Early mornings are my favorite time of day. Before our children—Jolene, age 6 and Micah, age 4, awaken. Before my work duties demand my attention.
I’m Lily Ross, the sheriff of Bronwyn County, here in the foothills of Appalachia in Ohio. A shocking job for a woman, some say, but to me it was even more shocking when Daniel, my husband who was sheriff, was killed in the line of duty. After his funeral, I was packing up to leave the sheriff’s house, move in at least for a while with Mama, but the county commissioners asked me to fill out Daniel’s term. I agreed—but I find that I’ve taken to the job, and I aim to run for the role in my own right. Why not? It’s 1925, well into the new century, and women have had the right to vote for a few years now. Why not also have women in office?
Anyway, each morning I attend to my ablutions in the wash room, pin my hair up, put on my boots and one of my dresses—I’ve recently sewn pockets in all of them, which Mama says is unladylike, but these days, I have little time or patience to worry about such expectations. These days, I’m grateful for anything—even small things like pockets—that make my home and work life more efficient.
In the kitchen, I stoke up the wood stove, and put water and ground coffee in the kettle. Boiled coffee takes a while, so next I step out into the back yard, and walk past the jail house—attached to the sheriff’s house—where I used to work for my husband as jail mistress, making meals and keeping records and cleaning up after the prisoners. Now, my friend Hildy is in that role.
I head up to the chicken coop, where I still keep a few hens. I live in the town of Kinship, right around the corner from the courthouse, but like a lot of women in town, I started a garden and keeping hens during the Great War, and I’ve hung on to the habit. Though I live in town, my heart often longs for the rolling hills and deep hollers of the countryside, where my grandparents lived outside of town.
My job often takes me into the countryside, into parts of the county even I as a native don’t know particularly well. Of late, that means the company-owned coal mining towns—like Rossville. The coal company there was established long ago by Daniel’s father, but Daniel and his father never did get on well.
And now I’m trying to get on without Daniel. It’s hard, because I miss him so. And yet, I find I love the job I’ve taken on because of his passing. I don’t see myself as filling his boots. I see myself as doing the job in my own way. Learning something new every day. Challenging my limits. Testing my strength. Finding, every day, the balance between taking care of my personal life and serving my community.
That’s why I love these morning moments, alone, before Mama and Hildy get here. Oh, I’m thankful for Mama watching Jolene and Micah for me, even though she is a widow too and has my little brother—a change of life baby—to tend to. And for Hildy, who was engaged to my brother, who died in the Great War, working as jail mistress. I’d break in half without their love and support.
But I savor these moments alone, gathering up the eggs. For I’m also gathering up my courage for the day.
I carefully tote the eggs back to the kitchen. By the time I’m back, the boiled coffee is ready, and the scent is rich and delicious. It’s time to start my day, as a mother and a sheriff.
Giveaway: Comment below about your favorite part of morning for a chance to receive a signed hard copy of The Widows (U.S. entries only) or an e-book copy—your choice. The giveaway ends January 13, 2019. Good luck everyone!
You can read more about Lily in The Widows, the first book in the NEW “Kinship” historical mystery series, released January 8, 2019.
Kinship, Ohio, 1924: When Lily Ross learns that her husband, Daniel Ross, the town’s widely respected sheriff, is killed while transporting a prisoner, she is devastated and vows to avenge his death.
Hours after his funeral, a stranger appears at her door. Marvena Whitcomb, a coal miner’s widow, is unaware that Daniel has died, and begs to speak with him about her missing daughter.
From miles away but worlds apart, Lily and Marvena’s lives collide as they realize that Daniel was not the man that either of them believed him to be―and that his murder is far more complex than either of them could have imagined.
Inspired by the true story of Ohio’s first female sheriff, this is a powerful debut about two women’s search for justice as they take on the corruption at the heart of their community.
Purchase Link
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Meet the author
Jess Montgomery writes the Kinship Historical Mystery series set in 1920s’ Appalachian Ohio. She has won awards for her writing from the Montgomery County Arts & Cultural District (Ohio) and the Ohio Arts Council. Jess also speaks frequently at writers’ workshops and conferences and loves to visit book groups. (Visit her website at or email her at jessmontgomeryauthor@gmail.com to arrange an in-person or Skype visit!) She writes a weekly column about the literary life of her community for her hometown newspaper, enjoys her family, friends and cats, loves to hike and to bake pies (though she admits she does too much of the latter and not enough of the former.) Learn more at jessmontgomeryauthor.com.
All comments are welcomed.
Sounds like an interesting story and a chance to read about what life was like for a woman in a man’s world in the twenties.
Thank you! I’m super excited for this series!
Thank you! I’m excited for it to be out in the world!
what an interesting premise and location. Looking forward to the series. Thanks for the opportunity
Colleen–Thank you!
I love having coffee and reading before the kids wake up. Sounds like an interesting story. Thank you for the chance!
Thanks! I love that first cup of coffee in the quiet of each morning!
What a fascinating new series! I cannot begin to imagine the challenges she has to go through, just being a widow with small children would be enough! This is going to be a series that will be drawing me in!
Thank you! I agree–what a challenge for Lily! But she’s one tough woman. I’m glad you are drawn in by the premise.
