One Week of No Greater Love: Celebrating Readers, South Jersey History, and a New Chapter in My Writing Journey
One week. One new novel. Countless reasons to be grateful.
On September 29th, my sophomore novel, No Greater Love, officially made its way into the world. As the second installment in A Cape May Trilogy, this book represents years of research, writing, editing, revisions, and an incredible amount of love for the history and people of South Jersey.
And now, one week after release day, I have another milestone to celebrate: No Greater Love climbed as high as #66 in Amazon's World War I Fiction category for Kindle books, placing it among the Top 100 titles in that category.
For an independently published historical fiction author, that is a moment worth celebrating!
But this first week has been about more than an Amazon ranking. It has been about readers discovering the next chapter of a story that began with Thicker Than Water in 2022, the generosity of my local community, and the opportunity to share the fascinating history of Cape May and the Jersey Shore with a wider audience.
And I have some wonderful news to share about that last part, too.
A South Jersey Story Featured in The Sun Newspapers
Just before the release of No Greater Love, I had the pleasure of welcoming readers to the Free Public Library of Monroe Township on September 25th for an author talk and book signing. We discussed my new novel, the history behind A Cape May Trilogy, and the writing journey that brought these characters to life. I also read the opening chapter of No Greater Love and answered questions from attendees.
The event was especially meaningful because several people in the audience were already familiar with my debut novel, Thicker Than Water. Seeing readers return to a story and its characters is one of the most rewarding experiences an author can have.
The event also caught the attention of The Williamstown Sun, part of South Jersey Media. Reporter Emily Melvin wrote a feature about my writing journey, my fascination with South Jersey's Prohibition-era history, and the release of No Greater Love.
The article, titled “Local novelist dives into Cape May’s Prohibition era,” explores how my research into the region's past ultimately inspired an entire historical fiction trilogy.
I am grateful to Emily Melvin and The Sun for taking an interest in my work and helping introduce local readers to the story behind these books.
As a South Jersey author, it means a great deal to share a story rooted in the places, communities, and history that make this region so distinctive.
Why Cape May? The History Behind A Cape May Trilogy
Readers who know Cape May today might picture Victorian architecture, charming bed-and-breakfasts, beautiful beaches, and summer vacations along the Atlantic coast.
But the history of Cape May County offers another fascinating story.
Long before the modern tourism industry became synonymous with the Jersey Shore, the region's extensive coastline, waterways, marshes, inlets, and fishing communities created opportunities for maritime commerce—and smuggling.
When I began researching the Prohibition era in South Jersey and Philadelphia, I discovered a history that was far richer than I had initially imagined. The geography that makes our shoreline so beautiful also made it particularly interesting for people moving goods along the coast, including illicit alcohol during the 1920s.
That discovery helped shape the world of A Cape May Trilogy.
To me, the setting is more than a backdrop. It is a living part of the story. I have always loved historical fiction because it allows us to experience the past through the lives of fictional people whose struggles, relationships, and decisions feel remarkably human.
As I explained in my interview with The Williamstown Sun:
“The novels take place against major historical events, but I always thought of the history as more of the setting part of the story than the plot.”
As both an avid reader and an author, the heart of these novels has always been the people: their families, their loyalties, their secrets, and the choices they make when love and doing the right thing do not necessarily point in the same direction.
The historical details help make their world authentic. The characters are what make that world matter.
Introducing No Greater Love: Book Two of A Cape May Trilogy
The Great War may be over, but another is well underway.
That is the premise behind No Greater Love, my second historical fiction novel set in Cape May, New Jersey, during the Prohibition era.
The story continues the journeys of Danny Culligan and Shannon Callaway, whose lives are shaped by family ties, complicated relationships, difficult choices, and the lasting consequences of war. As the characters move into the early 1920s, the challenges they face extend far beyond the battlefield. The aftermath of World War I, the realities of Prohibition, and the pressures of family and loyalty create a world in which even the best intentions can lead to painful consequences.
For readers who enjoy emotionally immersive historical fiction, No Greater Love combines:
Historical fiction set in the 1920s: Experience Cape May during the Prohibition era, when the Jersey Shore's coastal geography played a fascinating role in the movement of illicit alcohol.
World War I fiction: Explore the lasting emotional and personal consequences of the Great War, even after the fighting has ended.
Family sagas and complicated relationships: Follow characters whose loyalties, histories, and relationships are deeply intertwined.
Prohibition-era drama: Discover a world of bootlegging, smuggling, shifting social boundaries, and dangerous choices.
Romance, suspense, and emotional storytelling: Witness the ways love can sustain people—and complicate their lives.
