The book is based on the diary of Anna Maria Berzowska, a young countess who lived in the 1790's in Poland.

The story opens with young Anna, 17, struggling with the loss of her parents. She goes to live her aunt and uncle in southern Poland and meets a dashing young count, Jan Stelnicki who is immediately smitten with her. They meet in secret until she's out of morning, but Anna's cousin, Zofia has other plans. Zofia wants Jan for herself and at a critical moment in Anna and Jan's budding romance, sends Jan away, leaving Anna to be raped. Anna is pregnant from the rape and can't remember who attacked her. She's forced into a marriage with Anton. Anton, due to the circumstances, rebuffs his feelings for Anna and decides to use her money for his own greed. During a duel with Jan, Anton is shot and killed.

As Poland is partitioned by the Russians for the last time in the 1790's, Jan goes to fight for Poland leaving Anna to wonder if she'll ever see her true love again.

It's a grand sweeping epic full of love and adventure. It's good for a long weekend and nothing else to do but read and read.

the characterization. Anna is a wonderful heroine, and Zofia is complicated and complex making her a character you love to hate. Jan is romantic and dashing.

learn more about my own Polish roots.

as if I were totally immersed in it's world and not a whole lot of books do that for me.

is James Conyrod Martin. His friend, John Stelnicki presented him with his ancestor's diary (Anna) and he had it translated.

it's an all encompassing read that readers will enjoy.

Check out the author's Amazon page for a book trailer that helps to give visuals of the characters.

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Created Sep 23, 2008 at 4:44pm • Submit your own review...