The Lodestone is about Cleome, a young lady, who is a bastard, and helps her grandfather run his tavern. One night a man comes through, Drake Stoneham, and plays cards with her grandfather. Her grandfather bets the deed to the tavern and loses to Drake, then commits suicide. This leaves Cleome in a terrible position, as she also takes care of her mentally ill mother.

Little does she know that while Drake is building a gambling hall, he is also searching for the wife of a friend who died while serving in the military. As she adjusts to her new position in society, she is shocked to discover a future that was closed to her is now open.

Cleome rolls with the flow; she is extremely practical. I enjoyed her levelheadedness. It was nice to read about a person who knew exactly who they were. She wasn't presumptuous and if real, would have been someone I'd like as a friend.  This book is made by the character of Cleome. She instills it with life and I would recommend this e-book to others who are interested in reading about a young woman coming into her own during a trying time period.

Scooper