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From bestselling author Emerson Ford comes an unforgettable true story of a spirited woman caught between freedom and duty, set against the sweeping backdrop of the American Revolution. Perfect for readers of Where the Crawdads Sing, The Four Winds, and A Girl Called Samson.
Virginia, 1749. Rosanna Waters is more comfortable catching grasshoppers for fishing bait than helping her Mama with the washing. After one defiance too many ends in terrible tragedy, Rosanna learns that her rebellious nature carries a price too steep to pay. She must tame the fire within—for her family's sake, if not her own.
Then she meets Callum Stewart, a Scottish indentured servant with secrets as deep as the river she loves, Rosanna discovers someone who sees her for exactly who she is. But revolution changes everything. War sends Callum to battle and Rosanna into the unknowns of the South Carolina frontier, where she carves out a life from the unforgiving backcountry—eight children, a working farm, and a hard-won independence.
When the war finally arrives at her doorstep, it brings not just soldiers threatening everything she's built, but the boy who stole her heart all those years ago—now a man with his own scars. As violence engulfs the frontier, Rosanna must decide how far she's willing to go to protect her family, and whether the woman she's become can make peace with the girl she used to be.
Based on a true story, this is an epic tale of a woman who refuses to surrender—not to grief, not to the wilderness, and never to a fate trying to break the spirit she's finally learned to love.
'I loved this book and would recommend it to lovers of The Four Winds, Go as a River, Where the Crawdads Sing, Frozen River and Broken Country.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Sometimes you find an author that you love their debut. Then they go and write a second novel that completely and utterly captures your ❤️ heart!! Every Bend in the River has held me captive… If you step into the pages, it will quietly and thoroughly wrap you in a story you will be sad to leave but so glad you got to be a part of!' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'One of the best books I've read all year.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Both Rosanna and Callum grabbed my heart.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Sweeping, emotional, and fierce, it's the kind of story that sticks with you—made even more powerful because it's based on a true story.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'An absolutely captivating read!' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'This extraordinary story is the kind to produce a book hangover. I loved every page of it!' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Every Bend in the River is my first by Emerson Ford and oh my gosh! What an amazing tale. Based on a true story, Rosanna's story was one of courage, spirit, determination and the great love of her family… gave me goosebumps. I loved it.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Truly, the inspiring character growth and the beautiful themes weaved within have my heart. My friends, this a gripping dear story worth reading.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Wow! …This book has all the elements that I love in historical fiction; rich in historical detail, good development, romance during wartime, and more.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Talk about a beautifully written, heartfelt story that will completely sweep you away. This book is a tender and profound journey of self-discovery, resilience, and the enduring power of hope.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'The characters are incredibly relatable and their emotional arcs feel deeply authentic, drawing you into their world from the very first page.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'This is not just a story of survival; it is a testament to women who refused to surrender to circumstance. Emerson Ford has taken a little-known family story and turned it into something universal—a tale of love, resilience, and the bends in the river of life that shape us all.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'A sweeping, emotional, and unforgettable novel. Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction, family sagas, and stories that balance romance with grit and authenticity.' Reader review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Riveting and richly layered, Every Bend in the River reads like an epic movie, crossing time and tumultuous events while weaving a seamless tapestry of endurance, courage, and love. This hardwon happy ending is all the more satisfying being rooted in the author's own ancestry. An unforgettably realistic frontier journey!' Laura Frantz, Christy Award winning author