Fragile Hopes, Transient Dreams: and Other Stories

Alert for danger, Laura Roth stands at the door of her sod house, anxiously watching a lone rider cantering toward her across the prairie. Dismounting, he removes his hat and bows slightly. His eyes?in striking contrast to his dark skin, black hair and beard?are an intense blue. He returns her gaze honestly. She sees nothing to fear.

As she dips a cup of water from the barrel by the door and offers it to the weary traveler, Laura never dreams that she and this man would share a mutual secret to the grave.

Thus begins the saga of John and Laura Roth and their descendents; their hopes and dreams, trials and tribulations through 110 years on the sweeping Kansas plains.

We meet:

Eva, spoiled and willful, who ?does what she has to do? to survive the depression.

Silas, who chooses an unorthodox way to deal with his wife?s infidelity.

Gerald who, haunted by a phantom from a boyhood indiscretion, also harbors a lifelong secret.

And more.

The land, located on the western fringe of ?The Heartland?, one of the richest wheat and gas producing regions in the world, is a significant protagonist in this Southwest Kansas saga.