OF ALL THE FOLKS IN THE MOUNTAIN SHACKS, THE CASTEELS WERE THE LOWEST--THE SCUM OF THE EARTH.
Heaven Leigh Casteel was the prettiest, smartest girl in the backwoods,
despite her ragged clothes and dirty face...despite a father meaner
than ten vipers...despite her weary stepmother, who worked like a mule.
For her brother Tom and the little ones, Heaven clung to her pride and her
hopes. Someday they'd get away and show the world that they were decent, fine
and talented--worthy of love and respect.
Then Heaven's stepmother ran off, and her greedy, wicked father had a
scheme--a vicious scheme that threatened to destroy the precious dream of
Heaven and the children forever!