The white pine forests of Northern Minnesota surround Stavewood, the beautiful Victorian estate of T. Elgerson. After the death of his wife, Mr. Elgerson faces a dilemma. He needs a mother for his son, but wants nothing to do with falling in love again. He seeks only a civil union, a business arrangement, and he places an ad in May of 1892. Across the sea in London, England, Rebecca Fagan’s husband has been murdered, exposing his secret life as a gambler and womanizer. Rebecca is left devastated and destitute. She responds to an ad and finds herself traveling across the world, as a “Picture Bride”, a mail ordered woman embarking on a journey of mystery and adventure. Stavewood is the story of a man and a woman and a home in a rugged land, seeking hope and a promise for something better, and finding what neither of them expected.

The white pine forests of Northern Minnesota surround Stavewood, the beautiful home of Timothy and Rebecca Elgerson. On the day of their wedding Emma Harris becomes more than a guest and begins a new life in a wonderful and rugged world. Roland Vancouver, once a successful foreman at the Elgerson mill, attends the ceremony as well. Less than optimistic for a happy future, injured and emotionally damaged, he can only hope for a miracle. That glimmer of faith puts him in the path of Emma and the promise of love that takes them both on a journey of a lifetime. Stavewood is the story of a home, and the men and woman in a changing land, seeking hope and a promise for something better, and finding what none of them expected. (This book contains a map of Stavewood)

Louisa Elgerson is already a successful author when she decides to write the story of her mother’s journey from London, England to Billington, Minnesota as a mail-order-bride. In New York she kisses Talbot Sunderland goodbye and boards the same train her mother rode to the beautiful estate of Stavewood. Luc Almquist is interested not only in Louisa’s books but in her time and attention as well and becomes a pleasant distraction for her. Talbot’s unannounced arrival only complicates the situation. But when Louisa’s research begins to unravel a secret hidden in the heart of Stavewood it becomes apparent that things are not what they seem and people may not be who they say they are. Buried in the memories of the people and history of the beautiful Victorian estate, Louisa must find the truth.