Giveaway & Guest Post: SHADOW OF A QUARTER MOON by Eileen Clymer Schwab
I would like to welcome Eileen Clymer Schwab, author of Shadow of a Quarter Moon to So Many Precious books.
Imagine fleeing the only home you know, alone, with nothing but the clothes on your back. Without shoes or a map, you tread through murky nights along landscape you have never seen. You have no idea where you are going or where you will end up, yet what you are escaping makes the treacherous journey the lesser hell. In the 1800’s the secret network of escape known as the Underground Railroad was the perfect example of the best of America in the worst of America, and it serves as a vehicle of transformation for the main character in my novel, SHADOW OF A QUARTER MOON.
Early in the book, an unimaginable secret changes the course of Jacy Lane’s life; not once, but twice. First, when it is hidden from her, and then when it is revealed. As the daughter of a plantation owner, Jacy has been raised in privilege until she discovers that she is the offspring of a dalliance between her father and a slave. Amid the shock and complexities of her mixed heritage, Jacy is simply a woman longing for love, happiness, and a sense of wholeness; however the 1800s are not a simple time and Jacy begins a treacherous journey of denial and self-discovery that is fraught with danger and life-altering choices. She soon discovers that what she chases is as elusive as the secret network she hopes can save them.
As an author, I am inspired by the strength and courage of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. I loved developing a premise that gives the reader a glimpse of a woman whose life is redefined by circumstance, but her plight should not be confused with the harsh reality of the time. Because of the widespread sexual abuse of enslaved women by masters and overseers, the presence of mixed-race children was quite common. Though light-skinned slaves were often favored for house duties and personal service, they still suffered the cruelty of servitude. Any child born of an enslaved woman was considered a slave by law, regardless of any white lineage they carried.
We will never know to what extent white masters gave special treatment to their slave offspring. Though long debated, Thomas Jefferson freed two mixed race children that many believe he fathered with Sally Hemings. These light-skinned children eventually lived in white society. Two other children were freed upon his death. In another well-known account, Ellen Craft, a light-skinned slave from Georgia, disguised herself as a sickly white man traveling to Philadelphia for medical attention. Ellen’s husband, William, accompanied her, posing as the man’s servant. After traveling first by train and then by steamship, the couple arrived safely in Philadelphia on Christmas Day, 1848. Ellen’s successful masquerade had won their freedom.
While it’s impossible to estimate how often such a ruse was successfully perpetrated, there is no doubt as to the advantage of passing as white during that oppressive time. SHADOW OF A QUARTER MOON and my first novel, PROMISE BRIDGE shine light on both the villainous and heroic activity of that dark time. It was an honor to look back and give voice to a generation deserving of acknowledgment, tribute, and literary life, as with any other period in our history. Remembering and discussing their trials and triumphs can be one way of paying respect to their role in our social evolution. My hope is that the spirit of the Underground Railroad will never be forgotten.
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Book Description:
From the author of Promise Bridge comes a powerful novel of the pre-Civil War era South and the Underground Railroad.
1839, North Carolina. As the daughter of a plantation owner, Jacy has been raised in privilege- until she discovers that she's the offspring of a dalliance between her father and a slave. The revelation destroys Jacy's sense of who she is and where she belongs in the world. Equally shocking, her biological mother and brother are still slaves on the property. As she gets to know them-and the handsome horse trainer, Rafe-she begins to see life in the South with fresh eyes. And soon Jacy will have to make a treacherous journey that she hopes will end in freedom for them all...
1839, North Carolina. As the daughter of a plantation owner, Jacy has been raised in privilege- until she discovers that she's the offspring of a dalliance between her father and a slave. The revelation destroys Jacy's sense of who she is and where she belongs in the world. Equally shocking, her biological mother and brother are still slaves on the property. As she gets to know them-and the handsome horse trainer, Rafe-she begins to see life in the South with fresh eyes. And soon Jacy will have to make a treacherous journey that she hopes will end in freedom for them all...
Author Bio:
Caitlin Mulrooney-Lyski of Berkley/NAL, Penguin Group USA, I am giving away one copy of this book to a lucky winner.
To Enter:
Leave a comment with your email address, so I can contact you if you win.
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That's 31 or more possible entries! Sorry, this giveaway is only open to U.S. and Canada.
The winner's mailing address: No P.O. Boxes
Only one entry per household/IP address
Winners will be subject to the one copy per household rule, which means that if you win the same title in two or more contests, you will receive only one copy of the book.
