The year is 1917. Gaston DeLuca, an Italian immigrant, recruited to work in thecoal mines of Pennsylvania has finally saved up enough money to send for his wife,Rosa and their six year old daughter Berta. Unfortunately, things don't go asplanned. Speaking no English and with very little money Rosa and Berta make theharrowing journey from their small village outside of Genoa, Italy to Ellis Island and embark on a poignant journey of survival in New York City, a cruel yet wondrous place. World War I, the influenza epidemic of 1918, prohibition and the culture of the roaring twenties impact their lives in ways that will have readers turning pages well into the night.



Terry Suchanek is first time novelist. She lives in Western Massachusetts with her husband and two children. She is a registered nurse and works in a rehabilitation facility as a staff development coordinator and infection control specialist. She is an avid reader of history and fiction. The inspiration for the book, Berta DeLuca, came from learning about her maternal grandfather's arrival at Ellis Island as a young boy during the early part of the twentieth century.



What readers are saying...

"Berta DeLuca is fast-paced, historical fiction at its finest. I couldn't put it down!"

"Characters you'll love, characters you'll love to hate and characters you won't soon forget. Berta DeLuca had me hooked. I can't wait to get my hands on Book Two of the Angels on Earth Series."

"I almost called in sick to work so I could keep reading...now that's a good book!"

"Berta DeLuca is heartbreaking, haunting, funny at times and informative... butmost of all, worth reading. I didn't want it to end."

"WARNING: This book is like a pit bull- it'll get hold of you and won't let you go!"