Dominic LaVeq is the son of a French nobleman and his mistress, a freed slave.  After the death of his mother, he and his father sailed the seas until his father's death.  Dominic is now a privateer in the time of the American Revolution.  When he takes a British ship, he demands that Clare, a slave woman who is with her Savannah mistress, come to his ship, or he will sink the captured ship. 

Clare has been a slave since her capture at the age of seven.  She does not want to go with Dominic because she has two children who were sold to a neighboring plantation that she is allowed to see on Sundays.  Her mistress has no problem sacrificing Clare to save herself.  Clare is afraid of Dominic, but soon finds he is much more than a pirate.

Annotation by: St. Louis Public Library staff.

Annotation by: St. Louis Public Library staff.

As the American Civil War nears its conclusion, a free man of color-Britt Johnson-and his family head to Texas.  Joining them are other free people of color.  The hardscrabble life on the plains and battling Indians has to be better than the constant looking-over-the-shoulder they endured in Kentucky.  Such is the premis of Paulette Jiles' latest novel.

Not long after the Johnsons arrive at Elm Creek, the men are in another town buying supplies when a force of seven hundred Comanche and Kiowa pour into the area, slaughtering or capturing the women and children.  Britt's wife, Mary, and two of his three children are taken captive.  One child is killed.

The backbone of the story is true.  There really was a Britt Johnson who went to the west with his family, who were captured by the Indians.  Britt, in his hardheaded manner, went to get them back.

Annotation by: St. Louis Public Library staff.

Annotation by: St. Louis Public Library staff.

Gina's friend Celeste drags her to a preview of a new bed-and-breakfast the day Gina's divorce is final.  The B&B owner and widower, Max, with the help of his aunt Sophia, is about to open the business his wife always dreamed of opening.  Gina's helpful comments about what would improve the B&B lead to her working with Max and beginning a relationship.  But her teenage daughter just wants her parents to get back together and is willing to do what she can to keep Max away.

Annotation by: St. Louis Public Library staff.

Annotation by: St. Louis Public Library staff.

Annotation by: St. Louis Public Library staff.

Annotation by: St. Louis Public Library staff.

Annotation by: St. Louis Public Library staff.

Annotation by: St. Louis Public Library staff.

Annotation by: St. Louis Public Library staff.

Annotation by: St. Louis Public Library staff.

Annotation by: St. Louis Public Library staff.

Annotation by: St. Louis Public Library staff.