I'd truly rate this a 3.5. This is a standalone even though it's listed as third in a series. This novel takes a lovely look into the life of Martha Custis. I never realized how much loss she endured throughout her lifetime. The author weaves Martha's tale of loss and love in a way that made me want to reach through the pages and just hold her to my chest in comfort. The only downfall is the filler. I found my mind wandering off into the great blue yonder a few hundred times and found I didn't miss much when I came back around.

If you're a lover of historical romance and always wondered about our very first First Lady of the United States. I'd recommend this novel to you. ( )

The life of Martha Dandridge Custis Washington is fictionalized in this novel. I always enjoy seeing aspects of history that I didn't know about before, and I certainly did see some of those in this book. Martha goes through many ups and downs with George - from a courtship that seemed remarkable short and brief to the dangers of war and of living during the 1700's. There was a lot that wasn't pleasant or easy about that time period, and I was impressed by some of the habits that Martha had which seemed to have given her strength during that time. I remember this book keeping my interest during a plane flight and that it was an enjoyable and memorable way to pass the time. While I think the author certainly took some liberties with Martha's story, it would be a pleasant read for any fan of historical fiction. ( )

4.5 Stars

Favorite part of this novel: the relationship between George and Martha. I was moved beyond words at how close they were as friends as well as lovers. They confide in each other and use each other as support systems when the hard times of the Revolution and of the many deaths in the family hit. Their relationship is definitely a role model I'd put forward as an ideal match. As much a friendship as a love match, it's full of arguments and disagreements but mutual respect and friendship help to bridge the gaps and create one wonderful whole.

I also really enjoyed how three dimensional the characters were. From George's occasional lacks of faith to Martha's inability to discipline her children to Jacky's pursuit of pleasure, every character had faults to balance out the good, a requirement for any character to become real to an audience. I also adored seeing Martha grow as a woman and a matron. We get more a sense of her as an individual rather than just a "mother to the country". I enjoyed exploring her motivations and relationship with George. Seeing him through her eyes as husband and father to her children was very eye-opening. Makes him more human as well.

The one fault I found with this book was the author's tendency to rely on "telling" rather than storytelling. I found more than once a scene where the author just tells what's going on in paragraph after paragraph, rather than letting the scene unfold through action and dialogue. This was especially prevalent in the beginning portion of the novel where the audience is being introduced to Martha and her history. I think I would have enjoyed more a use of maybe flashbacks or conversation as a way to learn Martha's back-story rather than told scene after told scene.

All in all, this was a very enjoyable look at a founding couple of our history. George and Martha Washington are two figures that feature so large in our history that seeing them as individual people, with virtues and vices both, is sometimes hard to see. The author does a fantastic job in making them people and telling their story. Despite some issues in how she tells that story, I still found this book a wonderful read. Highly recommended for American Revolution fiction lovers. ( )

If you are looking for a book to help celebrate two February holidays, then consider Washington’s Lady by Nancy Moser. In this biographical novel, the reader gets a glimpse at the personal life of George and Martha Washington, a couple who loved each other, their family and their nation. Theirs was a life of sacrifice and grief and also a triumph of devotion, loyalty and patriotism. No groundhogs in the book, but perfect for President’s Day and Valentine’s Day reading!

Moser tells the story of the Washingtons from the first person narrative of Martha. The book begins with a young Martha newly widowed, grieving the loss of her husband and two children. A wealthy woman in the Virginia colony, she could have made any match, but chose George Washington, a younger son with little material worth, but something special that told of great things to come. Their life together included the struggle to make ends meet amidst increasing taxes and tariffs from England, the very present dangers of a world without modern medical care, and the demands of the Glorious Cause and a new nation.

I liked that Moser tells the story in the context of a marriage. The story is intimate and real — disagreements over money spent and parenting are part of the story. Martha is an indulgent parent, to the detriment of her surviving son and grandson, but she is also diligent, courageous and concerned with others over self. The two main characters come across as real people, not iconic figures. This novel is a story of a life, not one of battles and politics, something I really appreciated.

Washington’s Lady is the perfect choice for those who love historical fiction, especially novels set during the Revolutionary War.

Recommended.

Audience: older teens and adults. ( )

Nancy Moser does it again. Washington’s Lady is an absolute masterpiece. And a fine tribute to the lady who stood alongside Americas first president, our reluctant and yet dutiful hero. All those who know me know how much I adore this time of American History and this book lives up to my passion for it. Admittedly I do not know as much about George Washington and Martha as I would like, as I am a Jefferson girl (can you guess) But is books like this that make me crave to learn more about him and his Martha.

In this book we follow Martha’s story we meet her at the time of the death of her first husband and how she will move forward from there. Married only 7 years to that first husband, she was left the wealthiest widow in Virginia. She rejects many suitors, as she hasn’t found one who can capture her heart or inkling like that. Enter Colonel George Washington. Their match truly was a love match, and Martha stayed beside George through it all.

There were times when Martha did not wish the path that George took, but she was still by his side. She may have disagreed with her old man but she always supported him. The book does make a point at the very end to say that many say without George Washington we would not have America, which is very true. And the book than goes onto say, Without Martha Washington there would be no George. And this comment is also true. Behind every great man is a great woman. This book has taken place as the best book that I have read this year. I highly encourage anyone and everyone to pick it up, and read it. ( )