A mystical vision of an airship appears to fifteen-year-old Juanita. The ethereal captain commands her to prevent California's thrown-away people--including young children--from boarding trains to an asylum. That institution's director plots murder to reduce the inmate population. Yet to save innocent lives Juanita must take lives of the corrupt. How can she reconcile her assignment with her belief in the sacredness of all human life? And will she survive to marry her betrothed? Juanita sets out despite inner trepidation to sabotage the railroad. Her ancestor Billy guides her. Then bit by bit, she discovers the gut-wrenching truths all of her ancestors neglected to reveal. Come visit Juanita's world--an alternate nineteenth-century California--where spirits meet steampunk, where both love and anger emanate from beyond the grave. Steampunk as it should be, with mysticism and adventure, an alternate history that warns about what could happen and a coming of age story that should appeal to teens and adults alike. - Irene Radford Author of the Merlin's Descendants Series Veteran author, Laurel Anne Hill, adeptly empowers her heroine, Juanita, to go the hell and back in a compelling coming of age story. She'll surprise the reader with uncharted territory delving into the shamanic mysticism of Native American and Mexican cultures. Get ready to barrel down the tracks in this alternate history, "habanero" steampunk adventure. - Elizabeth Crowens, author of Silent Meridian, Finalist for the Chanticleer Review's Cygnus and Goethe Awards Laurel Anne Hill grew up in San Francisco, California, with more dreams of adventure than good sense or money. Her close brushes with death, love of family, respect for honor and belief in a higher power continue to influence her writing and her life. Laurel is the author of the award-winning novel, Heroes Arise. Her published short stories and nonfiction pieces total forty. She continues to serve as a participant at many science fiction/fantasy conventions. She's the Literary Stage Manager for the annual San Mateo County Fair in California, a writing contest judge, and an editor for Fault Zone. Visit http: //www.laurelannehill.com for more information.