Courting Mr. Lincoln

A page-turning novel about the brilliant,melancholic future president and the two people who knew him best: his handsome and charming confidant (and roommate)Joshua Speedand the spirited young debutante Mary Todd. A Washington Post Bestseller A May Indie Next Pick An Apple Books Best of the Month for April A People Magazine Best Book of the Week ΓÇ£Exquisite.ΓÇ¥ ΓÇöPeople ΓÇ£A triumph of a novel.ΓÇ¥ ΓÇöBookreporter.com ΓÇ£Richfascinatingand romantic.ΓÇ¥ ΓÇöNewsday When Mary Todd meets Abraham Lincoln in Springfield in the winter of 1840he is on no oneΓÇÖs short list to be president. A country lawyer living above a dry goods shophe is lacking both money and mannersand his gift for oratory surprises those who meet him. Marya quickself-possessed debutante with an interest in debates and electionsat first finds him an enigma. ΓÇ£I can only hopeΓÇ¥ she tells his roommatethe handsomecharming Joshua SpeedΓÇ£that his waters being so very stillthey also run deep.ΓÇ¥ ItΓÇÖs not longthoughbefore she sees the Lincoln that Speed knows: an amiableprofound man whodespite his awkwardnesshas a gentle wit to match his geniusand who respects her keen political mind. But as her relationship with Lincoln deepensshe must confront his inseparable friendship with Speedwho has taught his roommate how to dancedressand navigate the polite society of Springfield. Told in the alternating voices of Mary Todd and Joshua Speedand inspired by historical eventsCourting Mr. Lincoln creates a sympathetic and complex portrait of Mary unlike any that has come before; a moving portrayal of the deep and very real connection between the two men; and most of allan evocation of the unformed man who would grow into one of the nationΓÇÖs most beloved presidents. Louis Bayarda master storytellerdelivers here a page-turning tale of lovelongingand forbidden possibilities.