Madam May – A Tale of Madams, Morphine, Moonshine, and Murder.

Madam May
240 Pages
ISBN 978-1724682833

Madam May is pure Southern drama with a touch of humor and spice. In spite of her foibles, you will find yourself cheering for May as she strives to become an independent woman in early 1900s Atlanta. There were few options for a poor, rural, uneducated woman but Willie May Wheeler Collis Stamper Hogan Cobb was willing to do whatever it took to become an independent woman of means. A resourceful, strong, and appealing woman, May strives to overcome obstacles and achieve her goals.

May seduces a man who agrees to marry her and bring her to Atlanta. When she discovers he is a bigamist, she takes matters into her own hands. Along the way she becomes addicted to morphine, not uncommon for women at that time. Alternating between trying to stay on a straight and narrow respectable path and falling by the wayside, she becomes embroiled in the moonshine trade, prostitution, and murder plots. May is eventually charged with a murder that takes place at her own place of business. Is she convicted? What becomes of Madam May? Here is one clue: Madam May is based on true events in the life of the author’s paternal grandmother!

If you enjoy Madam May, you will want to read After Madam May, What Came Next, a novella that tells about May’s later journey in life. Dr. Chapman’s novel, Dorothy May, takes the story even further as we learn about the tragic but engaging story of May’s informally adopted daughter, Dorothy.

Janet Hogan Chapman

About Janet Hogan Chapman (Atlanta, Georgia Author)

Janet Hogan Chapman

Janet Hogan Chapman aka GeorgiaJanet, The Bohemian Southern Belle

I was born, raised, and lived all my life in Georgia. Growing up in Atlanta in the 1960s could be wonderful, traumatic, exhilarating, and frightening. It was all of those things for me at some point or another. Those rich experiences provide stories just waiting to flow from the heart to my computer! I bill myself The Bohemian Southern Belle and my mission is to empower strong women through prose and poetry. Just what is a Bohemian Southern Belle? Check out the blog post at http://www.georgiajanet.com/?p=2225 to find out!

A life-long writer, I have published professionally on historical topics, infant education, preschool ministry, elementary education, and teacher education. You can read my essays, poetry, blog posts, and other information on my website, www.georgiajanet.com. I have published three novels. Madam May, a Tale of Madams, Morphine, Moonshine, and Murder, is based on true events in the life of my paternal grandmother. After Madam May (novella) tells what became of Madam May after being on trial for murder and how she ended up becoming my grandmother. Dorothy May, also based on true events, tells the tragic but enduring story of Madam May’s informally adopted daughter, Dorothy. I have also published one focused memoir. This Teacher Talks, What Really Goes on in America’s Schools. It describes the events that take place over a school year among the faculty and staff of an elementary school.

I have had several careers. The list ranges from children’s party costume character, to caterer, to pediatric Physician’s Assistant, to Preschool Minister, to Elementary Teacher, to University Professor. I was a perpetual student and earned five college degrees. Now semi-retired, I am officially an author. I have a husband, two grown sons, two daughter-in-loves, and six amazing grandchildren. I also have a forever twenty-eight year old son and two stillborn grandbabies in heaven. I enjoy spending time with family and friends, travel, reading, and genealogy research. I am blessed beyond measure!