Margaret’s Last Prayer: A World War II Family Saga (A Soldier’s Heart)
Selected as a Finalist for the Chanticleer International Book Awards for 20th Century Wartime Fiction (The Hemingway Awards)
Margaret’s Last Prayer is a captivating tale of courage, fate, and the enduring bonds that transcend time…reminding us of the strength of the human spirit and the power of hope. – Midwest Book Review
Alsace, France, 1772
Fourteen-year-old Margaret Laemmer’s path crossed with two gypsy boys in a daring rescue. Little did she know that it would set a chain of events spanning generations in motion. As a reward for her selfless act, Margaret receives a pair of amulets from the boys’ grateful mother, promising good fortune for those who possess them.
Years later, as Margaret’s sons set out on their journeys, she passes down the amulets to them, instilling her deep longing for family unity into these precious talismans.
In a twist of fate, as the world is engulfed in the turmoil of the Second World War, two soldiers from opposing sides find themselves on the banks of the Elbe River in Germany. Unbeknownst to them, they bear identical amulets, forever linking their destinies.
Praise for Margaret’s Last Prayer
“Margaret’s Last Prayer – Gary Baysinger’s writing style is unforgettable, leaving a lasting impression on everyone who reads his work. Get ready to be enthralled by this incredible tale that keeps you turning the pages until the end”. – Midwest Book Review
“An intriguing book, full of historical facts, delving into the consciences and coincidences of one family and the effects of war.” – Reedsy Discovery
“Superb, finely drawn, historical fiction!” – James Conroyd Martin Author of The Poland Trilogy
About the Author
Gary Baysinger spent his formative years growing up on the site of a World War II battlefield. Inspired by comic books, a love of history, and classic Hollywood cinema, he used his family tree as an outline for a novel. His debut work, “Margaret’s Last Prayer” is a finalist for the Hemingway Award for 20th Century Wartime Fiction. His novella, “A Kind of Homecoming,” is a finalist for the Chanticleer Awards for Novellas and Collections. He is a graduate of the University of Baltimore and a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard. Gary began writing in 2016 and lives in Milwaukie, Oregon with his wife, two children, and two dogs.