A Family Legacy Remembered
Why I wrote Ashes to Liberty
by Elizabeth Winslow
There are stories that whisper through the generations. Some are passed down at family gatherings, told in quiet voices over holiday dinners. Others are tucked away in faded letters, worn journals, or half-forgotten family trees. My journey to write Ashes to Liberty began with one of those whispers—a thread of family history that refused to let go.
I often listened to stories about my husband’s fascinating ancestors and their lives during the American Revolution. Their lineage, in particular, includes Reverend James Dunsford—a real historical figure who served under the King of England to come to the American colonies to help establish the Church of England during those turbulent years. His name, like so many others, was written into the fabric of early American history, though not always in the loudest voices or the most famous books. Yet behind every great revolution are countless quiet heroes—families, women, servants, Native allies—who faced impossible choices.
The more I studied, the more I realized that history isn’t just names and dates. It’s personal. It’s emotional. It’s the weight of loyalty clashing with conviction, of family torn between duty and freedom. What would it have felt like to live in Virginia in 1774, raised in loyalty to the Crown, yet standing on the edge of a rebellion that would change everything?
That question gave birth to Charlotte Montgomery. Through her, I was able to explore the complex world of Tidewater Virginia—a world of grand plantations, secret alliances, espionage, and divided loyalties. Charlotte’s journey isn’t just about revolution; it’s about inheritance, love, betrayal, and ultimately, resilience.
In writing Ashes to Liberty, I sought to blend historical accuracy with deeply human storytelling. I wanted readers to feel the tension of uncertain times, the heartbreak of family torn apart, and the quiet strength of women who often stood at the crossroads of history—unseen but unbroken.
Though the Montgomerys are fictional, they carry the heartbeat of my family’s past. Writing this novel has been both a creative passion and a way to honor those whose stories paved the way for our own. In many ways, this book is not only a historical fiction novel—it is a personal legacy remembered.
I invite you to join me on Charlotte’s journey, as the Montgomery family stands against the winds of change—and as one woman dares to reclaim what was once taken.
Ashes to Liberty is now available in print, ebook, and audiobook.
