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Worth the wait!

Posted on by Posted in Books, Free Books!, Freebies, Purchase Books, Remember Me, Sanela Ramic Jurich

The wait is over

 

AVAILABLE IN AUDIO!

 

To receive a FREE audiobook, send an email with a promise you’ll leave a REVIEW on Amazon. You will then get a code for one FREE (Remember Me) audiobook.

sanela@sanelajurich.com
 
 
 
audible, an amazon company
To purchase, go to Audible.com or visit Amazon.com

 
 

 

Publisher’s Summary

At the innocent age of 15, Selma is just beginning to experience the power of her first love. 

Unfortunately, living in Bosnia in 1992, Selma and her parents soon find themselves targets of the Bosnian War, and her father is arrested by the Serb Army and held for questioning. In an attempt to protect her daughter, Selma’s mother sends Selma to stay with her aunt, but that seems to be a mistake. 

Days after arriving, the city is attacked, her family members are murdered before her eyes, and Selma is thrown into a concentration camp where she lives out her worst nightmare. After losing nearly all those she loves, being abused by those whom she once trusted, and witnessing prejudice at its ugliest, Selma isn’t sure she even wants to stay alive. Will Selma ever escape from room ten alive? And if she does, will her broken spirit ever recover? Will she have any family to return to? Will she ever find love again? 

Follow Selma’s journey through love, despair, hope, and peace in author Sanela Jurich’s Remember Me. Experience the brutality of the Bosnian Genocide, but see how God’s hand restores Selma’s life tenfold. Understand the courage it takes to face your attackers and relive the pain in the name of justice. Discover whether love can blossom from beneath the rubble of war.

©2011, 2015 Sanela Ramic Jurich (P)2022 Sanela Ramic Jurich
  • Unabridged Audiobook
Historical Fiction
 

Sample

To purchase, go to Audible.com or visit Amazon.com

 

 

I truly believe that I survived for one reason and one reason only: to tell our story, to give a voice to those who don’t have it anymore. I was there as a witness. As a survivor, I have an obligation. I have to talk about what happened in Prijedor, Bosnia, back in 1992, no matter the cost. 

 

 

“Ms. Jurich is a master story teller with a historically important background that must be read in its entirety to be appreciated – Don’t worry, once she’s introduced, you’ll hang on every word.” – iSTAR

 

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

 

 

 

Audiobook Announcement!

Posted on by Posted in Books, Freebies, Remember Me

In just a few short days, Remember Me will be available to enjoy as an audiobook!

The talented Lindsay Carrillo is narrating. So excited for you to hear this tender love story — set in a background of unrest and destruction — brought to life. 

 

Listen to the five minute sample here:

 

“When you read a book, the story definitely takes place in your head. When you listen, it seems to happen in a little cloud all around it, like a fuzzy knit cap pulled down over your eyes.” ― Robin Sloan

 

 

 

 

I truly believe that I survived for one reason and one reason only: to tell our story, to give a voice to those who don’t have it anymore. I was there as a witness. As a survivor, I have an obligation. I have to talk about what happened in Prijedor, Bosnia, back in 1992, no matter the cost. 

 

Happy Halloween!

Posted on by Posted in Book recommendation, eBooks, Haunting from the Past, Purchase Books, Remember Me, Sanela Ramic Jurich

Just thought I’d send a little extra love your way today—Halloween hugs from me!

Fun fact: 

 

Jack Nicholson’s divorce inspired a scene in “The Shining”? 

According to today.com, there’s a scene in “The Shining” that writers — including Nicholson — know all too well: Wendy approaches Jack at his typewriter and he scolds her for trying to get in the way of his writing process. Nicholson later revealed that his character’s reaction, although exaggerated, stems from his own personal experience.

“That scene at the typewriter — that’s what I was like when I got my divorce. I was under the pressure of being a family man with a daughter and one day I accepted a job to act in a movie in the daytime and I was writing a movie at night and I’m back in my little corner and my beloved wife, Sandra, walked in on what was, unbeknownst to her, this maniac — and I told Stanley [Kubrick] about it and we wrote it into the scene,” the actor told The New York Times.

Hope you don’t have a scare in the world this Halloween!

On Halloween you get to become anything that you want to be.

