Can’t-Wait Wednesday: “Daughter of a Daughter of a Queen” by Sarah Bird

Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted Tressa at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about that we have yet to read. It’s based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted Jill at Breaking the Spine.

---

We’re halfway through August, can you believe that? Wow! I’m almost done with my August reads and am now planning for September. This book, which I will be featuring today here for CWW, ranks pretty high on my priority list because I just can’t read enough historical novels.

The compelling, hidden story of Cathy Williams, a former slave and the only woman to ever serve the legendary Buffalo Soldiers.

“Here’s the first thing you need to know about Miss Cathy Williams: I am the daughter of a daughter of queen and my mama never let me forget it.”

Though born into bondage on a “miserable tobacco farm” in Little Dixie, Missouri, Cathy Williams was never allowed to consider herself a slave. According to her mother, she was a captive, destine by her noble warrior blood to escape the enemy. Her means of deliverance is Union general Phillip Henry “Smash ’em Up” Sheridan, the outcast of West Point who takes the rawboned, prideful young woman into service. At war’s end, having tasted freedom, Cathy refuses to return to servitude and makes the monumental decision to disguise herself as a man and join the Army’s legendary Buffalo Soldiers.

Alone now in the ultimate man’s world, Cathy must fight not only for her survival and freedom, but she also vows to never give up on finding her mother, her little sister, and the love of the only man strong enough to win her heart. Inspired by the stunning, true story of Private Williams, this American heroine comes to vivid life in sweeping and magnificent tale about one woman’s fight for freedom, respect and independence.

I’ve always been a history geek and my love for history extends itself to fiction, which is why historical novels have a special place in my reader heart. I’m especially excited to read this one because there aren’t much stuff written about Cathay Williams and I think her story must be told even if it is through fiction. Imagine posing as a man to fight a war for your own freedom and independence.

Daughter of a Daughter of a Queen comes out September 4. Meanwhile, you can already pre-order it: Amazon // Barnes & Noble // Books-a-Million // IndieBound // Powells

---

About the Author:

SARAH BIRD’s previous novel, Above the East China Sea, was long-listed for the Dublin International Literary Award. Sarah has been selected for the Meryl Streep Screenwriting Lab, the B&N Discover Great Writers program, NPR’s Moth Radio series, the Texas Literary Hall of Fame, and New York Libraries Books to Remember list. She first heard Cathy Williams’ story in the late seventies while researching African-American rodeos.