In the vibrant, dangerous world of 1838 New Orleans, Éloïse Moreau, a young French Casket Girl, arrives with dreams of a new life and a loving husband. Her journey takes an unexpected turn when she marries the ambitious Henri Marchand, a man with a vision of a whiskey empire along the Illinois River. But their dreams are shattered by a tragic steamboat explosion, leaving Éloïse a widow, penniless and alone in a foreign land.
Refusing to be broken, Éloïse unearths an inner strength she never knew she had. She uses her sharp mind and accounting skills to secure a job at a local brewery, earning the respect of the rough men who come to call her "Capitaine." But her rise to power attracts a dangerous enemy, and she finds herself fighting not only for her livelihood, but for her life.
From the opulent parlors of New Orleans to the bustling river docks of Peoria, Iron and Spirits: The River Bride is a gripping tale of one woman's fight for survival and success in a man's world. It is a story of ambition, loss, and the indomitable spirit of a woman who forges her own legacy against all odds.
Autorentext
April Marie Light writes sweeping, heart-stirring historical romances that blend meticulous research with unforgettable characters. An award-winning novelist and audiobook narrator, she brings to life the grit, glamour, and hidden corners of history, crafting stories where strong women rise in worlds that would see them silenced.
A lifelong history enthusiast, April has walked the cobblestone streets and riverfronts of the cities she writes about, drawing inspiration from archival maps, diaries, and forgotten newspaper clippings. Her passion for accuracy means every dress hem, whiskey barrel, and street corner in her novels is steeped in authentic detail?yet her first priority is always the emotional truth of the story.
When she isn't writing, April can be found tending her homestead in the Midwest, surrounded by her rescued flock of chickens, ducks, and geese, or curled up with a cup of tea and a stack of vintage love letters.
Iron and Spirits is the first book in her Peoria Legacy Trilogy?a series celebrating resilience, love, and the women who helped shape America's untold histories.
Visit April online at www.AprilMarieLight.com to explore her books, upcoming releases, and The Society of Lost Letters, where history's forgotten voices find a home.