Motty's Vow

A promise made in fear. A father marching off to war. A family left with nothing but each other.

When Motty's father leaves to fight for the Union, he takes their only source of income with him. Her mother is ill and overwhelmed. And the threat that haunts Motty if anything happens to her mother becomes terrifyingly real: the children can be taken and separated. The cupboards are empty.

Motty is fourteen. She should be a child. Instead, she becomes the one holding the family together.

She vows to protect her siblings-especially Mary, whose vulnerability makes her a target for the asylum. But protection has a cost, and every choice Motty makes to keep the family together carries a new and heavier burden.

This is powerful civil war historical fiction inspired by true events, a deeply emotional family survival story led by a strong female protagonist fighting to protect her own.

Motty's Vow follows a resilient young woman forced into adulthood in a world shaped by poverty, illness, and fear of the unthinkable. It is an intimate, character-driven novel for readers who love historical fiction for women, novels inspired by true history, and unforgettable girls who rise to the impossible.

Perfect for fans of Lisa Wingate, Kristin Hannah, and readers who gravitate toward resilient female novels and coming of age during war stories.

Includes a bonus Book Club Guide with discussion questions and historical background.