Set in Lithuania in 1897, this historical romance is the tale of a young woman conflicted by the traditions and laws of her religion and a need for her own identity.
Set in Lithuania in 1897, this historical romance is the tale of a young woman conflicted by the traditions and laws of her religion and a need for her own identity. For most of her fifteen years, Hannah has loved Gershon, the Rabbi’s son.
A match is made, but Hannah fears becoming a Rabbi’s wife and having to be a perfect example of womanhood. In her mind, the traditional cutting of her hair and wearing a wig or scarf means losing her identity. Hannah tells Gershon how she feels and he breaks the engagement, shaming her family. Life takes a turn for the worse, when her young brothers’ fight with town boys causes a pogrom, an attack by Russian Cossacks. When the Russian army comes for her brothers to conscript them into the Czar’s army, Hannah’s aunt and uncle offer to smuggle the boys out of Lithuania to America. Hannah begs to go with them, despite the harrowing journey. Along the way, she meets Eli, a young flute player, also running away from Russian conscription. Hannah’s dream of love and life in a safe, free land, may at last be within her grasp if they survive the voyage and get through immigration.
Not just for the young!
Loved "The Calling of the Flute". Such a treat to peek in a window of world history that i would never have been privy to without Fran Orenstein's writing & research. Fran's characters (fictional but based on her ancestors)are fleshed out so well, I could easily see them & imagine their expressions. I told my adult daughter about it, how it is written for about a 12 & up girl but is equaling appealing for an adult.
Such an enjoyable read!
Fran Orenstein has a way with words, especially in describing the way of life back in Lithuania when the small village is terrorized by the Russians periodically. Many times, Hanna's entire family must hide in the cellar, but without her father who stands in danger each time. Hanna, at fifteen, has a rebellious nature, against the laws of the village and their religion. She is torn between obeying them and making her own way in life. She has shamed her family. Although she loved the boy they chose for her to marry, she didn't relish the idea of cutting off her hair and keeping her head covered the rest of her life. That was not the "real" reason for her not wishing to get married to the Rabbi's son, and they knew it. Her problem was solved when it was decided she would join her brothers on the trip to America and religious freedom. And what a trip it was! Readers will love going along for the ride. Highly recommended by this reader.
Third Book in Five Book Series - Southern Swallow - a tale of 12th Century China. Li K'ai-men becomes entangled in an intrigue that becomes his undoing.
Available Now! Rated 5 ***** by readers and listeners.
Sweet Revenge is a powerful and romantic saga of th mid 1800's, recalling pirates and those trying to rid the seas of such vermin. Shawn, a debonair captain, gets caught up in
