“… a deeply moving and beautifully written novel bridging two world wars through the lens of one woman’s heartbreaking losses and enduring strength.”
—Cam Torrens, award-winning author of the Tyler Zahn mystery series
Photo of Sabin Howard WWI sculpture
(with permission)
About the Book
ON SALE FEBRUARY 12, 2026
The sequel to the bestseller, Sheltering Angel: A Novel Based on a True Story of the Titanic.
After losing her husband Bradley in the Titanic disaster, Florence Cumings' heartache is far from over. Her teenage son Wells is killed in the WWI battle of Belleau Wood while defending France with the Allies. Two decades later, her second husband Chess dies of influenza shortly before her eldest son Jack succumbs to effects from injuries sustained in the Great War.
About Louella
Louella Bryant was born in Bethesda, Maryland, and grew up on the outskirts of Washington, D.C. two miles from the CIA. A graduate of George Washington University, she migrated to Vermont to see what this nature thing was all about. She has not been disappointed.
A novel based on the true story of Willie Carter Sharpe. During Prohibition, Rum Running Queen Willie Carter Sharpe rises from poverty to the heights of fame and fortune in the moonshine business.
This book is a hard and fruitful journey you will want to take. Every step was a pleasure.”
–Scott Hammond, author of Finding Asher
Praise for Louella's Work
“This wonderful tale of an unlikely friendship between two people from worlds a galaxy apart is not just a good read. It's a beautifully told and poignant backstory to a piece of history we all know.”
—Sylvester Monroe, co-author of Brothers: Black and Poor: A True Story of Courage and Survival
“Sheltering Angel tells the true story of several lesser-known individuals, whose lives were impacted by the Titanic disaster, helping to preserve their memory. The stories of Cumings, Cunningham, Siebert and the others are engrossing, and Bryant's passion for the source material shines through on every page.”
—Tad Fitch, author of On a Sea of Glass: The Life & Loss of RMS Titanic
“The book is a fun, stirring adventure...”
—Seattle Book Review on Beside the Long River
“Bryant has done a wonderful job capturing the times of the 70's counterculture when just about everyone, including the wealthiest young men in the country, were turning on and dropping out.... Highly recommended.”
—Amazon review by RipeReads on While Darkness There is Light
“Readers will adore sharing Bobbie's secrets and observations; she feels like a real friend, capable and determined, and full of love.”
—Julie Chibbaro, author of Redemption on Cowboy Code
“History comes alive and gets personal in this story about two sisters, slaves, attempting to find their way north to freedom.”
—Jim DeFilippi on Father By Blood
ON SALE NOW!
"...Bryant’s passionate storytelling will captivate readers and bring a fresh perspective on a maritime tragedy that still reverberates..."
—Author Jacquelyn Lenox Tuxill
Fern Forest Treehouse
Read how Fern Forest Treehouse came to be. Our cozy Vermont treehouse, where we hosted guests from countries around the world.
"A tree house, a free house,
A secret you and me house,
A high up in the leafy branches
Cozy as can be house.”
—Shel Silverstein, Where the Sidewalk Ends
Louella's Blog Posts
Do I really need a firearm to protect my freedom?
I’ve recently received two emails from the company GUNS.COM who call themselves “Purveyors of Freedom.” The company wants me to buy a gun online and urges me to peruse the thousands of…
Read MoreAlso by Louella
