"The Gilded Leaf" is the riveting, dramatic saga of the R. J. Reynolds tobacco family, one of America's richest and most intensely private clans. R.J. was the original founder of the company that became part of RJR Nabisco, which in 1988 was involved in the largest business takeover in history. Spanning three generations, the Reynolds's story moves from the triumphs of founder and corporate genius R. J. to the dissipation, scandal, and tragedy that plagued his children and grandchildren. There is a redemptive close, with grandson Patrick Reynolds founding Smokefree America and becoming a leading anti-smoking advocate.

"The Gilded Leaf" presents, for the first time, a "complete" account of the family who captured, spent and redeemed the American dream.

"The Gilded Leaf" is the riveting, dramatic saga of the R. J. Reynolds tobacco family, one of America's richest and most intensely private clans. R.J. was the original founder of the company that became part of RJR Nabisco, which in 1988 was involved in the largest business takeover in history. Spanning three generations, the Reynolds's story moves from the triumphs of founder and corporate genius R. J. to the dissipation, scandal, and tragedy that plagued his children and grandchildren. There is a redemptive close, with grandson Patrick Reynolds founding Smokefree America and becoming a leading anti-smoking advocate.

"The Gilded Leaf" presents, for the first time, a "complete" account of the family who captured, spent and redeemed the American dream.

Victoria Alexandra Highland loves two men, J.W. Reynolds and Marshal Mac McClellan. One has proposed and one she wishes would. With both, she experiences bonds of desire. With J.W. out of town, Mac McClellan joins her for Thanksgiving. Sleigh rides, slow dancing and hot searing nights clarify the difference between love and in love. Madam Grace Talbot needs to take leave of the Good Hour brothel and entrusts Vicky to manage her business. During her stay, there's a series of dramatic events, including murder. Vicky travels to Denver for her brother John's wedding and spends Christmas with her family. Just when she thinks that Marshal McClellan may be back in her life, the unexpected beauty named Elizabeth VanBuren arrives on scene. When things begin to settle down, Phillip Bouvier, McClellan's brother-in-law, escorts Victoria to Durango, where New Year's Eve brings another surprise. Meanwhile, Inspector Hugo Southerland continues the hunt for Dr. Frances Highland. Victoria takes possession of the brass box, the key to Dr. Frances Highland and James Brody's nefarious secrets.

Inspector Hugo Sutherland makes a surprise visit just as Alexandra is leaving on the train to Baltimore for Rebecca's wedding. He divulges shocking news of her supposed late father and she becomes the messenger to disclose her father's secrets to John, Rebecca and family. When visiting the Reynolds Plantation in S.C., Alex's curiosity gets the better of her and she enters a forbidden, locked room, and confronts the ghost of the late Brenda Connor Reynolds. Riding the high seas to the Island of Bimini in the Bahamas aboard her uncle's ship, the Spice Queen, Alex finds out the sea is in her blood and explores the tropics with the handsome and passionate J.W. Reynolds. Is he the cool and collected bachelor that she thinks he is or does he fall in love with the blonde, sensual beauty he knows as Vicky?

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.