American Dreams (Cline)

Clarissa Wilding and her family have just arrived at the train station in Kennewick, Washington. Their decision to move from the drought and dust storms on the Kansas plains seemed like a good one, until Clarissa sees her husband Frank embrace his half-brother William-the man who has offered them the chance to start fresh on his vineyard. Clarissa knows this man, but by a different name. And it is obvious that William also recognizes her, though he says nothing of their past together. The Wilding family settles into a cottage on the farm. Frank is thrilled to be back on a productive farm, having lost their crops to the relentless dust storms back home. He is anxious to rekindle his relationship with his brother, but doesn't understand Clarissa's resistance to William. Frank is eager to learn the grape and fruit growing business and hopes his work ethic will please his brother. But he is disturbed to see that William has not held on to the Christian teachings of their mother, but instead is angry and resentful of his drunken father, Frank's step-father. Both parents are deceased, but unpleasant memories linger for both Frank and William, even after William explains he changed his name to be rid of his father's reputation. Clarissa cruelly discovers that you cannot always escape your past. A clandestine meeting is about to test her faith, and expose secrets that could challenge her marriage. Will Clarissa and her husband cling to God's promise for a new beginning? Or be destroyed by tragedies and trials.

Spring, 1941Europe's troubles were far away and not of concern to Martha Watson. The United States was neutral, and the last war had claimed enough American lives. If war did come, Martha declared, she would never settle down with a soldier. "I'm not interested in anyone enlisting to go off to war."Clarissa Wilding paled at the thought. "James will be of age soon. Knowing him, he would enlist, just so he could fly a plane."Then came the day that would live in infamy, and the call to duty threatens to tear all their hopes of happiness apart.