Historically, the term "yellow rose" referred to an attractive mulatto woman. Also historically, the original "Yellow Rose of Texas" was for sure one Emily West, and her story is intertwined in song and legend with the Texas Revolution of 1836. That series of battles, led by Sam Houston, made Texas a Republic, its own country until it joined the union in 1845. The Yellow Rose is set during the revolution and supposes that Emily and Sam not only collaborated in certain incidents that gave the Texans victory, but became romantically involved in the process. The novel mixes legend with fact. No one knows for sure, despite the many tales about her that arose from her presence in Texas at the time, if our Emily ever met Sam Houston or if she participated in the revolution at all. On the other hand, no one has proved the contrary. So, The Yellow Rose asks the question: What if... A romance that changed history. The Yellow Rose is the monumental tale of a mixed race woman and her fraught affair with Sam Houston during the Texas Revolution of 1836. In addition to her loving relationship with Houston, Emily West-the true historical Yellow Rose of Texas-encounters the cruel dictator/general Santa Anna, a Cherokee chief, and a pervasive atmosphere of racism throughout the story. Readers will love her and love learning about a little-known and exciting episode in American history. -Lily Amanda of Hollywood Book Review