Family means everything.

In The Signal Flame, family means everything. Family is central to life, and it proves to be the only thing sometimes upon which people can depend. Jozef Vinich forged the traditions of his family after immigrating to Dardan, Pennsylvania from Austria-Hungary.

As readers learn, the last name “Vinich” means “vine” in Slovak, and it is a fitting description of what Jozef has done. He has planted roots and grown vines of life that have taken hold of the land to thrive –which is reflective of his family. His family deeply loves him and their home. Everything Jozef does –building a home, making a small fortune, purchasing land, and preparing his will –is done for his family.

When the novel begins, Jozef has just died. His loss is deeply felt because he has been the rock to which his family has clung through the difficult...