A heart-wrenching story of sacrifice and devotion, "Vigil" is Cecilia Samartin's most powerful novel to date."W"hile Ana waits at her beloved's deathbed, she thinks back on her life and the incredible journey that brought her to this unlikely place. Ana's story takes her from war-torn El Salvador, to a convent in the United States, and finally to a wealthy California estate where she is employed as the nanny for a dysfunctional family caught up in the throes of a decadent life. Despite her own emotional wounds, she is able to bring love and healing to her affluent yet spiritually bereft employers -- gifts that no money could ever buy.In the course of Samartin's work as a psychotherapist, she has been awed by those rare individuals who, after having endured unimaginable trauma, not only survive, but flourish. Her work is inspired by those unique and courageous people who are able to turn personal tragedy into profound inner strength that has the power to transform those around them. "Vigil" is the story of one such woman and the family that she sets her heart on saving. Readers will be spellbound by "Vigil"'s magical language and provocative themes; this is Samartin's most impressive work yet.