The extraordinary story of Josephine Rimaldi spans more than seven decades, beginning in turn-of-the-century Italy, when at fourteen she is forced into an arranged marriage to a man she doesn''t know or love who is about to depart for America. Bound by tradition, Josephine gives birth to seven children. The last, Valentina, is conceived in passion, born in secret, and given up for adoption. And Josephine spends the rest of her life searching for her lost child.