Back Cover Teaser:

Civil War—no one could flee from the nightmare of battle and the countless lives it devoured. Everyone had sacrificed—suffered profound misery and unimaginable loss. Vivianna Bartholomew was no exception. The war had torn her from her home—orphaned her. The merciless war seemed to take everything—even the man she loved. Still, Vivianna yet knew gratitude—for a kind friend had taken her in upon the death of her parents. Thus, she was cared for—even loved.

Yet, as General Lee surrendered signaling the war’s imminent end—as Vivianna remained with the remnants of the Turner family—her soul clung to the letters written by her lost soldier—to his memory written in her heart. Could a woman ever heal from the loss of such a love? Could a woman’s heart forget that it may find another? Vivianna Bartholomew thought not.

Still, it is often in the world that miracles occur—that love endures even after hope has been abandoned. Thus, one balmy Alabama morning—as two ragged soldiers wound the road toward the Turner house—Vivianna began to know—to know that miracles do exist—that love is never truly lost.

Book Excerpt:

“Look there, Viv!” Willy cried. “Looks like two more boys are comin’ home to Florence!”

Vivianna turned—her heart leaping in her bosom. It was true that her heart had grown weary of leaping—only to find disappointment and renewed aching. Over the past few weeks—each time a soldier meandered past the Turner place on his way to Florence—Vivianna hoped. Even after years of no letters from her brothers—still she hoped. The pain she’d tried to leave beneath the honeysuckle vine returned. She wondered how any human being who had survived the war, continued to survive it.

Still, hope had already enveloped the two boys. As Nate began to whistle, Willy ran off down the road toward the two approaching men.

“Willy!” Vivianna called. “Come here! You come back right this minute! We don’t know who…”

Nate’s whistling died—Vivianna held her breath. As Willy ran toward the two men, one of them dropped to his knees and embraced the boy…

“It can’t be,” Vivianna breathed, shaking her head—still afraid to hope. Yet, as she watched Savannah collapse into the welcoming embrace of one of the men—she knew…