“If Human Beings Had Genuine Courage, They’d Wear Their Costumes Every Day Of The Year, Not Just On Halloween.”– Douglas Coupland

 

What is Halloween to you? For some, October is the time for moody reads that take place in dark mansions or fog-shrouded country lanes. For others, Halloween means slasher horror films, vampire reads and creepy Stephen King novels. Some, however, prefer stories of real monsters that live among us disguised as humans. 

Remember Me and Haunting from the Past are available as eBook downloads. 

Within minutes you can be reading these books on your computer, PDA, cellphone or a stand-alone eBook reader–at a reduced cost!

 

Click the “Digital eBook Download” below to purchase today!

 

                                                              $2.38 digital download

                                                  Digital eBook Download $2.38  Digital eBook Download $2.38

 

“Ms. Jurich is a master story teller with a historically important background that must be read in its entirety to be appreciated – Don’t worry, once she’s introduced, you’ll hang on every word.” – iSTAR

 

 

What are you reading/anticipating?

Posted on by Posted in Books, Remember Me, Sanela Ramic Jurich

“Another fall, another turned page…”

Remember Me in audio by the end of October, 2022

It’s a sunny, but crisp October Thursday in Chicagoland. Word is I’m making stew and thinking about books. I feel like some Anne Rice today. Was debating between Anne Rice and Nora Roberts since it’s October and the outside looks so colorful and beautiful. Romantic, but kinda spooky at the same time.

Contemplating weather to go to Louisiana with Anne Rice or visit Ireland with Nora Roberts. Or maybe I should hang out with Dean Koontz and his golden retrievers? Or perhaps I should give someone new a read all together? What are you reading or anticipating to read these days? 

Maybe you’re waiting for Remember Me to come out in audio. I know I am. I feel so giddy all the time. Ever since I found out it’s going to be available (in audio) by the end of this month, I can hardly contain my excitement. It’s such an amazing experience–hearing it. Selma finally has a voice of her own. 

Here’s a short snippet. Give it a listen. 

 

Thank you for hanging out with me.

Love always, 

Sanela

My biggest goal is finally fulfilled and I can now breathe the air of freedom with a clear conscience—I didn’t forget!

 

 

I truly believe that I survived for one reason and one reason only: to tell our story, to give a voice to those who don’t have it anymore. I was there as a witness. As a survivor, I have an obligation. I have to talk about what happened in Prijedor, Bosnia, back in 1992, no matter the cost. 

 

 

 

Keeping in touch

Posted on by Posted in Sanela Ramic Jurich

SANELA AT HOME, BOYS, THE OUTDOORS

 

“Dear friend, it’s been a while since we last heard from each other. How have you been?”

Around here, we’ve got a routine going, and routines always keep me steadier. I’m writing away, and that always keeps me sane. Now I’m working on a prequel to Remember Me—and no! I’m not telling you anything about it yet, except that, It is Sabina and Ivan’s story and it takes place in, you guessed it, pre-and-during war in Yugoslavia. I am not letting the world forget about the genocide they let happen in the early 1990’s Balkans “and that’s all I have to say about that,” as Forest Gump would say.

Other than that, not much is happening in my corner of the world.

Weekends are for cleaning, cooking, baking. Not much gardening this year as herds—and I mean herds—of rabbits gobbled up most of my garden. Nothing stopped them this year. Twice I went out and chased about ten away. They didn’t leave me much except for some cherry tomatoes. 

My apple tree, on the other hand, has given me so much produce this year, I’ve harvested, chopped and made all kinds of apple goodies and still there is more to share with squirrels, neighbors and friends. 

Hanging out with my sons is always fun. Even the teenager’s been coming out of his hole more often to hang out with me, which makes me feel so good inside I can barely breathe.

 

Every time I see his tall figure emerge from his room, I hold my breath and hope for the best.

“Wanna watch a movie or something?” He said to me this Friday night, surprising me so much I almost chocked on a piece of pie I was eating.

“Sure,” I managed to answer calmly, while jumping up and down from joy inside.

We went to Rolling Stones store in Chicago the other day and he purchase a DVD of a movie called The Shining. He wanted to watch and compare it to the book he’s currently reading, The Shining by Stephen King. 

Even thought I don’t really like horror movies, I agreed on watching it since he was the one to ask me and I’d do anything for him, even if it means sit down and watch a horror flick by Stephen King. And yes, he also talked me into watching IT with him one time to “face my fears” and cure my phobia of clowns. All I can say about that is that it was a very, very bad idea.

