BOOKS, ARTICLES and BLOG

"... one of the most well written fiction novels I have ever read. McMath uses historical battles and information to weave a fictional masterpiece." — Kaci Marie Lahpor, FL, Amazon.com

"I could not for the life of me put this book down. It is like Pride and Prejudice set in the Civil War... on par with Cold Mountain."
- Amazon Customer

"The author used vivid imagery, chemistry, cutting wit and gut-wrenching drama to illustrate the struggles Hillsborough, Virginia faced during the American Civil War... In the end, it captured the deep struggle of forgiveness, even of oneself. I wholeheartedly recommend!" — R. Thoburn, Amazon.com

“A well-handled mystery — and what a shocker conclusion!” — Eileen Charbonneau, award-winning Historic Fiction Author and Newbery Nominee

“Few historical fiction novels present an accurate, interesting story for so many readers, and at the same time, serve as a thought-provoking, life-enriching, relevant tool for modern life.”  — Literary Notices, Citizens’ Companion Magazine

PAPERBACK OR KINDLE
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 Book Club Discussion Questions
1. If you took this story to Hollywood, who would you cast in the leads?
2. How would you feel if you were suddenly in the midst of a Civil War?
3. From where does Annabelle draw strength?
4. Ever felt as Annabelle did when she stayed silent at the sewing circle during their talk of slaves?
5. What symbols are found in Annabelle's river dream-turned-nightmare?
6. What was P.D. thinking and feeling while at the field hospital?
7. What might have happened if P.D. had succeeded in getting the cannons to the south side of the Potomac River just after Gettysburg?
8. Reality check: What might have happened after Gettysburg if President Lincoln had been able to prevail on Gen. Meade to strike General Lee as he was stuck on the north side of the river with two-thirds of his army?
9. What did you think of Annabelle's response when she discovered the Confederate spy was actually a Union soldier?
10. How important was faith in the daily life of 19th century Americans?
11. If Annabelle hadn't chosen to let go of her pride, what ending would you write for her?
12. What is the most important statement made in Pella's Angel?

• Visit the Novel's Bibliographic Resources


HISTORIC FICTION NOVEL SERIES
CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT


CO-AUTHOR
The Legancy of Lincoln - How one man changed a nation

Abraham Lincoln is arguably our most revered president, and the object of much fascination. Many biographies have been written about him, but this is the first book to tackle his legacy—how Lincoln’s policies, not just his conduct during the Civil War, impacted the nation, and what changes to government and politics he is remembered for. Includes a concise biography and information on social and cultural legacies, various Lincoln organizations, further reading, online resources, and more.

THE ESSENCE OF A PEOPLE II:
African Americans
Who Made Their World Anew in
Loudoun County, Virginia and Beyond

McMath's piece, "Zilpha Davis: A Freed Slave of Hillsborough, Virginia", describes the life of Zilpha Davis in Loudoun County during the Civil War. The story won her a 1996 Loudoun History Award.

The Essence of a People II, was published by the Black History Committee and Friends of the Thomas Balch Library, Thomas Balch Library, Leesburg, VA
PicturePhoto by Sarah Huntington Modeled by Suzy Alden
CREATIVITY AND THE HAY SCHOOL OF FASHION
Written by Meredith Bean with Photography by Sarah Huntington and Modeling by Actor /Model Suzy Alden

I1947, Virginia Wirsching. Hay  opened the Hay School of Fashion in St. Louis, Missouri.
 
She worked from her home… her markeing tools: word of mouth and thimble with the company name and address.

And for the next 35 years, Virginia created original designs, won fashion design awards, taught classes, submitted costumes for the St. Louis Veiled Prophet Ball and other costume contests and had her daughters and she wear her creations to advertise her work.
 
In a 1972 interview for the St. Louis Globe Democrat, she was pleased to say, “I’ve taught husbands and wives who either want to sew for each other or to help the family budget. And I’ve taught working girls in my night classes who want a variety of dresses they couldn’t afford if they had to buy them".
 
