It's been 19 months since my husband died.
I don't know how I managed to get this third book published. I'm just now ready to update the website and let readers know the trilogy is complete.
Much has come to an end, but with each end comes a new beginning. With each beginning comes a treasure of memories that will live on.

​

The third book in the trilogy The Courtship of Lizzie Andrews is in final manuscript form. Now the real work begins—publishing the book. The research was intensive and the project took 15 years to complete.

Nearly four years ago, my husband, as avid reader, was diagnosed with early stage Alzheimer’s. With the completion of the manuscript for book three, he implemented his plan to read the entire trilogy at once, before he forgot. After reading book one, he said, “I knew you could write, but this is really good!” His report on book two came at 2 am the next day, “I couldn’t put it down.” Yesterday, he told his buddy, “Book three is the best.”

Picture this: his friend is a Vietnam Vet, he is battling cancer and my husband is telling him to read a Victorian romance trilogy featuring two teenagers living in the Boston area in the 1850s.

Yet, he may be right. Book three has a twist.

While book two might be predictable—what do you expect from a romance novel titled Will You Marry Me?, book three, Will You Wait for Me?, holds out hope for a happily-ever-after ending.

​The outcome of book two was not predicted by the protagonist—Lizzie Andrews did not see it coming. Living with a brother in the throes of melancholy had colored her perception. Even blinded by love, her youthful inexperience had not prepared her for a marriage proposal. Yet, even book two has unpredictable elements. In the midst of the young lovers’ plan for a rendezvous, US Secretary of State Daniel Webster falls from his horse and dies. His tragic death inconvenienced the young lovers but was a nuisance of historic proportion. This brilliant statesman had passed up two opportunities to hold the country’s highest office and was thought to have been the only person who could prevent a war between the states.

As I was writing, I knew and hoped book three would contain the adventure and daring that a guy would like, if you'll excuse my stereotyping here—even a Vietnam Vet. The final story involves ships at sea facing the unpredictable elements Mother Nature throws in the path of any vessel pushing to leave port before winter arrives. That may be the most intriguing part of the trilogy for the story of book three was first told by the New York Herald. It really had to be retold in a book and, for me, the story had to be personal—and romantic.

I am grateful for every twist and turn history provided, from Webster’s death to the inevitable war that freed the slaves. Had any element been different, we certainly would not be telling the story. I am humbled by the stories history provides and honored to tell this one. I hope you enjoy it.

I had the distinct pleasure of meeting with a book group in Spokane to discuss Book One: Will You Write to Me? This great group, organized by Pat Moseley, suggested we provide some discussion questions for book groups. Here are some suggested questions to start:

1. How did Lizzie change from age 14 to 17?
2. How might Joe describe the story from his perspective? Why?
3. What role did Laura play in the family and how did her actions affect Lizzie and Edward?
4. What did Lizzie’s father do to support the family?
5. How did Lizzie’s mother die and what changed in the family after her death?
6. Where were the household servants from? Was this typical in New England? Why?
7. How were educational opportunities available for girls different in 1850 compared to those available to girls today?

Please let me know what you think! Or comment to suggest other questions.

I thought you'd enjoy this book review by "a guy . . . not into romance narratives." He provides great insight to the historical context of the trilogy. Thanks for sharing, Curt!

By Curt Sanders

The first book of three on the courtship of Lizzie Andrews and Edward Jarvis Tenney, 14 and 16 years of age at the time (1850-52) - youthful 1st cousins living in Massachusetts during a fantastic time in American history. Although cousins (not unusual at the time) and young (youth were more mature in a lot of ways then), the letters are a true story view of the young lovers!

Although Lizzie and Edward were engrossed in a courtship in 1850, they did touch upon events surrounding them
 - a mere 66 years after the Revolution; 36 years after the War of 1812; and two years after the Mexican-American War. 
- Millard Fillmore was President, and the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. 
- Edward made a note on women’s rights after hearing a woman publicly speak - only two years earlier the Seneca Falls New York congregation of women declared universal rights with men. 
- Edward also attended a sermon by Octavious Brooks Frothingham (1822-1895) - a lesser known but historically significant abolitionist of slavery. 
- Medicine was becoming more a science than philosophy. Lizzie’s brother was one of the first to be treated by the father of American
psychiatry, Dr. Luther V. Bell and his successor Dr. Chauncey Booth. 
- Americans were starting to move West - Edward mentions the “Homestead Act” in 1851 (he probably meant the “Donation Land Claim Act of 1850” as the Homestead Act wasn’t enacted
until 1862). 
- Also in 1850, the US 1850 Census was the first to give names and more detail on family units - a boon for us genealogists in the future. 
- Edward attended a lecture by Edward Everett, that fellow who was well noted for his two-hour stem-winding beautiful orations and was the speaker before Abraham Lincoln at Gettysburg. Lincoln’s few minutes of dedication is remembered; Everett’s is a footnote of history!

