What happens when the line between the past and the present begins to blur. . .
When 35 year-old Rachel Miller moves into Union Cemetery with her new husband Adam, the 7th generation cemetery keeper, the happiness that’s always eluded her seems within her grasp.
On her first walk through the lush and silent grounds of her new home, Rachel discovers the stunning monument to Tillie Smith, who died in 1886 at just 19. As she reads the words carved into the stone, “She died in defence (sic) of her honor; Erected by an appreciative public,” she’s suddenly jolted by a powerful memory buried deep in her past. Hurrying away, Rachel is determined to avoid Tillie Smith at all costs.
Hours later Rachel finds herself in the house of Tillie’s murderer, the first in a series of odd coincidences that begins to fuel an obsession to find out what really happened to Tillie Smith, who comes alive in scenes of her own. Tillie’s past is also something she’d rather forget, a dirt-poor existence where sometimes there was little choice in how to survive. Hope blooms when Tillie finds employment at the local seminary. Yet she’s surrounded by unsavory men like janitor James Titus who can steal that future away if she’s not careful.
When Rachel finds the long forgotten transcript of the trial and begins to fill in the missing pieces of Tillie’s life, and death, the aftershocks from her own past intensify. But Rachel can’t stop herself even if it means facing the truth about her own tragedy years ago. Because justice, for both Rachel and Tillie, should never have an expiration date.
The Cemetery Keeper’s Wife poignantly blends fact and fiction as two women scarred by shame, and separated by more than a century, reach across time to rewrite history.
The author is giving away a signed copy of THE CEMETERY KEEPER’S WIFE. Leave a comment to be included in the giveaway. The book will be sent directly by the author. U.S. entries only, please. The giveaway ends May 15, 2018. Good luck everyone!
Meet the author
In 2007 Maryann McFadden “won the literary lottery” according to writing blogs, when her previously self-published novel The Richest Season sold at auction to Hyperion Books. The Richest Season became a Target Breakout Novel and was awarded an Indie Next List Pick by The American Booksellers Association. Her next 2 novels, So Happy Together and The Book Lover, are also Indie Next Picks. Her fourth novel, The Cemetery Keeper’s Wife, is historical fiction and set in her hometown. Maryann is a speaker and writing coach, and loves to chat with book clubs. Her unusual publishing journey has inspired many aspiring authors. Maryann lives in Northwest New Jersey. You can connect with Maryann at maryannmcfadden.com.
All comments are welcomed.
This sounds intriguing. Thanks for the chance to win!!
This book is a riveting story about a real place that I know and a real person that I always wondered about. Enthralling story about an event that happened and came alive again as I read it. I would recommend it highly.
This premise sounds very intriguing.
Sounds interesting – thanks for the chance.
sounds good to me. A bit different from a cozy, but not too dark.
OMG!!! Sounds amazing….I just read this!!!!
Thank you for the giveaway…..
Sounds interesting and what a pretty cover. Thanks for the opportunity for the giveaway!
Love stories that work with the past as well as the fiuture. Then bring the clues all together. Intriguing
What an interesting sounding story from what is written here. It sounds like a big change from cozy mysteries and would be a nice diversion in reading for me. Had not heard of this author and so I’m happy to know of her. Thank you Dru Ann.
I love the cover and the story line sounds interesting. Definitely on my book list now. Thanks for the intro to this author and her new book!
Sounds great! I love books that reflect the influence of the past on the present.
The story of both women sound amazing. I would love the chance to read it.
Sounds interesting for sure. Thanks for the chance to win.
Looks interesting. Thank you for the chance to win.
My mind is racing with possibilities of how these two women are connected. What an unusual setting and plot. I am anxious to read this! Thank you for the chance to be considered for a free copy.
Thanks Dru Ann for the introduction to Maryann McFadden and her book, The Cemetery Keeper’s Wife. Cemetery’s hold a fascination with me. I enjoy strolling through them and checking out the names and headstones. They hold many fascinating historical factors.
From the overview, this sounds like a well written and interesting story. A must-read for me. The background story is from a different perspective – historical and set in a cemetery, with a mystery within the main story. Historical fiction blending the present and past featuring two strong women. Plus, and this is notable for me, the author has already an established literary reputation. Excited to read this one.
This fascinating historical mystery is unique and interests me greatly. Thanks.
Book sounds fascinating and I can’t wait to read. Thanks for the chance. Alway nice to find and discover a new author!
Sounds like an intriguing read.
Sounds like a wonderful cozy mystery to dive right in to.❤😙😍
I haven’t read any of this author’s books, but this story sounds like one to draw you in, and I’m always up to trying a new author! And I really liked Maryann’s road-to-authorship history….so cool.
I’ve never read any of this writer’s books, but this one sounds intriguing. I love the idea of a self-published author becoming so successful.
I have read a lot about this book, and look forward to reading it. Thanks so much for the chance to win a copy of The Cemetery Keeper’s Wife!
I love the historical aspect of this mystery.
A new author to read. This book sounds interesting.
Sounds like a winner.
I was hooked immediately by the synopsis, now I can’t wait to read the book. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
WOW! I saw the title and thought ahhh, I don’t need this book, but I read the blurb and what a story, now I think I DO need this book! Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
wfnren at aol dot com
Oooooh. This sounds wonderfully creepy. Must read!
I’ll be adding it to my TBR list.
This sounds intriguing.
This sounds like a fascinating read. I really enjoyed the synopsis of the book and I’m looking forward to reading it. Thanks for the chance.
This book sounds like something I really want to read. Thanks for the chance to win a copy. I am a us citizen/ resident who is traveling in UK right now…but my home remains in USA on the east coast…just saying in case this IP address shows up as EU!
OOhh, this sounds so good! thanks for the chance!!!
The Cemetery Keeper’s Wife sounds like a book I won’t be able to put down! Historical fiction is my favorite genre–thank you for the opportunity to win a copy of this book!
I never read any books by this author. This book sounds really interesting. My favorite books are historical fiction and mystery. This fits right in. Thanks for this chance to win.
Sounds like a great read – something different.
The title is fascinating. The story line sounds wonderful.
Would love to win this – can’t wait to read it! Thanks for the opportunity!
I read the book on my Kindle but being born and raised in Hackettstown I would love to have a hard copy, especially one signed by the author.
Can’t wait to read it!
I love cemeteries, especially historical, I would love the opportunity to win an autograph book by you. I found you through a cemetery friend who did work with me at the Metuchen Colonial Cemetery, I saw the video you made about your book and said immediately to myself how awesome it must have been to write a book like this, I applaud you. All stones in a cemetery have a story to tell, I am glad you took an interest in this and made it your story to tell the world. Facts with fiction, you are still bringing her story to be remembered.
Thank you for the giveaway- hope I win!!
sounds intriguing therefore, right up my alley! thanks for the chance
This books sounds like my cup of tea!
**** WINNER ****
The Cemetery Keeper’s Wife is Lurleen Liantonio
Congratulations!