Book Spotlight: Bright One by Lisajoy Sachs

 

When desperate choices mean the difference between life and death.

Inspired by true events, Bright One tells the story of Jetti Finkelthal, Lisajoy Sachs’ great-grandmother. In Czernowitz, Romania, this young Jewish mother is forced to face impossible choices as the world begins to collapse around her. As antisemitism tightens its grip and war edges ever closer, Jetti holds fast to her daughter, Berta, with the fragile belief that love and courage might still carve a way through the darkness.

Heartened by her grandmother Berta's letters, photographs, and family oral histories, Sachs revives a story both intimate and universal—stitched with the fabric of daily life, the pull of memory, and the quiet heroism of women who refused to yield to despair. Told with vivid, sensory detail, the novel unfolds as if you are walking beside the characters, witnessing what they see and sharing in what they feel.

Through Jetti’s resilience and sacrifices, Bright One reveals the enduring strength of family ties and the shadow of trauma that lingers across generations. It is a story of survival, of loss, and of the unbreakable connection between mother and child.

For readers captivated by historical fiction that lingers long after the final page, Bright One offers a profoundly human portrait of love tested by history’s darkest hours.

 Buy Link:

 Universal Buy Link:  https://books2read.com/u/bzz8y2

 

Lisajoy Sachs is a dedicated writer and advocate for the preservation of history and culture through storytelling. Born and raised on Long Island and in the Catskills Mountain region of New York, Lisajoy's early years were shaped by the picturesque landscapes of mountains and the sea. Growing up, she embraced her family’s deep connection to community and tradition.

Her professional journey is as dynamic as her personal interests. With a diverse career spanning Fine Arts, Interior Design, Metal Smithing, Lapidary, and the craft beer and hospitality industries, she has cultivated a deep and varied understanding of her many fields of interest.

Ms. Sachs holds several prestigious degrees and certifications, including a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts from the City University of New York, a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Alfred University, and an Accredited Jewelry Professional (AJP) certification from the Gemological Institute of America. She is also a graduate of the Hop and Brew School at Yakima Chief Hops and holds a CiceroneCertified Beer Server© credential, underscoring her expertise and passion for the craft beer industry.

As a writer, Lisajoy’s work spans a variety of themes, from beer culture and community engagement to her most prized projects in historical fiction. Her writing reflects a profound appreciation for history, particularly focusing on how personal stories intertwine with larger cultural narratives. She has published multiple articles celebrating the craft beer industry’s ability to foster diversity and unity and continues to explore new ways to inspire her readers through her storytelling.

A deep passion for history, coupled with a fascination with family ancestry and vivid storytelling, is reflected in Lisajoy’s creative projects. Her fiction often delves into richly detailed settings and explores characters navigating the complexities of their times. Whether writing about the harrowing journey of her family in pre-WWII Europe or capturing the resilience of individuals in the face of change, Lisajoy brings depth, authenticity, and emotional resonance to her narratives.

Outside of her professional life, Lisajoy is an avid cyclist and skier, often traveling in her camper van with her partner and standard poodle Hops exploring new adventures. She has recently relocated to the Catskills Mountains, a decision influenced by her desire to embrace a balanced, family and community-focused lifestyle.

Lisajoy’s dedication to her craft, her community, and her passions makes her a multifaceted creative force. Through her writing and professional endeavors, she continues to bridge the gap between history, culture, and the shared human experience.

Author Links:

Website: https://www.authorlisajoysachs.com/

Twitter / X:  https://x.com/Saxdsign

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Saxdsign/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisajoysachsauthor/

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@lisajoysachsauthor

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authorlisajoysachs

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Lisajoy-Sachs/author/B0FS81NQWW

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/59495325.Lisajoy_Sachs

 

 

Book Spotlight: What Remains is Hope by Bonnie Suchman

 

Beginning in 1930s Germany and based on their real lives, four cousins as close as siblings—Bettina, Trudi, Gustav, and Gertrud—share the experiences of the young, including first loves, marriages, and children.

