A daughter's quest to uncover her father's truths, and share them with the world. Experience one woman's incredible story about what she uncovered in a treasure trove of WWII letters, hidden away by her Czech father. As the WWII generation passes on, their children and grandchildren must carry on their stories of loss and hope-making us aware of the consequences of indifference. As author Joanie Holzer Schirm sets the voices free, her discoveries become the greatest gift of all for a world in turmoil that needs more hope.

After the death of Joanie Holzer Schirm’s parents in 2000, she found hundreds of letters, held together by rusted paperclips and stamped with censor marks, sent from Czechoslovakia, Great Britain, China, and South and North America, along with journals, vintage film, taped interviews, and photographs. In working through these various materials documenting the life of her father, Oswald “Valdik” Holzer, she learned of her family history through his remarkable experiences of exile and loss, resilience and hope. In this posthumous memoir, Schirm elegantly re-creates her father’s youthful voice as he comes of age as a Jew in interwar Prague, escapes from a Nazi-held army unit, practices medicine in China’s war-ravaged interior, and settles in the United States to start a family. Introducing us to a diverse cast of characters ranging from the humorous to the menacing, Holzer’s life story is an inspirational account of survival during wartime, a cinematic epic spanning multiple continents, and ultimately a tale with a twist—a book that will move readers for generations to come. Purchase the audio edition.

Vibrant Verses: The Resonance of Emotion's Ink is not just an anthology—it’s a symphony of 25 distinct voices, each echoing the raw, unfiltered essence of the human spirit. Every writer has bared their soul, crafting verses that bleed with love, heartbreak, longing, and redemption. This collection captures the kaleidoscope of emotions that define our existence—the moments that shatter us, heal us, and make us whole again.Within these pages, you will find stories woven from the quiet despair of grief, the tender touch of forgiveness, the fierce spark of passion, and the undying flame of hope. The words leap off the page, inviting you to confront your own vulnerabilities, to feel deeply, and to embrace the transformative power of emotion.Each poem, each narrative, is a window into a heart laid bare—its struggles, its triumphs, and its moments of quiet reflection. *Vibrant Verses* is for those who seek solace in words, for those who wish to walk through the corridors of the soul and emerge transformed.Allow yourself to be swept away by the resonance of emotion’s ink, where every verse is a reminder that even in our most fragile moments, there is beauty and strength waiting to be found.

Discover the complexities of Melania’s life, her dedication to family, and her "Be Best" initiative, which focused on children's well-being. This book offers a closer look at a woman who remained both graceful and strong while navigating one of the most public roles in the world.