Author Blog

If you've finished reading "Before Home Found Us" and are looking for a book that has a similar feel, I have a few suggestions!  These five books are some of my favorite memoirs taking place in Czechia, and I highly recommed them all.

Border Crossings by Charles Novacek

An adrenaline story about Charles, who, as a child, brings aid to WWII Resistance Fighters.  Young Charles was trained in wartime to withstand pain, hunger, and fear - all things he wound use again in the resistance against communism. 

Journey For Freedom by Peter Vodenka

A gripping account of one man's decision to escape with his family over the Iron Curtain and the events of his childhood that lead him to make this risky move. 

Prague Winter by Madeleine Albright

Written through the eyes of a politician who learned later in life that her childhood upbringing was actually happening during a bigger world drama and how her Jewish heritage was affected by WWII.

Twice Rescued Child by Thomas Graumann with Tricia Goyer

An inspirational story of how saving one life can save the world.  Thomas, a Jewish-Czech child rescued from the holocaust used his second chance to bring Christianity to the Philippines and later to his homeland in post-communist Czechia.

Under a Cruel Star by Heda Margolius Kovaly 

This heartbreaking story is accompanied by Heda's enormous strength.  She escaped a concentration camp, provided help to the Czech Resistance of WWII, and advocated for herself after her husband's false conviction in the infamous Soviet Slansky Trials.  

Sometimes, I am amazed at the people who came into my life and share their life stories and experiences for me to bring my book, Before Home Found Us, to life.  Then, there are some people I wish I had met them earlier!  Such is the case with one new friend.  She is a 25th-year teacher at a local school, and we met through a sports pick-up league.  As we were walking home after a weekend game, we just started talking.  I asked if her if she had lived in Letovice her whole life.  She replied, "No, I grew up in Lazinov.  Do you know where Lazinov is?" 

 Oh, do I!  I took into account that this woman has talked about her adult children before and boldly asked, "Were you there before it flooded?"  

"Sure.  I was in 5th grade when the valley flooded."

I wish there had been a way to track my heart rate at that moment. "What was it like before it flooded?"  

"Beautiful.  As a girl, I ran over the open valley fields and collected flowers.  The roads just weaved through the valley; it didn't cut through like it does now.  There was a small shop, a little fireman's house, and one crossroad.  We lived in a traditional farmhouse; Grandma too.  She was a traditional, village grandma - strong and tough.  We moved to the new Lazinov location when they flooded the valley, but it wasn't the same.  There was a piece of community that we lost when we moved the village.  It was quite sad losing all our homes like that."

It was late, and we had arrived to the area where we live.  Our conversation came to a quicker close than I would have liked, but not before I was able to tell her about the book I wrote and how all the research I had done gave me the same impression and account of Lazinov.  I was thrilled I had so accurately recorded Lazinov that it almost felt as if I had quoted this woman in the pages of the book!  She seemed happy when I said I'd be interested to listen to more of her life in Lazinov; she even mentioned her parents may also be willing to share sometime too.   

Maybe it isn't too late to learn even more of the first-hand experiences.  Actually, I believe that is exactly what I need to do for Book Two research. 

It may not be surprising that my favorite biking trail is around the reservoir.  I've been known to loop the reservoir multiple times in a week when the weather (and time) allows.  I really love riding my bike over all the little hills around the reservoir.  Recently, due to the cooler weather (and busier schedule), I'd been on some other trails and haven't circled the reservoir in some time.  Still, sometimes I find a partially sunny, free autumn day to jump on my bike.  

While on a recent bike trip that took me through the hills and forest, I came back into town beside the river and noticed how high the water-level was.  I thought it was odd to have such high water-levels because it hadn't rained much over the past few weeks.  That's when it clicked.  I had heard that the city was planning to drain the reservoir to make repairs to the dam structure this autumn, though I didn't know when they were planning to start the process.  I decided to extend my bike trip and made for the reservoir.  

Upon arriving, I noticed how quickly the water-level has dropped!  Old foundations of homes and barns becoming visible.  Broken, crumbling bricks littering the edges of the steep drop-off.  Rusted poles and tools, and even some broken porcelain pieces left behind.  I wasn't the only one at the receeding reservoir.  Young families walked along the water's new edge as the kids look for shells, and the fishemen just moved further and further down the slope for their catch.  I even saw a man with a metal detector sweeping over the shore.  Rowboats that used to sit on the surface of the water are now on dry ground, and the start of the reservoir is one big mud-pit with only the original river still running through.

I spent some time just walking over the shore.  It was surreal to be standing at this place that I had researched and written about.  I am looking forward to going back sometime really soon to see what else can be uncovered!  (Stay tuned for more picture to come!)

I knew as I was writing "Before Home Found Us" that it was a time for me to relax and be creative.  I never really wrote to please an audience, but as I was finishing up the book, I knew I wanted to share it with others.  It has been so fun to hear the responses of readers as they process the story and many ask, "What's next?"  It's a great question, because after all the time planning, researching, writing, editing, revising, and publishing, I didn't know if I wanted to jump right back into the cycle again.  I was concerned that there would now be expectations for my writing, whereas before, writing was just for me.  That's when I realized, that's the way it is supposed to be.  I wanted to make sure I never felt pressured to write because of trying to meet a deadline or expectations of readers, rather I was created to share love and joy, and one of the ways I do that best is through ink on paper.  I'll take it at my own pace and enjoy every bit of it as I did the first book and see where it leads.  