 

Bettina, the oldest, struggles to help her parents with their failing business. Trudi dresses in the latest fashions and tries to make everything look beautiful. Gustav is an artist at heart and hopes to one day open a tailoring shop. Gertrud, the youngest, is forced by her parents to keep secrets, but that doesn’t stop her from chasing boys. However, over their seemingly ordinary lives hangs one critical truth—they’re Jewish—putting them increasingly at risk.

 

When World War II breaks out, the four are still in Germany or German-occupied lands, unable or unwilling to leave. How will these cousins avoid the horrors of the Nazi regime, a regime that wants them dead? Will they be able to avoid the deportations and concentration camps that have claimed their fellow Jews? Danger is their constant companion, and it will take hope and more to survive.

 Praise for What Remains is Hope:

"Readers will find this follow up to Suchman's prior novel, Stumbling Stones, both a heartbreaking reminder of the Holocaust's atrocities and a compelling tribute to a family's refusal to surrender to despair...Richly compelling Holocaust account, centered on the power of hope."

~ Booklife by Publishers Weekly

 "Author Bonnie Suchman has a way of making every moment count with her characters in a narrative that feels powerfully real as she spins deeply personal stories against a sweeping and tragic backdrop of history. ..What Remains is Hope is historical fiction at its best, and I'd highly recommend it to fans of gripping fiction that's emotionally resonant and grounded in truth."

~ K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite

 

 Buy Link:

 Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/mvJNLV

 This book is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.

 

 

Bonnie Suchman has been a practicing attorney for forty years. Using her legal skills, she researched her husband's 250-year family history in Germany, publishing the award-winning, non-fiction book, Broken Promises: The Story of a Jewish Family in Germany, as a result.

Those compelling stories became Suchman's Heppenheimer Family Holocaust Saga. The first in the series, Stumbling Stones, was a Finalist for the 2024 Hawthorne Prize for Fiction, and recently, her family traveled to Frankfurt, Germany, to install stumbling stones for her husband's Great Aunt Alice and her husband Alfred, the real-life characters in the book.

What Remains is Hope is the second novel in the saga. In her free time, Bonnie is a runner and a golfer. She and her husband reside in Potomac, Maryland. 

  Author Links:

 Website: www.bonniesuchman.com

Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/BonnieSuchman

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556457672565

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bonniesuchmanauthor/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.fr/bonniesuchman/

Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/bonnie-suchman

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bonniesuchmanauth

Amazon Author Page:  https://www.amazon.com/stores/Bonnie-Suchman/author/B09L3BDVRQ

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/236761983-what-remains-is-hope

Book Spotlight: A Virtuoso in America: Adrian by Fred Raymond Goldman

 

How do you reconcile a decision you made in the past when the world erupts in war, threatening the life of someone you love and believe you were protecting?

Adrian Mazurek immigrated to the United States from Krakow, Poland, 14 years ago and is now a successful violin soloist and concertmaster of The Eleventh State Symphony Orchestra in New York. But despite his outward success, Adrian is inwardly harboring a shameful secret, one he has not revealed to anyone.

However, that is about to change. Adrian plans to propose marriage to Suzanne, but he knows he must tell her the truth about his past before doing so. Riddled with guilt and shame, Adrian can barely look at himself in the mirror. How can he look Suzanne in the eyes and tell her that he left his infant son, Simon, in the care of his aunt and uncle in Poland 14 years ago? If only confessing the truth to Suzanne was the most difficult part.

Adrian soon learns that Germany has invaded Poland and World War II has begun. Fearing the Germans will learn that his son is of Jewish heritage, Adrian must do something to ensure Simon's safety. But what? And will Suzanne stand by his side or will she turn away because of his deceit?​

Buy Link:

 Universal Buy Link: https://geni.us/6TOaPa

 

 

Fred Raymond Goldman graduated from Western Maryland College in Westminster, MD (now McDaniel College) in June 1962 with a B.A. in psychology. In 1964, he earned an M.S.W. degree from the University of Maryland School of Social Work.

