<p/><br></br><p><b> About the Book </b></p></br></br><p>Belle Cora's journey starts in her hometown of Baltimore as the beloved daughter of a merchant, takes her through an adventure in New Orleans, and ends with fame and heartache in the Gold Rush days of San Francisco.</p><p/><br></br><p><b> Book Synopsis </b></p></br></br><p><strong>In the Gold Rush days, San Francisco city grew tenfold, where dreamers came to build a new world and ruthless men enjoyed their own money grab in a corrupt free-for-all. It was the ultimate political startup of its time. And into this lawless shantytown stepped Belle Cora. A stunning beauty with a stunning mind to match, she had ambitions of her own to be the most powerful woman in the city.</strong></p><p><br></p><p><em>The Legend of Belle Cora </em>is a sweeping, historical account of her coming of age story set against the backdrop of a still-young America expanding west. Her journey starts in her hometown of Baltimore as the beloved daughter of a merchant, takes her through an adventure in New Orleans, and ends with fame and heartache in San Francisco</p><p><br></p><p>Originally written by the late San Francisco celebrated lawyer and native San Franciscan Phil Ryan, and completed by his widow, Dina Bitton, <em>The Legend of Belle Cora</em> was his second novel to cast a critical eye at the life and times of a struggling America and its people.</p><p/><br></br><p><b> Review Quotes </b></p></br></br><br><p>"Phil Ryan has created an epic historical novel that brings us the life of Belle Cora, a stunning beauty who used her charms to tame men and create her own business empire in San Francisco. Ryan also weaves her story into the fabric of a still young America searching for its own fortunes during the lawless days of the California Gold Rush."</p><p><strong>-Matt W. Wills, three-time Emmy nominated journalist and award-winning fiction writer</strong></p><p><br></p><p>"Phil Ryan's superb story-telling spins an enthralling tale ofvArabelle Ryan's transformation from a naive sheltered teen to the ingenious indomitable Belle Cora. Her epic journey from Maryland to New Orleans to Gold Rush San Francisco is every bit as dazzling as her legendary beauty. Ryan's style of relating this fascinating saga immersed in lush descriptions offers up <em>The Legend of Belle Cora</em> as both a compelling page turner and a chronicle to savor, chapter by chapter."</p><p><strong>-Dr. Nancy Iverson</strong></p><br>