Miss Susan Bailey shouldn’t be enjoying beautiful sunsets over the Atlantic with a grumpy colonist. She swore not to marry while her mother lives. Her large dowry has given her lots of practice dodging potential suitors. But when her younger brother sets off on an adventure to the colonies, she can’t stay put. Someone has to keep him out of trouble. Only she seems to be finding trouble of her own. Trouble with stormy gray eyes. Trouble…because marrying a Virginian is unthinkable. Especially in 1774. Charles Johnson hasn’t been home in seven years, but an urgent message from his father insists he return immediately. He books passage on a merchant vessel bound for Virginia, carrying three other passengers, including the engaging and pragmatic Miss Bailey. Though determined to remain strangers, when he succumbs to seasickness, he cannot refuse her assistance. Indeed, he soon cannot refuse her anything, not even the friendship she demands from him. After all, it’s foolish to hope for something more when their destinies are an ocean apart. Book Features Frenemies to Lovers - Grumpy hero falls first - Slow burn - Georgian fashion - History: 1774 Virginia (the eve of the American Revolution) - Christian elements: faith and prayer - Steam level: just kisses; clean and wholesome romance The Lady and the Loyalist is the first book in the Heart of the Revolution, a series that follows fictional romances and real conflicts of Virginians from 1774 (right before the war) through 1781 (Battle of Yorktown). "The Lady and the Loyalist hooked me from the first page. The writing is clean and clear and drops you right into the setting. The characters are interesting and non-stereotypical." - Pegg Thomas, award-winning author "Absolutely immersive storytelling from Stephanie McRae! The Lady and the Loyalist delivers brilliant attention to historical detail, pulling readers into the tumultuous days before the Revolution. I adore that her characters feel caught up in the tide of history and the sparkling surprise of attraction, and work so hard to understand each other." - Keira Dominguez, Whitney Awards finalist Despite having five brothers, Stephanie is the one who was named after their father (Stephen). In her travels, she has visited the ancient Library of Ephesus (there were no books left) and Barcelona (where pickpockets stole her wallet so she couldn't buy books), but her favorite place to find books is in her own home. Stephanie is a descendant of American patriots, including one soldier who died at Valley Forge. She is also the wife of a US Navy veteran. While their family of seven was stationed in Virginia, they took many opportunities to visit Colonial Williamsburg. It was during one of these trips that the idea for her first historical novel was born.