Despite being a “guy” and not into romance narratives, I enjoyed reading this book. It was filled with history witnessed by the two young lovers. It made me realize that letter writing was an art then - contrasted with texting and email of today. I can’t wait to read Book Two!!

We have been receiving great feedback about the first book in the trilogy The Courtship of Lizzie Andrews. We appreciate all your comments. 

I have been able to respond to everyone except Ellie Moffitt of San Mateo, California. Ellie, if you are checking this blog, there was a problem with the e-mail address you used. If you would like a response, please send us a second message with another address where we might reach you. We appreciate your interest! Thank you. 

Greetings! 
We are in the process of posting the names and brief bios of all the people Edward mentions in book two and book three. Currently the Who's' Who section only contains those mentioned in book one. This consists of more than a decade of research by my amazing mother. What is on the website will be brief but she has an extensive database if you are seeking additional information. Please send us your questions and comments!

Hope you are enjoying Will You Write to Me? and hope you have a Happy New Year!

PJ

Hello friends, 

Publishing a book to include illustrations from the mid-1800s is challenging. We were not satisfied with the quality of the illustrations we received in the proof copies of book one, Will You Write to Me? As a result, we went back to the drawing board. There is only so much we can do to make 1850 daguerreotypes not look grainy. We think the new and improved illustrations add so much to the story and hope you agree it was worth the wait.

Book two, Will You Marry Me?, is nearly ready to be formatted and our target for publication is March 2015.

Book three, Will You Wait for Me? is on-target to be released in late spring or early summer 2015.

Thank you for your continued interest as this trilogy unfolds at the pace of a 1850's carriage traveling the back-country trails on wooden wheels without a GPS device.

PJ

Edward wrote his letters with a nib-tipped pen, dipped in an inkwell. 
His light came from a candle, the sun or a gas lamp. 
He appropriately respected how relationships were strictly defined and formal, so his communication was courteous and respectful. Inscription was slow, formal, deliberate and, in his case, joyous and hopeful. 

This is his first letter...

Harvard University
Sat. Eve.

Ma chere cousine,

Will you write to me? If so, I will proceed; if not, I will end immediately; because, of course you would not wish to receive a letter, which you would not be willing to answer. Therefore, in order that I may do nothing contrary to your desire, I will repeat the query,-"Will you write to me?" 


As there is no answer, I shall, according to the principle that "Silence gives consent," take it for granted that your answer is in the affirmative, and act accordingly. If I have erred in my premise, I shall consider the not answering of my note an indication of your displeasure and of course must presume that both my letter and myself are highly objectionable to you and will endeavor for the future, to wound your feelings no more. But I can not believe that you entertain quite so bad an opinion of me and therefore will entreat you to write. If but one line, yet do write to me: the oftener the better.

When I bade you good-bye, on my departure from Salem, I felt as sorry and loth to go as it were possible for me to feel under any circumstances. I left the table before I had finished, in order that I might see you once more before you went to school, but I reached the house five minutes too late. You had just gone, and yet as I gazed down Chestnut Street, if perchance I might see and overtake you before you turned at the corner, there was no Lizzie in sight. As I took my seat in the cars, my thoughts again and again carried me to the source of my pleasant visit, and I lamented the summons that called me home, yes home that I wished so much to see. 


Owing to my long and protracted stay in Salem, I did not go to Dedham and see my sister Liz as I originally intended, but was compelled to defer my visit until some time during the present term.

How do my slippers advance? From a source you little suspect, I learned that they were already begun. Slippers do not need "shoe strings" to tie them, do they?

You may expect me to fly down and spend some Sabbath with you when you little dream of my coming. I shall come down some time with JW.  So don't be frightened if I drop down very suddenly some time. 


But it is 12 o'clock and I have to get up to prayers tomorrow at 5 ½, so I must to bed.

Adieu

Edward

(Do write)