Halley's Hope

Halley, a light-skinned slave, and an old servant are attacked by Confederate deserters on the outskirts of Atlanta as the Yankee bombardment of Atlanta is ending.  The old servant is killed, and Halley barely escapes being raped in the attack. 

She believes the Yankees will be her salvation.  Disguised as a boy, she sets off to join up with the Yankee army.  Sadly, she learns that many Yankees send runaway slaves back to their masters.  Even if her appearance doesn’t give her away, her speech could. Her strong slave dialect is a huge stumbling block.  She must learn to speak, and act like a soldier or be returned like a runaway farm animal.

(Publication date not yet set.)   Come back soon for a sample of the first page