Publisher's Synopsis
Katya never wanted to look after Gretchen. Now she's the young girl's only hope of survival.
1937. Katya Komarovsky is studying medicine in Glasgow, living among friends and eager to begin her career as a doctor. But when her spendthrift parents announce that they've run out of money and are facing ruin-and that she'll now have to support them by working as a governess in Vienna-the life she's dreamed of goes up in smoke.
Furiously resentful, Katya rages at her wealthy employer, Thor, for stealing her future-and saddling her with twelve-year-old Gretchen, a deeply troubled child who has only a blazing musical talent to redeem her. Yet as Katya grudgingly digs into her reserves of compassion, she finds herself losing her heart to both father and daughter.
Storm clouds are gathering, though, and when Hitler annexes Austria, patriot Thor is arrested, leaving Katya wholly responsible for saving 'imperfect' Gretchen from being forced into a Nazi medical research laboratory. With the terrifying uncertainty of the new world order, can Katya and Gretchen flee to safety? And dare they dream of ever seeing Thor again?
