Two Lives, One Love

A man determined to defend his country . . .

Italian-American Jimmy Barbato was born and raised in the small town of LaFollette, Tennessee. When the second world war started, he wanted to defend his country by joining the Army. His military career led him to be a part of the 34th Infantry division in Caserta Province, Italy fighting in the battle of Monte Cassino. The team's mission was to scout and report on groups of partisans. When his patrol fights their way into a death trap, Jimmy is critically injured. He is unaware that he's being taken to a local Italian woman's home to be cared for in hopes that he will be able to recover from his injuries.

A woman intent on surviving by any means . . .

At the age of twenty-five, Maria Cristina Ciervo found herself widowed and caring for an eleven-month-old baby. She still mourns the loss of her husband, Ettore Massaro, who got caught up in the partisan war against the German occupiers and died for his strong beliefs. To complicate matters, she also has the responsibility of caring for an injured American soldier.

A lie is born . . .

Miraculously, Maria Cristina's care saves the soldier's life. As she gazes into his green eyes and cares for his broken body, she grows close to her patient. When he awakes, she discovers that he has no memory of who he is, or what has happened to him. She devises a plan to ensure that he stays in her life by convincing him that he is her husband, Ettore Massaro.

The truth has a way of making its way to the surface . . .

Will Maria Cristina be able to keep up the lie conceived of necessity to make the soldier believe he is her husband? Or will the day come when her deception comes to light? If the truth is set free, will the soldier stay with Maria or find his way back to his home and his real family?