A headstrong woman goes against her wealthy family’s wishes in this stunning prequel to Roses**, perfect for fans of** Gone with the Wind**.**

Born into the most influential family in 1830s South Carolina, Jessica Wyndham is expected to look appealing, act with decorum, and marry well. However, her abolitionist opinions and unflagging sense of justice clash with her slave-owning father. Jessica's testing of her powerful father's love is only the beginning of the pain, passion, and triumph she will experience on a journey with the son of a plantation owner and his best friend to a wild new land called Texas.

PRAISE FOR LEILA MEACHAM
**"Discovering Leila Meacham and her spectacular talent is akin to discovering gold. With this novel she has become a national treasure." – Huffington Post

"Rich with American history and pitch-perfect storytelling, fans and new readers alike will find themselves absorbed in the family saga that Meacham has proven-once again-talented in telling." – Publishers Weekly (starred review)**