictitious scenes around real events resulting in a story that reveals Elizabeth Cady the girl, who would become the famous suffragette. Throughout the novel, diary pages containing her innermost thoughts depict the fight for equality Cady faced in the 1800s."-Village News

"a likely glimpse into what influenced her strong leanings for women's rights, and for abolishing slavery. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and learning about the woman who was instrumental in forwarding the cause for women. She was a remarkable character, much before her time. This book is an encouragement to dig deeper into the history of our country and the amazing people who led the way."- Jackie Wolfred,

Goodreads Reviewer "Reads like a novel, embraces well-researched facts like a work of non-fiction, and takes you through the early life of a woman’s suffrage pioneer. The book is an accurate and well-researched history done by a master of the descriptive word, thought and sentence."- Dan Feltham,

Amazon Reviewer "A must read for anyone, especially those who love historical fiction. I picked up the book out of curiosity, and the author's research and attention to historical details did not disappoint. The reader is pulled into the life of this determined young woman, and lives her triumphs and frustrations in a time where woman fought to have a voice. Very well written, and engaging until the end!"- Buyer KLR, Amazon Reviewer

"Despite the great books written about Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Author Sarah Bates has managed to soar beyond the crowd with her refreshing and poignant portrayal of the famous suffragette. Bravo!"-Amazon Reviewer

EXCERPT

Lost Diaries of Elizabeth Cady Stanton Excerpt, page 207-210 (793 words)

Elizabeth’s father agrees to allow her to travel home for Christmas by train. When her brother-in-law Edward arrives to accompany her, Elizabeth’s excitement soars.

Edward helped Elizabeth up the train steps and found a bench midway down the car. He brushed off the wooden surface with his handkerchief then hurried to stow her valise with the porter. When he returned to tumble into his place as the train lurched, the aroma of his cologne and the wool scent of his coat engulfed her and did much to dispel the reeking bodily odors of some of the passengers. Still, she held a perfumed handkerchief to her nose.

“A bit unsteady on my feet,” he said and laughed.

“Better you than me walking about this rocking train,” Elizabeth said, grateful she did not have to manage bulky petticoats along the narrow aisle for any distance.

By noon his questions about school and her animated responses waned.

“I am going to find us something to eat, and perhaps hot tea,” he said. He stood to investigate the train’s meal possibilities just as a young woman wearing a striped gown, a clean apron, and a starched bonnet began making her way down the aisle of their car. She carried a large basket covered with a white cloth.

“Lunch for all,” she cried. “Meat pies. Cakes. Hot tea.” When she turned their way, Edward beckoned her over.

He looked down at Elizabeth. “Well?”

“One of each,” she said. “I am starving.”

Edward braced himself in the narrow aisle as the woman came abreast of them. He made a selection from the basket, paid the young woman and with shaky hands handed Elizabeth a small teapot and two china cups. When the saleswoman eased by him to serve other travelers, Edward sunk down on the bench, his hands full, looking puzzled.

“I am not sure how we might consume these without a proper table.” He smiled at the absurd situation and shrugged his shoulders.

Elizabeth rummaged in her reticule handbag for another handkerchief. “Here,” she said, spreading it across her lap. “This will manage nicely for me. You have a similar handkerchief to protect your trousers as well.” She drew her skirts to her side to allow room between them for the cups and teapot then reached for the paper-wrapped pie in Edward’s hand. “Place the cakes here,” she said, gesturing to a narrow space beside the teapot.

Edward appeared to be uncomfortable with the cramped dining restriction, but she chose to ignore him and began devouring the food. Eating helped distract her from thinking about his closeness and how much she liked it.

For ten or so minutes the clanking of the train on the tracks, and its mournful wail as it rushed through a tiny village, combined with murmurs of polite chewing. The tea cooled by the time Elizabeth braved the sway of the railroad car to dare pour it into a cup. It revived her, nevertheless. In time the young saleswoman made her way back through the train to gather the debris from their luncheon. By then, Elizabeth’s curiosity about the remainder of their trip grew once again. Edward brought a book with him and opened it to its ribbon bookmark.

She glanced at the title: The Conquest of Granada by John Dryden.

“You have not recommended this author for me, Edward. Is it a good book? One that I would like?” she asked.

“It is a play written long ago in poetic stanzas–a tragic story of love and jealousy,” he replied, clearing his throat. “I rather like the words Dryden chooses,” Edward continued almost in a whisper. “You might like it too. When we arrive home, take the book. Read it.”

Elizabeth turned her attention to the landscape sliding by their window. Her face burned and she felt unsettled. What could he mean recommending a book with such a sensitive plot? Was there more to this than might be on the surface? With Edward here so close, she could steal glances at his profile without his knowing and then abruptly look away. Perhaps he was sending her a message. It’s nice having him here, warm and smelling of good cologne, leather and wool. She pressed her nose against the glass, recoiling at its sharp tingle. Best think of something else, she reckoned, pushing her careless thoughts of Edward deep down inside.

December 16, 1831

Dear Diary, the railroad train trip home turned out to be noisy and dirty. The best part? Edward. Having the dear man beside me and all to myself. He seemed a bit ill at ease, which surprised me, as we have been friends for so long. Having his handsome self so near was wonderful, though. I know envy is a sin, yet I envy my sister for her marriage to him. I will never be an angel for my thoughts are too wicked.

About Sarah Bates

Sarah Bates worked as an advertising copywriter for ten years then as a freelance writer. Her clients included a book packager, the local chamber of commerce, a travel newsletter and a weekly newspaper where she covered business and schools.
Her short fiction has appeared in the Greenwich Village Literary Review, the San Diego North County Times (now the Union-Tribune) and the literary magazine Bravura.
She is the author of Twenty-One Steps of Courage, an Army action novel published in 2012 and co-author of the 2005 short story collection, Out of Our Minds, Wild Stories by Wild Women.
She is the winner of Military Category, for Twenty-One Steps of Courage, Next Generation Indie Book Awards (2013) and 2nd Place Finalist, The Lost Diaries of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Unpublished Novel- Category, San Diego Book Awards (2015) Bates was an English Department writing tutor at Palomar College in California for ten years.
She continues to privately tutor both academic and creative writing students and is writing a new novel. Sarah Bates lives in Fallbrook, California.
Website: http://www.sarahbatesauthor.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bateswriter
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahbatesauthor/ Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/108133638718869926894/posts