Compelling historical fiction that traces the life of a young English immigrant woman who travels to America at the turn of the century to start a new life for herself. Encountering danger, romance, heartache and tragedy, she strives to fit into a world filled with prejudice, hatred and violence.
A young 15 year old girl is orphaned shortly after arriving in America in 1898 and is stalked by a drifter who wants her for himself. Romance, danger and fleeing a dangerous man wanted for several murders challenges her livelihood and future. All of this is happening while the city of Galveston is unaware of the devastation from a monstrous hurricane in 1900 that is brewing in the gulf, killing thousands and threatens to wipe the city off the map forever.
Excerpt
Catherine Grace Eastman was gazing out the window of St. Mary’s Orphan’s Home as she had done on numerous occasions. It was peaceful watching the sea of waves crash on the rocks as the evening tide began its nightly ritual of dancing over the sandy beaches and seashells, each time inching a little closer to the shoreline. The seagulls were still filling their bellies with the evening catch of the day and she could see the dim lights of a ship that looked to be miles away at sea. Was it coming or going, she thought to herself. Catherine began to fight back the tears that were filling her eyes. Why, after all this time did it still hurt so much? Catherine cried to herself. She was fifteen years old when she left her home in Sandgate, England on July 7, 1898, and traveled to America with her mother, Anne Eastman. Her younger sister, Whitney, had died six months earlier from the fever. Prior to that her father, Adam Eastman, and older brother, Henry, had died in a horrible accident. It was all behind her now and she needed to prepare herself for her future outside the orphanage. At least that is what Sister Maria DePaul kept reminding her. Catherine was going to be sixteen on her next birthday in January and there were choices she would have to make that would affect the rest of her life.
Third Book in Five Book Series - Southern Swallow - a tale of 12th Century China. Li K'ai-men becomes entangled in an intrigue that becomes his undoing.
Third Book in Five Book Series - Southern Swallow - a tale of 12th Century China. Li K'ai-men becomes entangled in an intrigue that becomes his undoing.
