Judge Thomas Averill carter is wealthy, influential, good looking and the most eligible bachelor in Tioga County, New York in 1852. His authority is wide-ranging and his life is nearly perfect. Any thought of serious romance is the farthest thing from his mind, until he is upended by the stunningly beautiful Sa-ku-ma Gage, eldest of a Mohawk family of touring gospel singings and story tellers.
Casting Victorian conventions aside they allow their intense desire and love to transcend racial and social barriers and engage in a torrid relationship. Conflict erupts as they become estranged from both family and community. While their passion will remind the reader of the legend of Pocahontas, an unexpected development blends their story with the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet.