As clouds of civil war gathered across the nation. She fought for her beloved south. Yet she yearned for the forbidden embrace of a handsome yankee. In order to save the family plantation, Spring Haven, from ruin, lovely Taylor Bellman was forced to marry a wealthy man many years her senior. Though she was only sixteen, it seemed her life was over as she settled down to a quiet life on her husband's vast estate. But Civil Was was in the wind, threatening Taylor's peace and everything she held clear - and a gallant Yankee visitor awakened her sleeping heart to the thrill of illicit love. Though their passion could not be denied, they were on opposite sides of the conflict that divided the nation, and bound by lies of affection an blood to the man who stood between them - Taylor's husband. Despite burning tragedy and heartfelt grief. Taylor steeled herself to renounce her one great love, but she was drawn ever deeper into a tempest of desire from which it seemed she could never escape. ...