Most of his career was devoted to the Jewish Communal Service. He served as the administrator of Northwest Drug Alert, a methadone maintenance program at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, where he also became the community’s reference point for steering drug abusers to Jewish resources. The work focused on helping individuals achieve abstinence, receive counseling, and find employment.

Following this role, Fred was hired as Assistant to the Director of Jewish Family Services in Baltimore.

The final position in his professional career was with Har Sinai Congregation, a Jewish Reform synagogue in Baltimore, where he served as Executive Director for 23 years before retiring in October 2005.

In retirement, Fred pursued his interests in hiking with The Maryland Hiking Club, exploring nature, and volunteering at The Irvine Nature Center, where he guided schoolchildren on nature hikes and assisted in the Center’s nature store.

Writing had been an interest since childhood, though Fred did not pursue it seriously until retirement. Beginning with children’s books, he became a member of the Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Association. Among the works he wrote were Vera and the Blue Bear Go to the Zoo, Never Bite an Elephant (And Other Bits of Wisdom), The Day the School Bus Drivers Went on Strike, If You Count, and The Day the School Devices Went on Strike. Although these works were never published, Fred hopes that if the CONCERTO books gain recognition, opportunities for these earlier works may follow.

The journey of writing the CONCERTO companion books began after Fred noticed a note on the local library bulletin board announcing the formation of a writer’s group led voluntarily by a local author. Joining the group with nine others, he learned the essentials of writing—maintaining the protagonist’s point of view, building tension toward a climax, rewriting, and developing complex characters with flaws, peculiarities, and unique personalities.

Over four years, Fred devoted significant time to writing, researching, rewriting, and submitting the manuscript. Originally one book titled The Auschwitz Concerto, the project was later divided into two volumes and self-published. For a time, the title The Box was also considered.

Encouragement from the teacher and fellow writers in the group played a pivotal role in shaping the novels, as Fred also contributed to the successes of others through critique and support.

In the Author’s Notes, Fred explains the purpose of making the books available to the public. Before embarking on the project, he knew little about the Holocaust beyond its staggering toll of nine million lives and its place as one of history’s darkest chapters. In writing the novels, he not only gained deeper knowledge of history and human suffering but also developed a heightened awareness of current issues that demand attention. As he notes, what affects one group of people has the potential to affect all of us.

Author Links:

Author Page on Publisher’s Website: https://www.historiumpress.com/fred-goldman

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Fred-Raymond-Goldman/author/B0C2QMBZ9X

 

 

 

Holocaust Denial and Conspiracy Theories Won't Solve World Problems (Op-Ed)

Jeff Nesbit

Hungarian Jews arrive at the German Nazi death camp Auschwitz in Poland in Summer 1944. Credit: Public domain. View full size image

Jeff Nesbit was the director of public affairs for two prominent federal science agencies. This article was adapted from one that first appeared in U.S. News & World Report. Nesbit contributed the article to Live Science's Expert Voices: Op-Ed & Insights.
The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) released an interesting, thought-provoking report recently on anti-Semitic views around the world. It was based on answers to 11 questions posed to tens of thousands of people in nearly 100 countries.
The main finding — that a quarter of the populations in these countries harbor anti-Semitic views — spurred considerable controversy. Commentators across the globe either praised ADL for its focus and findings, or condemned the group for creating "loaded" questions designed to lead respondents toward anti-Semitic views.

