It’s always exciting to announce the release of a new book! Here’s the short synopsis for In Defense of Delia:

1838: Delia Pritchard gets a chilly reception when she returns to Sangamon, Illinois, after a thirteen-year absence. She’s riding a Palouse stallion, is dressed like a man, has a bullet in her shoulder, and leads a horse with a seven-year-old black boy astride.
Some think Delia left at the age of sixteen because she killed her parents and set fire to their cabin with the bodies inside. It is also rumored that Delia runs with outlaws and that she shot a lawman.
When Doc Hemmer insists Delia and the boy remain in Sangamon while she recuperates from surgery, he doesn’t realize a vicious gang known as the Biedler brothers is on her trail. Preacher John Claymore, also unaware of the danger, wants to meet Doc’s patient with the beautiful eyes.
Farmer Annie Gray kills one of the Biedlers and triggers a violent response from the gang. Delia knows the brothers will be relentless. She brought this disaster down on the town and its residents. Can she save them all?

The Historical Novel Society gave Delia a nice review, including:

“Stoltey effectively blends page-turning action with quieter passages of empathetic people striving to connect to each other and grapple with the effects of life’s mistakes. Delia is particularly complex and engaging. The main plot questions find interesting answers.”

I wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving, and please keep Delia in mind when you do your book shopping for holiday gifts.