The Authorized Version

Looking for a politically-themed novel to go along with your Fourth of July weekend relaxing? STEPHANIE, Days of Turmoil and Victory, book 3 in my Daughters of Courage trilogy, might just be the mustard in your potato salad. (Actually, I use vinegar, but you get the image.)

For starters, how about spending your Fourth of July in northern Idaho at the 1971 rock festival sponsored by the Universal Life Church? Billed as a "church picnic" it was sure to be a bigger and better Woodstock: better bands, better weather, better drugs. Stephanie is all set to enjoy the warmth, the freedom, the creativity. And her childhood sweetheart Jimmy, now a reporter for United Press International, is all for mixing business with pleasure. The only disturbing note is Carlton Sperlin, newly returned Vietnam War hero and candidate for Idaho Attorney General who confronts Stephanie with cases of drug overdosing and rumors of bags of money disappearing out the back gate.

Because KATHRYN, Days of Struggle and Triumph, the story of our indomitable Idaho desert pioneer women, is my grandmothers’ story (a composite of both of my grandmothers and other historic women), and ELIZABETH, Days of Loss and Hope, is my mother’s story of survival and achievement through the depths of the Great Depression, one would logically assume that STEPHANIE would be my story. I always hasten to tell people, however, that there was never anything I wanted less than a political career. I certainly used my memories of coming of age in the turbulent 60’s and my background as a rodeo queen, however.

Stephanie is very much her own person. When her state legislator father Eliot Hamilton is sidelined by a heart attack Stephanie more jumps than steps into his shoes to fulfill his term in the statehouse. And Stephanie barges in full steam ahead with her own agenda. She has her dream legislation for subsidized housing well on track. Until the infuriating, pigheaded attorney general sticks his oar in.

But at least she has the support of the press in the person of her faithful Jimmy. And her love life is right on track since the charming David Fraser arrived from Scotland as the guest of the Idaho Woolgrowers’ Association. At least, Stephanie hopes it’s on track:

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She and David had been together only once all summer-at a family Fourth of July picnic overrun with young cousins setting off firecrackers and dancing with sparklers that spit black ash into the potato salad. He had entered thoroughly into the American spirit and waved a small flag while they watched the parade of riding clubs and floats.

When they managed to grab a brief moment of privacy he gave her the kiss she had been longing for. She told herself skyrockets had gone off. But was it mostly wishful thinking?