This giveaway will end on Thursday, August 11th 11:59 P.M. E.S.T. The winners will be notified by email. Winners must respond within TWO days or will be disqualified.

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I'd love to be entered in this great giveaway! Thanks! kathy(at)bermudaonion.net
bermudaonion said... July 28, 2011 1:15 PM
Awesome giveaway!!
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PoCoKat said... July 28, 2011 1:24 PM
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PoCoKat said... July 28, 2011 1:27 PM
This sounds like a good book - I think the dilemma that Jacy goes through would be a difficult time for her. I can't wait to read this one.
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clenna said... July 28, 2011 2:15 PM
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clenna said... July 28, 2011 2:22 PM
This book looks very interesting!
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Shanan, The Book Addict said... July 28, 2011 5:08 PM
I am a new follower :)
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I am a new follower :)
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I am a new follower :)
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I am a new follower on Twitter :)
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Shanan, The Book Addict said... July 28, 2011 5:11 PM
I'm seeing this book on a few blogs now and I'd love to read it!
Margaret said... July 28, 2011 6:15 PM
(Oops forgot the email in comment above so I'll add it here)
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Margaret said... July 28, 2011 6:23 PM
I would love to win this.
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Anonymous said... July 29, 2011 4:09 AM
Just today I got Promise Bridge. I'd love to win this next novel. Thanks for the giveaway.
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Linda said... July 29, 2011 2:40 PM
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Linda said... July 29, 2011 2:42 PM
Thanks for the chance to win a copy! I've read a lot of positive reviews for this one!
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Gwendolyn B. said... July 30, 2011 9:57 PM
Thank you for the giveaway.
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Judy H said... July 31, 2011 4:07 PM
I'm an old GFC follower @headlessfowl.
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Judy H said... July 31, 2011 4:07 PM
I'm an old GFC follower @headlessfowl.
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Judy H said... July 31, 2011 4:07 PM
I'm an old GFC follower @headlessfowl.
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Judy H said... July 31, 2011 4:07 PM
I'm a twitter follower @headlessfowl.
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Judy H said... July 31, 2011 4:08 PM
Would be thrilled to win this book Shadow of A Quarter Moon...by Eillen Clymer Schwab...sounds very interesting too...my e-mail is babyruthmac16@yahoo.com
eyeballlucy said... August 1, 2011 7:22 AM
This sounds like a great story. I know I would enjoy reading it! Thank you for the giveaway.
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Carole Spring said... August 2, 2011 10:08 AM
Old follower via GFC (Carole Spring)
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entry #1
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Carole Spring said... August 2, 2011 10:15 AM
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Carole Spring said... August 2, 2011 10:17 AM
I clicked to give free food at The Animal Rescue Site.
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Carole Spring said... August 2, 2011 10:18 AM
I clicked to give free books at The Literacy Site
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Carole Spring said... August 2, 2011 10:20 AM
Looks like an intriquing book. Thanks for the giveaway.
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Margie said... August 3, 2011 5:38 AM
follow by GFC
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follow by GFC
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friend on Facebook
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follow Premier Author Tours site
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follow Premier Author Tours site
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Margie said... August 3, 2011 5:44 AM
clicked Animal Rescue site button
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Margie said... August 3, 2011 5:44 AM
clicked Literacy Site button
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Margie said... August 3, 2011 5:45 AM
9/4
clicked the Animal REscue button
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Margie said... August 4, 2011 5:27 AM
clicked the Literacy Site button
8/4
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Margie said... August 4, 2011 5:28 AM
Sounds like a great book. I would really enjoy reading it. Please enter me. Thanks!
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Anita Yancey said... August 4, 2011 7:51 AM
Old Follower on GFC #1
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Anita Yancey said... August 4, 2011 7:53 AM
Old Follower on GFC!
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Anita Yancey said... August 4, 2011 7:54 AM
Old Follower on GFC #3
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Anita Yancey said... August 4, 2011 7:55 AM
thank you for the contest! i would love to read this!
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Carrie at In the Hammock Blog said... August 4, 2011 1:01 PM
i'm a twitter follower
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Carrie at In the Hammock Blog said... August 4, 2011 1:01 PM
2. i'm a twitter follower
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Carrie at In the Hammock Blog said... August 4, 2011 1:01 PM
3. i'm a twitter follower
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Carrie at In the Hammock Blog said... August 4, 2011 1:02 PM
8/5
clicked Animal Rescue button
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Margie said... August 5, 2011 5:08 AM
8/5
clicked Literacy Site button
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Margie said... August 5, 2011 5:08 AM
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