"...come hell or high water, Quinn is going to start her own business... Powerful men will try to destroy her, but she is stronger than they think." -Kathleen O'Neal Gear and W. Michael Gear, New York Times bestselling authors

The 1849 Gold Rush is no place for a refined young woman on her own, but Quinn MacCann plans to become a businesswoman, independent, and capable of earning her own way.

To escape her wealthy but abusive father with her inherited dowry intact, Quinn marries a stranger-a man so new to the area her powerful father doesn't control him yet-but freedom and independence are more costly than she imagined.

With her hopes and dreams buried deep by secrets, she flees to California's gold country, a rugged man's land where only the strong survive. Battling blackmail, fraud, and deception, Quinn must face the most divisive lie of all-her own.

"An engaging historical novel with original characters, a compelling story line, and a setting rich with evocative details." -John D. Nesbitt, Spur-Award-winning author of Great Lonesome