Award-Winning Historical Fiction Author

Tag Archives: Holidays

When Spring Remembers

Posted on by Posted in Audio Books, Book recommendation, Books, Bosnia, eBooks, Haunting from the Past, Holidays, New blog post, Prijedor, Purchase Books, Remember Me, Sanela Ramic Jurich

Some springs arrive in silence. Others arrive in fire.

 

March 1st. The first day of a new month, bringing us closer to spring—renewal, hope, life. But for Bosnia and Herzegovina, March 1st marks something far more profound. On this day in 1992, my homeland declared independence from Yugoslavia… and that’s when all hell broke loose. What followed was hell on earth, a darkness that shaped my past and found its way into my stories.

It shaped the child I was, the woman I became, and the writer I had to be.

📚 Remember Me (Sjeti me se), Haunting from the Past are more than books—they are my truth, my memories, my way of ensuring that what happened is never forgotten.

But even after the harshest winter, spring always comes. And so, we remember, we honor, and we move forward. 🌿✨

 

About the Author

Sanela Ramic Jurich is a survivor of the Yugoslav war and the 
author of several novels inspired by lived experience. 
She writes to remember, to honor, and to ensure that even 
the darkest chapters are never erased.

View Sanela's complete profile

 

Goodbye, Hello

Posted on by Posted in Holidays, Sanela Ramic Jurich

Between taking down the lights and looking ahead

View from my window — 11 degrees in Chicagoland today; feels like -7.

 

My sons and I will ease into a quiet year’s end, and honestly, I’m perfectly content with that. This weekend, they’re breaking down Christmas. I put it all up; they put it all away. That system works well for us—and everyone knows their role.

I’ve already tackled the One More Room and its particular brand of holiday chaos, which always looks worse before it gets better. Whew— It looks pretty much normal again—no boxes, gift bags, ribbons, or tissue paper scattered everywhere.

I’ll bake gurabija as we go, and slowly return all the things I tucked away to make room for Santas, snow people, and the rest of the holiday décor. One shelf at a time. By Monday, I’ll feel like I’ve officially reclaimed the house from Christmas—and I’m looking forward to that feeling.

Looking ahead, I plan to write more blogs in 2026—about family, some travel, gardening (I truly can’t wait to get started again), and the small moments that make up everyday life. The everyday things tend to matter most anyway. I’m sure I’ll also share excerpts from upcoming books, announcements, and my own particular thoughts. As always, it will likely be a mix—cheerful, informative, reflective, happy—day-in-the-life moments, family stories, and everything in between. That blend feels honest to who I am, and it’s the way I like to show up here.

I like to think there are new readers—of my books and of this blog—who find that mix comforting, interesting, or simply good company. And for those who don’t, I can only suggest scrolling by when the subject doesn’t appeal—no hard feelings at all.

Before closing the door on this year, I keep coming back to a simple thought:

“New Year’s Day is every man’s birthday.” — Charles Lamb

Meanwhile, for this final blog of 2025, I wish each and every one of you a happy New Year, a teetering stack of to‑be‑reads, and a wonderful, healthy, and loving 2026—whatever shape it may take.

— Sanela

About Me

Author Sanela Ramic Jurich

View my complete profile

 

 

The Busy Season…

Posted on by Posted in Holidays, New blog post, Sanela Ramic Jurich
“I am thankful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

It sure has been busy around here—the good kind of busy. Pies, turkey, all the fixings, and the comforting chaos that comes with getting ready for the holidays.

This year I even broke my own rule and decorated before Thanksgiving. I usually wait, but honestly? We could all use a little extra cheer. So the tree went up early. Candles lit. Strings of lights everywhere. 

And in the middle of all that decorating, my son walked in, stopped to look at the tree, and said, “You moved it this year… and it’s a week early!”
He wasn’t complaining—just noticing. But something about that moment, his surprise mixed with familiarity, made me smile. Even small shifts in tradition remind me how much our home has grown and changed, and how grateful I am for the life built inside these walls.

And somehow, that tiny moment made everything feel a little brighter.

