”Sandra Wagner-Wright is an excellent storyteller with a natural flair for historical accuracy and powerful character development.” —Seattle Book Review

Great for fans of Jane Austen, Natasha Boyd’s The Indigo Girl, and Anya Seton’s The Winthrop Woman

Three Weddings – Two Rival Families

In 1735 Richard Derby, a ship’s master in colonial Salem, Massachusetts, married Mary Hodges, a merchant’s daughter. The alliance was good business, and Mary Hodges was a willing bride. Richard prospered, retired from the sea, and founded his own merchant house. With one exception, Richard’s sons went to sea. Hasket Derby stayed ashore, learning to manage the trading network his father built.

George Crowninshield was the youngest of four brothers. Three sailed for Salem merchants. Richard Derby enticed George to sail for him by matching George with his daughter Mary. George knew a good opportunity when he saw it. Mary wanted more than a house and children, but marriage was her only option. “Marry me,” George said. “Be my partner.”

Eliza Crowninshield set her cap for a husband who would bring her wealth and status. She craved a brick house superior to any other dwelling in Salem. She wanted to dress at the height of fashion and entertain lavishly. Hasket Derby needed a wife as ambitious as he was. He expected to lead the Salem business community and required a wife to complement his achievements. Together, they became the “First Family” of Salem.

Against the backdrop of tensions between Great Britain and her American colonies, George and Hasket built their trading empires. After Americans gained independence in 1783, their sons sailed everywhere trade took place from the West Indies to the Baltic Sea, from Isle de France to Batavia, India, and China.

Inspired by true events, this is the story of two rival families who made their fortunes in the new United States of America.

More Reviews:

"If you love Jane Austin, you will love Sandra Wagner-Wright…. Inspired by true events, this book is a must-read and suitable for all ages. Wagner-Wright has a unique gift to keep her audience captivated and makes it fun to learn." —Reader's Favorite

"This bold, decades-spanning historical novel from Wagner-Wright…centers on rival families in 18th century Salem, Massachusetts, set to forge an unlikely alliance via marriage to build upon their fortunes and travel the seas, as tensions rise between Great Britain and the American… [A] transportive historical novel of Colonial marriage, shipping, and life." —BookLife

"An elaborately detailed period piece packed with intriguing nuggets of history…. Wagner-Wright combines a well-researched history of the merchant shipping industry along the Eastern Seaboard of the United States...with vivid depictions...[and] a wealth of historical details." —Kirkus

"Author Wagner-Wright does an excellent job of conveying the social mores, class hierarchy, and dangers of the time—no matter how harsh they may seem to modern readers." —IndieReader

Author Bio:

Sandra Wagner-Wright holds the doctoral degree in history and taught women’s and global history at the University of Hawai`i. When she’s not researching or writing, Sandra enjoys travel, including a recent visit to Antarctica. She lives in Hilo, Hawai`i with her family and writes a blog relating to history, travel, and the idiosyncrasies of life. Ambition, Arrogance & Pride is Sandra's most recent novel.