Praise for Margaret’s Last Prayer

The Hemingway Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works for 20th Century Wartime Fiction. The Hemingway Book Awards is a division of the Chanticleer Book Awards. Margaret’s Last Prayer was selected as a Finalist for the Hemingway Book Awards.

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. The amulets become more than just trinkets - they become carriers of hope, love, and the desire for reunion.

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. These amulets passed down through generations, hold the power to bridge divides and bring loved ones back together.

Margaret’s Last Prayer – A Soldier’s Heart is a captivating tale of courage, fate, and the enduring bonds that transcend time. Experience the magic of the amulets as they weave their way through history, reminding us of the strength of the human spirit and the power of hope.

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.

In Alsace, in the late 1700s, fourteen-year-old Margaret Laemmer is an accomplished swimmer. She also cares about her fellow human beings. When she sees that two children are about to drown, she jumps into a rapidly moving current and saves them. It doesn't matter that these children are part of a gypsy caravan. The mother of these children is so grateful to Margaret that she gives her two matching amulets, promising that these will somehow save her family and/or her descendants. Little does she know what a prescient prediction this will be.

As her family grows, she decides to whom the amulets will be given, and they are then passed on to members of future generations. Some of her descendants travel to the United States; the U.S. Civil War takes place. World War I happens, followed by World War II. Margaret's descendants find themselves participating in these horrible conflicts. Several have dreams or visions of Margaret in her farm house; some have other dreams of visions of violence being perpetrated on or by family members.

I found this book to be fascinating for a number of reasons. First, the historical context in which it is presented is accurate as far as I can tell. It explains the fact that the Germans annexed Alsace, which had been a predominantly French-speaking country and prohibited its inhabitants from speaking French. During the world wars, Germany conscripted men from Alsace, even though the Alsacians considered themselves not to be part of Germany. This fighting for Germany--a country to which they did not feel patriotic duty--stirred major conflict in so many men, especially under Hitler and the Third Reich. This book explores the inner thoughts of two of Margaret's descendants, one of whom fights on the American side of World War II, the other, a conscript who had wanted nothing to do with the Nazi movement, who fights for the Germans. The way each handles the deaths of their comrades is similarly devastating and takes an enormous toll of each, psychologically and physically.

Secondly, this book demonstrates the bonds a family has, no matter how far away from home they go, no matter under what circumstances they must survive, and no matter what their status in life is. Their traditions remain constant; they never forget where their roots are, right down to the small things, such as how long one should leave up their Christmas tree.

Finally, this book explores the horrors of war without sugar-coating any of it. It presents the stark realism of the toll war takes, not just in terms of fatalities, but what it does to the young men who survive, whether with physical or emotional wounds. The author pulls no punches when describing what the young men endure, and the nightmares that follow as a result.

As I see people try to "change history" to meet their own political needs, I would recommend that those same people read books such as this one. It's a lesson not only in history, but also in geography, psychology, and so many other things important to the human spirit.

- Reedsy Discovery