A Vote of Confidence
Setting: Idaho, 1915
Who says a woman can’t do a man’s job?
Put up or shut up! Complaining about Bethlehem Springs’ dissolute mayoral candidate, Gwen Arlington is challenged to take on the role herself. For seven years, she’s carved out an independent life in the bustling mountain town of Bethlehem Springs, Idaho, teaching piano and writing for the local newspaper. But now she’s a single woman running for mayor — and in 1915 this decision is bound to stir up trouble.
Morgan McKinley is fed up with the delays that hinder the construction of New Hope Health Spa, a place where both rich and poor can come for rest and healing. New to the area, he has determined that serving as mayor would help him push through his agenda for progress.
Gwen and Morgan each want to prove they are the most qualified candidate, not only to voters but to each other, and so sparks fly as the two campaign. Although Morgan has learned to guard his heart as fiercely as Gwen guards her independence, could they learn to be allies instead of adversaries?
A Note from Robin:
Ideas come to writers in lots of different ways. The idea for The Sisters of Bethlehem Springs series came to me back in 2003-2004 and had its genesis in a couple of other books. From Catching Katie had come a fascination with the decade leading up to the passing of the 19th Amendment that gave American women the right to vote. From a secondary character in Speak to Me of Love came a fondness for a woman in an unusual occupation. While those two things were rolling around in my head, up popped the final ingredient. A question: Who says a woman can’t do a man’s job? And the next thing I knew, I’d met Gwen and Cleo Arlington, the heroines of the first two books in the series. I had to wait to meet my third heroine until the hero of A Vote of Confidence walked into my imagination. Guess what, he had a younger sister, Daphne McKinley. Each of these women have jobs that weren’t considered a woman’s domain in their time (1915-1918). I hope readers will become as fond of Gwen, Cleo, and Daphne — and the men with whom they fall in love — as I am.
Reviews
“Hatcher knows what readers want, and she does not disappoint. Her characters are well thought out and seem like real people, not just fictional creations. Readers won’t soon forget the struggles women went through to participate in the political process in the early 20th century.” — Romantic Times BookReviews
“Robin’s gift of storytelling takes you back in time to 1915 where readers will gain insight to what it was like being a woman in a ‘man’s world.’ Guinevere Arlington is prompted by her twin sister, Cleo, to run for mayor and things begin to look brighter when the local newspaper agrees to back her candidacy until… You’ll definitely want to find out yourself what happens in this historical romance!” — The Reading Mom
“Robin Lee Hatcher creates colorful characters that draw you in immediately, no matter where or when the story is set – historical or contemporary. A Vote of Confidence casts the reader back to 1915 when women were just gaining a voice. Gwen and her twin sister are both engaging and quirky but complete opposites. The men are rugged and some, enlightened. A Vote of Confidence is a delightful tale with a surprising twist. And the next book in the Sisters of Bethlehem Springs series promises to be as good. Novel Reviews and I give it our highest recommendation—a five star read.” — Novel Reviews
Awards & Recognitions
- Finalist, 2010 Maggie Award
- Finalist, 2010 National Readers Choice Award