The reactions and support from my reading audience has been a huge encouragement!  I love hearing your thoughts and connections to the story.  My favorite questions to ask readers are: 

Who's your favorite character, and why?

What surprised you?  What did you expect? 

 Finally, I challenge all you readers to keep sharing the book with others - it was a story that was meant to be passed on!  

DECEMBER 6, 2020

Anyone who has spent any short amount of time talking with me will know that I love to read.  I'm always in the middle of a book!  Writing has always seemed to come naturally as well.  However, greater than both my love of reading and talent at writing is that I am a storyteller.  I believe many of us are, that it is an essential piece of many characteristics to be able to pass on stories that inspire, encourage, and emotionally grip the hearts of others. 

After reading many novels, I believe I have a high standard when it comes to historical fiction.  I applaud an author who introduces plot twists and who can end the book leaving something for the reader to hang onto - essentially a book that causes the reader to keep thinking about the conclusion after turning the last page.  In April of 2019, my mom gave me three such books that she had researched carefully to make sure each had reviews for incredible twists and surprise endings.  After finishing all three, I had mentioned to my mom that I guessed the ending halfway through each book, though the books were still excellent.  My mom replied with, "You'll just need to write your own story!"  That got me thinking... is that even possible?  

You see, that same week, I had an idea for a story that seemed to piece together in my thoughts overnight.  I went to a friend and asked, "Do you know anyone who can write a book?  I have this great idea, and I need someone to write it.  I think it could be good."  This friend looked at me and said, "Yes, you!  I can think of no one better."  That night, I wrote the first chapter.  I sent it to this friend who said, "Keep writing!  But don't show me anymore.  I want to wait for the whole book."  That seemed ambitious to me, but I decided if nothing less, I enjoyed writing that first chapter and would write simply for fun - a challenge for myself.  

While others spend their free-time watching movies or gaming or scrolling through social media, I dove into research.  I'd get home from the youth center after a day filled with action and my fingers would itch to feel the keyboard click as the words began to weave back and forth over the blank page.  It was my recharge.  When lockdown for Covid hit last spring, I was glad I had a project to make the days alone at home a bit more productive.  It helped to fill up the time that I wasn't out hiking, biking, or calling with all the students.  During that time, I quickly finished the book.  Only a few people knew I was even writing.  A few friends and family I sent it to for review gave lots of positive feedback and encouraged me to look at publishing options.  

Now, my book is finally ready for others to read!  Before Home Found Us is available on Amazon in paperback ($14.99) and in Kindle format ($9.99).  It is a young adult historical fiction novel, written at a 7th grade level (though greatly enjoyed by all my adult reviewers). 

 There are essentially three reasons why I decided to publish this book. 

1. As I read this theme in historical fiction novels, I regularly found myself struggling to find the perfect fit.  I felt that adult novels became too explicit and young-adult novels in this genre were generally without mystery.  I was further disappointed with Christian historical fiction novels as they focused primarily on the romance and "happily ever after".  I wanted to create something that adults/young adults would enjoy and, at the same time, parents felt comfortable letting their middle schoolers read.  I further didn't want the book to get lost in "Christian Historical Fiction" (a hard place to gain reader audience), though the book does include Christian concepts (selflessness, forgiveness, and friendship), parallels to the prodigal son and the samaritan man stories (parables of Jesus), and Christian characters. 

2. The story of Lazinov, a little village near Letovice, was one that I knew someone had to tell.  The village has an interesting history that I couldn't shake once I'd heard it.  (You'll have to read the book to figure out what happens there!)

3. Lastly, the story of Sir Nicholas Winton is one that is close to my heart.  He was a man, not yet 30 years old, at the start of WWII who saved 669 Jewish children from Prague.  When asked why, Nicholas responded with, "No one else was doing it."  I first heard the story of Nicholas Winton at LetFest (our city-wide outreach in Letovice) in 2012 when a representative from the Nicholas Winton foundation came to share the documentary with us.  After watching the impactful documentary, I tried to thank the representative with my broken Czech.  The representative later found me, placed a kiss on my cheek, handed me the DVD, and said, "Keep this story alive."  For years, I wondered how to share this story with a wider audience.  I've finally found a way to keep my promise.  

So now, I pass the same challenge onto you - keep this story alive.  Read it and share it.  Let the events that happened and characters who truly existed (listed in the "About the Story" pages in the book) be remembered.

But you don't have to take my word for it: 

"It had everything a good book needs.  It had a good flowing story, strong characters, everything.  I think it was a brilliant thing writing this story from three points-of-view.  The connections, the twists... the emotions created were so powerful and touching.  All the characters felt unique.  I could tell who was who just by reading their replies.  Overall, the book is easy to read, fast to devour because of the great story and how nice it flows." ~ Vlad, Editor 

"As someone who grew up in the area where the plot of the story takes place, reading this book was like going back to my childhood (and my parents childhood), and visiting all the familiar places.  The book captures the reality of the communist and post-communist Czech Republic so vividly, it's easy to fall in love with it and get emotionally attached.  Every turn, every tree, every detail in this book seems very familiar and still refreshingly new with the gripping, multi-layered story, surprising twists, and lovable characters." ~ Marek, Cultural Advisor

"I'm amazed at your writing ability, and how you could come up with these ideas.  I'd honestly have to say it may very well be my favorite book of all time." ~ Dad, reads mainly tractor manuals