Martha Conway – författare

'Historical fiction at its best' Tracy Rees, author of The Rose GardenA compelling novel of female perseverance and the role of women in society set in the aftermath of the American Civil War. For readers of Tracy Chevalier.In a world made for men, can one woman break free from tradition and walk a new path? It is 1865, the American Civil War has just ended, and 18-year old Vita Tenney is determined to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a country doctor like her father. But when her father tells her she must get married instead, Vita explores every means of escape - and finds one in the person of war veteran Jacob Culhane. Damaged by what he's seen in battle and with all his family gone, Jacob is seeking investors for a fledgling business. Then he meets Vita - and together they hatch a plan that should satisfy both their desires.Months later, Vita seemingly has everything she ever wanted. But alone in a big city and haunted by the mistakes of her past, she wonders if the life she always thought she wanted was too good to be true. When love starts to compete with ambition, what will come out on top?From the author of The Floating Theatre, The Physician's Daughter is the story of two people trying to make their way in a world that is struggling to escape its past.'Vividly realised, and impeccably researched, with a determined female lead' Kayte Nunn, author of The Botanist's Daughter'A riveting read set during the American civil war, about a pioneering young woman dead-set on becoming a doctor' Inga Vesper, author of The Long, Long Afternoon'A compelling story' Heat Magazine'In the proud tradition of female characters from Jo March to Meredith Grey, Vita Tenney takes her place as a determined woman unwilling to let society or her family control her destiny. I was captivated by The Physician's Daughter. The novel stays with you' Tony Phelan, executive producer of Grey's Anatomy'Completely charming' Imogen Hermes Gowar, author of The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock on The Floating Theatre

Set aboard a nineteenth century riverboat theater, this New York Times Notable book is the “captivating, thoughtful, and unforgettable” (Kathleen Grissom, author of The Kitchen House) story of a charmingly frank and naive seamstress who is blackmailed into saving runaways on the Underground Railroad, jeopardizing her freedom, her livelihood, and a new love.It’s 1838, and May Bedloe works as a seamstress for her cousin, the famous actress Comfort Vertue—until their steamboat sinks on the Ohio River. Though they both survive, both must find new employment. Comfort is hired to give lectures by noted abolitionist, Flora Howard, and May finds work on a small flatboat, Hugo and Helena’s Floating Theatre, as it cruises the border between the northern states and the southern slave-holding states. May becomes indispensable to Hugo and his troupe, and all goes well until she sees her cousin again. Comfort and Mrs. Howard are also traveling down the Ohio River, speaking out against slavery at the many riverside towns. May owes Mrs. Howard a debt she cannot repay, and Mrs. Howard uses the opportunity to enlist May in her network of shadowy characters who help ferry slaves across the river to freedom. Lying has never come easy to May, but now she is compelled to break the law, deceive all her newfound friends, and deflect the rising suspicions of a slave catcher. As May’s secrets become more tangled, the Floating Theatre readies for its biggest performance yet. May’s predicament could mean doom for her friends on board, including her beloved Hugo, unless she can figure out a way to entrap those who know her best. “Twain has his ‘Life on the Mississippi’. Conway’s life on the Ohio makes you see the place, through May’s eyes, in all its muddy glory” (New York Times Book Review).

'Completely charming' Imogen Hermes Gowar, author of The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock'An engaging story with lovely detail' Daily MailOhio, 1838. To save the lives of others, a young seamstress must risk her own. When young seamstress May Bedloe is left alone and penniless on the shore of the Ohio, she finds work on the famous floating theatre that plies its trade along the river. Her creativity and needlework skills quickly become invaluable and she settles in to life among the colourful troupe of actors. She finds friends, and possibly the promise of more ...But cruising the border between the Confederate South and the 'free' North is fraught with danger. For the sake of a debt that must be repaid, May is compelled to transport secret passengers, under cover of darkness, across the river and on, along the underground railroad. But as May's secrets become harder to keep, she learns she must endanger those now dear to her. And to save the lives of others, she must risk her own . . .A gloriously involving and powerful read for fans of The Essex Serpent and Tracy Chevalier's The Last Runaway.

''Completely charming'' Imogen Hermes Gowar, author of The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock''An engaging story with lovely detail'' Daily MailOhio, 1838. To save the lives of others, a young seamstress must risk her own. When young seamstress May Bedloe is left alone and penniless on the shore of the Ohio, she finds work on the famous floating theatre that plies its trade along the river. Her creativity and needlework skills quickly become invaluable and she settles in to life among the colourful troupe of actors. She finds friends, and possibly the promise of more ...But cruising the border between the Confederate South and the ''free'' North is fraught with danger. For the sake of a debt that must be repaid, May is compelled to transport secret passengers, under cover of darkness, across the river and on, along the underground railroad. But as May''s secrets become harder to keep, she learns she must endanger those now dear to her. And to save the lives of others, she must risk her own . . .A gloriously involving and powerful read for fans of The Essex Serpent and Tracy Chevalier''s The Last Runaway.

''Historical fiction at its best'' Tracy Rees, author of The Rose GardenA compelling novel of female perseverance and the role of women in society set in the aftermath of the American Civil War. For readers of Tracy Chevalier.In a world made for men, can one woman break free from tradition and walk a new path? It is 1865, the American Civil War has just ended, and 18-year old Vita Tenney is determined to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a country doctor like her father. But when her father tells her she must get married instead, Vita explores every means of escape - and finds one in the person of war veteran Jacob Culhane. Damaged by what he''s seen in battle and with all his family gone, Jacob is seeking investors for a fledgling business. Then he meets Vita - and together they hatch a plan that should satisfy both their desires.Months later, Vita seemingly has everything she ever wanted. But alone in a big city and haunted by the mistakes of her past, she wonders if the life she always thought she wanted was too good to be true. When love starts to compete with ambition, what will come out on top?From the author of The Floating Theatre, The Physician''s Daughter is the story of two people trying to make their way in a world that is struggling to escape its past.''Vividly realised, and impeccably researched, with a determined female lead'' Kayte Nunn, author of The Botanist''s Daughter''A riveting read set during the American civil war, about a pioneering young woman dead-set on becoming a doctor'' Inga Vesper, author of The Long, Long Afternoon''A compelling story'' Heat Magazine''In the proud tradition of female characters from Jo March to Meredith Grey, Vita Tenney takes her place as a determined woman unwilling to let society or her family control her destiny. I was captivated by The Physician''s Daughter. The novel stays with you'' Tony Phelan, executive producer of Grey''s Anatomy''Completely charming'' Imogen Hermes Gowar, author of The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock on The Floating Theatre

The war is over, but in this world made for men can she carve her own path? 'A richly detailed historical drama' USA Today1865. The American Civil War has just ended.When Vita Tenney's father tells her she must abandon her dream of becoming a doctor and get married instead, she looks for a means of escape - and finds one in war veteran Jacob Culhane. Damaged bywhat he's seen in battle and with all his family gone, Jacob is seeking a new start. Then he meets Vitaand together they hatch a plan. But even the best plans have unexpected consequences . . .Sweeping and atmospheric, The Physician's Daughter is a compelling story of ambition, betrayal and loveand of two people trying to make their way in a world that is struggling to escape its past.'Vividly realised, and impeccably researched, with a determined female lead'Kayte Nunn, author of The Botanist's Daughter'Historical fiction at its best' Tracy Rees, author of The Rose Garden Readers love The Physician's Daughter 'For women who decide not to take "no" as the final answer' 'Exceptionally detailed and atmospheric' 'A page turner . . . I read it in a day' 'A must for all fans of historical drama' 'Phenomenal'