Ashes and Ruins hits the shelves of bookstores on January 31, 2026.

I’m pleased to announce the release of my latest historical novel.

Based on a true story, Ashes and Ruins brings readers the full story of Clara and Edith, characters introduced in Immigrant Soldier. In the new stand-alone novel, mother and daughter come alive in a tale of quiet courage and perseverance before and during World War II. They struggle together on the emotional rollercoaster of Nazi persecution, forbidden love, the Blitz, the absence of husbands and lovers, and the hardships and restrictions of wartime England.

STARTING ON JANUARY 31, 2026, YOU CAN ORDER ONLINE AT THE LINKS BELOW:

This first link will support Laguna Beach Books. Or by changing the name of the bookstore, you can support a local independent bookstore of your choice:

https://bookshop.org/p/books/ashes-and-ruins

Or you can buy using these links:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com

https://www.amazon.com

In the time it takes for shipping, you can have your very own copy. I hope you enjoy reading Ashes and Ruins as much as I loved writing it for you.

Reader reviews are always appreciated, and they help me reach more readers. You can leave reviews wherever you purchase the book, as well as on

https://www.goodreads.com

In response to my requests to fellow authors and review sources, I have already received the following words of praise for Ashes and Ruins:

“A compelling page-turner woven with romance, long-buried secrets, and enduring love. This poignant story of a Jewish mother and daughter captures the heartbreak, fear, and resilience of living in Germany and England as Nazi power tightens its grip. Through intimate diaries and letters, the author paints vivid scenes that make history pulse with life. How will they navigate the perilous path to safety—and at what cost?”

― Jill G. Hall, author of On a Sundown Sea: A Novel of Madame Tingley and the Origins of Lomaland

*

“A mini epic, Ashes and Ruins distills the terrors of the World War II catastrophe, staging them, not on a battlefield but in that other sphere where the war also took place—the home. Its exploration of the strains and confidences of the mother-daughter bond is sensitive and inspiring and proves that the lives of quiet women are not without dynamite.”

― Janet Long, Editor of Longhare Editing

*

“Clara and her daughter Edith’s experiences are intertwined throughout. . . . The novel will appeal to both adult and mature young adult audiences because of the . . . parallels between mother and daughter and the devotion shown by women of all generations in times of great peril.”

― Kate Robinson, The US Review of Books, Recommended book

*

“World War II from a Jewish woman’s point of view. . . A book, well worth reading, that focuses almost exclusively on women dealing with war.”

― Lia Lorimer, reviewer on Bookbub.com and Goodreads.com

*

“This book’s title, Ashes and Ruins, doesn’t begin to do justice to this captivating historical novel about a German mother and daughter living in London during the Blitz. . . . The loving relations between mother and daughter evolve and strengthen as they learn to cope. Tough as it is, day to day, they manage to find hope amid the rubble.”

― Dori Jones Yang, author, When the Red Gates Opened: A Memoir of China’s Reawakening

*

“Part I, Ashes, is told through Edith’s girlhood journal entries, with the occasional insert of memories from Clara’s past. I liked the journal entry format; it was a very inviting way to tell a story, and I felt myself drawn into the moment of Edith’s past.”

― Jaidyn Taylor, Online Book Club

*

“Showcasing [Lang-Slattery’s] impressive flair for the kind of narrative driven storytelling that keeps her readers fully invested in this inherently fascinating and original novel from cover to cover, Ashes and Ruins offers a poignant blend of love and loss, deep family ties, and everyday courage. Deftly crafted, emotionally engaging, and a simply compelling read from start to finish, Ashes and Ruins is especially and unreservedly recommended for personal reading lists and community library Women’s Fiction collections.”

― Jim Cox, Midwest Book Review

**

Thank you to everyone who takes the time to leave a review. Your support is truly appreciated.