River Sisters The Receiver

River Sisters The Receiver traces the heritage of culture and courage passed by Nancy Hilderbrand protagonist of River Sisters The Giver to her great-granddaughter Eliza McNeal. A mere whit of rawhide tough independent yet compassionate Eliza is one of the first female Rural Free Delivery mail carriers. Riding horseback twelve hours a day through rugged terrain crossing creeks avoiding ruts and potholes that can break a horses leg she is responsible for postal service along the legendary Trail of Tears. Eliza is the eldest of three sisters who face serious personal and familial challenges as they stake their lives and fortunes on the banks of the Tennessee River-not only the ancients Giver of life but the Receiver of lives caught in its tumultuous currents and depths. Jan Dearmans life-long avocation has been writing fiction especially that having roots in the history heritage and beauty of the Tennessee River Gorge near Chattanooga ancestral home of her family for seven generations. Jans great-aunt provides inspiration for the character of Eliza McNeal: A 1985 newspaper article on her life calls her the last known living person in the Chattanooga area to have carried the U. S. mail on horseback. Living to be 100 years old this spirited woman and those of her generation still reside with pride and affection in the hearts and history of their progeny who remain along the Trail and the banks of the Tennessee.