A riveting tale of survival and ambition, The Unstoppable Eliza Haycraft takes readers on a journey through the tumultuous world of 19th century St. Louis. Inspired by a true story, the novel opens on a May midnight in 1844 as Eliza Haycraft flees her abusive husband and a life of poverty. With only herself to rely on, Eliza must use her wits and her body to make a living in a world where women have few options. As she rises through the ranks of the city's brothels, Eliza becomes a powerful and wealthy figure, pulling strings and making enemies along the way. And as the Civil War looms, she is faced with a heart-wrenching decision that will determine the fate of everything—and everyone—she holds dear. Join Eliza on her journey from destitution to domination in this multi-award-winning novel that will leave you cheering and breathless. Indie Reader calls The Unstoppable Eliza Haycraft “beautifully written” and “compulsively readable.” You will call it unforgettable. Winner, Midwest Fiction, National Indie Excellence Awards Finalist, Historical Fiction, National Indie Excellence Awards Longlisted, Best Indie Book 2023, Shelf Unbound Silver Medal, Plains Fiction, Independent Publisher Book Awards Honorable Mention, Historical Fiction, The Eric Hoffer Book Award "Author Diana Dempsey's admiration and affection for her subject shines throughout The Unstoppable Eliza Haycraft , a beautifully written, compulsively readable tale that gives voice to this fascinating, larger-than-life figure from a neglected corner of history ." - INDIE READER "I loved it. The characters, history, and the emotions it brought out made for an excellent read . And (it) shows that if you put your mind to it, you can do anything." - Sandra Vandelicht, Chief Deputy, Callaway County Recorder of Deeds " 'WHAT A WOMAN!' Diana Dempsey creates a fascinating tale, based upon an unforgettable real-life character. Faced with ignorance, poverty, and betrayal, a brave young woman struggles at a time when women had little say in their lives. Using determination, shrewdness, empathy, and friendship, she is led through struggles, historical events, romance, loss, and triumph. Dempsey had me from the get-go to the very end." - Sheila Guthrie, Kingdom of Callaway Historical Society "Diana Dempsey has written an excellent novel about the life of Miss Haycraft, at the same time telling the story of St. Louis during the time Eliza lived here. Eliza Haycraft was not a woman to be trifled with. She could be tough as nails one minute, empathetic the next, when she encountered fellow soiled doves and children in distress. She never backed down from any human or challenge. Diana Dempsey gives us a story of a feminist who never heard that word, a woman who never forgot where she came from." - Michael Pierce, MIDWEST REWIND " A very enjoyable historical novel rooted in a rags-to-riches tale from a relatively unknown corner of St. Louis history." - Brodie Curtis, HISTORICAL NOVEL SOCIETY Diana Dempsey traded in an Emmy Award-winning career in TV news to write fiction. The first of her ten contemporary novels, Falling Star , was a finalist for a Romance Writers of America RITA award for Best First Book. The Unstoppable Eliza Haycraft is her first historical novel. A graduate of Harvard University, Diana was born in Buffalo, New York, enjoyed stints in Belgium, the U.K., and Japan, and now resides in California with her husband and a West Highland White Terrier, not necessarily in that order.