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EVEN IN DARKNESS

Spanning a century and three continents, Even in Darkness tells the story of Klare Kohler, whose origins in a prosperous German-Jewish family hardly anticipate the end of her long life in a loving relationship with Ansel, a German priest half her age. In between lies a harrowing saga of families, a lover, two world wars, and the Holocaust. Based on a true story, Even in Darkness highlights the intimate experience of Klare’s reinvention as she faces the destruction of life as she knew it, and traces her path not only to survival, but to wisdom, meaning and most unexpectedly, love. It reminds us that it’s never too late or too hard to find ourselves anew.   

 

Readers who look for depth of historical detail woven into narrative will find that this meticulously researched novel combines a fascinating view of Germany in the first half of the twentieth century, with a vivid portrait of the characters’ inner lives as they navigate the shocking realities they must face. Even in Darkness is based on 15 years of interviews, on-site investigation, and translation of letters from the people on whom the primary characters are based, in Europe, Israel and the United States. 

Even in the Darkness cover

​This beautifully written story gives the reader insight into a woman who followed an unusual path, and a different angle on post-World War II life.

- Miriam Bradman Abrahams- Jewish Book Council

This is a Holocaust story certain to move readers not only because of the quiet heroism of its characters, but because it rings with truth. Even in Darkness is a stunning historical endeavor.

- Michelle Anne Schingler “Foreword Reviews”

Throughout the book [Stark-Nemon] demonstrates the beauty and the treasure inherent in good storytelling, both by the stories told by characters in the book and by her own skill at weaving events into a coherent storyline that honors love in all its forms…and respects courage in the many manifestations called forth by the Holocaust.

– Barbara Payne, “Chicago Examiner”

HARD CIDER

A Notable Michigan Book-Traverse Cty Record-Eagle

The messy truth of a certain age; it’s hard to re-invent yourself. Navigating the shoals of her complicated family, Abbie Rose Stone tries to nurture a life and a business along the lake and dunes of northern Michigan that she loves. Can she preserve the fragile balance when a lovely young woman threatens to expose a long-held secret that will change Abbie’s life forever?

Read an excerpt about Hard Cider making here .............

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Hard Cider cover

In this absorbing and thoughtful novel, the alchemy of turning apples into hard cider becomes a potent metaphor for the way in which time blends and distills the characters into a family. With grace and compassion, Stark-Nemon examines the forging of relationships under the pressure of shocking revelations. A deep valuing of connection to land, work, and loved ones emerges from this beautifully written story.

- Jessica Levine, author of the novels The Geometry of Love and Nothing Forgotten

The novel soars with passages about upper Michigan’s unique beauty, as well as through Abbie’s instinctive love for nature and her captivating excitement as she steps into a cider house, with its “sweet dank warmth and the powerful smells of a packed earth floor, crushed apples, and hay.” Hard Cider is a story about following a dream, but not without the planning and perspective needed to turn passion into reality.

- Foreword Reviews 2018

Sarton Literary Award -Gold Medal -Historical Fiction

Independent Publishers Book Award Gold Medal - European Fiction, 2015

Silver Medal Contemporary Fiction-2018

Foreword Reviews INDIE Book Award Gold Medal-Literary Fiction, Bronze Medal- Historical Fiction, 2015

Finalist General Fiction 2018

Chanticleer Int’l Book Awards- Grand Prize,  Somerset Award for Literary and Contemporary Fiction 2018

International Book Award Finalist- Historical Fiction, Finalist- Literary Fiction

Top Shelf Book Award- 1st place- Parenting/Family Fiction

Shelf Unbound- 100 Notable Books 2016

Book Riot- 100 Must-read Works of Jewish Fiction- 2016

“A Wolf with Patience,” 2nd place Writer Magazine Short Story Contest

“Like a Lamb to Slaughter” Women on Writing, 1st place Flash Fiction 2015

Audiobook: New York City Big Book Award, Best Audiobook- Fiction 2021

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