If there's a book you really want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it. - Toni Morrison
Check out my latest interview from
Off the Shelf: The Arts and Culture Blog of Evanston Public Library
REVIEWS
"You Will Fall In Love With This Story... Magrady's writing takes you to a time and place in Chicago history with such ease and grace." - Amazon.com reviewer, David W. Berner
"A story of love, perseverance, and fulfillment, Lines is a historical novel set in the post-Civil War period. The beautifully told storyt captures the struggles of ordinary people. It also describes the effects the momentous events occurring in Chicago during that time had on their lives...I highly recommend the book to those who enjoy historical fiction. Geralyn Hesslau Magrady may soon be a famous author, and not just in Illinois."
Taken from Janet Feduska Cole's review @ Windy City Reviews
"Very well researched and written first novel! The historic detail reminded me of Upton Sinclair's The Jungle. Looking forward to more books by this author!" - Amazon.com reviewer, Katherine Seavey
" It was magnificent! I want to brag on a job well done and publicly attest that I relished the twists and turns, especially, but also thoroughly enjoyed how it wrapped up. Put this one on your TBR list..." - Traci Nathaniel Walker, writer/blogger
"Geralyn's prose is inviting and flows off the pages with ease. A great read for those who like historical stories with a romantic heartbeat." - S.C. McCole, writer
Author Q & A on the STBF website!
4/14/2016 WINNER of the
Soon To Be Famous Illinois Author Project!
Words can't express my gratitude and joy! Thanks to the STBF committee, the Illinois Library Association, Reading Across Illinois Library Systems, the Berwyn Public Library, and everyone associated with this wonderful project!
LOOKING TO BUY LINES-- AT A PHYSICAL STORE?
THE LOOKING GLASS BOOK STORE, 823 S. Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park IL
3/23/16 "Reading between the lines" - Berwyn Life newspaper
"Berwyn author competes in Soon to be Famous Illinois Author Project"
3/12/16 What a wonderful time! A big shout out to the Looking Glass book store and all those beautiful faces that represented almost every phase of my life! Your support is greatly appreciated, and I thank you all for coming out!
Book Reading and Signing @ The Looking Glass book store (3/12 @ 2:00)
01/30/16 Thanks to all who came out to the Book Release Celebration at the Friendly Coffee Lounge!
What an incredible success!
A synopsis for the upcoming release of LINES--
In the 1870s and 1880s, railroad lines converge near Lake Michigan at the Great Central Depot, a hub for our country’s expanding commerce and travel. Livia Haas knows these lines well, for they carried her from the serene tobacco fields of Quakertown, PA to the tumultuous urban life of Chicago just prior to the Great Fire.
Class and culture lines are witnessed by the grid-like pattern of city streets designed to keep apart the privileged and poor, to define immigrant groups. A prayerful Livia comes to understand that these boundaries offer little hope for mingling in a society where lines are unjustly drawn.
Strike lines—sometimes effective and sometimes violent—commence in an era of struggle for the eight hour day. The main character gets entangled in the fight, against the wishes of people who fear the consequences of disturbing those lines.
Affected by a first love, a deceased brother, and a sinister acquaintance who endangers herself and family, Livia Haas is forced to question literal and personal lines, as well as those that exist in the lineage from which she is born.
In the 1870s and 1880s, railroad lines converge near Lake Michigan at the Great Central Depot, a hub for our country’s expanding commerce and travel. Livia Haas knows these lines well, for they carried her from the serene tobacco fields of Quakertown, PA to the tumultuous urban life of Chicago just prior to the Great Fire.
Class and culture lines are witnessed by the grid-like pattern of city streets designed to keep apart the privileged and poor, to define immigrant groups. A prayerful Livia comes to understand that these boundaries offer little hope for mingling in a society where lines are unjustly drawn.
Strike lines—sometimes effective and sometimes violent—commence in an era of struggle for the eight hour day. The main character gets entangled in the fight, against the wishes of people who fear the consequences of disturbing those lines.
Affected by a first love, a deceased brother, and a sinister acquaintance who endangers herself and family, Livia Haas is forced to question literal and personal lines, as well as those that exist in the lineage from which she is born.
