West of Santillane
Desperate to escape a mundane future as a Virginia planter’s wife, Julia Hancock seizes her chance for adventure when she wins the heart of American hero William Clark. Though her husband is the famed explorer, Julia embarks on her own thrilling and perilous journey of self-discovery.
Gazing ever westward, Julia possesses a hunger for knowledge and a passion for helping others. She deeply loves Will’s strength and generous manner, but, like her parents, he’s a slave owner, and she despises slavery. Still, her love for Will wins out, though he’s unaware of her beliefs.
She finds that St. Louis has few of the luxuries to which she is accustomed. It harbors scandalous politicians and miscreants of all types. As her husband and his best friend, Meriwether Lewis, work to establish an American government and plan to publish their highly anticipated memoirs, she assumes the roles of both wife and mother. She is also drawn into the plight of an Indian family anxious to return to their own lands and becomes an advocate for Will’s enslaved.
In time, Julia’s clandestine aid to the Indians and Will’s enslaved draws unwanted attention, even placing her at odds with her husband.
Danger leads her to embrace the courage to save herself and others through a challenge of forgiveness that will either restore the love she shares with Will or end it forever.
No comments:
Post a Comment