Secrets to the Wind: A Novel (The Dauntless Series)
"A beautifully crafted love story rooted in one of America's most turbulent eras."
A spirited Martha's Vineyard debutante falls for a fiery Kansas abolitionist and must decide whether to believe his tarnished reputation or her own heart. Romantic historical fiction inspired by true events.
One secret can shatter a family, ignite a war, or awaken a love that defies history.
1863: Spirited Annie Osborn longs for a life of purpose beyond the confining shores of Martha's Vineyard. When a wartime attack on her father's whaling ship cancels the coming-out she hoped would secure a suitor and an escape, she's sent to upstate New York. There, she meets an older man whose fierce antislavery convictions fire her soul-but whose frontier life in Kansas has bred rumors that cast shadows on his reputation.
Mayor Daniel Read Anthony of Leavenworth would rather be remembered as a guerrilla abolitionist and Union colonel than for the fatal confrontation that branded him a killer-even though he fired in self-defense. When he meets the keen-witted Annie Osborn, he knows he must tell her the truth if he hopes to court her. But circumstances-and Annie's suspicious stepmother-interfere at every turn, and he fears he's lost his chance.
When a Southern sympathizer targets Annie and her father uncovers Daniel's darkest secret, her dreams of a life together in Leavenworth threaten to scatter on the wind. Can Daniel clear his name and outmaneuver Annie's vengeful accuser, or will one fatal misstep cost him his family's honor-and the woman he's come to love?
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Secrets to the Wind is the first book in the acclaimed Dauntless series. Inspired by true events from suffragist Susan B. Anthony's family, this historical women's fiction trilogy is based on hundreds of newspaper articles, scrapbooks, and archives. The author fashions the fragments of Annie and Daniel's legacy into an account that seems larger than life-except that it's mostly true. Perfect for readers of 19th-century women's fiction, Martha's Vineyard historical fiction, and unforgettable Wild West romance.
Finalist in the 2025 American Legacy Book Awards, Family Saga category; semifinalist in the 2025 Chanticleer Laramie Book Awards.
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Praise:
"This love story made the Civil War period personal. If you like storylines that feature a strong and daring female lead, then this book is for you "
"A very interesting story with many historical events, and I highly recommend it I give it more than 5 stars "
"Impeccable historical accuracy, high moral stakes, and unforgettable emotional resonance. An evocative, deeply human tale that feels timeless and profoundly relevant."
"An amazing historical fiction book. The writing and wonderful details woven with romance painted a vivid picture of the Civil War era. I highly recommend this book; a very enjoyable read."
"Susan B. Anthony historian Jeanne Gehret weaves a captivating romance set in the Civil War era."
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