Book excerpt: Seeking the pot of gold at California’s end She married rich, but not well. Now, with the Civil War ended and her husband gone, Deirdre must make her own way in the world. The golden, untamed valleys of Sonoma County beckon, a land ripe with promise. But her dreams of building a home and starting a winery are thwarted by locals who don’t want to sell to a spirited, independent woman—much less an Irish one. Two very different gentlemen aid in Deirdre’s quest. Kin O’Leary is tall, dark, and oh-so-charming. Owner of Sonoma’s most successful inn, Kin is one of the wealthiest men in the county, and Deirdre believes this makes him an ill-advised suitor. Complicating her circumstance is Dylan O’Reilly, the strapping young cattle hand who stirs her passion to life but hides some dangerous secrets. With Deirdre’s dreams hanging in the balance, the forthright young widow faces a difficult choice. Will she have the luck of the Irish when it comes to love? “The love for Irish-American history is especially present . . . This is perfect for readers who love tackling difficult issues, Irish-American history and non-Regency settings.” —RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars, on Courting the Corporal