Kassandra’s life was turned upside down the day her mother walked off and left her in the streets of Manhattan
to fend for herself. Confused and hurt that her mother could abandon her own child, she begins to make a new
life for herself on the streets. For two years she lives off the charity she begs from others. Her life changes,
one day, as she is making her way to the small corner where she sleeps, carrying a treasured bowl of hot soup.
All of her focus is on seeing that she makes it to her bed with every ounce of soup in the bowl. With her
concentration on the soup, she never sees the carriage that almost runs her over, but it startles her so badly
the scalding hot liquid flies into her face and eyes.
Reverend Joseph Hartmann’s heart goes out to the frail young girl he has almost hit with his carriage. It is
evident that the child is living off the streets. Believing that it is God’s will, he takes her home to raise
her in a God-loving home. Under the care and love he shows Kassandra, she blossoms into a beautiful young lady.
At the age of fifteen, Kassandra is misled by Ben Connor. He convinces her that she is preventing the
Reverend from having a family of his own. Not wanting to be a burden to the one man who has ever shown her
kindness, she makes the decision to leave with Ben. Once he has her away from the safe haven of the Reverend’s
home, Ben takes what he was after and casts Kassandra to the streets. Heart broken and ashamed, she believes she
is unworthy to return to the Reverend’s home, as she has disgraced herself in God’s eyes, by giving away her one
special gift.
Kassandra knows firsthand that life on the streets is rough. She uses the only means she has to stay alive -
her body. Turning to a life of prostitution she makes the decision to leave her past behind and move to
California to work in a high-class brothel. With her move, she assumes a new identity and calls herself Sadie,
but Kassandra and the past will always live in her heart.
Allison Pittman is absolutely one of the best writers I have encountered this year. Her writing style presents
you with memorable characters who grab hold of your heart. Once again she has written a book which would make an
excellent Hallmark movie. My highest recommendation is given for Speak Through the Wind.