As a baby, Sabella, was left abandoned on a stranger's doorstep. With open arms, the family took her in and raised her as one of their own. As the years went by, her adopted mother died, leaving the family broken. From one tragedy came another. They were no longer able to sustain the hardships that soon followed, which prompted them to leave the only home they knew of in search of a better life. Joining up with a wagon train, they left in search of a new life in Kansas. Having to overcome hardships on their way with diseases and looters. Things took a turn for the worst when they've encountered an Indian tribe that left most of them dead and the rest captives. When a particular warrior has his eyes on Sabella, she soon learns that everything is not what it seems. WARNING - I wrote this a long time ago - it's actually the first thing I've ever written. There are countless of grammatical errors, and this story isn't exactly good.

Preface I watched my grandpa hang his bloody brass knuckles up by the wooden door. He made his way to the gun safe and put the house riffle away. My grandpa stood there for a long time, hands on his hips and the gun safe standing wide open. He started to tap his foot on the rotting floorboards, and he sighed. Turning around to face me with the truth he'd been keeping from me my whole life.

Part black. Part Irish. Part Lumbee Indian. Wholly determined to protect her family. Naomi Jackson made a mistake. Born in the tumultuous years following the American Revolution, she embraced change, excitement, and adventure. So when the Devil Bill Williams swaggered into town, she launched into his arms, determined that her love for him could overcome all obstacles. It couldn't. Now she has two young children, a life of misery, and a hopeless, desperate desire to escape. Then David Oxendine arrives for a Christmas visit - and things will never be the same. * * * Across the River - an 1800s Black / Native American Novella is the first in a series of novellas about Naomi Jackson's heartfelt, challenging life. These stories are based loosely on author Lisa Shea's real-life ancestor, Naomi Jackson, who was born in 1784 in Guilford County, North Carolina. Naomi's father had been taken from Northern Ireland as a child, while her mother was mixed-blood black, Lumbee, and Irish. Each novella has a cliff-hanger ending, much like Naomi's life. All author's proceeds from the Naomi Jackson series benefits local battered women's shelters. An important note for readers of my various series. Normally my content is quite "clean" with little to no swearing, violence, or physical intimacy. With this being based on the immense hardships my ancestor struggled through, I wanted to be authentic to the issues she rose above. This book therefore includes period-appropriate harsh language as well as several scenes of conflict. I gave a great deal of thought to including these and feel they are necessary to fully convey the trials she overcame. I apologize to those who feel uncomfortable reading that style of material. Please feel free to contact me at my website if you have any questions or comments - I thrive on your feedback.