Women of Courage: Seeking a Better Life

ST. GEORGE, Utah - Feb. 28, 2022 - PRLog -- Some immigrants learned about America and its opportunities from the newspaper while others heard about it from traveling missionaries. Many were seeking relief from political and religious persecution but others were just following their hearts. They didn't know what the future would bring to them. Frances Davies, my great grandmother, was one of them.

She left her beloved homeland of Wales to live in America, the land of opportunity. Frances had attended a private school and received an education that set her apart from other young women. She was referred to as a "lady of refinement."

Her Aunt Susan didn't want her to leave and begged her to stay in Wales. She said that Frances would inherit her fortune if she stayed but Frances stood firm and unyielding and wanted to join her brother who had immigrated to America a few years earlier. No matter how hard Aunt Susan tried, she could not influence her niece's decision.

When I read about my great grandmother's experiences written by my grandmother, I was impressed with her courage. She was only seventeen when she left for America. That would take a lot of bravery. But that wasn't all. She faced some thieves, dressed in a cavalry uniform, and chased them off her property. Then she saved a man's life who had been gored by a bull in his abdomen. When I decided to put together a series of novellas called "Women of Courage," I took some of my great grandmother's experiences and gave them to a fictional character named Serenity, bringing her story to life.

A Lady of Refinement is a historical romance set in 1844. Reading is Serenity's favorite pastime, where she can go on one adventure after another. She wonders if anyone can measure up to the heroes in her books. But the adventures soon become real after arriving in America. When Jonathan meets Serenity, an educated and courageous woman from Wales, he becomes intrigued with her and wonders how he can win her heart. Her brother gives him some advice, but Jonathan begins to question his wisdom. Should he trust his friend or is he leading him astray?

After arriving in America, Serenity found that many an adult could not read or write, so she set to work teaching an evening class especially for adults. Each night she teaches her students how to write their names so they wouldn't have to put an X for their signature. When Jonathan joins her class, her world takes a new turn, one she didn't expect. What was her reaction?

To buy this book or eBook on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Lady-Refinement-Women-Courage-eboo....