March 31, 2014
Born in 1883 to a prostitute and raised in a brothel called the Yellow Parrot, Dinah Hubley dreams of a life away from the jeers of schoolmates and townsfolk. Hearing that Fred Harvey is hiring young women of good moral character for his hotels along the railroad route, Dinah sees a glimmer of hope. With one misguided decision about a quick way to make money, Dinah frees herself from her past but shrouds her future with guilt. Landing a job as a chambermaid at Harvey’s Clifton Hotel in Florence, Kan., she meets Ruthie Mead, a pastor’s daughter who tries her best to befriend Dinah, and Amos Ackerman, a chicken farmer with big dreams and a fascination with Dinah. Driven by fear that her past will be discovered, Dinah leaves Ruthie and Amos with misconceptions and misgivings, confusing them by her reticence. But Amos is unwilling to let Dinah wallow in her sense of unworthiness, especially when her trepidation keeps her from God. Sawyer has crafted an inspirational historical romance, making a strong argument that love can heal even deeply broken hearts. Agent: Steve Laube Agency.