Monica Shepherd

The Paprika Diary - A Lonely Secret is an exclusive invitation to join the Paprika family on a humorous, intimate, and harrowing journey into their lives. Attractive raven-haired Anna Gonda, a young author in 1940's Hungary, strikes a fearless pose until communism threatens her freedom. She knows what she has to do. But she's not so sure about her boyfriend, Attila Paprika, an insecure pessimist who measures his manhood with a bottle of booze, a drinking contest, and a grueling mountain bike ride. His basic philosophy -- cleanliness is next to godliness, or, the world would be a better place if people just used enough rubbing alcohol. In a daring escape masterminded by Anna, the couple flee to England with thousands of other displaced persons. After she is blessed with a sweet little daughter, Anna is mysteriously drawn to Australia, land of prosperity and opportunity. Enjoying the good life as new Aussies, the Paprikas have no idea that evil is lurking in their neighbourhood. Life will never be the same as it twists into a disturbing tale of fear and survival. Decades later in faraway Canada, a beautiful woman haunted by a dark embarrassing secret brings the journey to a shocking finale.