Anyway, we watched the movie and he wasn’t very impressed because, surprise-surprise, it wasn’t like the book, which he’s absolutely in love with.

On Saturday, Denny, my college kid, decided he wanted to cook. We’ve been talking about going to Louisiana on vacation. We wanted to visit various restaurants and try all kinds of exotic foods we never tried before. Denny, being a real foodie, decided not to wait to go to Louisiana to try gumbo, but to look up a recipe online and make it himself. After watching a few tons of videos on You Tube, he came up with his own recipe for a gumbo, which, I must admit, came out surprisingly great. Not one drop was left in that pot and we all wanted more. Maybe next weekend… 

                He cracks me up!

 

Devin and I enjoying the weather while waiting for Denny’s gumbo to be done.

Other than that, we cleaned, mowed the loan, harvested some more apples and decorated for Halloween. I even baked an old fashioned apple cake while they found the time to work on an old Celica they’re not giving up on. Needed a jump and some gas, but it’s still going strong. 

 

Giving a jump to old reliable

 

That’s really about it from my home front. I’m going to relax in my clean house for awhile now!

Love always,

Sanela

P.S.

I Forgot to mention how absolutely ecstatic I am about my book, Remember Me, coming out in audio soon. Here’s a short audio snippet for you. Enjoy!

 

Stay Tuned

Posted on by Posted in Books, Remember Me, Reviews, Sanela Ramic Jurich

I am so grateful for all the love and support I’ve had from people around the world.

A Thursday afternoon blog post is rare, but I felt inspired while reading one of the reviews about Remember Me posted on Amazon. It brought tears to my eyes as I read and re-read it and so, I just wanted to take a minute to thank you all, from the bottom of my heart, for taking the time to leave a five-star review or a rating. It’s much appreciated.

Here is one of my favorites:

“For starters, if you have never teared or cried while reading, I suggest you have a tissue box ready. I’m not sure what brought tears to my eyes more: The immaculate beauty of Love demonstrated throughout the novel, or the mortifying truths of the genocide that were presented. Everything about this book is worth reading. Every page, every word, every letter has its own individual story behind it. Safe to say, this book is one of the most emotional I’ve journeyed through. There is a wave of emotions that is presented while reading the book. An overwhelming feeling of happiness and joy is felt while reading the parts of the true and genuine love and affection felt towards one of the characters “Johnny.”

At the beginning, I was interested to see what Sanela had to offer of the hidden aspect of the war in Yugoslavia. I was curious as to see and learn about the war through the aspect of a survivor- someone who had endured all the horrors and by fate would survive only to make sure the story was to be told. By the end, I was heartbroken and all I wanted to do was hug her for having the strength to relive her memories over and over- a memory that has taken the life of many survivors because of it’s undeniably severe impact.”

My book, Remember Me, is going to be available in audio soon and I am thrilled for you all to hear it. It is a completely different experience than reading it. I get so emotional just thinking about it.

When I received an eleven-minute snippet of someone reading from my book, I just sat there. Frozen. Unable to move as all kinds of emotions hit through me one by one. I cried like a child. Needles to say, it is now in production.

Here’s a little audio snipped to hold you over until you can hear the whole story. Enjoy!

Love always,

Sanela

 

 

A short taste of Remember Me

Posted on by Posted in Books, Freebies, Remember Me, Sanela Ramic Jurich, Short stories

“I know the feeling of confusion and betrayal. I know the feeling of fearing for my life.” 

~Jason Reynolds

There’s something to be said about finding someone who just gets you. There’s really nothing like it. Finding that person is the same feeling as coming home. You just feel comfortable. You feel like you can relax and be who you really are. They’re exactly what you’ve been missing.

As I contemplate about which story to write about today, I am feeling lonely. I am feeling betrayed by someone I love. I am feeling confused and scared. I am feeling … blah, and so, what I need today is some Johnny-therapy. Every time I get betrayed by someone I love, I go back to the memory of him to remind myself that it is possible to be loved by someone so completely that you don’t have to censor what you say around them because they get you and they love you anyway. You can be as goofy as you want around them and they will love you anyway. You can cry and fall apart in-front of them and they will still love you anyway … finding a person like that is rare. 

