Heirs of Acadia

Erica Langston's comfortable home and loving family carry no outward hint of the sorrows and fears faced by her Acadian forbears, but she soon discovers that similar determination and fortitude will be required of her. When the British invade the fledging nation called the United States and march into Washington D.C., leaving death and destruction in their wake, Erica is left to deal with the creditors circling around the crumbling family business.

Set in 1824, The Innocent Libertine follows the further adventures of Abigail Aldridge, who first appeared in the first book in the Heirs of Acadia series, The Solitary Envoy. Eager to minister to the poor, well-bred Abigail ignores her parents' warnings and ventures into the slums of London. But instead of gaining converts, she causes a scandal when she ventures into a seedy theater. To save the family honor, Abigail is sent to relatives in America.

Although betrothed to a wealthy Venetian, 17-year-old Serafina falls for her art tutor, Luca. When this infatuation is discovered, she becomes a prisoner in her own home. But as her family sails to America in 1832, she jumps ship in Portsmouth, England. While working as a chambermaid, Serafina meets sea captain John Falconer, a man on a dangerous mission. As their lives intertwine, can genuine faith and selfless love shield them from the menace of evil forces?