Iron Embrace

When World War I begins, Olivia Vogel and her grandmother, Airmid, flee the bombing in Liège, Belgium. They cross from Calais, France into Dover, England where they find work as nurses. Olivia meets Karl, a critically wounded patient, and they fall in love. After getting married, they move to an abandoned farm in southeastern Ohio. With hard work, luck, and a lot of love, the small family restores the property to productivity and becomes a valued part of the rural community. Olivia's sister, Elizabeth, is working at a grand house in France. The owners of the grand house close their doors, due to the war and Elizabeth tries to make it home. She lands in Paris and finds employment with the U.S. Embassy as an interpreter. While there, she meets U.S. Army chaplain Sam. Another romance ensues. After the war, they travel to the States and find Airmid and Olivia, reuniting the rest of the family on the farm. Their prosperity comes to a halt when World War II begins. In an age of fear, citizenship no longer matters. As the family is separated yet again, they must find the resilience within to stand strong in the face of struggle and isolation. Based on the author's family history, "Iron Embrace" examines how far one family will go to protect and preserve their own.