For me, a little Johnny therapy is what’s desperately needed this weekend. It’s what’s necessary to get me through to the next chapter of my life. So, instead of coming up with a new inspirational story to tell you today, I am bringing Johnny back to life instead. 

Here’s a short excerpt from my favorite book. 

Enjoy!

Copyright © 2022 by Sanela Ramic Jurich. All rights reserved.

Pg 205-207 in Remember Me 

The door to his office was open, and as I walked in, I saw this tall, handsome, blond man holding the phone to his ear and talking loudly. There was a faint accent in his voice. He had his back turned to me, but his voice was enough to tell me it was him. It was my Johnny. I couldn’t stop the tears from embarrassing me; they flew out of my eyes like rivers before he even turned to face me. I felt like I was about to have a heart attack. My mind was telling me it was impossible and that I was finally losing it, but my heart – my heart was humming, slowly wrapping around his voice, soaking it in, treasuring it. He turned… slowly dropping the phone to the floor. Shock was all over his face as he just stood there, obviously stunned. The sight of him made me catch my breath. Though his blond hair was now expertly trimmed, and his body had filled out; he still had the most mesmerizing blue eyes I’d ever seen, looking even more like a god than before. I noticed the one dimple he had when he smiled. His one flaw – a dimple on only one side, his left. To me it wasn’t a flaw at all; it just made him look even more adorable.

     “Selma,” he whispered, as if he was afraid if he spoke louder or moved I’d suddenly disappear. I couldn’t say anything from fear of sobbing loudly, so we just stood there looking at each other, neither one making the first move for a few moments. Then, finally, he walked gradually toward me. The nightmare I’d had for years popped into my head, and I thought to myself that if this was another tribulation and he suddenly disappeared, I’d die. My heart would break, and I wouldn’t recover from this one.

     “Selma,” he repeated softly, finally reaching me.

     “Hi…” was all I could whimper out as my whole body trembled, mostly from the closeness of him and a little from the shock it just went through. The hug he gave me was soft at first, but it became stronger and stronger with each passing second. His arms were wrapped around me tightly; I thought he’d break my rib cage, but I didn’t mind if he did. I wanted him close, closer. I was afraid if I let go, I’d never be able to hold him like that again. I had millions of questions on my mind and knew nothing about this grown-up Johnny. For all I knew he was happily married. Oh, how I hoped he wasn’t.

     Selfish–I was so selfish to hope that….

Hope this short excerpt brightens up your day a little. It’s certainly putting a smile to my face.

Thanks for hanging out with me.

Love always,

Sanela

 

AGED TO PERFECTION

Posted on by Posted in Remember Me, Sanela Ramic Jurich, Short stories

“We don’t receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us.” ~Marcel Proust

As my birthday approaches, so does my anxiety. Not for the reasons one might think. I’m not afraid of getting old or dying. I’ve faced death more times than I can count and it no longer scares me. It taunts me at times though. When I wish for it and beg for it to come and end the misery, it laughs in my face. It squeezes so hard sometimes, it feels like my soul is about to leave my body. Then it eases its grip on me as it grins and whispers: no, not just yet, you haven’t suffered enough yet. There are more lessons to be learned, still. 

No, death does not cause my anxiety any more. Death feels like a sweet release. Freedom. My anxiety is caused by life and the evil that exists in it. In my experience, birthdays are reminders of the evil that plagues the human nature. 

Someone once said to me that birthdays are a celebration of sheer privilege of being alive and, although, I truly am grateful for all the years of life I’ve lived after my sixteenth birthday, I still can’t escape this immense ache in my heart that seems to be getting stronger with each passing year; every single year my birthday rolls around. 

 

My sixteenth Birthday — Bosnia 1992

The day I left my home country forever was August 26, 1992. It was my sixteenth birthday.

As I stood on the street, waiting for a bus to take me away to an unknown hell, I was feeling ashamed of my own thoughts. I was brooding over my birthday. I was being a typical sixteen-year-old; a teenager. I wanted a birthday party. I wanted my friends and family to fuss over me. I wanted the sweet in the “sweet-sixteenth.” Why could’t I have all that?! Why was I being robbed of that?! For whom?! Instead of getting a birthday party, I was being forced out of my home. Being forced to watch as evil men killed my family, friends, neighbors. Being forced out of my freedom! Had to stay quiet as they called me names and tried to touch me inappropriately — had to let them do it! Had to keep quiet as they stole every single possession my parents and I owned. Why?! For whom?! For what?! 

