Synopsis of  "The Winds of Tara"
by Kate Pinotti

This brief synopsis is written so as not to spoil the book for those of you who have not read it. The plot nicely blends elements from the book and movie, using much of the same dialogue and phrasing.

The book starts with Scarlett returning to Tara a few weeks after Rhett has left her.  Will Benteen is married to Suellen and they have taken good care of Tara and it has flourished.

Jonas Wilkerson is a major part of the book and is trying to still get his hands on at least a part of Tara.  Jonas tries to destroy Tara's crops and even sets fire to the barn causing the death of one of the family.  Scarlett finds out Careen has signed over her part of Tara to Jonas so she goes to confront Careen.

Careen is in a convent and is very ill so Scarlett takes her to England to recuperate from her illness, where she stays a few months. She sees Rhett a few times, but she makes sure he does not see her.
When Scarlett returns from England she sees Rhett many times (usually in Atlanta) and their relationship is strained, with Scarlett always getting mad, and Rhett usually just laughing at her. 
Most of the story takes place at Tara with Scarlett going to Atlanta a few times when she decides to sell the Atlanta mansion, and to check on the lumber mill.  On one visit to the lumber mill she is caught in a storm and spends the night at the mill with Ashley, and of course they are "caught" in the morning. The gossip spreads fast and Rhett of course hears about it also.
Rhett also visits his mother in Charleston and we find out Rhett has a son by Belle named Luke who comes to live with Rhett.  Scarlett finds out about Luke from Rhett's attorney but takes it pretty well (for Scarlett that is!).
The struggles Scarlett faces are to get Rhett back, stop Jonas from getting his hands on Tara, repair the strained relationship with her children Wade & Ella, and to keep the O'Hara name from being dragged through the mud by the scandals.  Through all this Mammy is always there to try to take care of her and keep her from harm.

There is a showdown with Jonas, Scarlett foolishly goes to meet him alone and Rhett and Luke rescue her.  Rhett & Scarlett are reunited in the end.

Note:

The book is very enjoyable and the story line very believable, unlike the sequel "Scarlett" which was unbelievable and contrary to the characters and spirit of the original.  
The typos and errors of this "unedited" book were distracting at times as were the misspelled character names.  All the original characters from the book are here, and are blended well with elements from the movie and the book. 

Copies of the book are almost impossible to find, and the author herself was only able to obtain 1 copy.  The Stephens Mitchell trust has blocked the publisher "Xlibris" from printing any more copies of the book.  Contrary to reports about Borders, Barnes & Noble or any other booksellers taking orders for this book, there are NO copies available and the orders can not be filled.  Since this book was printed in such a limited number before being banned, it is  a very valuable & rare collectible for the serious GWTW collector. It is estimated that in years to come this book may be as valuable as a true first edition of GWTW, which can sell for upwards of $3,000.