Laura was born in Indian Territory in 1903. Half Cherokee, she was taught her heritage was shameful by a vicious, abusive father. A father who not only abused her and her siblings, but made her believe that she was at fault. She was extremely intuitive during a time when such a gift was considered proof of the devil's work, and told that if people found out, many of them would be consider her crazy or possessed. "She Survives" is the first book of the series, Laura's Dash, about an amazing, courageous woman. The series is inspired by a real woman, and written to honor not only her, but all the other women of her era that didn't consider themselves special at all. The author was intrigued by the question of how a woman who was taught to be ashamed of who she was, to hide parts of her basic nature, could somehow find the confidence and bravery to build a life.