Publisher's Synopsis
A touching true story of heroism, heartache, and hope told through the eyes of a German girl turned courageous young woman named Waltraud.
The Nazis tried to break her, but her very name means strength. Germany 1937. "Listening ears are everywhere," her beloved father warned her. But Waltraud's extra measure of grit often draws the attention of Gestapo agents and Hitler Youth leaders intent on stifling her independent spirit. When Hitler invades Poland and her father is sent to the battlefield, her family is torn apart and her resolve is put to the test. In the months and years that follow, Waltraud is thrust into a world where forced allegiance, loss, and heart-wrenching horrors bring her to the edge of defeat. Fueled by the rush of resistance, she summons the courage to keep a treasonous secret and defy the Nazis. But it's not enough to heal the inner wounds that remain in the aftermath of war. She's resigned to live a life of broken dreams among the rubble when a young man scarred by his own past opens the door to a brighter future. To secure it, she must cross forbidden borders and come face to face with a new enemy. Can Waltraud leave her haunting past behind and take hold of the life she's dreamed of, or will she lose everything trying? Engaging and evocative, Waltraud: A True Story of Growing Up in Nazi Germany is an immersive family saga that pulls back the curtain on what life was like before, during, and after World War II from a German perspective. Capture a rare glimpse into the harrowing struggles of life during the rise and fall of the Third Reich, and one young woman's courageous journey to follow her heart no matter the cost. If you love inspiring true stories of strength and the resilience of the human spirit, don't miss this unforgettable read. AUTHOR'S NOTEAuthor, Tammy Borden, grew up hearing her mother's first-hand accounts of coming of age under Hitler's regime, even joining her on several trips to Germany to stroll the cobblestone streets where recollections were shared in their actual settings. Through the years, she recorded those stories, fully intent on writing a WW2 historical fiction novel based on a true story. She's now woven her mother's real-life stories into an eye-opening and deeply moving narrative.
