Author: Venita Ellick
Publisher: Brown Books Publishing
Date of publication: August 2013
Ashley
Taylor has been straightforward with her husband, the president-elect of the
United States. She supported his candidacy, but she has no intention of
assuming the traditional role of First Lady—a position she describes as “First
Hostess.” Instead, she will resume her own career as head of one of the largest
art museums in New York. The aftermath of her decision triggers reactions from
the public, news commentators, late night comedians, and other political
factions. While Ashley and Michael wrestle with saving their marriage and
preserving their professional lives, the country debates whether the role of
First Lady is a necessity, how the media influences the lives of public
figures, and how much a woman should sacrifice for the person she loves.
Excerpt:
From
Chapter 3 of The Reluctant First Lady
Applause
and pandemonium broke out on the other side of the curtain, indicating Michael
had reached the end of his speech.
A
stage manager nodded and, with Ashley and the twins leading the way, followed
by the vice president- elect, his wife, and family, she stepped onto the stage
and into the bright lights. The noise from the crowd grew in intensity as each
of them came into view. They all walked forward to stand beside Michael, Ashley
and the twins to his left; Robert Hughes, Catherine, and their children to his
right.
The
chaos and elation vibrating through the crowd was intoxicating. Cheers from a
wildly exuberant audience and music blocked out what individuals were saying,
but the camaraderie of those on the stage was evidenced by their smiles, hugs,
and claps on the back. Before the world, she and Michael looked like the
perfect couple. Michael pulled his family, plus Richard and his family, toward
him while photographers snapped pictures of this historic event.
Amid
the excitement, it almost went unnoticed that a reporter shouted a question at
Ashley. She ignored him, hoping he would go away.
The
reporter repeated his question. “Mrs. Taylor, what causes do you intend to
champion during the next four years in the White House?”
Ashley
winced inwardly, but no outward expression marred her serene expression. She
had a choice. She could tell the truth or continue to go along with the lie.
Damn it. She’d been dodging questions like this for months about what special
causes she intended to champion if her husband were elected. In fact, she’d
become a master of evasion, not something she was proud of. Unquestionably the
smartest thing to do would be to give the same canned response she’d been
giving throughout the campaign. It would be a lie, all of it. But then she
wouldn’t be accused of rocking the boat, a boat, she might add, that she knew
was taking on a lot of water.
She
was tired of being evasive. She was sick to death of lying by omission.
Michael’s managers had convinced her that he wouldn’t be elected if she
declared her intentions. But, Michael had been elected. Was it possible that
she was making more of this than necessary?
She
leaned toward the reporter and his microphone and began speaking in a quiet,
clear voice.
“First,
I’d like to thank everyone here and at home for their incredible support
throughout the campaign. I’m extremely proud of Michael and have always
believed he’d be a great leader and a great president. The American people have
chosen wisely and well this day. As for me, with the election over, I’ll be
returning to my job as director of the Cameron Museum of Art in New York. It’s
never been my intention to serve as the First Lady. Over half of the families
in our country are two-career families. Our family isn’t any different. In fact
. . .”
Ashley
felt Michael’s hand on her elbow. “Ashley, just smile and wave. We’re getting
off of the stage now.”
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About the Author:
Venita Ellick was
fated to be a writer. She was named for a character in a book her mother was
reading at
patiently read. The intervention of a career as an educator and raising three sons delayed her focus on writing, but she has now completed three novels. The Reluctant First Lady is her fourth.
Mistress of Mellyn by Victoria Holt and Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen captivated her as a teenager. The power and imagery of the printed word made her wonder what each heroine was thinking and feeling. She wanted to be the woman with the cape and hood standing on the edge of the cliff with the wind whipping around her. The mysteries that could be found in stories fascinated her and are echoed in The Reluctant First Lady.
Ellick draws on her experiences as a wife, mother, teacher, and principal to create her characters. Her sense of humor and recognition of the absurd and often whimsical nature of life have allowed her to capture her characters’ lives with authenticity and emotional resonance.
Venita and her husband David have experience as a two-career couple. They live on an island in the state of Washington.
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