Locked away in her room, every word she speaks, every move she makes is monitored. The next attempt on her life may well succeed… Gwen’s biggest fear used to be the suitors her father inflicted on her. She hated agreeing with everything any man said, especially if that meant she had to agree with slavery. But then Gwen’s father brought home a new bride. Gwen’s stepmother is not only beautiful, she’s determined to make everyone do her bidding. And to make this happen, she has a formidable weapon—witchcraft. When Gwen refuses to participate, she finds herself living in helpless dread. Now her stepmother is trying to kill her. The latest attempt, poison in her apple, nearly succeeded. Spied on via the many mirrors in their house, Gwen has no chance at all of escape. But she must find a way, or the next attempt on her life may well be the last… Snow White and the Civil War is a single story told in two volumes. The tale concludes in Part 2, Plot of Gold.

Jack has ridden away from Janet, maybe for the last time. He can see only one way they can be together again; he needs to find Miss Gwendolyn Hilton and claim the reward. With that money he could pay back his father, and then he could have his life back. But no one seems to have seen Miss Hilton, and Jack can’t find any reason to suspect anyone of lying. Most people seem either amused or bored by his search. But with the first autumn rains, Jack turns back to town. There was no sign of Miss Hilton anywhere, and his last hope of a life with Janet is gone. Somehow, he’d figure out a way to win this contest with his father, but the cost was going to be far greater than he’d expected…