The Appalachian Roots Series

Since Cleared for Planting, the novel being published, is the first in a series of four, I thought you might like to see a synopsis of the other three. I've tried to write the summaries so they don't reveal too much and contain spoilers. If Cleared for Planting sells well, the others in series will be published as well.

* Appalachian Roots *

An inspirational, historical series

   Cleared for Planting – (see the first blog post below)

   Sown in Dark Soil -

Leah Morgan grew up on a plantation in Anson County, North Carolina, as her father’s favorite, while Mother favored her older sister, Ivy. When their father dies and Mother tries to force them to marry men they don’t want, they leave with Ivy’s secret fiancé to go to his home in the Appalachian Mountains. On the journey, Ivy’s petty selfishness comes out, and Luke begins to have reservations, but he feels God wants him to keep his word. Even his Granny Em likes Leah better, and she’s a shrewd judge of character. Ivy runs away, but Luke feels he needs to find her and make sure she’s okay, because he feels responsible.  As obstacle after obstacle surround them, will Ivy always stand between Leah and Luke, even as their feeling for each other grow?

   Uprooted by War -                                     

When the Confederacy begins conscription, Luke goes over the mountains to Tennessee to join the Union army, and they all rely on their faith to get them through. He fights in several battles, like Antietam, with only minor injuries but is captured at Gettysburg and sent to the Salisbury prison. He’s unable to contact any of his family and ends up in the horrors of Andersonville. In the meantime, those left on the farm are trying to survive amid raiders and scavengers. Will they all be able to persevere, or will the war tear them apart and take some of their lives as it has in so many other families?

   Transplanted to Red Clay -                        

Rachel goes to stay with her Aunt Ivy in Stanly County, North Carolina. Ivy’s first husband was killed in the war, and she’s married the man she once ran away with. Patrick, Ivy’s oldest son, has always been fond of Rachel, but he’s surprised by the way his sixteen-year old half-cousin looks now. He knows he’s falling in love with her, but struggles with the issues involved. Others are also interested in Leah and in Patrick’s sister, Hope. One admirer is rumored to be a member of a gang led by Jesse James. Rachel fills in for a school teacher and tames some wild students, but Blanche, the local beauty, is jealous of Rachel and stirs up trouble. When a criminal makes plans and the KKK objects to Rachel’s heritage and how she treats blacks as equals, the situation becomes dangerous for Rachel, Patrick, and Hope.