Because home wasn’t always certain.

I wasn’t born in the United States. I came here at sixteen, a refugee from a country that no longer exists. A war pushed me out, but America gave me a second chance. A safer life. A new language. Opportunity. And people—wonderful people I never would have met had I not been forced to start over.

This is why Thanksgiving is, without question, my favorite holiday—precisely because it’s not religious. It doesn’t divide. It doesn’t ask where you came from. It simply opens a door and invites everyone in.

So this week, as the pies cool on the counter and the turkey finally comes out of the oven, I celebrate not just tradition… but the life I was able to build here. The memories I’ve made. The family that grew around me. And the simple gift of being able to breathe, grow, and dream in peace.

What is your favorite holiday?
For me, Thanksgiving is pure perfection. Yet somehow it gets squeezed between the frenzy of Halloween and the glitter of Christmas—as if it’s not grand enough to stand on its own.

But it is.

So this week, let’s pause.
Let’s honor the table that welcomes everyone.
Let’s celebrate the quiet courage of starting over.
And let’s give thanks—not just for what we have, but for what we survived to reach this moment.

Happy Thanksgiving!

With all my love, 

Sanela

 

About Me

Author Sanela Ramic Jurich

View my complete profile

 

 

New Year New Chapter

Posted on by Posted in Between the Worlds, Book recommendation, Books, eBooks, Haunting from the Past, Holidays, New blog post, New Year, Purchase Books, Remember Me, Reviews, Sanela Ramic Jurich

A New Year, a New Chapter: 2025 Begins with Promise

This book was awarded the AudioBookReviewer’s Choice Award as it was deemed to deserve a higher rating than the standard 5-star review allowed. —Reviewer’s Choice at Reviewer.com

 

 

As the calendar turns to a fresh page, I find myself reflecting on the beautiful duality of new beginnings: the excitement of what lies ahead and the quiet gratitude for the journey that brought me here. Each New Year feels like a blank canvas, waiting for us to paint it with our dreams, our efforts, and even our stumbles. This year, 2025, feels especially significant. It marks the beginning of a new chapter in my life, one that I’ve been quietly anticipating for a while now.

While I can’t share all the details just yet, I can say this—there are incredible things on the horizon. It’s a strange and wonderful feeling to hold a piece of good news close, knowing it will soon unfold into something even more meaningful. For now, let’s just say that 2025 has already surprised me in the best way, and I can’t wait to see where this year takes me.

One of the greatest joys of stepping into a new chapter is looking back at the love and support I’ve been fortunate to receive. Recently, a few reviews for my books reminded me why I embarked on this writing journey in the first place. One reader wrote: “Listening to Remember Me by Sanela Jurich was an emotional rollercoaster that left me feeling shaken, heartbroken, and deeply moved.” Another said, “Sanela Ramic Jurich has a gift for sharing the very real feelings of her characters with the reader.”

Knowing my stories resonate with readers, especially those who have shared their own reflections with me, fills my heart with gratitude. Writing can be such a solitary endeavor, but moments like these remind me of the incredible connection stories can foster.

As I look ahead, I’m filled with hope. Hope for the stories I’ve yet to tell, the journeys I’ve yet to take, and the opportunities waiting just around the corner. This year, I’ll continue to write, to dream, and to embrace the challenges and triumphs that come with any new chapter.

Thank you for being part of my journey. Whether you’ve read one of my books, left a kind review, or simply cheered me on from afar, your support means more than words can express. I hope 2025 is a year of new beginnings for all of us—a year filled with growth, love, and the kind of magic that makes life so extraordinary.

With all my love,

Sanela ♥

 

 

 

 

Finding Beauty in the Chaos: My Rollercoaster Start to 2024

Posted on by Posted in Between the Worlds, Book recommendation, Books, eBooks, Ella Rees, Holidays, New blog post, New Year, Purchase Books, Sanela Ramic Jurich

It’s time to make old mistakes in different ways. Hurray! Happy New Year!

