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HEDY'S STORY
In 1928, eighteen-year-old Hedy and her mother Mary are shocked to receive a letter from America. Matthew, Mary's husband is alive after all. For more than ten years they heard nothing from him. The Great War is over, and Europe is still adjusting to many changes. There is more work on the farms, traditional parties have returned, and gardens are flourishing once again. New politics are on the rise affecting the peace-loving Slovak people. Hedy struggles to accept the fact that a father she barely remembers is alive in America and is insisting that his family join him. How can she leave her home, and the young man she loves and move to a strange country?
Author in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York, Diane began writing at a young age, publishing first in high school newspapers, later children’s stories, and articles. For eleven years McElwain wrote a photo blog called Keep a Sharp Eye. She loves to research her family tree, hike and travel. Diane and her husband have six children, a great number of Grands, and a smidgen of Great Grands. Through a recent life-changing circumstance, the author and her husband have become Texas transplants and enjoy hiking many of the state parks.
Author in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York, Diane began writing at a young age, publishing first in high school newspapers, later children’s stories, and articles. For eleven years McElwain wrote a photo blog called Keep a Sharp Eye. She loves to research her family tree, hike and travel. Diane and her husband have six children, a great number of Grands, and a smidgen of Great Grands. Through a recent life-changing circumstance, the author and her husband have become Texas transplants and enjoy hiking many of the state parks.
287 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 6, 2025
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January 31, 2026
McElwain's debut novel traces her family’s roots from a small Slovak village in 1909, through the hardships of the Great War and challenges of immigrating to America before World War II. This story reflects the courage and resilience of ordinary people facing extreme poverty and hardships who never gave up but found strength in family and God. McElwain weaves details of clothing, food, farming and everyday life at the turn of the century that pull the reader into every scene. Families faced difficult decisions. In this novel, a young father and husband left his family to find a job in America, intending to secure money to bring his wife and children to him. Instead, he disappears, World War II breaks out, and ten years pass before they hear from him. My heart aches for the women caught in heartbreaking situations. This novel will be treasured by McElwain's family and enjoyed by all readers.
Displaying 1 of 1 review