Internet love connections and mail-order brides rarely ever work out, and John should have known. Having never been lucky in love and tired of waiting for the perfect woman to come along, John decides to take his chances and orders a mail-order bride from Russia. At first, things seem perfect even though Nadia doesn't speak much English. But when Nadia's 'cousins' unexpectedly arrive to celebrate her birthday, John is drawn into their web of corruption...

Inman, a young Confederate soldier, is struggling to make his way home to Cold Mountain, NC, where his beloved Ada awaits him. In Inman's absence, Ada befriends Ruby, who helps her keep up her late father's farm. Meanwhile, in his travels, Inman encounters a menagerie of interesting and colorful characters.

Post-WWII, Germany. Michael Berg is a teenager who becomes ill and is helped home by Hanna, a stranger twice his age. Michael recovers from scarlet fever and seeks out Hanna to thank her. The two are quickly drawn into a passionate but secretive affair. Michael discovers that Hanna loves being read to and their physical relationship deepens. Hanna is enthralled as Michael reads to her from different works of literature. Despite their intense bond,...