The year is 1915 and Lukia, her husband Gregory and their 6 children live on a farm in Russia. The war between the Germans and the Austrians has been joined by Russia and the fighting is getting closer to the farm every day. As the novel begins, Gregory has gone to town to sign up for the Czar's army while Lukia delivers their 8th baby while home alone. After the birth and a short nap, she begins to cook the family dinner. The readers knows right from the start that Lukia is a strong woman and as the novel progresses, we find out just how strong she is.

In a time of war and revolt, Lukia is left at home alone to take care of her 6 children but that soon ends when they are removed from their land and sent to a camp for war refugees. She and her children live in the camp for fourteen years before they can return home and start to rebuild their home. During these years, it's up to her to make sure that her children are clothed and fed and kept safe. She is very religious and uses her religion and the old folk ways to help keep everyone safe. A major problem is keeping everyone healthy because there is a lot of typhus in the camp and because they are so crowded, disease spreads quickly. As she is faced with more hardship, she works to remain strong and be a good mother to her children and keep them safe.

This is the story of one strong woman who with love, perseverance and faith works tirelessly to keep her family safe from the war around them, safe from the beginning of communism and helps them grow into responsible adults. She to make a lot of sacrifices and is met with sorrow throughout her life but she remains stoic. She is not a character that readers will forget.

Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own. ( )