I spent many hours contemplating the ultimate sacrifice given by so many during the Civil War Battle of Antietam while I wrote DIVIDED LOYALTIES. Some 23,000 soldiers were killed, wounded or missing after twelve hours of savage combat on September 17, 1862. Last week, while on my way to a travel writers’ conference, I took a…
I’ll mark the anniversary of the Battle of Antietam at Greetings and Readings Sunday, Sept. 17, with a book signing. Divided Loyalties—have you heard?—tells the story of a young Irish lass who wants to serve her adopted country as her brother Joe plans to do. It’s a struggle all the way as she strives to…
My two writing obsessions—novels and travel writing—come together next week in Winchester, Virginia. Winchester is the site of this year’s Mid-Atlantic Travel Public Relations Alliance (MATPRA) Media Marketplace, an event I’ve attended as a travel writer for many years. This year, I’ll also be going as a new novelist. I’m going to sign my book…
I had no idea how wonderful it would be to talk to readers about my Maureen, Joe, Patrick and Eliza. It’s as if they have really jumped out of my mind and off the page and entered the world. They are living and breathing and winning the hearts of those who meet them. I’m so…
UPDATE: What fun we had! One of our authors was called away and we missed her. But we had a rollicking good time. The conversation went on long past the closing time. People came from all over the country. So many books, so many talented authors. And lots of readers who sounded like they found…
A fellow author, Irene Frances Olson, recently asked on her website: If a book doesn’t have any reviews on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other booksellers’ sites, does it really exist? As anyone who has held DIVIDED LOYALTIES in his or her hands — and I thank all of you from the bottom of my…
I finally got my own copies! Hurray!
She had packed some apples from the orchard and then wrapped a few beaten biscuits into a gingham towel. Then Maureen gently drew open the drawer in the pantry. Her father’s gun was in there. There were lots of strangers on the road these days, not all of them good. She lifted the gun out…
DIVIDED LOYALTIES said hello to the world today. I didn’t see it, mind you, until someone brought it to the house after it arrived on her doorstep. But today was its release day. Launching a book was a nerve-wracking process. I didn’t have to do anything. It was just a date on the calendar. On…
Maureen was a only a girl. Why would anybody want her to help them? Her father grumbled at her when she insisted she would volunteer in a battlefield hospital. Nothing could make Father change his mind. She begged and pleaded. What would it take to convince him she could make a difference helping soldiers wounded…
Mary K. Tilghman, writer 