synopsis: born into poverty in the 1830's, lizzy's journey to a better life in minnesota is complicated by danger, drama, and even the death of loved ones. immigrating from germany to the new world with the promise of prosperity proves difficult as she comes face to face with racism, discrimination, and extreme midwest weather.lizzy works hard to find love, establish a home, and start a family, only to have it interrupted by war and sadness. left alone during the civil war to care for her young family, lizzy perseveres to become a strong, independent woman in a time when they were to be seen and not heard.most civil war books are centered on battles and soldiers, and rightly so. but what happened to the women and children left behind? lizzy's journey focuses on one such woman who lived a fascinating life during one of the most challenging times in our nation's history.autobiography: betty recently retired after more than 30 years in the healthcare industry. she has written several books including a trilogy of travel stories with her daughter karen pickens, a mystery novella, a children's book about her rescue cat molly, and two devotional books. an avid reader before she started kindergarten, betty enjoys writing almost as much. she has one daughter and one granddaughter, and lives near them in oklahoma.