Louise Schmidt would sacrifice almost anything to protect and provide for her family -- even her innocence...

Set in Chattanooga, Tennesse, in the early 1900s, Burning Time epically portrays the life of Louise Schmidt, from early childhood to adulthood, as Louise, her mother, and younger brother fight to survive the abuse of Louise's father, Will.

The largess of Will's parents initially provides refuge from her father's drunken exploits, but Louise learns too young that nothing lasts forever. Though previously ostracized from the family, the prodigal son returns at the behest of his ailing father, and brings along a new wife, Maude, who fans the flames of Will's inherent avarice and disregard for his former wife and children.

At fifteen, Louise is forced from the only home she's ever known and into marriage with a man ten years her senior. Even as Louise comes to terms with her life and assumes the role of family matriarch, she still must face the consequences of her actions -- including a death sentence for murder...