Callie Sullivan was born to a life of privilege on a Louisiana Plantation, with parents and five brothers that adored her, and dozens of suitors to attend to her every whim. Her life was supposed to be easy. But at 17, her world crumbled at her feet.

While at boarding school in London, the unthinkable happens. The family she so loves is killed by a ruthless Senator after the Sullivan’s land. When she returns to New Orleans, the Senator, already in control of her land, holds her hostage in her own home, awaiting the return of her last two brothers. When one of them arrives, he is killed before Callie’s eyes, and Callie is thrown into captivity once again. She barely escapes rape by shooting her captor and fleeing for her life, knowing positively that he will pursue her.

And so she heads west alone, a startling beauty with raven black hair and piercing violet eyes that flash with the spirit of the young woman within. Once carefree and headstrong, the circumstances of Callie’s life have changed her. She’s still headstrong, and a determination to survive burns hotly in her heart. She can’t help the bitterness that goes bone deep, nor the hatred and mistrust of man. Her pride alone is her driving force, and she holds her head high, remembering where she came from even as a sleazy saloon owner bargains her life for her freedom, and forces her to work for him. Even as she waits for the Senator to return to claim her life.

Although determined to trust no one, Callie never counted on a certain James Butler Hickok coming into her life. With his persistent demands to know her secrets, Callie has finally met her match. And through him she begins to see the good of life again, and the bitterness recedes somewhat, revealing the young woman she once was; passionate, protective, loving, fierce, intelligent, and proud. In James she finds her own strength of will again, and knows she must not only live again, but love again.

Until the Senator finds her…