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Stephanie Dray

Author of America's First Daughter

31+ Works 3,630 Members 229 Reviews 4 Favorited

About the Author

Stephanie Dray is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of historical women¿s fiction and fantasy. Her critically acclaimed historical series about Cleopatra¿s daughter has been translated into eight languages, was nominated for a RITA Award, and won the Golden Leaf. Using the stories show more of women in history to inspire the young women of today, Stephanie remains fascinated by all things ancient and has, to the consternation of her devoted husband, collected a houseful of cats and Egyptian artifacts. show less

Series

Works by Stephanie Dray

America's First Daughter (2016) 1,115 copies
My Dear Hamilton (2018) 905 copies
Lily of the Nile (2011) 329 copies
Ribbons of Scarlet (2019) 177 copies
Song of the Nile (2011) 136 copies
A Day of Fire (2014) 123 copies
Daughters of the Nile (2013) 68 copies
A Year of Ravens (2015) 52 copies
Poisoned Kisses (2010) 46 copies
It Stings So Sweet (2013) 43 copies
The Knife's Edge (2009) 38 copies
Dark Sins and Desert Sands (2011) 34 copies
Becoming Madam Secretary (2024) 24 copies

Associated Works

Songs of Blood and Gold — Contributor — 3 copies

Tagged

Common Knowledge

Legal name
Dray, Stephanie Hope
Other names
Draven, Stephanie
Birthdate
1971-02-04
Gender
female
Nationality
USA
Places of residence
Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Occupations
writer
historical novelist
Relationships
Kamoie, Laura (frequent co-author)
Short biography
STEPHANIE DRAY is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal & USA Today bestselling author of historical women’s fiction. Her award-winning work has been translated into eight languages and tops lists for the most anticipated reads of the year. Now she lives in Maryland with her husband, cats, and history books. [from website: https://www.stephaniedray.com/about/ ]

Stephanie Draven is currently a denizen of Baltimore, that city of ravens and purple night skies. She lives there with her favorite nocturnal creatures–three scheming cats and a deliciously wicked husband. And when she is not busy with dark domestic rituals, she writes her books. [from website: http://stephaniedraven.com/ ]

Members

Reviews

Determined to fight for child poverty, women, and safe working conditions, Frances Perkins takes a job in New York City. There, she quickly meets some of the rising politicians, activists, and writers, including Franklin Delano Roosevelt. While initially she writes off the young politician, her history and FDR’s are intertwined.

This novel was well written and engaging. I loved the character development and growth throughout the story. I also loved that FDR was pictured realistically rather than in an idealized light. The story was well paced and entertaining. Overall, highly recommended.… (more)
 
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JanaRose1 | 6 other reviews | Mar 15, 2024 |
Frances Perkins throws herself on to the scene in NYC. She is determined to change the working conditions for everyone, including children. She has an interaction with FDR and things do not go as planned. But, their relationship, or rather, partnership helped Americans… then and now!

I love Frances and FDR’s relationship, especially at the beginning. She calls him a popinjay. How this author describes their relationship and their interactions just brings them to life in the eyes of the reader.

This book is so well researched and I learned so much. Highly recommend you pick up this book today! I had no idea about Frances Perkins. She changed so much about America.

I did fluctuate between a 4 and 5 star on this one. But, I settled on a 4 star because it does get a bit slow in places. I am sure it is because the author is writing about a real life person and wants to tell it all.

Need a wonderful, historical fiction…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
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fredreeca | 6 other reviews | Mar 15, 2024 |
One of the reasons I enjoy reading historical fiction is that I learn more about historical figures I knew little about. Stephanie Dray's newest novel, Becoming Madam Secretary, shares the story of the life of Frances Perkins, best known as Franklin Roosevelt's Secretary of Labor following the Great Depression.

The novel opens in 1933 with the recently elected President of the United States Franklin Roosevelt summoning Frances Perkins and offering her the job as Secretary of Labor in his cabinet. Perkins would be the first woman in history to serve as a cabinet member, but that doesn't seem to persuade her to take on the role.

Perkins had prepared a list of things that she wants to accomplish if she took the job, including eliminating child labor, limiting working hours, instituting a federal minimum wage, and creating what would become Social Security. If she thought this would discourage Roosevelt, she was mistaken. He agrees to back her and she is stuck taking the job.

The book then goes back in time and we see Perkins' start, first as a graduate student in economics studying child malnutrition in Hells Kitchen in New York City. Her dedication, work ethic, and success captures the attention of others in the social work field, and she is asked to become a lobbyist with the New York Consumers League.

Through her lobbying efforts Perkins becomes acquainted with politicians like future governors of New York Al Smith and Franklin Roosevelt, and they recognize her talents and put them to good use. But being a woman in a man's world back then required a high wire act that Perkins managed to walk.

Frances also captures the attention of writer Sinclair Lewis, whose attempts to woo her are comical if unsuccessful. She does marry a man who appreciates that Frances has a career doing important work, but their union has troubled times ahead.

I found myself totally immersed in the life of Frances Perkins and I could not put Becoming Madam Secretary down. I found it reminiscent of Allison Pataki's The Magnificent Marjorie Post; both books highlighted women who accomplished so much in a time when women weren't expected to do much more than run a household.

Frances Perkins saw a need to fix major problems in this country at a most challenging time, and she was the woman for the job. Becoming Madam Secretary is an appropriate and excellent read for Women's History Month. I highly recommend it.
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bookchickdi | 6 other reviews | Mar 12, 2024 |
This was an enthralling read about an extraordinary woman, Frances Perkins. Understandably, a large part of the story focused on her relationship with FDR and the creation of Social Security. Another big part of her story hear was her marriage and then motherhood. These personal parts of her story were more emotional, but I found them moving and just as interesting. Overall, this book was well-written, and I felt Frances' frustrations, disappointments, and heartbreaks as well as her joys and triumphs. Also, I really appreciated the author's notes at the end.

This was hard to put down, and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction or books about strong women.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the early read.
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Flagged
ang709 | 6 other reviews | Mar 7, 2024 |

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Statistics

Works
31
Also by
1
Members
3,630
Popularity
#6,973
Rating
4.1
Reviews
229
ISBNs
96
Languages
1
Favorited
4

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