PASADENA, Md. - s4story -- Creative James Media, a small press located in Pasadena, Maryland, announced it has signed children's author Lisa Ard for her debut adult standalone historical fiction novel. Brighter Than Her Fears will release in January 2024.

Thirty-year-old Alice Harris is compelled to marry Jasper Carter, a Civil War veteran twice her age. Striving to maintain her sense of self, Alice joins forces with the women campaigning for Asheville's first public schools, learns to grow and market tobacco, and makes inroads into her newfound family—or so she thinks. When Jasper dies, Alice discovers marriage offers a tenuous promise of security. Her property rights are questioned. The family files for guardianship of her stepson. Alice discovers the Carter family's hidden motives and turns to the law (and a friendly court clerk) to fight for her independence, and discovers an unexpected love.

Unfolding against the backdrop of post-Reconstruction Asheville, North Carolina, readers will enjoy discussing America then and now, with sub themes of women's rights, racism, corruption, and the rise of inequality.

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About Lisa Ard

Lisa Ard is the author of the new historical fiction novel Brighter Than Her Fears, which is based on her great-great-grandmother's experience in 19th century western North Carolina. Her previously published children's books include Fright Flight, Dream Team, and the Kay Snow award finalist Saving Halloween. When not writing, Lisa enjoys reading, hiking, golfing and sharing her love of history as a bike tour docent with the Palm Springs Historical Society. She and her husband live (and golf) in both Palm Springs and Portland, Oregon.

About Creative James Media

Creative James Media is a new small press established in July 2019. Based in Pasadena, Maryland, the CJM team publishes Romance, Women's Fiction, Fantasy, and Young Adult novels in addition to several anthologies each year. CJM seeks to publish new authors searching for a voice in the publishing world. For more information visit https://creativejamesmedia.com/