If you’re in the mood for a historical novel that gently reaches into your heart and refuses to let go, let me introduce you to Bright One by Lisajoy Sachs — a deeply moving story that most certainly deserves a place on your reading list.
✔️ Inspired by true events
✔️ Richly detailed historical setting
✔️ Heart-wrenching yet hopeful
✔️ Strong, unforgettable characters
✔️ A story of love, survival, and sacrifice
Check out the blurb:
death.
Inspired by true events, Bright One tells the story of Jetti Finkelthal, Lisajoy Sachs' great-grandmother. In Czernowitz, Romania, this young Jewish mother is forced to face impossible choices as the world begins to collapse around her. As antisemitism tightens its grip and war edges ever closer, Jetti holds fast to her daughter, Berta, with the fragile belief that love and courage might still carve a way through the darkness.
Heartened by her grandmother Berta's letters, photographs, and family oral histories, Sachs revives a story both intimate and universal-stitched with the fabric of daily life, the pull of memory, and the quiet heroism of women who refused to yield to despair. Told with vivid, sensory detail, the novel unfolds as if you are walking beside the characters, witnessing what they see and sharing what they feel.
Through Jetti's resilience and sacrifices, Bright One reveals the enduring strength of family ties and the shadow of trauma that lingers across generations. It is a story of survival, of loss, and of the unbreakable connection between mother and child.
For readers captivated by historical fiction that lingers long after the final page, Bright One offers a profoundly human portrait of love tested by history's darkest hours.
Ready to pick up your copy? Bright One opens a window into the past and invites you to walk alongside its characters — to witness their struggles, share their hopes, and feel every emotional turn of the journey.
You can find Bright One at your favourite online bookstore — including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books and Waterstones.
Lisajoy Sachs is a dedicated writer, beer enthusiast, and passionate advocate for preserving history and culture through storytelling. Born and raised on Long Island and in New York’s Hudson Valley, her early years were shaped by the striking contrast of mountains and sea. Growing up in a family deeply rooted in community and tradition, Lisajoy developed a lifelong appreciation for connection, creativity, and cultural heritage.
Her professional journey is as dynamic as her personal interests. With a career that spans Fine Arts, Interior Design, Metalsmithing, Lapidary, and the craft beer and hospitality industries, Lisajoy has cultivated a rich and diverse foundation of knowledge and experience.
She holds several distinguished degrees and certifications, including a Master of Fine Arts from the City University of New York and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Alfred University. Additionally, she is an Accredited Jewelry Professional (AJP) through the Gemological Institute of America. In the beer world, Lisajoy is a graduate of Yakima Chief Hops’ Hop & Brew School and a Cicerone® Certified Beer Server, reflecting her expertise and passion for the craft.
As a writer, Lisajoy explores a wide range of topics—from beer culture and community engagement to historical fiction, which remains closest to her heart. Her work reflects a deep respect for the past and a fascination with how personal stories intersect with larger historical movements. She has published multiple articles highlighting how the craft beer industry promotes diversity and unity and continues to inspire readers with her thoughtful and emotionally resonant storytelling.
Lisajoy’s fiction is driven by a passion for history and family heritage, often set against vividly imagined backdrops and featuring characters navigating profound social and personal change. Whether capturing the resilience of refugees in pre-WWII Europe or illuminating the quiet strength of individuals in times of upheaval, her stories bring authenticity, emotion, and depth to the page.
Outside her professional life, Lisajoy is an avid cyclist and skier. Alongside her partner and their dog Hops, she travels in their camper van to explore new landscapes and seek out adventure.
Through her creative pursuits and professional endeavors, Lisajoy Sachs continues to bridge the gap between history, culture, and the shared human experience—bringing voice and visibility to the stories that matter most.
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