Mary Derriman

Set mainly in the Mediterranean area between 1594-1608, this is not the best time for apprentice falconer Pawl Cassa to fall in love with Lucia, a headstrong young girl with a mysterious past. Most of the region was under Turkish rule with the notable exception of Malta, firmly Catholic under the Knights of St. John and England, firmly Protestant under Elizabeth and James 1st. They are soon parted by a series of curious and unexpected events, but Pawl swears not to give up until he finds Lucia again. When they finally meet again their lives have changed radically and it takes years of trial and danger in many lands before they finally find happiness.

This new book, unlike 'Letter for A Spy' my Regency novel, is set in nineteenth century America. Katherine Rivers sets out with her family on the pioneer trail from Independence Missouri to California in 1850. Her parents die in a Cholera outbreak but Kathie stays on with her aunt and uncle instead of returning east as many do. Kathie helps a Sioux brave after an Indian raid on the wagons which were isolated from main party. She is taken to the Indian camp but is treated well. When the Indians go to trade at Fort Laramie she leaves the Indians and is reunited with her uncle's family and meets a dashing soldier Danny Wheeler. She survives many adventures involving both Danny and Little Hawk the Indian brave. Danny considers Kathie his girl, but she is undecided. Will she follow her head or her heart?