 

"Instead of designing a neutral questionnaire that would compare anti-Jewish attitudes to negative attitudes about other religions or ethnicities, it asked a series of 11 questions that stacked the deck in favor of anti-Semitic answers. It then defined you as an anti-Semite if you answered yes to six of the 11 questions," Noah Feldman wrote in Bloomberg View.
"The results might tell you something about relative degrees of anti-Semitism in different places — surprise: Saudis have a more negative attitude toward Jews than Danes do," Feldman wrote. "But other than the rhetorical effect of announcing that a quarter of the world’s people are anti-Jewish, the poll offers precious little in the way of actual knowledge."
However, overlooked by nearly every story about the ADL study was an equally disturbing finding that speaks volumes about why so many complicated or controversial political issues like marriage equality, climate change, gun control, healthcare reform or civil rights are hashed out in hysterical, mindless or irrational ways in the public square.
Half of the people in the world have never heard of the Holocaust, ADL found.
And in the other half — the ones who have at least heard of the Holocaust and the truth that Adolf Hitler ordered the deaths of 6 million Jews — a third of this group simply did not believe the Holocaust happened. To this group, the Holocaust is a lie, a myth, a hoax or a conspiracy by those with a political or ideological agenda.
This level of ignorance of the truth of history is mind-boggling. But it’s also the basis of deep conspiracy theories in lots of other areas where facts, evidence and science should settle a dispute or question and lead to rational or civil discourse — but doesn't.
If half the world has never heard of an event central to the course of political affairs since World War II — and a significant portion of the remaining population simply denies the factual reality of that event — then how can society reasonably expect rational, evidence-based dialogue in public arenas around an issue like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?
We can't.
Sadly, that’s what this other, overlooked finding from the ADL global survey tells us. When so much of the public either doesn't know about big, important facts — or willfully dismisses them as hoaxes, lies or conspiracies — then we have essentially lost any ability to separate fact from fiction and resolve disputes based on evidence.
There are plenty of examples of this in other areas. A quarter of Americans don't believe tens of thousands of leading scientists who have now essentially ended the question of whether climate change is real, starting to happen now, and mostly caused by carbon-pollution sources.
Science has also largely settled central questions about human sexual orientation, substantive genetic differences between races in the human species, mental illness as a disease, or the efficacy of vaccines. But that hasn't stopped irrational political disputes in these areas — even as the level of scientific certainty and knowledge has deepened.
It does beg the question, though: How is it actually possible that half of the world has never heard of the Holocaust, and that a very large portion of the remainder denies that it ever even happened? What, exactly, do they believe happened at Auschwitz, Dachau and Buchenwald?
We're fortunate in the United States that teachers generally hew closely to fact- and evidence-based curricula — though this is starting to erode as anti-science, ideological agendas creep into studies in areas such as evolution and climate change. Our curricula at least give Americans a fighting chance at baseline knowledge of essential facts important to a functioning democratic society.
I was lucky. I had an inspiring World Affairs teacher in my public high school in Fort Wayne, Ind., who chose to teach us the histories of Nazi Germany by re-enacting the Nuremberg trials. Largely because no one else wanted the extra work, I volunteered to serve as the lead prosecutor of the Nazi criminals during our mock trials.

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During the course of preparing for that mock trial in the classroom, I was forced to read volumes of history on what happened at those concentration and extermination camps in Nazi Germany throughout World War II.
It left a permanent impression, and I am thankful to that teacher for the gift he gave me. Reading through factual accounts of what happened during the Holocaust allowed me to build a moral and legal case against the Nazi war criminals in a mock trial setting — but also created a genuine hunger for knowing the core truth: science and facts behind public issues that are not rooted in religious, political or ideological beliefs. It's why I became a journalist.
There is a trite, overworked saying that the truth will set you free. That is certainly useful in most cases — unless, of course, you don’t know it, ignore it or simply don't believe it.
That's why the ADL findings, in the end, are so unsettling. If most of the world doesn't know or recognize central, factual realities like the Holocaust, how can we reasonably expect the public to support political, moral or legal actions that depend on at least a basic understanding of the scientific or factual basis of things?
It's a difficult question — with no satisfying answers.

http://www.livescience.com/46176-holocaust-denial-and-empirical-arguments.html