Five days before … August 21, 1992, I was in a convoy that was transporting me from my home-town, Prijedor to Travnik. It was supposed to be a safe passage, but half way to our destination, the Serb army stopped the convoy, forcing over 250 men and boys out of it and killing them in a place called Koričanske Stijene on Mount Vlašić. The rest of us were taken to the other side of the mountain and thrown onto the field of mines. (Read  Remember Me).

The walk down the mountain was very long and tiring. My mom tripped and fell so many times … I had to pee so badly, I could barely walk. When it got dark out, we weren’t allowed to turn on any flashlights because if we did, the Serb army could see us. They were already throwing grenades over our heads, trying to guess where exactly we were. I remember some guy lighting a cigarette and three other men jumping up and tackling him to the ground. The cigarette was going to give our whereabouts away.

When we left home, we took nothing with us. We had no money and no belongings. All was taken away. (Read Remember Me).

And so I just stood there — at the bus-stop — hopelessly. Feeling as if someone had dumped a bucket of manure on my head. Feeling guilty for wanting something better for myself on my birthday as if I hadn’t just witnessed a mass murder take place only five days before. 

My mom, noticing the look on my face, leaned closer and whispered: “Sanela, you’re alive. We’re alive. Isn’t that something to celebrate? We’re leaving hell on your birthday. That’s something, isn’t it?” 

I stood quiet as her words made me feel worse, not better as she intended.

I felt hatred, but not toward the men who forced us out of our home, but toward myself. I wasn’t good enough to have a party. To celebrate my sweet sixteenth like all the other kids my age did and at the same time, I felt guilty for even wanting it now while all this misery was going on around me. 

“It could be worse,” she continued. “We must hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.”

“What do you mean it could be worse?!” I snapped, “why do you always have to say that?! How about this, from now on you say, it could be better! Huh?! Maybe then it’ll start getting better, not worse!” 

I turned my back to her, not wanting to talk any more. I felt even worse than before. I realized I had hurt her. She was only trying to make me feel better. She didn’t know anything either. She didn’t want this for me, I knew, but she was an easy target for me to take some frustration out on. She forgave me, I’m sure. She probably doesn’t even remember those words spoken in so much pain, but I do and I still feel guilty for dragging her down to that hell with me as if she didn’t have enough to deal with herself. 

A few minutes later, I heard someone calling my name. Turning around I noticed a boy a couple of years older than I, whom I’d just met a day before, running to catch up as the bus we were waiting on slowly approached. 

He was out of breath when he finally reached me. Almir was his name. I only remembered him because when he had introduced himself the day before, I’d noticed a hole in his forehead. It looked as if someone had scooped up half of his forehead and covered the hole with skin. After he had introduced himself, we had talked for a little bit. He had explained to me that the hole in his head was created by a shrapnel from a grenade that fell on his house killing his mother and two sisters. 

It could be worse. My mom’s words rang in my head as I watched him approach. 

“I have something for you,” he said earnestly, “Happy Birthday.”

He handed me something wrapped up in newspaper. “Don’t open it just yet. Wait until I’m gone.”

My voice was filled with emotion as I asked how he knew it was my birthday.

“Your cousin told me last night,” he smiled, “although it’s not much, it’s something to remind you you’re not alone. Be happy on your day Sanela,” he smiled sadly adding, “birthdays are a celebration of privilege of being alive and that’s what we are. Alive. We get to live another day. To meet some new people. To love. If nothing else, then to see what happens next.”

I’ve lived by those words every day of my life since, always wanting to see what happens next.

And so, as my 46th birthday approaches, I am thrilled to report that I am better than ever. It took me a while to get here, but here I am, basking in awesomeness. Despite everything, I came out beautiful and strong. 

 

Never forget how rare you are.

Cheers to the next 46!

Sanela

 

“I truly believe that I survived for one reason and one reason only: to tell our story, to give a voice to those who don’t have it anymore. I was there as a witness. As a survivor, I have an obligation. I have to talk about what had happened in Prijedor, Bosnia back in 1992, no matter the cost!” ~Sanela Ramic Jurich