The Firebrand

By Susan Wiggs

October 8, 1871–One small sparkignites the entire city of Chicago,sending the residents into panic. But amid the chaos, a miraculousrescue kindles an unexpected new love.

As she flees the raging inferno, Lucy Hathawayrisks her life to save a precious baby girl. The littleorphan is a gift from heaven, coming into Lucy'slife just as the fire takes everything else from her.Five years have passed, and Lucy has raised Maggieas her own.Now, seeking a loan to refinance her most cherished dream–her bookstore, The Firebrand–Lucy finds herself face–to–face with Randolph Higgins, Chicago's most prominent banker. Rand is a bitter, lonely man scarred by the great fire and still grieving for the baby girl he lost that night. And to her astonishment, Lucy discovers that the child she'd saved was his.Some women would have run, some would have taken the secret of Maggie's identity to the grave.But not Lucy. Now her life is about to take another dramatic turn, forcing her to confront the one man who threatens all she holds dear. But it is their mutual love for a child that will propel Randand Lucy on an unforgettable journeyinto emotion, adventure and passion.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Australia
• Release date: Aug 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9781743698099

Susan Wiggs

Susan Wiggs's life is all about family, friends, and fiction. She lives on an island in Puget Sound, and commutes to her writers' group in a motorboat. She is an international bestselling author, and her books have appeared in the #1 spot on the NYT bestseller list. The Apple Orchard has been made into a film, with others in production. Susan loves hiking, skiing, and surfing, but her favorite sport is reading a book.