Well, well, well, 2024, you playful little rascal, you’re not exactly off to a flying start for me.

Picture this: New Year’s Day, 2024. I wake up feeling a bit wonky. Sore throat, chills, fever – the whole shebang. Is it the flu? Covid? Just a run-of-the-mill cold? I’m playing medical detective with my own symptoms. Fast forward to the third day of this saga, and I’m blessed with waking up to my left eye looking like it tried to arm-wrestle a bee and lost. Swollen shut and crusty – the glamorous life, I tell you.

Off to the doctor I go, who, after a dramatic drumroll, declares it’s strep throat causing the pink eye extravaganza. Absolutely fabulous. A week of antibiotics later, the fever is gone, but I’m still clinging onto “under the weather” like it’s a security blanket.

But hey, let’s not let that cramp our style. Writing took a backseat, but fear not, my literary endeavors shall rise like a phoenix from the ashes!

And then today happened. I wake up to a winter wonderland – 7 inches of snow painting my world in frozen magic. Picture me, sipping coffee by the patio door, witnessing the snowfall turn my backyard into a Narnia-level masterpiece. It’s the kind of serene and wonderful that makes you forget strep throat ever existed.

 

© Sanela Ramic Jurich

 

So here’s to kicking 2024 where it hurts and embracing the unexpected beauty it throws our way. Bring it on, 2024 – I’m ready for the rollercoaster! 🎢✨

May this year be a kaleidoscope of health, prosperity, serenity, love, laughter, and kindness. 

~Sanela

Short excerpt from Between the Worlds: Sarah describes a nightmare caused by memories

 

Between the Worlds

The backhanded slap sent me sprawling. The shock of pain blinded me. When I tried to roll into a protective ball, he dragged me across the marble floor by the hair.

I denied and wept. He accused. Until he got tired, leaving me to crawl away and sob in a corner.
But this time, in this dream, I crawled off into my forest, where the air was warm and the ground welcoming.
And there, where the stream gurgled over its smooth rocks, I slept.
Then awoke to the cannon-blast of thunder and the jagged rip of lightning. Awoke to terror. Confusing the blasts of thunder with the blasts of the grenades destroying my grandfather’s town. His house. My parents, my grandpa…
When I fell asleep again, I was back in my forest. Running. Instead of fighting, I was running. Too afraid to turn around and face what pursued me. Finally, I reached the lake. The vast glorious Lake Michigan and decided to plunge into the water. And the trees of my forest all tumbled in after me.
Between the Worlds is available on Amazon. Click to buy!
 

 

  

About the author

Sanela Ramić Jurich is a distinguished author and accomplished public speaker with a compelling background. Hailing from Prijedor, Bosnia, she entered the world in 1976, just as the complex tapestry of the Yugoslav war began to unfold in the early 1990s. Precociously navigating the challenges of those tumultuous times, Sanela was merely fifteen years old when the conflict erupted.

Her literary contributions, exemplified by notable works such as “Remember Me” and “Haunting from the Past,” stand as poignant testaments to her lived experiences during the war. These masterfully crafted books not only showcase her prowess as an author but also serve as powerful conduits through which she shares her personal recollections of the era.

Currently residing in the vibrant city of Chicago, Sanela Ramić Jurich has established a harmonious life alongside her two cherished sons. Her journey from the ravages of conflict to her present abode is a testament to resilience, determination, and the indomitable human spirit. Through her words and public addresses, she continues to captivate audiences, shedding light on her remarkable narrative and the broader lessons that can be gleaned from her compelling journey.

Fueled by her passion for writing, Sanela was eager to take on a new writing endeavor. Utilizing a pseudonym presented her with the chance to engage with a fresh and diverse audience. She recently published her first contemporary/fantasy novel titled “Between the Worlds”. This captivating tale explores the themes of soulmates, profound connections, the allure of home, and the strength of emotions. 

With every stroke of her pen, Ella Rees, the alias she wears with pride, casts a spell woven from the raw fibers of emotions, entwining readers in a spellbinding dance of heart and mind.