Authentic South Jersey settings: Travel through Cape May and beyond to experience the places that inspired the series.
Although No Greater Love is the second book in the trilogy, the story builds on the relationships and events established in Thicker Than Water. Readers who enjoy following characters across multiple novels will find that the series allows their lives and relationships to evolve against a changing historical landscape.
If you have already read Thicker Than Water, I hope you are enjoying your return to Cape May. And if you are new to the trilogy, I invite you to begin with the first book and experience the story from its beginning.
A Top 100 Amazon Ranking: A Milestone for an Independent Author
One of the most exciting moments of this first week came when No Greater Love reached #66 in Amazon's World War I Fiction Kindle category.
Amazon rankings fluctuate, and a category ranking is not the same as an overall Amazon bestseller designation. Still, reaching the Top 100 in a relevant historical fiction category is an encouraging milestone for an independently published novel.
Every book has a journey, and independent publishing requires authors to wear many hats. Beyond writing and revising a manuscript, there is editing, cover design, production, distribution, publicity, event planning, and the ongoing work of helping readers discover a book.
It is a labor of love, but it is also a tremendous amount of work. That is why I do not take moments like this for granted.
Every purchase, preorder, library request, book club selection, recommendation, and reader review helps an independently published book reach someone who might not otherwise discover it.
Reviews are particularly helpful because they allow potential readers to hear from people who have actually experienced the story. If you have finished No Greater Love, I would be grateful if you considered leaving an honest review on Amazon, Goodreads, or your preferred book platform. You never know when a few words from one reader might encourage another person to pick up a book.
Four Years, Two Novels, and One Continuing Story
When Thicker Than Water was published in May 2022, I could hardly have imagined everything that would follow.
The first novel was the culmination of years of research and writing, but it was also the beginning of a much larger story. As the characters developed and their histories became clearer, I realized their journeys could not be contained in a single book without sacrificing important pieces of their lives.
That realization became A Cape May Trilogy.
Writing historical fiction means balancing imagination with research. I spend considerable time exploring historical sources, studying the places where my characters live, and learning about the social and cultural circumstances that shaped their world.
I want readers to feel transported to early twentieth-century Cape May—to recognize the atmosphere of the Jersey Shore while discovering a version of its past that may be unfamiliar to them.
But research is only one part of the process. Writing the novels has also meant learning how to navigate independent publishing, working closely with editors, developing relationships with readers, and finding ways to introduce my books to people who love historical fiction.
I came to writing later in life, after years of other professional and family responsibilities. Pursuing this dream has reminded me that creative goals do not have an expiration date.
There is something wonderfully affirming about discovering a passion, giving it the time and attention it deserves, and watching it grow into something you once only imagined. And the story is not finished yet.
The third and final installment of A Cape May Trilogy is still in the works. I look forward to returning to these characters and bringing their journeys to a conclusion worthy of the story we have been building.
Readers who have followed the trilogy from the beginning will have more to look forward to!
Thank You for Making This First Week Special
One week after the release of No Greater Love, I find myself reflecting on how many people have helped bring this book into the world.
Thank you to the readers who have supported Thicker Than Water and returned for the second installment. Thank you to everyone who preordered, purchased a copy, shared a post, recommended the series to a friend, or took the time to send me a message.
Thank you to the readers who attended my author talk at the Free Public Library of Monroe Township, and to The Williamstown Sun for sharing my story with the South Jersey community.
And thank you to the independent bookstores, libraries, book clubs, fellow authors, and local organizations that make it possible for stories to find their audiences.
As a small, independent author, I understand the importance of community. I also know that readers have countless books competing for their attention. The fact that you have made room for mine is something I deeply appreciate. Whether you have been with me since Thicker Than Water or have only just discovered A Cape May Trilogy, I am so glad you are here.
If you would like to learn more about my writing journey, I hope you will take a few minutes to read Emily Melvin's feature in The Williamstown Sun. It offers a closer look at the research, history, and personal experiences behind the books.
And if you have not yet visited the world of A Cape May Trilogy, I would love to welcome you.
Discover A Cape May Trilogy
Thicker Than Water — Book One
Travel to Cape May in 1916, where family secrets, complicated relationships, and the looming shadow of World War I set the stage for a sweeping historical saga.
No Greater Love — Book Two
Return to Cape May in 1923, where the Great War's legacy, Prohibition-era intrigue, family loyalty, and love collide in a new chapter of the story.
Both novels are available now.
Subscribe to lauraquinnwrites.com to learn more about the books, explore their historical settings, and find purchasing information.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Here's to the first week of No Greater Love—and to the many readers who have yet to discover it.
With gratitude,
Laura Quinn
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