Furnivall, Kate.  The Russian Concubine.  New York:  Berkley Books, 2007.

Living in Junchow, China, in the international settlement, Lydia is used to having nothing.  From the time she arrived in China, exhiled from Russia, her and her mother Valentina have been living day to day – just barely surviving.  Forced to steal to put food on the table, Lydia is no stranger to dangerous situations, but when she is rescued from sure enslavement by a young Chinese man, it sets into motion events which will forever change her life.

This book was absolutely lovely.  Occasionally, as a reader, one realizes that they are reading something powerful, and frequently in reading this novel, I was conscience of the effect it was having on me.  This true love story with pre-Revolutionary China set as backdrop will touch readers with its authentic characters, memorable relationships, and tremendous plot.