Something interesting happened recently. Four years ago, I wrote A Lightness in My Soul, a WWII novella about a boy who is taken to the concentration camp, Dachau, by American troops. My friend, Marion, had met an old man in a car repair shop and he’d told her his story as a teen. Despite my […]
Making Sense of 2025 Read More »
As 2024 draws to a close, I realize how grateful I am for you, dear readers, doing what I love doing anyway. Life is at times challenging as we prepare for another surgery for my dear husband, but I have vowed to recognize those things that give me joy. It’s been a year of ups and
In my most successful novel in Germany, When the Skies Rained Freedom, about the post-war period in Berlin and the Berlin Airlift, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, I could add many important details thanks to my eyewitness and survivor, Loni Tiemann. Last week, I had the honor not only of visiting her, but
A Historical Visit and Other News Read More »
Last weekend I had the pleasure of being interviewed by PEL’s Peter Okonkwo. We spoke about a number of subjects, including my bestselling novella 47 Days and Surviving the Fatherland, my writing career, advice for aspiring writers, dealing with criticism, and much more. I particularly enjoyed meeting Peter who started PEL. He contacted me from
Great Interview and Other News Read More »
When we moved to Germany six years ago, we had no idea when we would see the U.S. again. The pandemic hit and travel became impossible. Now it’s finally happening. I’m going to visit my old stomping grounds, Bloomington, Ind. for a family and friends visit. And as it happens, a reading at Morgenstern Bookstore,
A Difficult Book Fair, a New Novel and a Reading in the U.S. Read More »
As most of you know, my husband and I moved to Europe in 2017. I’d spent 30 years in the US and we decided to live abroad to experience new things. Many new things. Meanwhile we have bought a house, not the new construction we had planned, but a farmhouse from 1900 in the West
Do Travel – Write Novel Read More »
My mother, too, for that matter. I think of and miss my parents every day. As war children they endured terrible hardship. I believe watching another madman bring us to the brink of WWIII would be more than they could bear. I’ve been waiting to share my thoughts because I so struggle with this development,
I am glad my father is dead Read More »
I spent last weekend with what I love most: historical research. The Museum of German History in Bonn, Germany’s former capital, is a gem to visit, containing historical information beginning with the Third Reich. The displays are a combination of audio, video, images, print, artefacts and more. Whoever put this together really knows how to
Diving Deep into German History Read More »
Last week I showed my amazing daughter-in-law, Mar, some of the historical spots of my WWII novel Surviving the Fatherland. She also helps me with marketing on Instagram and Facebook. It so happens that we live a five-minute walk from the places, my parents and main protagonists endured the war. We stopped by the old
Well, at least let’s hope it’ll be happier than 2020. Corona, Covid-19, has cast its black veil across the planet. Few countries are as affected as the U.S. – When one feels down, it often helps to think about things we are grateful for. The list is long, but I will attempt to mention a