Homeschooling Mom: Maryland native Rita Gerlach has had her newest historical novels Thorns In Eden and The Everlasting Mountains, archived by Maryland libraries for posterity. Released in the fall 2003, Ms. Gerlach's novels have gathered glowing reviews, and been compared to Gone With The Wind and North and South.

April 23, 2004 -- Maryland native Rita Gerlach has had her newest historical novels archived by Maryland libraries for posterity. Released this fall 2003, Ms. Gerlach's novels have gathered glowing reviews, and been compared to Gone With The Wind and North and South.

By October of 2003, publisher Publish America began to distribute Ms. Gerlach's novels. One Maryland library could not keep copies on the shelf, and due to lengthy holding lists, ordered more copies to meet the public demand. A copy of each novel, Thorns In Eden and The Everlasting Mountains were archived for historical preservation in The Maryland Room of the Frederick County Library system and Enoch Pratt library in Baltimore.

Ms. Gerlach's books have already become selected for reading in local book clubs.

From the wilderness of western Maryland, to the peaceful countryside of England's lowlands, Rita Gerlach's latest novels draw readers into an absorbing tale of love and betrayal as the American Revolution unfolds.

In Thorns In Eden: Colonial born, but English bred, John Nash sought to build a new life in the Maryland frontier of Frederick County. In 1773 war is certain. So Nash decides to return to England to see his family and learns that a British officer he encountered one night in the Maryland backwoods has died.

Left orphaned is Rebecah, a young woman who has known little more than the solitude of an isolated manor. Longing for independence, Rebecah's dreams of happiness seem unattainable, until the day she meets the courageous patriot and they fall in love. Soon she becomes trapped in the schemes of her uncle to slander Nash, when he is accused of causing her father's death. When Nash returns to America without Rebecah, he becomes engaged in one of the most infamous Indian wars in colonial history.

In the companion novel The Everlasting Mountains, bands of warring Indians in the spring of 1775 attack settlers in the frontier after the massacre of Chief Logan's family. Rebecah and two other women are forced to journey from Frederick County, Maryland to Shawnee country along the Youghiogheny River.         

Together with the women, Rebecah escapes and begins the long trek home, through unknown and hostile wilderness. In those harrowing days, she faces the elements, starvation, wild animals, the birth of her daughter, and unpredictable nature. The agony of the journey forces Rebecah to go the final miles pursued by her capture.

During this time, John Nash and his men are in search of the women. Indians, headed by the fierce Indian warrior Angry Bear, ambush Nash. Now he faces the challenge of surviving long enough to rescue his beloved wife.

Reviewer Quotes:In legendary literature, I find Thorns in Eden as definitive a saga as Gone with the Wind or North and South. What the name of Margaret Mitchell or John Jakes has come to mean about the Civil War, so also will Rita Gerlach's name become synonymous with the American Revolution to the patriot in every living soul, child or adult. Bonnie Toews / Author and Journalist / The Historical Fiction Review

Not since Rhett and Scarlett have I been so enamored by two characters. A Masterpiece!Kathy Bosworth / Intriguing Authors and Denise's Pieces Book Reviews

Thorns in Eden is perhaps one of the most outstanding books I have read in quite a while. As I read the final pages my heart broke, not just for what was behind, but for what lies ahead for the characters I had grown to love. If you only read one book this year, I recommend Thorns in Eden, a story of love, a story of faith, a story of freedom, a voice from our past, a prayer for our future!

Outstanding!I wept with joy and I wept with sorrow as I read this work (The Everlasting Mountains). The way the words were penned I felt as if I were there, facing the problems, battling the enemies, feeling their pain and sharing their love, strength and faith! Truly, Ms. Gerlach is a painter, painting words with her writing that wrap around your heart and whisper through your spirit.
Shirley Johnson/ Senior Reviewer for Midwest Book Reviews

I have fallen so in love with your characters that it hurt to stop reading! I want to know what happens! You have pulled me into their world; all of them have come alive and I felt breathless following their lives only to find it isn't the end at the last page! Author Jennifer Lynn Cary

Thorns In Eden and The Everlasting Mountains are available for purchase from online bookstores, and Ms. Gerlach's publisher Publish America, http://www.publishamerica.com/or by calling 240-529-1031.

Readers can also purchase or order these unforgettable novels from bookstores nationwide. "The reaction from readers has been such an honor," said Ms. Gerlach. "I am overwhelmed by the response, especially when readers tell me these are the best historical novels they have ever read. I am also excited to be participating in the March book signing at the C. Burr Artz Library in Frederick, Maryland commemorating Women's History Month."

For more information about the author and her novels, please visit Rita's official websites at http://users.starpower.net/rpkg/index.htmand http://gerlach.ineedabook.net/

For media inquiries please contact Miranda Prather at Publish America
pratherm@publishamerica.com or Rita Gerlach at rpkg@erols.com






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