Ashes of Richmond: Book One of the Sisters McConnell Series

Francesca McConnell is in trouble. Her husband has passed, leaving her with three small daughters and a large gambling debt. Desperate, Francesca makes the heart-wrenching decision to place the two oldest girls among family and church members and keep Farah, the youngest, with her. Francesca soon remarries to a wealthy businessman from Brunswick, Georgia. He is recently widowed and has a daughter a year older than Farah. However, blinded by his love for his daughter, Francesca's new husband fails to see the abusive behavior she inflicts upon her stepmother and stepsister. A decade later, determined to break free of their abusive environment, Francesca and Farah plan their escape. Unfortunately, their plans fail, and Farah finds herself alone in Savannah, Georgia, just as the city falls under the occupation of Sherman's troops. In the midst of chaos and uncertainty, Farah crosses paths with Mason Spencer, a soldier in Sherman's army who also happens to be her stepsister's suitor. Drawn to him, Farah follows Mason to the war-ravaged Richmond, Virginia that is still smoldering from the flames of destruction. Will Farah find redemption amidst the ashes of Richmond or will her chance encounter with the notorious outlaw, Jesse James, alter her fate once again?