 

FALL FEELS AND TURKEY MEALS: A GRATEFUL TWIST

Posted on by Posted in Between the Worlds, Book recommendation, Books, eBooks, Ella Rees, Holidays, Purchase Books, Sanela Ramic Jurich

“The turkey. The sweet potatoes. The stuffing. The pumpkin pie. Is there anything else we all can agree so vehemently about? I don’t think so.” – Nora Ephron

I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate you purchasing, reading, and reviewing my books. Thankful for You.

The weather did a swift 180 from perfect to downright chilly, making it a challenge to convince myself

CLICK TO BUY

that it’s still prime leaf-peeping time in the good ol’ USA. Yet, despite the sudden cold snap, there’s a silver lining – and it’s not just the frost on the pumpkins. Drumroll, please… enter Thanksgiving, the pièce de résistance of this glorious autumnal saga!

Sure, I’m thankful for the pumpkin pies and apple delights, but let’s not forget the real MVPs – the friends and family who gather around the table to tackle those desserts with me. And topping the gratitude list? The sheer privilege of calling this country home.

As I mentally brace myself for the impending winter blues, I’m determined to squeeze every ounce of joy out of fall.

Winter may be knocking, but for now, let’s soak up the fall vibes like there’s no tomorrow – or at least until the turkey coma kicks in. 🍂🦃

So, as I bid a not-so-fond farewell to the thought of winter’s icy grip, I’m raising a pumpkin-spiced latte to autumn and all its glory. Let’s cherish these moments, from the laughter around the dinner table to the crunch of leaves beneath our boots.

Here’s to embracing the warmth of gratitude, the joy of fall, and the anticipation of a holiday season that promises not just cozy nights by the fireplace but an abundance of love and laughter.

Wishing you a Thanksgiving filled with warmth, joy, and a whole lot of pumpkin-flavored everything! 🍂🍁🦃

~Sanela

AFTER THE HOLIDAYS

Posted on by Posted in Book recommendation, Holidays, Purchase Books, Remember Me, Reviews, Sanela Ramic Jurich

 

NEW YEAR, NEW CAR, TWO AWARDS

 

 

Here’s to getting back into the groove!

🎶 I’m a model, you know what I mean, and I do my little turn on a catwalk, yea, on a catwalk, on a catwalk, and I shake my little tush on a catwalk…🎶  Haha! Try not to sing along!

 

After the holidays, after the decorations came down and were stored away, after the baking and cooking and clearing up after it was all done, my car broke down. 

The dreaded check engine light on my beloved Volkswagen Tiguan came on–ironically–a few months after my warranty expired. It was the worst news; repairing it would have cost more than the car was worth.

I thought all was lost. My bad luck had followed me into the new year. 

But, as soon as that thought entered my mind, amazing things started happening, just to prove me wrong. 

“GOD WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS,” they say. Continue reading →

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Posted on by Posted in Book recommendation, Books, Free Books!, Freebies, Haunting from the Past, Holidays, Remember Me, Sanela Ramic Jurich

WISHING YOU A NOVEL-OUS HOLIDAY SEASON!

“Books make great gifts because they have whole worlds inside of them. And it’s much cheaper to buy somebody a book than it is to buy them the whole world!” ― Neil Gaiman

I am giving away audiobooks as presents this year. To claim your gift, you must email  sanela@sanelajurich.com, and I will send you a free code to your own copy of Remember Me. In order to listen, you do not need to have an account with Audible. All you need is your Amazon sign-in information. Claim your code and listen for free!

 

Merry Christmas!

 

 

CHRISTMAS IS IN A WEEK AND EVERYONE’S GIFTS ARE STILL IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS

Posted on by Posted in Holidays, Sanela Ramic Jurich, Uncategorized

Today I will be as useless as the “g” in “lasagna”.

 

Destination: Isolation.

A few days ago, I was putting up my Christmas decorations, singing my favorite Christmas songs just to get on my sons’ nerves while sipping on my favorite beverage. I was thinking about how happy and fortunate I truly was. I thought I had all the time in the world to get my shopping done in time for Christmas and to make this Christmas more memorable than all the others. After all, I thought, this is the season of perpetual hope!

