Monika Graf, the wife of a wealthy Austrian military commander, steals two Jewish girls from the Nazis—a crime often punishable by death. With soldiers in rapid pursuit, a homeless Jew named Janik, a mysterious man who lurks in the shadows, helps her escape.
Unable to have children of her own, she finds a new purpose in life—rescuing Jewish children from the horrendous Nazi regime. She asks the Swiss for help, trading military secrets she gleans from her husband for the lives of Jewish children. With Janik’s continued support, she also enlists Father Christoff, a priest at St. Stephen's Cathedral coping with unexpected emotions and doubting his commitment to God. Monika quickly forms bonds that can’t be broken, feelings exposed she never knew existed.
Relentlessly pursued by Gestapo Captain Gustav Kramer, Monika combats continuing risk to her clandestine operation. When her husband, a rabid Nazi, returns from the battlefield severely wounded, she gets caught in a cage that she can’t crawl out of.
Wrought with danger, riddled with romance, Another Soul Saved shows humanity at both its best and worst in a classic struggle of good versus evil.
Publication Date: April 1, 2026
Publisher: Independent
Pages: 415
Genre: Historical Fiction
Any Triggers: Holocaust storyline; Nazi characters
Interview
Can you tell us a little about yourself and your writing journey?
Hello, thank you so much for hosting me.
I write all thing historical—thrillers, mysteries, and romance. I’ve published nineteen books and ghostwritten two others.
My first book was published in 2014, and I now work with three different publishers, releasing a novel every April and October, sometimes a third in July or December.
What drew you to historical fiction?
A love of history, travel, and reading served as my initial inspiration—and it still does. My books have common themes: exotic locations, ordinary people fighting demons both real and imagined, and interesting historical periods.
What inspired Another Soul Saved?
Another Soul Saved is a Holocaust novel set in Vienna, Austria at the outset of WWII. I’ve written many books about WWII, some featuring the Holocaust, but for this novel I wanted to write from the “enemy’s” perspective. The citizens of Austria voted to become part of Greater Germany, and 99% of the people approved of Hitler’s policies. I wanted to use the voice of the 1% who didn’t—those who risked their lives to save others knowing that friends, neighbours, and even family members could betray them.
What themes or ideas do you hope readers take away?
I would like my readers to take two things away from the book. The first is the historical aspect—the brutal Nazi regime of the Second World War, and those brave few who defied it. The second is that a single person can positively impact many lives, even in ways that most wouldn’t expect.
What kind of research did you do for this book?
My research was very involved. I think it has to be to immerse the reader in a different time period. I start with the characters—what were popular names in Vienna during WWII? My next topic was the city of Vienna, where the book is set. I have been to Austria, but not the Vienna neighbourhood where the book takes place, so I used Google Earth—it has a dropdown feature where you can actually “walk the streets.” It helped me describe buildings and use actual street names. Some of the book takes place in St, Stephen’s Cathedral, so I had to find the floors plans, including those of burial crypts in the basements. I also researched and read books about the Austrian Resistance movement, and the nation’s policies and treatment of the Jewish population. And then, as with all historical fiction, I researched clothing, women’s hair styles, food, popular automobiles, etc.
Did you discover anything surprising while writing it?
I did find Austria’s early policies toward their Jewish population different than I had expected. They promoted emigration, even after the war started, and several foreign countries helped Jewish children emigrate. Once the fighting began, and forced labor was needed to fuel the war effort, their policy shifted. It’s still evil in all forms, but a different approach than what much of Europe had taken.
Do you have a favourite character in the story?
My favourite character was Monika Graf, the main character. She’s a wealthy woman who risks everything to rescue Jewish children, with no recognition or reward, betraying both her country and her husband. As I wrote her story, and her character developed, I couldn’t help wondering how many of us would be as strong and selfless as she was.
Which character was the most challenging to write?
Father Christoff is a priest at St, Stephen’s Cathedral who helps Monika Graf rescue Jewish children. As the story progresses, he falls in love with her and questions his commitment to God. Throughout the course of the novel, he gradually sacrifices everything—all for her.
✨ Quick Fire
• Coffee or tea? Both! Coffee before noon, tea after.
• Favourite historical period? Maybe a tie – Victorian England and the Jazz Age
• One book you love? This question is much too difficult. Hmmm…Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, anything by Ken Follett or James Michener, American westerns by Zane Grey or Robert B. Parker….and the list goes on.
Are you working on anything new?
I recently finished a book set during the British occupation of post-WWII Germany. A member of the local town council where the British had established their headquarters asked me to write it. I thought it was an interesting concept, so I did. I enjoyed it.
I’ve just started a Mafia mystery set in Philadelphia in 1932. It’s based on my great-great aunt (her last name was DeMarco). According to family legend, she drove the getaway car for the mob. I should have some fun with this one!
Where can readers find you online?
Universal Buy Link:
This book is available on #KindleUnlimited
Social Media Links:
Thank you so much for hosting Another Soul Saved today and for sharing the interview—we truly appreciate your support! ✨
ReplyDeleteThank you for interviewing me and featuring Another Soul Saved. I really appreciate it!
ReplyDelete