Heart Stones
A Ukrainian Immigration Story of Love and Hope
by Christine Nykoluk

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In 1914, a young Ukrainian family faces an uncertain future. With growing political unrest in the region, they are forced to make a difficult decision between remaining in their beloved homeland or reaching for a better life across the cold Atlantic. In the end, Myk makes the hardest choice of his life and leaves his wife and two young children, with hopes of quickly saving enough money to send for them. Things don’t go as planned: WWI breaks out shortly after his departure, leaving his family at the mercy of enemy forces, whose violence and cruelty drive his wife, Lilia, and their children out of their home village. Meanwhile, in Canada, Myk finds himself at the mercy of the authorities, who no longer look upon him as a welcomed immigrant worker but as a potential threat to national security. He is left without a means of contacting his loved ones, as he struggles to survive countless obstacles to achieving his family's dream of reuniting one day. A story of love, enduring patience, and faith, Heart Stones – A Ukrainian Immigration Story of Love and Hope is based on the real experiences of the author’s grandparents and paints a poignant and compelling picture that touches on the many historical events of the time with which many people today are sadly and blissfully unaware. This incredibly important story will change that... and its readers.

www.ChristineNykoluk.com

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"In Heart Stones, Christine Nykoluk weaves an intricate thread binding the two worlds of her grandparents during World War 1, Galicia, Ukraine and the New West of Canada. Her extensive research into her family’s history and intricate details shine through in this timeless story of separation, suffering and survival. Heart Stones is a novel of endurance, reunification and hope told through two voices and will engage readers of historical fiction." —Pam Clark, Author of Kalyna (2016 Stonehouse Publishing) “A historically rich debut novel... A poignant work with disturbing relevance to today's battle for Ukrainian democracy.” —Kirkus Reviews

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With twenty-five years of technical-writing experience, Author Christine Nykoluk has always been fascinated by genealogy and immigration history and is an avid reader of historical fiction. While researching her own family’s history, she came to learn of the nine-year ordeal that her grandparents suffered and realized that theirs was a story that needed to be told. Christine hopes that, in these pages, readers will come to a better understanding of the role Ukrainian immigrants played in the building of Canada, both during and after these difficult years, and the hardships Ukraine has always endured as a nation living in the shadows of more powerful neighbours. She currently lives in Canmore, Alberta, with her husband, Karl Beaulieu, and when she is not writing, reading, or researching, she enjoys hiking, cross-country skiing, and family reunions.

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Contributors

Author

Christine Nykoluk

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