Author Description

<b>Seven romance stories take you back to the building of the Erie Canal and the opening of the Midwest to greater development.</b><br><br> Completed in 1825, the Erie Canal connected the Great Lakes to the Hudson River, and soon other states like Ohio created canals linking Lake Erie to the Ohio River. Suddenly the Midwest was open to migration, the harvesting of resources, and even tourism. Join seven couples who live through the rise of the canals and the problems the waterways brought to each community, including land grabs, disease, tourists, racism, and competition. Can these couples hang on to their faith and develop love during times of intense change?<br><br><b><i>The Way of a Child</i> by Lauralee Bliss</b><br> Little Falls, New York 1817<br> Widower David Marshall has no interest in selling his farm to the Erie Canal project presented by agent Ray O'Neil and his daughter Melanie. But his sons Matthew and Luke have taken a peculiar liking to Melanie. What the children reveal paves the way to a surprising future. <br> <br><b><i>Wedding of the Waters</i> by Rita Gerlach</b><br> Goshen Creek, New York. 1819<br> Charlotte Verger, a physician's niece, is unexpectedly reunited with her first and only love, Blaine McKenna. When word comes that the Erie Canal builders at the Montezuma Swamp, where Blaine is working as a surveyor, are stricken with malaria, Charlotte risks a journey to reach him.<br> <br><b><i>Digging for Love </i>by Ramona K. Cecil</b><br> Rochester, New York 1822<br> For budding artist Emily Nichols, the coming Erie Canal brings dreams of leaving Rochester for the art markets of New York City. As he builds the canal, Irish laborer Seamus O'Grady is building his American dream in Rochester. When hearts meld, divergent dreams and old prejudices threaten burgeoning love.<br> <br><b><i>Return to Sweetwater Cove</i> by Christina Miller</b><br> Sweetwater Cove, New York, 1825<br> Reverend Josiah Wells travels to his hometown to pastor the church and ma