Struggling with guilt over her sister’s death and the stress of her medical residency, Maya Radelis runs away to Scotland. She gets lost in an alley, where a robin mysteriously appears, leading her to an antique shop where she buys a century-old moonstone engagement ring. After having a dream about the ring’s former owner, Maya quickly realizes that there is a mystery associated with the ring, and it was not an accident that she was led to buy it.

The novel follows Maya from Edinburgh to Paris to Bern, and, finally, to New York as she discovers why she was meant to find the ring and learn about Rebecca, a young Jewish woman practicing medicine in Bern as the Great War unfolded and the Russian Revolution was planned in Switzerland. Maya especially wants to learn about the love story between Rebecca and Mark, a young surgeon from Ukraine, who Rebecca fought to keep safe during this turbulent time in Europe.

While in Paris, Maya meets David Fischer, a fellow American, who helps Maya learn Rebecca’s story. The attraction between David and Maya grows, and they discover that their meeting was not by chance. As Maya returns to New York from her travels, Rebecca’s courage and strength help her face her own troubles.

Excerpt

I sat down on a chair nearby, put my head in my hands, closed my eyes, and allowed the memories to wash over me. The smell of wisteria was replaced with fresh rain, and then I smelled something else. Perfume—a very gentle scent of roses. I found myself oddly calm, despite the experience. My heart beat steadily, and my senses were sharp. I expected to feel cold, as in the presence of a ghost, but I continued to feel the warm sunshine.

Images flashed through my mind, too fast to understand, swirling. Then sounds: birds, a man’s voice, children’s voices, crying, a woman’s voice. I took a few deep breaths and willed my mind to still the images. I watched a man, with little round glasses, riding his bike on the path toward me. I knew I was happy to see him. My mind told me I loved him, and I wanted to tell him something very important. I knew it was something very urgent, because my face was wet with tears…

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About the Author

Elena Mikalsen was born in Ukraine and came to New York City as a refugee with her family at age 17. She is somewhat obsessive about travel, but, when at home in San Antonio, can be found browsing through bookstores or antique shops with her family and two adopted pups. When not writing stories, she is a Pediatric Psychologist, working at a Children’s Hospital, helping children cope with chronic medical illness. She actively blogs and gives interviews on issues related to child and adolescent mental health. WRAPPED IN THE STARS is her first work of fiction. She has two other works in progress.

For more information please visit Elena Mikalsen’s website. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.