Target for Revenge

Target for Revenge photo

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Sofia Parker is having a very trying day. She's in charge of an art festival featuring a moody Native American artist named Howahkan, who obviously would like to be anywhere other than Sofia’s hometown of Cabot Falls, Vermont.

Sofia turns her attention to a posthumous birthday party for her beloved grandmother, starring the priceless heirloom quilt bequeathed to Sofia rather than to one of her sisters. The trio is horrified to discover a hole in one of the quilt squares—fabric dating back to the 1880s and what was then the frontier of Omaha, Nebraska.

Sofia has been meticulous in her care of the patchwork quilt and its accompanying diary, which documents the family’s rich history. What could have happened to the fabric?

Things only get worse; the next day Howahkan is discovered dead in his hotel room, apparently at his own hand. Why would a healthy, successful young painter suddenly take his own life?

As Sofia researches the damaged square, she learns that in the 1880s, Buffalo Bill and his band of cowboys, trick riders, sharpshooters, and Native Americans put on an exciting show. But the show was plagued with a series of "accidents" that seem too coincidental.

There seems to be an almost mystic connection drawing together all of the players in this double mystery. Though separated by so much time, could there be more than one target for revenge?

The Characters

Sofia Parker is a stay-at-home mom with four children. She loves to paint and she really enjoys baking confectionery masterpieces on the side. One day she hopes to combine these two talents into a business of her own. But she lacks confidence, often feeling overshadowed by her two older sisters and father -- all three hold advanced degrees in the sciences.

But as Sofia loses herself in researching the compelling stories of her ancestors -- other female guardians of the same heirloom quilt -- she begins to feel a connection with her roots ... and is filled with a whole new confidence in her personal identity and creative potential.

Jim Parker, Sofia's husband, is 42, tall, lean and has thick blond hair and blue eyes. He is a math teacher at Cabot Falls High School. He is also a kind man who loves his family and is supportive of Sofia's desire to use her creative talents and open her own business.

Elena is Sofia's late grandmother. Because Sofia's mother died when she was little, Elena was very much the maternal figure in the lives of her grandchildren. Elena surprised everyone by bequeathing the priceless heirloom trunk and quilt to Sofia. But Nonna never did anything without a reason. What old secrets did she hope Sofia would uncover?

Caterina Vasari, 17, and her mother, Vedette, are seamstresses known for their fine smocking, embroidery and beadwork. Caterina is also an aspiring artist. They live together in a house on the village square of Ponte San Vincenti just outside of Florence.

Caterina tries to bear the brunt of the intricate stitching work because her mother has advanced rheumatism. They need both of their incomes to survive, and they especially need the income from the two gowns they have been commissioned to create for Lisabetta, the daughter of the esteemed Donati family.

Caterina is secretly in love with an apprentice winemaker at the Donati's family vineyard and hopes one day to marry him.

Caterina is a direct ancestor of Sofia.

Lisabetta is 16, well-bred, strikingly gorgeous ... and miserable, because her father is forcing her to marry a repulsive nobleman. Her true love is the handsome Gianni Medici ... and Lisabetta wishes she had the courage to defy her Father.

Bertrando is Lisabetta's fiance. He's cruel, foul and more than twice her age. But he is also wealthy. Lisabetta's father is selling her into this marriage solely to shore up the family's dwindling finances.

Handsome and young, Gianni is the secret true love of Lisabetta Donati. He says he will do anything to be with her ... but does that include murder?