If you are anything like me, you are probably trying to juggle your own family holiday traditions against the litany of seasonal obligations—office parties, invitations to countless cookie exchanges, volunteer opportunities, and holiday productions—you are also very likely in need of a moment of levity. 

Two days ago, I got extremely sick. Just out of the blue, I got this weird cold, but stronger than cold / flu, but still a little different than flu ailment. Worried it might be the c-word, I went to get tested  and sure enough, it came out POSITIVE for COVID-19. It was really strange for me to receive such results. I dodged it so well for the past two years while everyone else around me was getting sick. I couldn’t help but wonder why now? And so close to Christmas? When I have so much to do and so little time to do it! 

My view while battling Covid-19

Today I’m stuck at home with an enormous headache that won’t quit, tightness in my chest, snot leaking out of my nose and eyes … My sons are refusing to get near me (and with good reason), and … 

No one is bringing me tea! 

The high fever is making my skin ache. This horrible cough is hurting my throat. I feel miserable, afraid, and a little lonely. My body feels heavy and is refusing to move off this couch. It has had enough and it wants me to stay put! There is no going out to do Christmas shopping today and it’s too late for shopping online.

COVID-19 is helping me see how unimportant all of it really is. How in moment’s time everything can change. How, just two days ago, I had all kinds of energy to do all kinds of things, and today, I can barely hold my head up long enough to type up this blog post. And honestly, as I lay alone on this couch in my nicely decorated living-room, thinking of all the things that won’t get done, I am not even stressing over it. I am just happy to be here. To be alive. To hear my sons tease me about having a “plague” and to know that they’re doing that to make me laugh and, people who go out of their way to make me laugh are my favorite types of people.

Regardless whether you show up or skip all of those festivities and events, people who love you will still love you and will go out of their way to make you laugh.

So, I guess what I’m trying to say is–and Bob McFerrin said it best–“In every life we have some trouble, but when you worry you make it double. Don’t worry. Be happy.” 

Love always,

Sanela

 

 

GONE fishing – catch you later

Posted on by Posted in Holidays, Sanela Ramic Jurich

SANELA AT HOME, BOYS, THE OUTDOORS

 

“If people concentrated on the really important things in life, there’d be a shortage of fishing poles.” Doug Larson

 

Fox River, Illinois

Everything here is passing by so quickly, and the summer months are gone. It’s only been a little while since you left, but everything already feels different.

Saying goodbye to summer-time and autumn months is always hard for me knowing that the harsh winter months are just ahead. We’ve already seen some snowfall and a lot of ice covering the ground. The other morning, I almost fell while taking out the trash, not realizing everything was covered in pure ice.

Just the thought of what’s coming is making me want to hide inside and hibernate until it’s over. 

I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate you purchasing, reading, and reviewing my books. Thankful for You.
~Sanela

The weather went from absolute perfection to freezing cold quickly and it’s really hard to keep reminding myself that it is still the best leaf peeping time in America and that there’s truly no better time to take in the beautiful landscape this country has to offer. Which brings us to one of the biggest reasons to love fall yet: Thanksgiving! Next week is one of my favorite holidays — the bookend to this fabulous time of year.

Not only am I thankful for those sweet potato pies and apple desserts, I’m also thankful for the friends and family I can share those with at the dinner table.

As I ponder over how much I am not looking forward to winter, I’m trying to make the most of autumn and to enjoy all that comes with it—the crisp air, cozy atmosphere, the apple picking, and everything else this wonderful season has to offer.

So on Saturday, even though there was chill in the air and the weather seemed more like winter than fall, my sons and I, along with some friends, decided to take the time to go fishing one last time this year. It was an unbelievably enjoyable day. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That’s about it from my home front. Still playing the waiting game when it comes to Remember Me coming out in audio. It shouldn’t take long now — a few more days, I was told. In the meantime, I hope all is well with you.

Love always,

Sanela