David and Sara Kirke live in a time of upheaval under the reign of King Charles I who gives, then takes. He gives David the nod of approval to range up and down the French Canadian shores, burning colonies and pillaging ships that are loaded with goods meant for the French. When Louis XIII of France shouts his outrage, King Charles reneges. He takes David’s prizes and returns them to the French, putting David and his family in dire straits. Undeterred, David and Sara will not be denied. After years, the king relents. He knights David and gives him a grant for the whole of Newfoundland and Labrador. There David and Sara build a prosperous plantation. They trade fish and fish oil with colonies down the American coast, Barbados and ports of call in the Mediterranean. They thrive while England is torn in two by the civil wars. Soon, these troubles engulf his family. David is carried in chains back to England to stand trial for being a malignant, a follower of Laud's high church. He entreats Sara to manage the Ferryland plantation, a daunting task but with a strength that defies a stalwart man, she digs in and prospers, becoming the first entrepreneur of Newfoundland.

A Canadian, who immigrated to the USA with her mother at the age of 15, Jude lived for many years in California and Texas. In 1991 Jude returned to Canada and married Metis author John Wisdomkeeper. Jude and John now live in Airdrie, Alberta. Writing since she was a teenager, Jude has followed her dream throughout her lifetime, and in the process has met and worked with countless others following their own personal dreams. Jude is also publisher for Books We Love Ltd. A Canadian publisher of quality genre fiction.

Jude Pittman's profile page

A totally enthralling account of life in early NewFoundland. Well written and accurate. A must read.

Marie Rafter