A Day in May

**Historical fiction**
**Will a chance encounter change her life forever?**
Against the backdrop of the Great Depression, Pearl Harbour and World War II, a young woman tastes power and passion in the world's highest office.
Robbed of her home and job by the Great Depression, the future looks bleak for Iris Macintosh - until a chance encounter with America's spirited First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt.
Propelled by Eleanor into the brilliant inner circle of the White House, Iris finds herself at the centre of momentous change ... and her heart torn between two men.
But her loyalty lies with a third: the complicated and charismatic President Roosevelt, who will ultimately force her to question everything she believes in.
**While the world is in turmoil, one woman's life is transformed.**

Behind the book

“One day in 2010 I was scouring food sites for something special. Once I’d sourced a suitable recipe from Gourmet magazine, I remained on the site and began scanning the featured articles.

I came across a piece by American culinary historian Laura Shapiro. It was titled ‘FDR’s Anti-epicurean White House’. What followed was the astonishing tale of Henrietta Nesbitt, and her kitchen crusade had me gripped.

As I researched Roosevelt, his White House and his wonderful wife, Eleanor, the story I had in mind began to change. You see, I came across a remarkable anecdote about a homeless young man Eleanor met in a gas station during the bleakest days of the Depression.

Impressed by his gentlemanly manner, Eleanor offered him a job at the White House, where he remained employed for many years.

I used that gas station meeting as the impetus for A Day in May.”

JENNY xx