It's been ages and I'm very sorry. Summer has been busy and it's not over yet! I'm very excited! The paperback of my latest novel, "The Secrets We Share" is out soon. I'm delighted with the fresh new cover! If you're looking for a holiday read, I'd be honoured if you would think about choosing this one. You see, it has so many personal attachments as it's inspired by my grandmother's story. Known to us all as Oma, the German for grandmother, she came to Ireland at the end of WW2. The incredible story of how her parent's love was never meant to be, had been kept very quiet for many years. Of course we all knew Oma was Austrian, her accent gave her away. But the details of just how she'd ended up in Ireland were sketchy.
On the morning of my 21st birthday Oma phoned me and asked me to come to her house. She was known for her hand made presents - I'd received everything from fake fur jackets to dresses with matching coats over the years. She was one of those women who could turn her hand to most things. But on this special day, Oma's only hint was that my present was not something I could open. Needless to say I was intrigued. Nothing could have prepared me for the enormity of what Oma had in mind...
My gift from Oma was her story. I sat in awe as she outlined the most astonishing love story I've ever heard.
I had no idea at the age of 21 that I would ever write a book, but I asked her if I could write it down.
'Of course,' she smiled. 'Some day you'll know the time is right and that's when you'll do it.'
This is my 10th book and for some reason I felt compelled to share the story now. Although many of the events in the story are fictional, the bones of the story, the essence of the wonderful love story, are very real.
I am also fortunate to be friends with Tomi Reichental, who survived Bergen Belsen concentration camp. Tomi is a man of courage integrity and above all, he has shown me the true meaning of forgiveness. He kindly gave me his blessing to relay some of his experience in my own words. He told me he never wants people to forget what happened to six million Jews.
So if you have a chance to read "The Secrets We Share" I hope you enjoy it as much as I loved writing it! I feel utterly privileged to have these astonishing stories in my head and I sincerely hope I've done them justice. The book is dedicated to Oma and Tomi. I hope I've made them both proud.
Enjoy your August where ever you may be and I'll check in with you all again soon.
Love and light
Emma x