In 1627, Lilja's simple life in a remote Icelandic village is shattered when Ottoman corsairs descend in a bloody and devastating raid. Captured alongside her young son, Lilja soon finds herself separated from her child and sold as a concubine in the bustling slave markets of Algiers.
 
As Lilja struggles to survive in this foreign world, her fierce spirit and indomitable will to reunite with her child become her driving force. But in the heart of Ottoman-controlled Algiers, where the clash of cultures and the brutality of captivity prevail, hope can be a fragile thing.
 
"We Once Were Free" unfurls a tale of love and strength against the backdrop of an era defined by turmoil. A lush historical fiction sure to enthrall fans of Kate Mosse and Geraldine Brooks, “We Once Were Free” beckons readers into a richly imagined past, blending meticulous historical detail with vivid storytelling. This is a tale of survival against all odds, a testament to the enduring strength of the human spirit, and the unbreakable bond between a mother and her child.