Days of Sun and Shadow
by India Hayford
Tale of frontier life with rich characters (6/28/2026)
Thank you to BookBrowse for the opportunity to read this book before its publication.
This compelling historical fiction novel follows the life of Emilie McCain, who is born during the massacre at Fort Mims in 1813. Rejected by her mother but deeply loved by her grandmother, Emilie's journey takes readers from Alabama to Washington, Arkansas, as her family struggles to build a new life on the frontier.
Emilie's deep connection to nature and horses, along with her mystical gift of the Sight, guided by her owl spirit, adds a unique and captivating dimension to the story. Along the way, she is surrounded by a remarkable cast of strong, resilient women who help her navigate hardship and danger while nurturing her courage, resilience, and belief that she deserves a life of her own choosing.
Rich in historical detail and filled with memorable characters, this is an compelling and highly readable novel. I found myself rooting for Emilie from beginning to end. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to readers who appreciate historical fiction with a touch of magical realism.