Author Description

John Ingram is a student at a university, and his father, Josh, a petroleum engineer for the Oil Council. While conducting field research on a water project, John discovers a treasure trove belonging to his grandfather, and falls in love with his research partner and fellow student, Anna. John decides to give up the treasure, but not his love. When Anna, who is a ward of the state, is promised to another, the two attempt to run away together, but are captured before they can escape the campus. John is exiled into one of the dreaded farm preserves, where people are sent to die. Anna is confined to campus under house arrest.After John fails to satisfy his work quota, he is subjected to a near deadly beating as punishment. A friend is finally able to intervene, and after a stay at a Council hospital, John is reunited with his father to recover from his injuries. The two decide to make the dangerous attempt to escape to the Republic of Texas. A daring plan, new friends, a fight with council officers, and a miraculous escape and rescue get them to their new home, where an exception in the law allows them to stay.John is required to serve his new country, and Josh prospers, finding both love and success in his new home. During John's stint in the Army, he is moved back to the border where they crossed into Texas, and his thoughts naturally return to Anna. A miraculous escape from death, an epiphany, a new faith in God, and his undying love lead him on a dangerous return to New America, where he faces certain death if caught. On his journey, John discovers the true meaning of love, the realization that family and friends are more important than things, and that the love of God and country are more important than anything buried in an old safe.