The Emerald

In the fall of 1928, Nicolai Kota leads his caravan of nomads into the community of Liegnitz, in Southern Silesia, Germany. As in the past, they expected to display their talents at the annual fair. In a matter of days, the Kota family is forced to make a hard decision when nine-year-old Punita’s safety is compromised.

While the caravan resumes its cyclical tour throughout Europe, Punita remains in Liegnitz to live with Nicolai’s cousin, Alexi Puchinski, and attend school. When the caravan returns six years later, Punita’s schooling is complete, and she is a young woman in love. Marriage plans must be delayed a year when her beloved Stefan receives orders to serve one year in the youth army.

Days later, the travellers find themselves in jeopardy. Nicolai recommends that the caravan be dissolved, and that each family flee for their lives. He takes Punita and his wife, Rosalee, to Schinawa, where he hopes to meet an old friend, Konstantin Anker, who will take them to Amsterdam. But before their plans are complete, Nicolai is trapped and sent to Dachau. Punita and Rosalee are forced to embark upon a sea voyage to Amsterdam without him.

In Amsterdam, Punita and her mother are welcomed by Konstantin’s family, but even there tragedy awaits them. Reeling from the death of her mother, Punita feels compelled to find employment when an old friend suddenly appears. Together, they set up a business in the Red Light District, and eke out an unusual life.

The Prophecy saga spans over 70 years, and is a story of war, prejudice, migration, crime, love, and heartbreak. Each story is an intriguing, fast moving, historical fiction written from the perspective of the people involved. 

Together, The Crest, The Emerald and The Destiny tell of the challenges and changes that external forces place on everyday people who are forced to rise above their own expectations to meet family obligations and responsibilities, no matter how reluctant they may be to do so. They provide the reader with an opportunity to consider life from an alternate perspective.