Her books on sewing  include The New Basic SECRETS OF SEWING from the Virginia Hay Sewing System, New Method of PERSONAL FITTING (of patterns), Are You the Boss of your Sewing Machine? (sewing methods), Pressing is an Art, The Inside Story (about linings and interlinings), and 57 Shortcuts in Home Sewing.

And Virginia was my Grandmother. I wrote the book in her honor and included photographs of the amazing dresses I inherited from her.


​McMATH ARTICLES

Blue Ridge Leader and BRLeader.com:
     Visit Blue Ridge Leader Archives to find the following McMath articles:
  • "It's Yoga Time... Seriously" - Nov 2012
  • "Why Do They Do It: The Actor's Life" - April 26, 2011
  • "Careful what you Wish For..." - April 7, 2010
  • "Challenges to Marketing the Arts" - Feb. 6, 2010
  • "Shear Madness" - Jan. 24, 2010
  • "Since We're All Here... Short, Painless Family Traditions" - Nov. 22, 2009
  • "A Scientist, a Whale and a Tourist Walk into a Bar..."- Oct. 9, 2009
  • "Fairs to Remember” - Oct. 1, 2009
  • "For the Jurascheks, Theatre is a Family Affair," - Oct. 5, 2005 - print only
  • "Live! It's the Tally Ho Radio Show!” - Dec. 6, 2002 - print only
  • "He's Been Framed” - March 17, 2000
    ​
The Citizens Companion - A Companion to Civil War Historians and Reenactors
  • "And A Straight Jacket for the Editor" - Three Pro-Union Journalists in Confederate Virginia" (reposted in McMath's StoryRoot Blog: CLICK HERE) 
  • "A How-to of Victorian Entertainment" (from food and dance to parlor games and music), Dec.-Jan. 1999-2000

Civil War Lady Magazine
  • "Civil War Music for Reenactors"

Country Style and Zest Magazine
DC Theatre Scene élan Magazine
  • "Family Trees: Very Special Arts Theatre” - February 2008
  • "Willing to Jump: Pamela Butler and Loudoun Lyric Opera” - April 2007
  • "Rose-Colored Glasses” - April 2006
  • "Of Life and Reinvention” - March 2005​
The History of Loudoun County, Virginia Online Archives  (www.loudounhistory.org)
Leesburg Lifestyle Magazine Loudoun ART Magazine, Editor Gale Waldron, The Good Neighbor Column 1998-2001
  • "A Valentine's Story"
  •  "An Artful Education"
  •  "Home for Broken Hearts"
  •  "A Time to Celebrate"
  • "Worth a Thousand Words"
  • "Life in the Big Pond"
  •  "A Perfect Stranger"
  • "Lessons Learned at Gettysburg"
  •  "The Horse Whisperers" 
  • "A Young Man's Fancy"
  • "An Unplanned Community"
  •  "Being Betty"
  •  "Politics as Unusual"
  •  "Hollywhat?"
  •  "All the World's A Stage"
  • "Gun Play at the Okey-Dokey Corral"
  • "Where the Wild Things Are"
  • "The Daisy Hill Puppy Farm"
  • "Project Linus"
  • "The Mouse is Dry, and Other Little Tales from the Country" 

Loudoun Arts Advance
  • "Earth and Iron: The Master Singers of Virginia” - spring issue, 2006
    ​
Loudoun Magazine Loudoun Times-Mirror
  • "The Spirit of a House" - October 26, 1994
  • "Bringing Back an Age of Innocence: Loudoun's Radio Revival" - Oct. 15, 1997
  • "The Restorer's Apprentice” - 1988

Middleburg Life
  • "A New Performing Arts Center” - July 2001
  • "When Valued Customers are Valued Friends” - August 1999
  • "Come Meet the Neighbors at PORCHES” - March 1999
  • "All for the Union!" - March 1997

The Piedmont Virginian
  • "Out of the Ordinary: the 19th Century Tavern” - winter 2008​

Purcellville Gazette
  • "The Gifts of Christmas” - Nov. 25, 2011
    ​
Reel Life with Jane E-zine
  • "What are you waiting for? Make a movie!" - Sept 2005
    ​
TravelMole.com ​​​Valley Homes and Style
Washington Post, Loudoun Extra

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