Patrick Riordan's plans for a relaxing Christmas--a much-needed break from his work as a Navy pilot--are complicated when he falls for Angie LeCroix, who is visiting Virgin River in order to escape her hovering mother.

Set amid the bustle of 19th-century Philadelphia is a sweeping saga of three generations of strong, indomitable women. At its center is young Lilly Armstrong, a beauty on the brink of womanhood, too brave and fearless to settle for the status quo. Lilly aspires to carve out lives of independent freedom for herself and her women kin--lives not dependent on men. But one man would move heaven and earth to help Lilly realize her dreams