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Discover the Stories of Revolutionary Women

Historical Fiction by Wendy Long Stanley

Dive into compelling narratives that bring to life women who shaped America's founding. Through meticulous research and vivid storytelling, Wendy illuminates the extraordinary contributions of women during revolutionary times.

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Copley Family portrait 1776

Books

Cover of The Power to Deny

The Power to Deny

Winner of a 1st Place Blue Ribbon Goethe Book Award for post-1750s Historical Fiction ABOUT THE BOOK: Young and brilliant poet Elizabeth Graeme comes of age in colonial Philadelphia bearing an exceptional talent for writing and an unwillingness to be like all the other young women around her. After a successful trip to England and an audience with the king, the sudden death of her mother and two failed romances leave Elizabeth reeling. Back in Philadelphia, she uses her literary talent, intellect, widening social circle, and status as a prominent physician’s daughter to navigate her colonial life as a single woman. That is, until the night Henry Fergusson arrives in her parlor. Elizabeth marries Henry four months later in a secret nighttime wedding, against her father’s wishes. As a new wife, Elizabeth is stunned to see that Pennsylvania is marching towards revolutionary war. Suddenly, Elizabeth’s hometown becomes the seat and heart of the rebel government as the thirteen colonies turn their backs on the all-powerful British empire. Bloodshed ensues. With battles of the American Revolution on her doorstep, Elizabeth realizes that she is a new American—and an ardent patriot. Her new husband, however, is staunchly loyal to the British crown. Elizabeth stands to lose everything.

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Cover of The Treason of Betsy Ross

The Treason of Betsy Ross

Winner of a Silver Global eBook Award; Designated 5-Star Read from Readers' Favorites; Short-Listed as a Finalist in the Chanticleer International Book Awards ABOUT THE BOOK: The story behind the legend... Long before Betsy Ross became a national icon for making the first U.S. flag, she was a quiet Quaker girl swept up against her will by events leading to the American Revolution. Philadelphia, 1770. Eighteen-year-old Betsy Griscom falls in love with a man her parents can’t accept—non-Quaker John Ross, whose family has strong ties to powerful colonial government offices. Despite Betsy’s best intentions to stay within the safety of her Quaker world, Betsy marries John and dreams of an untroubled life with him and their future children. Betsy’s hopes are dashed when the colonies begin to openly and violently rebel against the British crown. Taught to be peace-loving and non-violent, Betsy watches helplessly as her husband becomes a militiaman and joins the resistance movement, taking them closer and closer towards chaos and revolutionary war. When shots ring out at Lexington and Concord, Betsy realizes she can no longer be neutral. She finds herself fully entrenched in the turmoil of America’s first civil war, inching closer to treason.

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Cover of Ring of Lies

Ring of Lies

Young mother and new widow Elizabeth Burgin becomes a patriot spy in New York City during the American Revolution, risking everything so the patriots can win the war and claim independence from the King. ABOUT THE BOOK: Elizabeth Burgin is a happily married, young mother of three in New York City when the American Revolution erupts. As a staunch loyalist, Elizabeth is disgusted when George Washington and the Continental Army arrive to take the city in the spring of 1776. She counts on the British forces arriving to set things to right and return New York to the King. After Elizabeth's husband, Silas, is unfairly detained by the British, Elizabeth sets off on a months-long quest to find and free him. Along the way, haunted by the appalling conditions of American prisoners trapped on the British prison ships in the East River, Elizabeth begins to doubt her allegiance to Britain. After tragedy leaves her a young widow, Elizabeth becomes a patriot spy. She works to help free American officers from behind British lines and yearns for the Americans to win the Revolution. But the price is high, too high. New York City has become a violent, chaotic, dangerous place. Elizabeth's life is on the line, and her children are at risk. When her identity is revealed, the British set out to capture Elizabeth Burgin, dead or alive. Elizabeth is forced to run for her life. Can Elizabeth escape a terrible fate, or will she be yet another casualty in the American struggle for freedom?

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Latest News

Ring of Lies is long-listed!

Delighted to learn that my new novel, Ring of Lies, has made the Goethe Awards 2026 long list for historical fiction set after 1750. I love this compe...

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Colonial Daughters of the 17th Century - PA Chapter

I had so much fun attending the annual meeting and 75th anniversary celebration of the Pennsylvania chapter of the Colonial Daughters of the 17th Cent...

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About Wendy Long Stanley

Portrait of Wendy Long Stanley

Hi, I'm Wendy. I am a novelist, historian, comms professional, and an accredited tour guide in Old City, Philadelphia. I love writing historical fiction that brings interesting, forgotten women from history back to life.

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