Madame Presidentess

by Nicole Evelina

Overview

Forty-eight years before women were granted the right to vote, one woman dared to run for President of the United States, yet her name has been virtually written out of the history books.

Rising from the shame of an abusive childhood, Victoria Woodhull, the daughter of a con-man and a religious zealot, vows to follow her destiny, one the spirits say will lead her out of poverty to "become ruler of her people."

But the road to glory is far from easy. A nightmarish marriage teaches Victoria that women are stronger and deserve far more credit than society gives. Eschewing the conventions of her day, she strikes out on her own to improve herself and the lot of American women.

Over the next several years, she sets into motion plans that shatter the old boys club of Wall Street and defile even the sanctity of the halls of Congress. But it's not just her ambition that threatens men of wealth and privilege; when she announces her candidacy for President in the 1872 election, they realize she may well usurp the power they've so long fought to protect.

Those who support her laud "Notorious Victoria" as a gifted spiritualist medium and healer, a talented financial mind, a fresh voice in the suffrage movement, and the radical idealist needed to move the nation forward. But those who dislike her see a dangerous force who is too willing to speak out when women are expected to be quiet. Ultimately, "Mrs. Satan's" radical views on women's rights, equality of the sexes, free love and the role of politics in private affairs collide with her tumultuous personal life to endanger all she has built and change how she is viewed by future generations.

This is the story of one woman who was ahead of her time – a woman who would make waves even in the 21st century – but who dared to speak out and challenge the conventions of post-Civil War America, setting a precedent that is still followed by female politicians today.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940156766956
Publisher:	Lawson Gartner Publishing
Publication date:	07/10/2016
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	NOOK Book
Pages:	430
Sales rank:	391,471
File size:	6 MB

About the Author

Nicole Evelina is an award-winning historical fiction and romantic comedy writer. Her most recent novel, Madame Presidentess, a historical novel about Victoria Woodhull, America's first female Presidential candidate, was the first place winner in the Women’s US History category of the 2015 Chaucer Awards for Historical Fiction.

Her debut novel, Daughter of Destiny, the first book of an Arthurian legend trilogy that tells Guinevere’s life story from her point of view, was named Book of the Year by Chanticleer Reviews, took the Grand Prize in the 2015 Chatelaine Awards for Women’s Fiction/Romance, won a Gold Medal in the fantasy category in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards and was short-listed for the Chaucer Award for Historical Fiction. Been Searching for You, her contemporary romantic comedy, won the 2015 Romance Writers of America (RWA) Great Expectations and Golden Rose contests.

Nicole is one of only six authors who completed a week-long writing intensive taught by #1 New York Times bestselling author Deborah Harkness. As an armchair historian, Nicole researches her books extensively, consulting with biographers, historical societies and traveling to locations when possible. For example, she traveled to England twice to research the Guinevere’s Tale trilogy, where she consulted with internationally acclaimed author and historian Geoffrey Ashe, as well as Arthurian/Glastonbury expert Jaime George, the man who helped Marion Zimmer Bradley research The Mists of Avalon.

Nicole is a member of and book reviewer for The Historical Novel Society, and Sirens (a group supporting female fantasy authors), as well as a member of the Historical Writers of America, Women’s Fiction Writers Association, Romance Writers of America, the St. Louis Writer’s Guild, Women Writing the West, Broad Universe (promoting women in fantasy, science fiction and horror), Alliance of Independent Authors and the Independent Book Publishers Association.

Her website is

Editorial Reviews

"Evelina's intriguing account of Victoria Woodhull--spiritualist, suffragette, stockbroker, and politician--deftly extols the many "firsts" of this 19th-century feminist trailblazer...Evelina moves assuredly through the many layers of Victoria's colorful life; such potent issues as family torment, marital abuse, and female subjugation all are linked in this dramatic story of struggle."

Magazine - Publisher's Weekly

"Evelina's intriguing account of Victoria Woodhull--spiritualist, suffragette, stockbroker, and politician--deftly extols the many "firsts" of this 19th-century feminist trailblazer...Evelina moves assuredly through the many layers of Victoria's colorful life; such potent issues as family torment, marital abuse, and female subjugation all are linked in this dramatic story of struggle."

Publisher's Weekly

"A fascinating story of meteoric rise from rags to riches, from subservience to achievement – based on a true story. A highly entertaining and informative read."

Online - Chanticleer Reviews

"A fascinating story of meteoric rise from rags to riches, from subservience to achievement – based on a true story. A highly entertaining and informative read."

Chanticleer Reviews

"Riveting... Nicole Evelina presents a realistic and fascinating account of a woman who should be recognized in the history books...Ms. Evelina is certainly a skilled storyteller and writer...This excellent book is required reading for anyone trying to understand the roots of the fight for women's equal rights."

Reader's Favorite - Deborah Lloyd

"Riveting... Nicole Evelina presents a realistic and fascinating account of a woman who should be recognized in the history books...Ms. Evelina is certainly a skilled storyteller and writer...This excellent book is required reading for anyone trying to understand the roots of the fight for women's equal rights."

Deborah Lloyd