Elena Mgldea is an acclaimed writer with many books to her credit. Her first novel, “Nova,” was an international bestseller and winner of the World Fantasy Award. She has followed this successful route with “The Gathering.” This novel continues Elena’s tale of love, family, and adventure. Elena is a strong, confident woman, and has a strong, yet vulnerable, character as her central character.
Elena’s international upbringing left her with a deep commitment to her Polish homeland. She cherished her Polish heritage and was deeply unhappy to learn that her parents had emigrated to the USA in the hope of escaping persecution. Elena’s dedication to her Polish heritage included her membership in the PPSR, Polish National Volunteer Service. Elena and her two American friends were determined to help Polish men, women, and children who had fled their native country because of persecution and war.
Elena’s friends, Kayla and Lisa, helped her plan events that would bring together her two lovers-her American husband, Richard, and her good friend from the USA, Marta. The PPSR was one of the first organizations to accept American citizens during World War II, and Elena’s service in the organization gave her the unique opportunity to experience living abroad while fighting for her national identity. Elena had a difficult time deciding whether or not she should stay true to her Polish roots and marry Richard. After much consideration, she decided to marry Richard, whom she had met while serving in the PPSR, while continuing to support her Polish heritage. Her conscientious determination to uphold her Polish identity, even after marrying an American, places Elena’s story in a parallel position to that of millions of others who choose to marry someone of their nationalities and maintain their ties to their home country once they reach America.