Redemption for Gertrude

Seduced by prevailing beliefs of Anti-Semitism after WWI, a young girl enters the world of Nazism only to find out everything she was taught was a lie. Redemption for Gertrude takes the reader into the heart of Germany during the 1920s when Hitler was emerging as its leader. By the time Gertrude discovers she was duped by a racist mentor. it is too late. She is caught in the web of Hitler's evil, becomes a target of the Nazis, and finally makes her escape to America, forging a new life for herself.

A daughter finds clues to her mother's horrendous past in the attic. After confronting her, the mother retreats to her room and relives her life through flashbacks. The author takes the reader back to the aftermath of WWI when Anti-Semistism was rampant. Gertrude came of age during this time and her hatred of Jews was cemented by the beliefs of her family, the community, and especially her mentor, Herr Friesen who groomed her to join the supporters of The Thule Society which was formed to get rid of all the unworthy people from the country to make it great once again. Gertrude becomes an integral part of Hitler's inner circle but soon realizes she cannot condone what was transpiring. She unknowingly marries a Jew and falls in love with his uncle who fathers her child. Now she is a target for the Nazis and with the help of her husband's uncle, escapes, taking on a new identity. After living in a small village she relocates to America where she raises her daughter. But the memories of the evil deeds she had done never leave her. After describing her life to her daughter, the question remains, will there be redemption for her?

AUTHOR BIO TK Banner hails from British Columbia. She has been in the field of education most of her adult life, as a teacher of all grades, Sociology Professor for twenty years, director of an Independent Study Program, helping adults earn their diploma. She won many awards, including being recognized for initiating a girl power group, developing innovative career strategies, and her work for United Way, helping parolees find employment. She has worked with various Indian Reservations, homeless shelters, and the Cal-Works program at a local college. Her biggest passion is helping women achieve their passion for life, to break free of all the doubts they cling to that stop them from recognizing their own worth. She didn't return to school until she was forty, and with the help of the counselors and professors, she was able to graduate as valedictorian in her master's Program. She went on to get her teaching degree and a certificate in special education training. She had adopted two teenage boys with fetal alcohol syndrome, so she was able to understand what the students in her classes needed. After the Camp Fire in 2018, which took everything from her, she worked in Medford, Oregon with special needs students until the pandemic. She and her fiancé now reside near Palm Springs, where she continues to write and counsel women. Her years of teaching Sociology made her aware of the injustices in our world. Out of that awareness came "Best Friends – A Compass and True North" an historical novel examining our country during four turbulent decades, through the letters of two best friends. She is a member of the Writers Club, AAUW, and Readers Ink. TK is a very spiritual person who can be found going on nature walks and meditating by the waterfalls.