When her sister Eden visits her, she is sent away with a stinging slap, to prevent her from catching the predatory eye of Myra's mistress. Puzzled by her sister's behaviour, she sets off to make her way in the world.

     2d Lieutenant Dobey Walls meets and bonds with veteran Corporal Jimmy Melton. As the Civil War begins, they leave to join the 8th Texas Cavalry in Houston, then take part in the first and the final charges of the Army of Tennessee. Between those events, they ride with Nathan Bedford Forrest, play an honorable role in the Fort Pillow Massacre, harass Sherman with Shannon's Raiders, and visit the second best brothel in Atlanta. As surrender looms, they're released to search for Dobey's long-missing family in the Texas Panhandle. Their efforts are hampered by destitute farmers, lonely widows, dangerous militia, freed slaves, and runaways, who increase their numbers and excitement. In the process, they save a quadroon and her daughter from Yankee deserters who have stolen a Union payroll. This act of mercy brings them romance but puts Pinkerton detectives and a renegade lawman on their trail.

    After having overcome a very emotionally trying childhood and young adulthood, Leigh finally managed to escape the harsh words of an emotionally abusive father, the estrangement of a family that refused to accept her lifestyle, and the horribly oppressive nature of the small, Midwest town she had always called home. Not to mention the memories of a brief, yet powerful love affair with a woman almost twice her age who not only became Leigh’s first and truest love, but who also became the source of her deepest heartbreak, and ultimately, changed her life. Twelve years after her tragic parting with Beth Layton, the older woman who had managed to steal Leigh’s heart as a teen, Leigh is living the high life over a thousand miles from her hometown in one of the largest cities in the U.S. Making a six-figure salary working for a publishing company, having just received a major publishing contract for her manuscript Fracture, having earned a reputation as one of the hottest lesbian commodities in the city, and with the love and respect of Jared Patel, the most incredible friend she could have ever hoped for, Leigh couldn’t ask for a happier, healthier, more successful life.That is, until the mass publication of and media attention surrounding her semi-autobiographical novel, Fracture, swiftly forces open the dusty doors to her complex past, and her long lost, but far from forgotten love, Beth, shows up in the city that Leigh now calls home, looking to rekindle a twelve-year-old flame. Will Leigh be consumed by the desires of her heart or by the fear of the heartbreak that dances in her memories?

    Until she discovers the dangerous secret he kept from her. One that threatens to ruin their marriage and the stability of a happy home for their two little girls.When his siblings suggest a way to gain back Shannon's love and trust, they embark on a seven-day journey to do so. Can Flynn win back her love before it's too late?Along with their focus on Flynn, the family is also helping plan Cymbeline's wedding to Viktor. Will Emerson Pass's favorite tomboy embrace a traditional wedding with all the trimmings? Her sisters are determined to make sure she does.Join the Barnes family for this bonus novella in the bestselling Emerson Pass Historicals. Christmas joy abounds as the family does what they do best, stick together no matter what happens. Don't miss this surprise holiday gift from USA Today Bestselling author Tess Thompson.