Constituting America – Constituting America's 2017 "Celebrate America" Summer Auction
Auction Ends: Jul 17, 2017 10:00 PM EDT

Autographed Books

"Mount Vernon Love Story" Novel by Mary Higgins Clark with her Autograph!

Item Number
381
Estimated Value
40 USD
Sold
25 USD to jemsj4
Number of Bids
2  -  Bid History

Item Description

Autographed by Mary Higgins Clark and her beloved first novel!  Generously donated by our amazing, Jeanette Kraynak, "Operations Director" of Constituting America, who will mail it to the winning bidder!

"In Mount Vernon Love Story -- famed suspense writer Mary Higgins Clark's long-out-of-print first novel -- the bestselling author reveals the flesh-and-blood man who became the "father of our country" in a story that is charming, insightful, and immensely entertaining." 

"Always a lover of history, Mary Higgins Clark wrote this extensively researched biographical novel and titled it Aspire to the Heavens, after the motto of George Washington's mother. Published in 1969, the book was more recently discovered by a Washington family descendant and reissued as Mount Vernon Love Story. Dispelling the widespread belief that although George Washington married Martha Dandridge Custis, he reserved his true love for Sally Carey Fairfax, his best friend's wife, Mary Higgins Clark describes the Washington marriage as one full of tenderness and passion, as a bond between two people who shared their lives -- even the bitter hardship of a winter in Valley Forge -- in every way. In this author's skilled hands, the history, the love, and the man come fully and dramatically alive."

About Jeanette Kraynak:

"Jeanette Kraynak was born & raised in Historic Philadelphia, some of her earliest memories as a history buff is sitting in Independence Park as a young girl and realizing the Founding Father’s walked the same streets, saw the same view of Independence Hall, made plans for this great nation that changed not only this country but the whole world.

Visiting the Liberty Bell, actually touching it and placing fingers in the crack was an annual experience for Philadelphia students.  Visiting Valley Forge where Gen Washington’s troops slept in the cold convinced her Gen Washington was her favorite Founding Father.

Love of Country and the political process drew Jeanette to Washington DC during the Regan-Bush era and she never left.

Jeanette worked as a Capitol Hill Staffer, married Mark Kraynak in 1989 and started their family shortly thereafter. 

The Kraynak’s settled in Mount Vernon and the Mount Vernon Estate became her children’s playground.  As of member of Friends of Mount Vernon Jeanette participated in many lectures, events and celebrations at The Estate over the past 30 years.  The Kraynak Family live on land originally owned by Gen. George Washington and she still has the privilege of living in an area where many of our Founding Fathers walked, talked, laughed and prayed while planning this great Republic known as America.  When Jeanette isn’t busy with Constituting America she can be found walking her dog Liberty on the grounds of her favorite Founding Father, General George Washington."

Book Reviews:

"This is a beautiful story of our first President and his wife as only Mary Higgins Clark could write.
I learned so much about the characters of George and Martha and their life together.
They faced many family tragedies and triumphs with dignity and love.
I reread this novel prior to our second visit to their home during the Thanksgiving holidays.
"Mount Vernon" is really well described and gives an excellent background to the enlarging and enhancing of George's beloved home.
This was my second purchase and reading of this novel and I know I will read it again!" 
 
"I read this book a few years ago and have always wished I had bought a copy. It is such a touching and wonderful story that I couldn't put the book down. I truly love to read and always have one or two books on hand that I'm reading. This one though I will be sharing for sure, especially with my grandchildren because of the amazing characters, George and Martha Washington.

Two thumbs up for Mary Higgins Clark for her excellent portrayal of these two amazing people from history. A must read for all."