The Secrets of Clayton County

Have you ever bartered products or services? What would you say if someone exchanged Indian pottery for their accountant's tax services? Is that bartering? Can they be taxed? Well, they can. And that's why IRS examiner Sarah Hunter descends upon a small river town in Iowa, like a fox in a hen house, to investigate potential tax resisters who barter. Her mission is clear. Get the government's money. But is the big government machine right? Or, do these small town neighbors have the key to survival? As the lovely Sarah Hunter pursues the truth, she must deal with the man she left waiting in Chicago. Then there are the men in Clayton. The one who saved her life, another who stoked her passion, and a third who gave her a precious gift, meant for another woman. How do these experiences affect her work and her decisions, as she discovers secrets within the community even its resident's don't know? Only one man, hidden in the shadows, holds the clue. How will her decisions affect the man who loves her, and her ability to keep the secret he shared with her? Will the government use her to destroy his friends and the community?

Have you ever bartered products or services? What would you say if someone exchanged Indian pottery for their accountant's tax services? Is that bartering? Can they be taxed? Well, they can. And that's why IRS examiner Sarah Hunter descends upon a small river town in Iowa, like a fox in a hen house, to investigate potential tax resisters who barter. Her mission is clear. Get the government's money. But is the big government machine right? Or, do these small town neighbors have the key to survival? As the lovely Sarah Hunter pursues the truth, she must deal with the man she left waiting in Chicago. Then there are the men in Clayton. The one who saved her life, another who stoked her passion, and a third who gave her a precious gift, meant for another woman. How do these experiences affect her work and her decisions, as she discovers secrets within the community even its resident's don't know? Only one man, hidden in the shadows, holds the clue. How will her decisions affect the man who loves her, and her ability to keep the secret he shared with her? Will the government use her to destroy his friends and the community?

Don Wooldridge, born and raised in Davenport, Iowa, lived in the Mississippi River Valley for over 30 years. His life by the river involved boating, water skiing, duck hunting and fishing. His parents lived in Guttenberg, Iowa on the Mississippi river, where Don's children learned about life in a small community, the river and small town 4th of July celebrations. Don is very grateful for the chance to live along the Mississippi river; to know the people of the small river communities; and to share the faith that their values and lifestyle will be everlasting.