Matthew Smith seizes Sarah Lloyd and her family as prisoners on a clear autumn day. Leading a party of British deserters, he now holds the family hostage north of Saratoga, New York. The Americans have just won a decisive battle, the turning point in their revolution, but Matthew’s turning point is yet to come.
On another battlefield in Pennsylvania, the Lloyd’s oldest son struggles to find meaning in this war, while his twin sister remains trapped inside the British-occupied, rebel-capital of Philadelphia.
The fate of each one of these people will be forged together that brutal winter of 1777.
Matthew stood a moment, his musket at his side. He was exhausted and so full of grief as he stared down at his dead companion. He had no more strength left. Heaven help him, Jamie was dead. Matthew took in a deep breath and gave an order to the remaining solider: "Find something to cover 'im. Then look after the sergeant."
The fellow disappeared into the bedroom and soon returned with a quilt. Matthew solemnly covered Jamie with it then sat in the Windsor chair by the fireplace while the other man went into the bedroom again. Matthew placed his musket across his thighs. His eyes stung with unshed tears. He turned them on Sarah. She bundled her children even closer. He knew if given the chance she’d kill him, this enemy who’d invaded her home, and he knew deep inside his heart she had every right to do it.
Excerpt
- Matthew Smith glanced back over his shoulder to check the progress of the four men who had deserted with him. Their scarlet coats seemed to glint in the cool autumn shade of this wretched New York woodland. The men had their muskets slung over their shoulders as two of them carried Quinn on a stretcher. The sergeant had to be a strong man to have survived this long with the wounds he’d suffered at the battle of Saratoga.
Professional Reviews
Rosalie More, Author of Allegiance and Honor Among Thieves
"A wonderful story brimming with romance and adventure. Complex characters and surprising plot twists kept me riveted! What a page turner!"
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