The Broken Balalaika. Based on a True Story during the Cold War

Louisa Bennett, ship's photographer, meets the handsome Ukrainian, Gennadi Potenko, electrician and balalaika player, at a Russian crew party, on board M.S Ukraina in 1981. These are Cold War times and any close contact between East and West crew members, is strictly forbidden.
After an evening of music and vodka, Louisa wakes the next morning with a massive hangover and cannot remember how she returned to her cabin. But a pink rose by her bed gives her a clue. Disregarding the advice of her colleague, Dermot, to remember the Soviet regulations, Louisa experiences a series of tempting encounters ashore with Gennadi, leading to an illicit, secret love affair.
Inevitably, they are discovered and brutally separated, with severe consequences. Louisa is terrified that Gennadi will be punished further when he reaches the Soviet Union. With the help of Dermot, she decides to fly to Odessa and search for Gennadi. Maybe she can save him and discover the truth about his secret past.,