Cover Reveal for PLAYING WITH MATCHES -- Finally!

This is the book I almost published last year, and pulled it last minute. This is the book I started writing in 2005 after listening to an elderly friend share his experience as a Hitler Youth. This is the book I'm most excited to release and most terrified at the same time.

Because, it's the war. There are so many professed history experts on the war, and I'm not one of them.

I read books, watched movies, listened to my in-laws stories who were children at the time, read more books, researched on-line and finally this September, I visited the two cities this story takes place in, Nuremberg and Passau.

I think it's ready. This cover has been ready for over a year. I love it. It's perfect.

PLAYING WITH MATCHES is not meant to be a historical text (though I did my best to be as authentic as possible). It's a character study about a group of kids forced to grow up, in fact, give up their childhoods, during a horrific time of history.

It also ends with hope, so don't be afraid to read it. :)

Emil Radle is a dedicated Hitler Youth member. He’s loyal to the Fuehrer before family, a champion for the cause and fan of the famous Luftwaffe.

Then one day they take the Jews away, including his childhood friend, Anne. Still, there must be a good reason, right? It must be for the good of a great and glorious Germany.

.

When his friends Moritz and Johann discover a shortwave radio, everything changes. Now they listen to BBC broadcasts, news reports that tell both sides. Now they know the truth. The boys band together to write out the BBC news and covertly distribute flyers throughout their city. An act of high treason that could have them arrested or...worse.

But when Germany’s losses become immense, even their greatest resistance can’t prevent them from being sent to the eastern front. 

Will Emil survive the battle? And will he ever see his family again?