In 1859, Mercy Hudson arrived in Minnesota with her sister, Isabelle Caldwell, and her family. They had high hopes of beginning a new life. When their barn burns down, the neighbors come together to help rebuild. That's when Mercy meets the dashing Will Owen. It's love at first sight for both of them. But to their dismay, Will has made a prior commitment and hired himself out to help with building at a distant town and won't return until spring.

Upon Will's return, he and Mercy are married and are soon expecting their first child. Their life together seems almost blissful, except for the disturbing events happening in the country. During their time together, strange things occur that Mercy keeps to herself, at first. Someone is leaving items for her to find, such as a necklace one day and a kitten another day. There are also times she feels that she's being watched. Then one day, while riding to her sister's, someone attacks Mercy. Are the items and the attack related?

Will is feeling restless and discontent because it's difficult for him to sit back and read about the turmoil going on in the East and the Sioux uprisings close to home. He finally signs up and, along with Mercy's cousins James and Clark, heads for Fort Snelling. While away at Fort Snelling, Will receives the disturbing news that Mercy is missing. He's granted leave and hurries home hoping he's not too late. Why would she be missing? Is there someone out there who wishes to harm her? With the baby's due date so close, will he find Mercy in time?

SKY TINTED WATER by K. Celeste Bryan is a well- researched and well-written historical fiction with a beautiful love story. The characters are physically and mentally strong and possess great convictions. I love reading about people etching out a new life in a new land, and Ms. Bryan provides such wonderful details that you feel completely transported back in time. There is always room on my bookshelves for her books. I anxiously await the sequel, BENEATH A CRIMSON SKY.