Journal

A True Story…

I want to share a true story with you today, because it resonated with me so much when I heard about it. I can still see the train, shimmering through the cold, foggy winter morning, appearing, ghostlike on the track…

The young girl in this photo is Isa. She was the daughter of the family who owned the real Schloss that inspired Schloss Siegel in The House by the Lake. Isa, a teenager during the war years, was given the job of taking all the village children to school each morning once cars had been requisitioned by the Nazis. The mode of transport she had to use- the wagon you see here.

Isa had to collect the children at 7am, and drive them through the often freezing German winter mornings to the village school, but on one cold, misty morning, visibility was completely cut off. Isa was just crossing the train line, towing the children behind her in the cart, when she heard the boom of a train engine coming straight at her. She was half way across the tracks. The train was almost right on top of her, coming straight at the children through the thick fog.

Isa, who was probably only thirteen at the time, lurched the wagon full of small children across the tracks. Just in time.

It’s one of those war time stories that stays with you. What a brave young person Isa was.

11 Comments

  1. Audrey Steuer September 1, 2016

    I am simply loving your novel, “The House by the Lake”. Is it possible to be included in your list of subscribers to your newsletter, please?

    Thanks very much – Audrey

  2. Anita S Morrow September 11, 2016

    Absolutely loved The House by the Lake. Can’t wait to read more of your books.

  3. Joann October 18, 2016

    I am almost finished reading House by the Lake and can hardly put it down. It is breathtaking. I usually don’t like books that skip back and forth in time, but this one is easy to follow and I love it. Please keep them coming and keep up the good work!!

  4. Kristina Alden November 17, 2016

    In love with all three of your books! I melt into the characters and live their struggles and triumphs. Thank you for your love and passion for bringing the page alive.
    Please put me on your list of subscribers for your newsletter.
    Waiting impatiently for number 4! Lol

  5. Susan December 4, 2016

    Just finished Paris Time Capsule and loved it. Incredible pictures of the painting and apartment on the internet. I adore historical fiction and have just begun House on the Lake. Another wonderful adventure into another time. I’m loving it.

  6. Judi January 4, 2017

    Love The House By The Lake…still reading it and just enjoy the escape from this world it is giving me.

  7. marlene caza March 23, 2017

    would love to receive your newsletter please, love your book, The House by the Lake

  8. Christopher Wilson September 6, 2017

    I have just taken up a new hobby of reading. Usually, I tend to read biographies or stories of true events.

    Your novel ‘The House By The Lake’ had caught my eye on Amazon Kindle. I had never read fiction before apart from books I read as a child. So I decided to download it. I am halfway through the novel and I am so engrossed, that I don’t want to put the Kindle down. You have written this beautifully and your attention to detail captures my imagination in a way where I feel like I’m living in the moment.

    I would love to see a film version of this novel. And I look forward to reading more books by you.

    Best regards
    Chris

    • ellacarey July 24, 2018

      Thank you so much Chris! That is wonderful to hear. I’m glad that you enjoyed reading about the abandoned Schloss in The House by the Lake, as much as I enjoyed researching the book and writing it.

  9. Tracey July 22, 2018

    I couldn’t stop reading your book, “The House by the Lake”. So entrancing and I just couldn’t put it down. What a wonderful read, thank you. I felt I was right there in the book with them.

    • ellacarey July 24, 2018

      Thank you so much Tracey! That’s wonderful to hear. The real Schloss is that inspired the house in the book is called Schloss Proetzel and is in the town bearing the same name in Germany.

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