SARAH MARGARET MATHIESON, a "Southern Belle," is at age sixteen forced to become self-reliant. Her life changes drastically from the affluent politeness of southern family culture to the shocking crudeness of death, destruction and mayhem of 1862 Savannah, Georgia. Her true love, a young Confederate soldier, disappears while a barrage of Union cannon fire claims the lives of her parents. Grief stricken and forlorn, she sacrifices love for security by marrying an older man, who moves them to Chicago to raise a family, and then on to Colorado. Traveling, they experience the raw, crude, unsettled lawless territories of the west. Her un-daunting character triumphs as she faces the challenge to balance her desires with her obligations. After two decades, she's never stopped longing for her beloved Savannah but fate has another door for her to open. It is a story of true love broken, passionate dreams dismantled and life threatening events that prove her mettle.