1–What is the title of your latest release?
THE FAMILY BEHIND THE WALLS: Absolutely heartbreaking and gripping World War Two fiction
2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
In THE FAMILY BEHIND THE WALLS, Jordanna and Dalia cling to the hope of being reunited as they fight for survival in the darkest of places. Facing unthinkable obstacles and risking everything, they refuse to give up on each other – despite already losing more than their hearts can bear.
3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
I base my Historical Fiction books off an inciting incident within one of the many locations where World War II derailed life for so many. In THE FAMILY BEHIND THE WALLS, the story begins with the Hamburg Inferno.
4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?
Yes, I have a passion for writing about strong female characters with bravery that would surpass my own if put into similar conditions. I would look up to Jordanna and Dalia, knowing their strength is their power. These two characters also remind me of my grandmother and great-grandmother who both survived life in a concentration camp during the Holocaust. I was blessed to know them for many years of my life and my character’s make me feel closer to them now that they’re gone.
5–What are three words that describe your protagonist?
Loyal, real, and empathetic
6–What’s something you learned while writing this book?
I hadn’t done much research about the Hamburg Inferno prior to writing this book and was taken aback by what the residents of Hamburg lived through in 1943. It’s unimaginable to watch a city that was home to so many, crumble to ash on account of war.
7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
I wait until I’m done as sometimes new details will come to life later in the story that I want to add to earlier parts. I make a lot of notes while I’m writing so I can connect earlier scenes to later ones once I’ve completed the first draft. The full-circle moments that come together during my revisions are my favorites.
8–What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
Sushi, Chinese food, and any perfectly cooked pasta dish. For treats, warm chocolate chip cookies and cold milk will make any day better.
9–Describe your writing space/office!
In a house full of men/boys (a husband and two teen sons), I thankfully have my own office space filled with my collection of books, portraits with favorite quotes, candles, and a spotless desk. I like cozy, but neat so I’m not distracted easily.
10–Who is an author you admire?
Kristin Hannah. I love how descriptive and emotive her books are.
11–Is there a book that changed your life?
When I was about twelve and picked up a book that I instantly connected with, I found the feeling of being emotionally attached to stories and I’m grateful for that first book that made me realize the magic in reading. It was Six Months to Live by Lurlene McDaniel. I never forgot about that book.
12–Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)/Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.
I had been through ups and downs with small publishers throughout the course of my publishing journey as an indie author, but when an editor from Bookouture reached out with interest to work with me, I cried happy tears knowing that the years of hard work, and honing my craft had put me in a position to be noticed in a way I never expected. I’ll never forget that moment.
13–What’s your favorite genre to read?
Literary Fiction, Thrillers, and Historical Fiction. It’s hard to choose just one. 🙂
14–What’s your favorite movie?
Forrest Gump. The movie makes me feel differently at every age I re-watch.
15–What is your favorite season?
Summer. I love sunshine, being outdoors, and having a less hectic schedule with my kids.
16–How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
Something simple, maybe a dinner with a few friends and family or just having a day to put my feet up and relax.
17–What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus was incredible as both a book and a movie. I would highly recommend it to all my reader friends.
18–What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
Eastern European and Asian
19–What do you do when you have free time?
I can be a TV junkie, but I also enjoy listening to audiobooks while playing simple, mindless games on my phone.
20–What can readers expect from you next?
Right now, I’m sticking with Historical Fiction. With my family’s history of enduring the Holocaust and losing most of one side of my family, I spend a lot of time trying to find out who they once were, if I have any traits from them, and what it would be like to have them in my life now, or just for a day. The thought of who I never got to meet has become my inspiration to create the characters based on them. I have a lot of stories waiting to be written.
THE FAMILY BEHIND THE WALLS by Shari J Ryan
Absolutely heartbreaking and gripping World War Two fiction
Germany, 1943. Jordanna cries out desperately to her mother, tears spilling down her cheeks. She is being torn one way, her parents another. And in Jordanna’s terrified, wide brown eyes, there is only one question: Will I ever see you again?
Poland: Day in and day out, fifteen-year-old Jordanna holds tight to the hands of her siblings as they’re forced into back-breaking labor. They’ve been transported to a camp for Polish orphans, but at night, Jordanna weeps silently, clinging to the hope that they’re not actually orphans. That when they finally escape, their mother Dalia will be waiting with open arms. But the only thing she knows for sure is that to survive, she cannot let the cruel guards discover they are not just Polish, they are Jewish…
Auschwitz: More than a hundred miles away, Dalia shivers in her tattered striped uniform, wary eyes darting around for any sign of trouble. She’s seen other women lost to the bitter sting of the frozen air and the brutal regime and she can’t let it be her. Every day, Dalia prays that her husband will find a way to save their children. But when another prisoner approaches her about joining their secret resistance, Dalia decides to take rescuing her family into her own hands-despite the terrible danger it puts her in…
The only thing keeping Jordanna and Dalia’s spirits alive in the darkest of places is the hope that they will one day be reunited. But will Dalia fight her way out to cradle her daughter in her arms once more-or will she die trying?
A heartbreaking, emotional, yet ultimately hopeful World War Two page-turner about the strength of the love between a mother and daughter triumphing over evil. Fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, The Nightingale and The Choice will be blown away by this gripping, unputdownable story.
Women’s Fiction Historical [Bookouture, On Sale: January 27, 2025, Paperback / e-Book , ISBN: 9781836184775 / ]
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About Shari J Ryan
Over the last decade of writing more than thirty-five novels, I have found a deep passion for Women’s Fiction, Historical Fiction with a focus on World War Two, and now, Psychological Thrillers too. As the granddaughter of two Holocaust survivors, I feel a strong sense of purpose while writing historically accurate portrayals of a life many of us can’t imagine. I’m grateful for the chance I had to sit in front of them and listen to their stories. For my great-grandfather, great-uncle, and the many cousins I will never know, I refuse to let their existence be forgotten. Writing is more than a passion for me; it’s my way of expression and connecting with others. I thrive to share each and every feeling and emotion I experience while living within these stories alongside each reader who picks up one of my books.
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