Introduction

It is the 1800s when a German military man and aristocrat, General Otto Von Shtatten, is gifted five thousand hectares of the richest land in the Eastern Ukraine. As the Von Shtattens prosper and multiply, their lives dramatically change as the future of Europe begins to unfold.

The Rise and Fall of the Von Shtatten Family

As the third generation of the Von Shtattens is born at the height of the Communist Revolution, the family loses nearly all their wealth, forcing a series of events that lead the beautiful nineteen-year-old Lydia Von Shtatten to change her name to avoid Communist attention and eventually marry and have children with concert pianist, Leonid Leontev.

The Impact of War

But as Hitler moves through the Ukraine, Leonid is inducted into the Red Army and goes missing in action. Now Lydia must rely on help from her cousin to survive as the Gestapo terrorizes the innocent and changes her future once again.

Journey Across Europe and Beyond

As Lydia's destiny leads her across Europe and eventually to Canada, she must struggle to endure all her challenges amid the chaos of a brutal war.

Themes of the Story

Destiny shares a tale of perseverance, love, and tragedy as a Ukrainian woman born of privilege is forced to rely on her inner strength to survive World War II Germany and continue her family's legacy.