The Rose and the Whip

The Rose and the Whip by Jae Hodges

Publication Date: March 25, 2020

WordCrafts Press

Hardcover, Paperback, & eBook; 252 Pages

Genre: Historical Fiction

Lidia Wardell walked naked through the Newbury meeting house. She was prosecuted, and publicly whipped for this crime. This event is common historical knowledge. The Rose and the Whip is set in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in May 1663, but tells the entire story of systematic persecution of dissenters, by dissenters. Lidia relates the story of her life, and the series of events that culminated in her decision to take this action in protest of the Puritan community leaders' treatment of Quakers. As she is charged, sentenced, and tied to the whipping post, then subsequently thrashed with twenty or thirty lashes, she critically examines each of these events and reflects on how they served to transform her and her perspectives on truth and faith.

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Review:

All that is documented of Lidia Wardell's existence is her one act of defiance in May of 1663. Lidia Wardell walked into her town meeting house naked. For this act, Lidia was given a punishment of being stripped down to her waist and publicly whipped. Lidia was not the first to be punished or the last, but her actions tell a larger story of persecution and perseverance.

The Rose and the Whip is a unique look at a very specific incident. With limited information, the time period is examined thoroughly through Lidia's punishment. I was amazed that the whole story took place within the period of time that it took for Lidia to be whipped. I can't imaging the feeling of being whipped, but the author has managed to recreate the feeling. With each lash of the whip, Lidia recalls how she has come to be tied to the whipping post and those that have suffered before her for their faith. It was intriguing to read about Colonial America and the persecution of those of the Quaker faith by a group of people that left their homes due to religious persecution. Through Lidia the bravery and fortitude of all those who chose to defy the church are highlighted. I do wish the writing had stayed firmly in from Lidia's point of view instead of jumping to tell the reader what is unknown. Overall, a deeply moving story of courage and bravery in Colonial Massachusetts.

About the Author

Everyone has a history and a story. Jae uses the most alluring stories from the chronicles of her own ancestry and others around her to create timeless tales of everyday people making history. On her quest to capture the essence of walking in their footsteps, she travels and uses her pencil and camera lens to imagine them in their own surroundings.

Jae lives on the Tennessee River in Alabama with her husband and companion pooch.

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Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, July 27 Review at Books, Cooks, Looks Wednesday, July 29 Review at Passages to the Past Thursday, July 30 Interview at Passages to the Past Saturday, August 1 Review at Reading is My Remedy Wednesday, August 5 Review at Gwendalyn's Books Friday, August 7 Feature at I'm All About Books Wednesday, August 12 Review at Books and Zebras Thursday, August 13 Review at Older & Smarter Friday, August 14 Guest Post at Chicks, Rogues and Scandals Monday, August 17 Review at Historical Fiction with Spirit Thursday, August 20 Review at Nurse Bookie

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour, we are giving away a copy of The Rose and the Whip by Jae Hodges! To enter, please use the Gleam form below. Giveaway Rules – Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on August 20th. You must be 18 or older to enter. – Paperback giveaway is open to the US only. – Only one entry per household. – All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud will be decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion. – The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or a new winner is chosen. Rose and the Whip