The Cards Don't Lie: A Novel

(Paperback)

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1814: Its the third year of the United States second War of Independence. The British are on the verge of capturing the strategically important port of New Orleans. In the midst of the Americans chaotic preparations for battle, three women play key roles in the defense of the city: Catherine, a free woman of color, voodoo priestess, and noted healer personally summoned by General Andrew Jackson; Marguerite, a pampered Creole plantation mistress prone to out-of-body experiences; and Millie, a plucky, patriotic prostitute inspired by her pirate lover to serve in the most dangerous capacity of all. These three womens lives and fates become intertwined as they join forces to defend their country.

Inspired by the contributions of real-life women during the Battle of New Orleans, The Cards Dont Lie is a story of love, rebellion, intimacy, betrayal, and heroism in the face of terror and barbaric brutality.

Reviews

"Inspired by the contributions of real-life women during the Battle of New Orleans, The Cards Don't Lie is a deftly crafted novel of love, rebellion, intimacy, betrayal, and heroism in the face of terror and barbaric brutality . . . An inherently riveting and memorable read from beginning to end that will prove to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to community library Historical Fiction collection." --Midwest Book Review "Vivid depiction of New Orleans' most significant historical event, as Andrew Jackson gathers Creoles, pirates, and free people of color to oppose a massive British assault. With the military drama being played out against the full Jambalaya of America's most intriguing city--settings range from Creole mansions and Ursuline convents to Quadroon Balls and Congo Square. It's amazing to me how much social and historical information has been deftly folded into this compelling narrative. I couldn't put it down!" --Dr. Bruce Elliott, professor of history at Stanford, UC Berkeley, and Sonoma State "Three strong female protagonists give fresh perspectives on a culture unique to New Orleans during the imminent British assault. Love, loss, and class anxieties mingle with war and triumphant resilience. A vibrant and engaging story!" --Tom Mitchell, PhD, author of the Winning Spirit series "A dramatic story full of rich historical details. A free woman of color who acts as the local healer/midwife, a young white prostitute who yearns for a better life, and a Creole plantation mistress desperate to provide a son for her husband--these and other colorful characters navigate the tumultuous events surrounding the Battle of New Orleans. Race and class barriers fall in this tale of patriotism and war, love and loss." --Barbara Ridley, author of When It's Over "As Sue Finan develops her characters, the reader is drawn in by the historic detail of New Orleans in the early 1800s. This is the setting for a story of strong women, from different walks of life, using their strengths to help Andrew Jackson win the Battle of New Orleans. A great read." --Gabriel A. Fraire, Healdsburg, Ca. Literary Laureate Emeritus "Contrary to what many history books would have us believe, wars have never been fought by men alone. Set in the vibrant city of New Orleans during the War of 1812, Sue Ingalls Finan's historical novel The Cards Don't Lie braids the experiences of individuals from a wide range of cultures, classes, races, and genders to create a fuller picture of that conflict, and especially of the crucial roles that women played in it. Finan's extensive research helps to bring both the setting and its characters to life for modern readers." --Jean Hegland, author of Into the Forest, Windfalls, and Still Time "The best historical fiction enriches our understanding when the historical evidence is scarce--but can also give voice to those who are usually overlooked, such as women and people of color. Sue Finan's The Cards Don't Lie admirably accomplishes both of these objectives. An enjoyable journey through an underappreciated era in American history-- the War of 1812 and, more specifically, the events surrounding the dramatic Battle of New Orleans--the author employs an innovative narrative structure, using cryptic yet revealing tarot cards, that propels the story forward at a dramatic pace." --Christopher D. O'Sullivan, Professor of history and international studies at University of San Francisco author of Harry Hopkins: FDR's Envoy to Churchill and Stalin, Colin Powell: A Political Biography, FDR and The End of Empire: The Origins of American Power in the Middle East, and Sumner Welles: Postwar Planning and the Quest for a New World Order, 1937-1943

Author Bio

Sue Ingalls Finan is a graduate of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Loyola University Chicago. She has taught creative writing and American history in Chicago, IL, Pittsburgh, PA, and Sonoma County, CA, and her stories have appeared in textbooks, anthologies, magazines, and newspapers. Now living in Sonoma County with her husband Jim, she writes for her local newspaper and volunteers at hospitals and libraries with Duffy, her Irish wolfhound therapy dog.