A wary Civil War veteran, a fearless woman of faith, and a dangerous mission in the aftermath of the Civil War… This emotionally gripping Christian historical novel features themes of reconciliation, healing, and courageous faith. This story blends romance and historical women’s fiction in a powerful tale of hope after war.
Verity Hardy lives up to her name—true, steadfast, and unafraid. Raised in a Quaker family who risked everything to aid runaway slaves, she once stepped outside her faith to marry. Now widowed by the Civil War, she is determined to help rebuild a broken nation. Answering a call to teach for the Freedmen’s Bureau, Verity travels with her young daughter, Beth, to Fiddler’s Grove, Virginia—only to discover the school she was promised doesn’t even exist yet.
Matthew Ritter, a Union veteran returned to his Rebel hometown, has seen firsthand the cost of change. After four years of war and a crushing defeat, his town is poor, humiliated, and angry. Tasked with building the school, he knows the truth Verity refuses to accept—Fiddler’s Grove is not ready. And the people who oppose progress will not stop at words.
But Verity will not be turned aside. Refusing to live in fear, she begins teaching anyway—driven by faith, conviction… and a secret mission of her own.
As tensions rise and violence escalates, Matthew must build the school—while somehow keeping Verity and her daughter safe. She believes reconciliation is possible, but he knows that hope may come at a deadly cost. How far will he have to go to keep Verity—and her little girl—alive?
Can a love born amidst conflict survive a town determined to tear them apart?
Book One in the sequel series to Lyn Cote’s Three Women of Courage—featuring another determined, courageous heroine.
Genre: Inspirational
Verity Hardy lives up to her name—true, steadfast, and unafraid. Raised in a Quaker family who risked everything to aid runaway slaves, she once stepped outside her faith to marry. Now widowed by the Civil War, she is determined to help rebuild a broken nation. Answering a call to teach for the Freedmen’s Bureau, Verity travels with her young daughter, Beth, to Fiddler’s Grove, Virginia—only to discover the school she was promised doesn’t even exist yet.
Matthew Ritter, a Union veteran returned to his Rebel hometown, has seen firsthand the cost of change. After four years of war and a crushing defeat, his town is poor, humiliated, and angry. Tasked with building the school, he knows the truth Verity refuses to accept—Fiddler’s Grove is not ready. And the people who oppose progress will not stop at words.
But Verity will not be turned aside. Refusing to live in fear, she begins teaching anyway—driven by faith, conviction… and a secret mission of her own.
As tensions rise and violence escalates, Matthew must build the school—while somehow keeping Verity and her daughter safe. She believes reconciliation is possible, but he knows that hope may come at a deadly cost. How far will he have to go to keep Verity—and her little girl—alive?
Can a love born amidst conflict survive a town determined to tear them apart?
Book One in the sequel series to Lyn Cote’s Three Women of Courage—featuring another determined, courageous heroine.
Genre: Inspirational