My favorite part of morning is my first cup of coffee, while setting at my computer reading my emails.
I love that first cup of coffee, too!
LOVE that cover, and the premise sounds amazing. What an interesting area, too, Appalachia — where the women are as strong as the coffee. Best wishes on your series!
Thank you! I love the cover too! Minotaur did a great job.
This sounds fantastic! I love historical mysteries (especially those set in Appalachia). I can’t wait to read this book.
Thank you! I hope you’ll enjoy THE WIDOWS!
This really sounds like a heroine at the forefront for her time. I enjoy a strong heroine and this book certainly seems to sport that. My favorite time in the morning is the quiet while I read the newspaper and sip my first cup of coffee.
Lily definitely is a strong heroine! I agree about the first cup of coffee–that’s a must for lots of readers here!
A fascinating novel which is meaningful and memorable. My favorite time is early morning when it is quiet and calm and I can drink my tea and think about the day ahead.
Thank you! That quiet reflection time is so precious.
My favorite part of the morning is that first sip of coffee.
Mine, too!
I just bought the book on your recommendation. Can’t wait to read it! Thanks, Dru!
Thank you so much!
I like the early morning before the day gets crazy with a “to do” list. I love historical mysteries, and one set in the 1920’s when my grandparents were newlyweds would be especially interesting!
That quiet reflection in the morning is a great way to start the day!
I like that part of the morning before everyone gets up as well. The coffee in the kitchen is ready and depending on the time of year, I can start to see the sun peeking up thru the back kitchen window. Thanks for the intro to these characters and story, they sound great.
Coffee is a theme here! I also love gazing out the kitchen window across my backyard. Sometimes it’s lovely and quiet… other times, my neighbor’s dog amuses me with his joyful antics and leaps. Either way is great!
Okay, I really do want this one!
Yayyyy! I hope you enjoy it!
I am enthralled with this compelling story. Morning wake up is always a delight when the sun shines and I enjoy my hot tea with lemon.
Thank you! Ahhh… a sunshine-filled morning. Those are a treat! (We get about 50/50 of cloudy vs. sunny.
Thank you for bringing this to my attention, it sounds like a sounds like a great story, now I feel that I need it.
Thank you for the chance to win a copy.
wfnren at aol dot com
You’re welcome! I’m glad it is intriguing!
This sounds really interesting. My favorite part of morning is eating breakfast on the porch during the summer.
Thank you! We love breakfast on our screened porch in late spring, summer and early fall!
Wow. That sound quite powerful!
Thank you so much!
The best time of the morning is when I am having my second cup of coffee.
This sounds like a god read.
Thank you! I love that second cup, too. I need to work on not going for the third, fourth, sometimes more coffee!
Looks great 👍 Thanks for Sharing this book with us 😍❤😍
My Favorite part of morning 🌄 is 11:59 am when it’s over LOL 😆
I’m so NOT a morning person
Shared on Twitter 😍❤😍
https://mobile.twitter.com/LindaMoffitt02/status/1083836493209223175
You’re welcome! And your comment made me laugh.
LOL 😆 Sad but True
A woman sheriff in the 1920’s sounds like a great storyline. Adding to my TBR list.
Thank you!
Sounds like a great read. My favorite part of the morning is that first cup of coffee–I then don’t have to prop open my eyelids.
Thank you! I need that first cup too, so I can avoid eyelid propping!
Sunday morning is my favorite morning of the week. Our family all rise at different times of the morning so we all enjoy our coffee as we rise and then around 10:30 a.m. we make breakfast and share it together. It is generally a no rush morning with no obligations to meet.
How lovely! That sounds like a perfect Sunday morning.
I like early morning, especially on the weekends, when the rest of the world hasn’t woken up yet. It’s so quiet.
Weekends…. Ahhh!!! And we’ve just started a new one!
Love the early mornings on weekends when I can relax with a cup of tea and the newspaper.
As a newspaper columnist, I’m always glad to learn of newspaper readers!
My favorite part of the morning is savoring those first few sips of my first mug of coffee each day. Being retired, I have the time to do that savoring!
Savoring is the best. Good for you for taking pleasure in the simple things!
I am not a morning person but I do enjoy having tea and eating my cereal!!!
It’s good to find the positives! 🙂
New to me author and book! Sounds very interesting! My favorite part of the morning, is just before daybreak… a good hot cuppa, watching the sky change, the beginnings of life awakening..chirps, buzzes, cock-a-doodle-do. 🙂 Thanks for this giveaway and I prefer a real book. Have a great day all!
I love your description of the sounds of the morning! Do you live in the country? Good luck in the giveaway!
Sounds like a great read.
Thank you!
The best things I like about early morning is getting up before anyone else and having a cup of coffee and reading a few chapters of a book I’ m currently reading. Before I have to go to work. I heard a lot about this book. I live in Ohio. On the other part of the state from Dayton. I never knew Ohio had a first woman sheriff. I love books on the genre of historical mysteries. Love this book is the first in a series.
Thank you, Linda! Coffee and reading… ahhh!!!
**** WINNER ****
The Widows is Cheryl Corbitt
Congratulations!