A Lady's Choice by Sandra Robbins

Did you know that, in 1920, Tennessee was the last state to ratify the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, giving women the right to vote? To top it off, the vote of the legislature was a nail-biter. It had been evenly divided until the last minute, when one legislator changed his vote from "no" to "yes."
 
The story begins in 1916, when heroine Sarah Whittaker, moves with her ailing, widowed mother from their home in Memphis to be near family in her rural home town. Sarah meets a young man there, Alex Taylor. He's just finished law school and planning to join a practice in Memphis. The sparks fly when he finds out she and her family support the suffrage movement to win the right to vote for women. Meanwhile, Sarah realizes the executor of her father's estate is stealing from her, and Alex helps her resolve that problem.

Sarah goes back to Memphis to teach after her mother dies, and Alex begins his association with the law firm. They have little contact, because of their difference of opinion on suffrage. Sarah's employers at the private school where she teaches are also suffrage supporters. She ends up in Washington demonstrating at the White House, getting herself arrested and thrown into the infamous Occoquan Workhouse. Alex finds out and tries to rescue her. You'll have to read the book to find out if he succeeds.

This is a great story that's paced just right. The characters are well-developed, but there's enough suspense to keep you reading. I like historical fiction because I learn things I might not have learned elsewhere. Sandra Robbins is a master of the genre. Her work is thoroughly researched, and the historical facts are worked into the story in a way that does not distract. Recommended reading for all women as well as history buffs.

Image source: Summerside Press website.

Disclaimer: The author gave me this book with no requirement for a review, positive or otherwise.