About the Book:
Chattanooga society is turned upside down as a young woman has the audacity to ride a bicycle-in bloomers!
It's 1895. Anna Gaines, 19, struggles to conquer her insecurities after a horrible fall years ago from her beloved horse, Longstreet. On a visit with her aunt in Brooklyn, she's drawn to the new pastime of bicycling. But back at home, cycling is a scandalous sport for a proper lady. Southern women did not engage in activities meant for men.
Anna has her eye on Peter Sawyer, president of the Cycling Club. As community outrage grows, an unexpected turn of events pits Anna against Peter in a race between the sexes.
Will Anna prove that women deserve the same right as men to ride "the wheel?" Will she choose to live a quiet, traditional life of a housewife and mother? Or will she pursue college and become one of the "new women" emerging into the twentieth century on the seat of a bicycle? What will become of the spark between Anna and Peter?
Faith, patience, and courage help Anna to become the person she was meant to be.
Find out more and purchase your copy HERE!
My Thoughts:
“You find the source
of all things righteous, and you be fine no matter what you trying to do.” (p.125)
These words of wisdom come to Anna Gaines ears from a very unlikely
source….a woman with very little to be thankful for. Yet this woman, Hattie, becomes the source of
eternal perspective in Anna’s life on the cusp of a very difficult social
battle in her hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee. The battle: a woman’s right to ride a bicycle
in public wearing clothing suitable for such a pursuit.
Mike Mizrahi has written an intriguing historical fiction tale centered
around the introduction of women cyclers in the late 1800’s. Bicycles were referred to as “wheels” when
first introduced, and it is Anna’s aunt from New York that introduces her to
this wondrous vehicle. When Anna returns
to her hometown of Chattanooga and is presented with a wheel of her own, she
never imagined the social and moral ramifications of riding it for
pleasure. When it becomes apparent that
she has become the object of social injustice, she begins taking to the streets
of Chattanooga and inspiring others to do the same.
I knew a bit about the history surrounding women’s rights, but I never
dreamed there was such a melee over a woman riding a bicycle! Well, it stands to reason there would be,
considering the clothing changes that came in the wake of it, but man!! This
give you an entirely different scope through which you can examine this social
change!
This is a well-written novel filled with well-developed
characters! You will be surprised by
some of the twists and turns along the way!
This novel was totally captivating, and will make time disappear as a
mist! So only read this at bedtime if
you can afford to miss some hours of sleep!
This is a fabulous read!!
About the Author:
Mike Mizrahi has a master's degree in public relations, advertising and applied communication from Boston University. After a career in corporate public affairs, he retired to pursue a deep passion: writing.
Mizrahi and his wife, Karen, led a mission trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo four years ago and were so moved by the experience, Mizrahi wrote his first novel, which he hopes will one day be published. The Great Chattanooga Bicycle Race is his debut published work.
Mizrahi loves reading and writing stories about "sozo," which means to be rescued in Greek. He and Karen are very active in their church and community and love to hike, travel and go the movies together. The Mizrahis live in Woodland Hills, California, where they raised their children who are now adults.
Learn more about The Great Chattanooga Bicycle Race and Mike H. Mizrahi at www.mikehmizrahi.com or on Facebook (AuthorMikeMizrahi) and Twitter (@MikeHMiz).
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