Disclaimer: I own nothing except my OC Marietta and any alterations to the original storyline plot her presence creates to various readers amusement everywhere across the globe.

The Butcher's Wife: Marietta Elizabeth Martin Prologue

For many years, tension has existed in the American colonies between the citizens and the British monarchy, which holds sovereignty from across the Atlantic Ocean.

It's been this way for many decades, ever since the first settler set foot on the New World's soil in Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607.

Since that time, there's been a semblance of peace, but, truthfully, it's been brewing all this time, and now things have come to a head where everyone has snapped and can't take it anymore.

The Colonial discontent aimed at the British exerting their unbearable control over them has grown to be too much.

Especially in the face of the Intolerable Acts slammed onto them from the British Parliament in response to the Boston Tea Party, over what they saw as unfair taxes.

At present, the year is now 1776, with the American Revolutionary War between the Colonials and the British in full swing. Although not all states in the Colonies have yet to join the cause and become fully involved in the conflict.

South Carolina is in one such bind, with many in and out of the South Carolina General Assembly wanting to join the fight against the enemy, while there are just as many British Loyalists wanting to end this foolishness and planning to fight for the British Crown instead.

Amidst all of this, there are such individuals that wish to remain neutral, keep their families out of it, and not take any side in what they see as senseless bloodshed in what they believe could be settled with words in more civil means.

One such individual is Benjamin Martin. A plantation holder in South Carolina and a recognized war hero and veteran from the French and Indian War.

Benjamin Martin is far from a coward. More or less because of the horrors he both inflicted and experienced in the previous war, he'd rather stay as far away from it as possible to safeguard his remaining family after his late wife's passing.

Now, Benjamin Martin does all he can to keep his own and eight children, three girls and five boys, safeguarded.

But there's only so much this devoted father can do to protect his family from, and in the year 1780, when Charleston falls to the British Army, the war reaches his door at last.

And when it does, his second child and eldest daughter Marietta is about to be thrown into the thick of it in ways none of them could've imagined.

God be with them all.

Authors Note:

Hope you all had a Happy Easter this year!

What actress do you think should depict our dear Miss Marietta in this story? I have yet to actually decide on one. I can't really continue on until I have an exact picture in my head of who she should look like.. And I want to continue as soon as I can.

Let's make this fun. The one that suggests the winning actress for this story will have one question answered about the plot.

I've had this idea brewing for a couple of weeks now, but just didn't have the words to put it together. Recently, this idea came to me after the Patriot movie was playing one day on TV.

And to top it all off…I came across a Jason Isaacs autograph by chance online. I thought I was seeing things and that it couldn't be real, but when I checked it out, to my astonishment, I found out it was. Even came with a COA. I couldn't believe my eyes. I jumped on it right away and it is now part of my collection. I swear, I kid you not, that the moment I opened that package I thought I heard someone singing Hallelujah. I took this to be a much-needed sign and I've gotten off my butt to get this working for you guys. I hope you like it and, as usual, I'm open to suggestions. Can't guarantee I'll use all of them, but I'm more than willing to hear them.

Also, another thing is that I had an extremely difficult time thinking of a name for the female OC. I always make a point of not using the same name for any OC that I put down and was trying very hard not to go down that road. And then, I watch the movie Naughty Marietta, and the name just stuck. Something I am very thankful for. Speaking of that film, if you haven't seen it yet then I recommend you should. It may be old, but it's one of the best I've seen for that time. A very well done movie and immensely enjoyable to be sure for certain.

I already have an idea for the ending in mind for this, but I don't know if I'll head in its actual direction or not. So I'd like to know your opinions. The title itself is a sure enough sign of who this is going to involve and yet I'm still debating about it.

So here is the question. Should Marietta end up with the Colonel with the end or someone else?

I hope you all like this one! I certainly did while writing it for your vast enjoyment! ;D

For those of you just starting out with my stuff there are other works on my profile that may catch your interest. I highly recommend you take a look as soon as the opportunity presents itself to you. Who knows, you may be pleasantly surprised by what you discover.

Stay safe everyone. Especially with all of these crazy natural disasters occurring a lot lately due to global warming and climate change everywhere for sure. I swear it's like they're getting worse and worse all the time and it's like officials are simply just ignoring it or pretending it doesn't exist entirely just to go on with their daily lives. Especially those in multi-million dollar companies that rely on certain elements of our planet that we rely on to naturally keep us safe instead of adapting and finding new safer ways to keep in business. There are so many options out there where they can adapt, but they just refuse to see it because all they care about is money. Climate change is altering so much faster than anyone can really keep track of.

So, in light of all this, it is important to live life to the fullest as much as anyone can.

I know I am. ;) See you guys next time.