A PROMISE TO MY SISTER

MY THOUGHTS:

Hodaya is only twenty one and she and her family are shoved into cattle cars from their hometown of Bochina, Poland and headed to Auschwitz.  She clings to her parents for life while her little sister Bayla holds on tight to her.  Once they arrive at the horrible place of Auschwitz, Hodaya and Bayla are immediately separated from their parents.  Hodaya promises her sister that no matter what, no matter what the cost, she will always protect her and keep her safe.  When Alaric, a German soldier offers Hodaya food from his satchel, she wonders if she can trust him.  Bayla becomes ill and Hodaya feels as if she has failed her little sister.  Can they escape or is it too late?

A Promise to My Sister, written by author S.E. Rutledge is a phenomenal story of sacrifice for your family, determination to survive and never losing faith.  I was completely engrossed in this story from the very first page.  There wasn’t a page that was turned that didn’t leave a tear fall down my cheek.  I loved everything about this book from cover to cover.  It broke my heart but then put it back together again.  This unputdownable book is a favorite read on my list this year.  I am stunned that this is a debut book for this author.  Rutledge writes well beyond her years and the research and facts she wrote into her story is phenomenal.  This author is automatically on my auto buy list.  I look forward to reading many more stories from her.  Don’t pass up this wonderful book, but keep your Kleenex box close because you will need it for sure.  Definitely one of the best books I have ever read.  If I could give a ten star rating, it wouldn’t be enough. I highly recommend this book.

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DESCRIPTION:

A PROMISE TO MY SISTER
Author:  S.E. Rutledge
Publisher:  Bookouture
Publication Date: August 29, 2024 
Pages: 352
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Auschwitz, 1943. I cradle my little sister’s feverish body and weep silently in the darkness. “I love you,” I whisper, “Remember, tomorrow we’re free.” And I know in my heart that whatever it takes, I will find a way out of here—for me, and for my sister…

At the imposing iron gates of Auschwitz, twenty-one-year-old Hodaya clings to her mama and papa, her little sister Bayla’s arms around her waist. But when Hodaya is sent one way and her parents the other, a plea to keep her sister safe is the last thing in her mother’s eyes. Hodaya makes a silent promise in return.

But Auschwitz is no place for a little girl, and keeping Bayla safe takes every ounce of Hodaya’s strength. She hates watching the spark in her little sister’s eyes dull, and as she hands over her daily rations of watery soup and stale bread to keep Bayla fed, she feels herself weakening by the second. But she vows to find a way out, even if it means sacrificing the young woman she once was.

Admiring the bravery of other prisoners’ revolts and imagining a world in which she joins in, Hodaya battles between her determination to save Bayla and mounting despair. But in the end, it’s the most unlikely person who reminds her to dare to hope: Alaric, a German soldier. As desperate hunger closes in, Alaric draws a parcel of warm food from a satchel and offers it to Hodaya—his expression guarded, blue eyes troubled, but his hand steady.

But can Hodaya trust a stranger, particularly a German? And as sickness takes hold of Bayla, is it already too late to keep her promise to keep Bayla safe—or will the last ounce of hope in her heart lead to an escape from the darkest of places?

ABOUT S.E. RUTLEDGE

Savannah Rutledge was born and raised in Mariposa, California – a rural, historical town at the gateway of Yosemite, USA. Her passion lies in writing historical fiction featuring imperfect, complex characters, and exploring human nature and questions of morality. Even as a child, she was taken by the dream of telling stories and bringing her imagination to life through words and art.

When not immersed in a book or her writing, she enjoys the flute, beadwork, portrait drawing, and baking. She draws much of her inspiration from music and a longtime fascination with history.

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