Date Published: 5/26/2021
Publisher: Indies United
When Hannah Reilly steps off the ship on the shores of Ellis Island in 1912 she has no idea that it is not a convent that awaits her. It is a man who finds her far too beautiful to marry God.
Hannah turns her back on the church and she and Wade settle in Jacksonville, Florida, where the world holds the promise of sunshine. They have two wonderful children before life changes and Wade insists that Hannah abort her third child. When Hannah refuses, light turns to darkness and fate unfolds before Hannah with the cruel consequences of her choices.
A story told against the backdrop of the Depression, Hannah struggles with anguish and despair highlighted by brief moments of triumph, lost love returned, deep friendship and the cruelty of laws so unfavorable to women.
Interview with Vera Jane Cook
For those interested in exploring the subject or theme of your book, where should they start?
I think with the history of the Irish war with Britain and life for women in the early part of the twentieth century. Also, the effects of The Great Depression.
How did you become involved with the subject or theme of your book?
My Irish grandmother came to this country to be a nun, met a man very much like Wade and the rest was history. God would have been the better choice.
What were your goals and intentions in this book, and how well do you feel you achieved them?
I think I painted a real picture around the time of the Depression and the choices people had to make for survival. Desperate times call for desperate choices and one’s true character emerges in a crisis. I think that’s clear in this story.
Anything you would like to say to your readers and fans?
I think many will be unhappy with the ending, but it was the only way I could end the book. It’s a tragedy and none of it is sugar coated.
What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
The language I could use, the poetry of the Irish, the lyricism. Also, the friendship between Vinny and Hannah.
Can you tell us a little bit about your next books or what you have planned for the future?
Glamor Girl is the next book out in this series (Oct. 6th) is the launch. It will go on presale in August. Glamor Girl follows the life of Hannah’s daughter, Sheela.
How long have you been writing?
A long time.
Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in When Hannah Played Ragtime?
Hannah and Sr. Vincetta are innocent and loving women, their friendship is commendable and enviable. Wade is a bastard, a very handsome manipulative bastard.
If you could spend the day with one of the characters from When Hannah Played Ragtime who would it be? Please tell us why you chose this particular character, where you would go and what you would do.
I’d love to spend an afternoon with Hannah because it would be like being with my Grandmother whom I grew up hearing so much about. I would take her to the theater, to a wonderful restaurant and somewhere with a piano, so she could play for me.
About the Author
As Vera Jane Cook, she often explores her southern roots and complex family dynamics in her women's fiction. Her novel Dancing Backward in Paradise won the Indie Excellence Award for notable new fiction when it was first released in 2007 and an Eric Hoffer Award for publishing excellence that same year. Dancing Backward in Paradise received a five-star review from ForeWord Clarion. The Story of Sassy Sweetwater, first released in 2012, was a finalist for the ForeWord Clarion Book of the Year Award. Additionally, Jane has published the southern fiction novels Where the Wildflowers Grow and Pleasant Day. Her newest women's fiction novel, When Hannah Played Ragtime, Book One in a family trilogy will be published this year.
Jane lives on the Upper West Side of Manhattan with her spouse, her Dachshund, Karly, her Chihuahua, Peanut, and her two pussycats, Sassy and Sweetie Pie.
Contact Links
Twitter @verajanecook
Purchase Link
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