THIS NOVEL GIVES A RARE GLIMPSE OF THE BONDS THAT HOLD A FAMILY TOGETHER IN AN ERA (1730-1842) WHEN TRAVEL WAS ARDUOUS AT BEST AND MAIL THE ONLY LINK FOR FAMILY MEMBERS SPREAD OUT ACROSS THE CONTINENT. STARR IS DEVOTED TO HER FAMILY, THE IDEAL FRONTIERSWOMAN, WILLING TO ACCEPT NEW CHALLENGES, BUT NEVER GIVING UP THE MORALS THAT WERE INSTILLED IN HER AS A CHILD.