Cordelia is disabled and painfully shy but none of that matters when a stranger desperately needs her help. Shaken out of a routine that centers on caring for her odd family in Warsaw–her father is an academic with no life skills, her brother never leaves the villa, and her mother has dementia–she is forced to act. Zaremba, a wealthy businessman, is fleeing arrest when he stops to save her father’s life. He claims to be innocent and wants a favor as he seeks to turn the tables on the authorities. Cordelia is grateful but wary. Is he truly being persecuted or is he deceiving her? Her reluctant agreement to aid him plunges her into new realms of emotion. It is when he disappears, however, that she must gather all her courage and pursue the truth. Touching on human rights issues and real events in Europe, this is primarily a love story, intended for readers who enjoy language, conversation, and human relationships. It contains no graphic sex or violence.

“I hugely enjoyed reading this novel, I was constantly worried about the protagonists, I was anxious about their well-being, and I kept thinking: “oh, please, let this end well”…. perhaps this is already the post-post-postmodern era, and it’s possible again to write romantic-adventurous, let’s-fight-for-the-truth stories – seriously, and entertainingly.” Beatrix Turán, Books, My Ego and Entropy“At the heart of the novel is a beautifully crafted love story made all the more endearing for its seemingly mismatched protagonists…highly entertaining…” – Mary Bor, Curious Book Fans

“Once you start it you will be lost in Poland…Time will fly by and you will come back to earth a bit disoriented hours after you start reading….it will appeal to readers who love the more classic type of novel, where character development and location are a huge portion of the writing. Though this is a modern novel it reminded me of the feeling I had reading Jane Eyre and Emma. I highly recommend this book.” – Cristina Gutierrez, Alaskan Book Café

Michelle Granas was born in Alaska and lives in Warsaw. In addition to writing novels, she works as a translator, including for UN and EU bodies, past and current presidents and prime ministers, and various Nobel nominees.