Women of a Promiscuous Nature

Praise for Donna Everhart

“Both a cautionary tale and a deeply compassionate rendering of women wrongly imprisoned in a system designed to break them, Donna Everhart’s propulsive story is filled with injustice, intrigue, and the determination to fight back. Book clubs will find themselves discussing Women of a Promiscuous Nature late into the night, and readers will long remember the remarkable women so aptly rendered within its pages.” —Lisa Wingate, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Shelterwood

“Eye-opening…Everhart writes movingly about the American Plan (a real government program that tried to regulate women’s bodies and sexuality) and its consequences in the first part of the 20th century. With its strong women characters, the novel is a brutal but unforgettable read.” —Library Journal on Women of a Promiscuous Nature

“A remarkable fusion of research and imagination, all that we hope for in the best historical fiction, but there is much more to admire here–vivid scenes, compelling characters, perfect pacing—but most impressive of all is Everhart’s creation of Dorothy Baker, a woman who, as her past is slowly revealed, becomes so multifaceted that even in her most appalling moments we cannot ignore her humanity. She is one of the most memorable characters I’ve read in recent fiction, and further proof of Donna Everhart’s immense talent.” —Ron Rash, award-winning author of Serena on Women of a Promiscuous Nature
“In a time when the darkest chapters in American history are being erased, books are being banned, and women’s bodies policed, Women of a Promiscuous Nature is a must-read. I learned so much from Everhart’s larger-than-life characters, whose stories will make you gasp and wonder if this could ever happen again in America. The best and most important historical novel I’ve read in years!” —Minrose Gwin, author of Beautiful Dreamers on Women of a Promiscuous Nature

“Donna Everhart writes like your neighbor who has come over to tell you of folks she’s worrying about. She infuses textbook history with ragged humanity. Detailing shocking injustices, she also begs a nuanced consideration of the most dreadful consequences of mankind’s often misguided motivations. Most importantly, she puts the three women before us, with their individual circumstances in the face of the unthinkable, and inspires courage through their remarkable endurance. Everhart’s readers always expect they will come away from the last page with the dirt of her stories under their nails. There’s some heart’s blood, here, too.” —Kimberly Brock, author of The Fabled Earth on Women of a Promiscuous Nature

“The distinctive setting of the turpentine camps in the South during the Great Depression will make an imprint on readers, just as the characters of Rae Lynn and Del do. Fans of Sarah Addison Allen won’t be able to put it down.” —Booklist on The Saints of Swallow Hill

“Rousing…movingly explores Jessie’s struggle with her eating disorder, viscerally describing her twin desires for nourishment and purging in relation to a deep need to define herself…Everhart’s story of self-discovery, rife with colorful characters and a satisfying twist, will thrill readers.” —Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW for The Moonshiner’s Daughter

“In a powerful coming‑of‑age story that pitches southern charm against dark family secrets, the voice of 11‑year‑old Dixie Dupree captivates from the first page to the last.” —Barbara Claypole White, bestselling author of The Perfect Son on The Education of Dixie Dupree

“This story of survival and perseverance is heartbreaking and hard, but the ways the characters in the book choose family and hope lead them on paths they would never expect…Everhart creates a signature style by writing in the voice of the main character, a young Southern girl, telling the story from her perspective. Her voice remains true throughout the novel, successfully engaging the reader.” —The Missourian on The Road to Bittersweet

“Everhart is a good storyteller and makes her characters and their experiences come alive.” —Booklist on The Road to Bittersweet

“An adventure story and coming-of-age story wrapped into one satisfying package… Donna Everhart skillfully evokes a harsh landscape and harsh times, squarely placing the reader in Appalachia right along with the family. Wallis Ann’s complicated relationship with her sister is well explored and serves as a catalyst for her growth into a mature young woman.” —Historical Novels Review on The Road to Bittersweet