RELEASE DAY for THE MAID'S SECRET

The why I wrote this book, post:

I've been fascinated with the former region known as Bohemia, which was located in Czechoslovakia (Czech Republic as of 1993). My grandmother and her family grew up in the Bohemian region, a scenic mountainous  landscape surrounded by Austria, Poland, Germany, and Hungary. The particular area was known to have many Romani travelers pass through and they weren't commonly welcomed.

Romani were known as gypsies, a word associated with many negative connotations, thus insulting the Romani people as they were seen as swindlers, thieves, and those who "gyp" others. Many people think the word "gypsy" originates from Egypt, but Roma people originated from Northern India back in the 11th century. They move around frequently due to being chased out of rural communities due to being seen as poor nomads looking to live off the land they don't own. Romani faced brutality even before World War II, but just as the Jewish people in Europe were subjected to Hitler's plan to ethnically cleanse Europe and create an Aryan race, Romani were subjected to the same atrocities as Jewish people. Sadly, they still suffer greatly to this day because of lacking acceptance for their race and culture.

I've spent so much time researching the lives of those Jewish people who suffered through Hitler's regime, but my curiosity for other races that were devastatingly affected by his power is what sparked me to write this book. Hundreds of thousands of Romani were killed in prison camps, leaving the Romani race depleted in society.

The Maid's secret shows two varying sides of being victims to Hitler's final solution, a point-of-view from a struggling Romani woman and the point of view from a wealthy, Jewish man. But I've also highlighted the parts of life in between the times of waiting out World War II as members of these races.  So many people lived on the edges of their seat, waiting for the next round of terrifying news to sweep through the country, and they were left with the little bit of hope that Hitler would lose his battle before his targets lost theirs. With time between war movements, life must continue, love blossoms, and the stakes grow higher. Everyone learns, loses, and some even gain, but not all come out on the other side, and to live day-to-day not knowing how the story will end...is a journey that should never be forgotten.

Follow Mila and Ben's stories as their lives weave together, and as they fight to survive. The question is always: Was it worth it?

You'll have to tell me what you think :).

xoxo

Shari

The Maid's Secret can be found on Amazon

and is also available for free through Kindle Unlimited!