Linda has over thirty years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry as a Toxicologist and Quality Assurance Professional. In 2009, she founded her own consulting company, Janemark Corp., which provided clinical and preclinical compliance support services to pharmaceutical, biotechnology and device manufacturers until her retirement in 2023.

Since becoming self-employed, Linda’s schedule allowed her to actively pursue her lifelong passion for writing. Deciding to make the switch from non-fiction and technical topics, Linda embarked on the ambitious task of writing an historical fiction novel. Linda has performed extensive research, attended workshops and lectures while writing her manuscript. The book is in final draft editing and has a working title, Guardian of the Petals.

This gripping tale set in the early 1900’s is more than an inspirational story depicting the lives of first-generation immigrants to the U.S. Using a unique perspective, this candid accounting of one family’s struggle to survive amidst incredible misfortune examines the frailty and resilience of family relationships while also exposing the darker side of human behavior.

In 1907, Kasper Dzieminiak (Jiḿ-nak) leaves his home in German-occupied Poland to escape the tyranny of Kaiser Wilhelm II and pursue the American dream. He settles in Minnesota where he finds work in the iron ore mines. For three long years, he denies himself all but the bare essentials while saving enough money to send for his wife, Frances, and their three young children. The Dzieminiak family flourishes in their new homeland. However, Kasper and Frances’ happiness and prosperity are short-lived. The flu pandemic of 1918-1920 wreaks havoc throughout the world killing more than fifty million people. Sadly, Kasper and Frances are two of those casualties. Dying only one day apart, they orphan their eight children who range in age from six-months to seventeen years.

The story is told from the perspective of Cecelia, their fifth child. It’s a tale of orphanages, foster homes, abuse, addiction and organized crime; situations and circumstances that profoundly influence their adult lives. Cecelia, at age 93, is the last living Dzieminiak and recounts her sibling’s experiences, relationships, and heartaches. She battles her way through life, ultimately becoming a successful businesswoman and millionaire. She’s the glue holding this fractured family together. She’s entrusted with their secrets, many of which she takes to her grave.

This powerful story of one family’s faith and perseverance has timeless appeal. The strong and diverse characters take the reader on a compelling journey filled with personal dilemmas and repercussions from the choices these eight siblings were forced to make.