Catherine Snodgrass

Catherine Snodgrass builds historical romances in which private commitments collide with unfinished histories. The Wishing Tree follows Jake Tanner, who sets out to collect a debt and returns with Grace Marshall as an unexpected bride. Grace takes their vows seriously, but Jake’s reluctance and the arrival of a woman he believed had died place the marriage under severe strain. The novel received first place in the 2002 ERA Awards historical romance category, third place in the Laurel Wreath Award, and finalist recognition in the EPPIE Awards. LTDBooks issued an Oakville edition in 2003, while a later author edition followed in 2018. Snodgrass builds the conflict around competing obligations rather than an effortless courtship. Jake must confront what he owes to the past, and Grace must decide what dignity requires in the present. The marriage plot gains its force from loyalty, uncertainty, and choices that cannot protect every person from loss.