This was my first of the "Heirloom Secrets" series but found it fine to read as a standalone. I do realize that two characters here are in the first two books but I don't need to know their rules in their own books much to understand them here.

The timelines and people connect in all sorts of interesting ways. We have Clara in the Civil War time who becomes heavily involved in the abolitionist movement and Alice who works in post Katrina New Orleans at a flower shop with her aunt while mourning her mother who she doesn't even know if she's alive or not.

Both women I thought had strong natures and faith in how they led their lives. I love the way that hidden messages were able to be made in embroidery samplers that could be "sold" and part them along to aid the abolitionists.
 
Well written and easily read in a day, this book is not to be missed!