• Age: 12 to 18
• Grade: 7 to 12

For many Loyalists during the American War for Independence, the perilous journey to Canada is just the beginning of a long and arduous struggle to find a new home and a new life amid the upheavals of war and separation, death and privation. For Elisabeth Van Alen, it also means finding new strength and the will to survive in a new country.

Claiming her best ideas are born of dreams, Kathy has written a number of stories over the years. Her first published novel, Winter Fire, a 1998 Golden Heart finalist in historical romance, was reissued in 2010 by Books We Love, Ltd., which also released Lord Esterleigh’s Daughter, Courting the Devil, and The Partisan’s Wife.

Kathy Fischer-Brown's profile page

I sold my first romance short story at age sixteen, which helped fund dance lessons. Later, I went on to write novellas and short stories for magazines. Emigrating to Canada was my husband Michael’s dream. It was also was mine as I wanted to experience first hand the life of the Inuit and their amazing dogs. Dogs are another of my passions. However, due to circumstances, we ended up in a tiny Prairie town where I was suddenly transported back to pioneer times. Fortunately, I had been a Girl Scout, and I wasn’t phased at having to cut blocks of ice for water. And like many a pioneer woman, I had a toddler and a babe in arms. From the prairies we moved to the Canadian Arctic, which forever holds a special place in my heart.

Genevieve Montcombroux's profile page

Couldn't put it down. Wonderful historical novel with all the expected twists and villians.

Lillian Mack