Mary Higgins Clark, Jenny Witterick, And The Holocaust

A Good Day For Any Writer…It is a good day when you can spend thirty minutes talking books, creative projects, and vacation plans with Mary Higgins Clark and Jenny Witterick. This chance meeting could not have been planned to run any better. Mrs. Clark, the world-renowned author, just finished her new book Daddy’s Gone A Hunting and was looking forward to her vacation. She gladly shared ideas on her new writing as she expressed how relieved she was to finally finish her latest book. Her books have been impossible to put down. She is an outstanding writer. She looked outstanding in the picture with Jenny Witterick, too. Her new book Daddy’s Gone A Hunting came out April 9^th. Clark's new book is a who-dun-it filled with murder and mayhem that will fool you until the end. It is very different from anything she has written previously.

Jenny Witterick is one of Canada’s most successful business-women. Ms. Witterick’s success story should be followed and emulated by women everywhere. Research both the work she has accomplished heading Sky Investment Counsel Inc. (Sky) since 2004 and the path she forged years earlier in financial circles throughout Canada. It is an inspiring journey.

This vignette, however, is about Jenny’s writing not the money she has helped thousands to wisely invest. My Mother’s Secret is her new book. It came out March 25 and sold out throughout Canada as it zoomed to the top five in books purchased. The book is a must read and you will not put it down until it is finished.

Please read past the story for some additional great insights into Holocaust history from Mrs. Witterick.

Anita Pyclik in an email to Jenny summed up Ms. Witterick’s work far better than I could ever do. Jenny said I could share it in my column. She let me read it on her iPad. After reading what Anita said, I suggested to Jenny that she use Anita’s comments on her book cover or in her forward. After reading this moving description you will want to buy Jenny’s new book, immediately.

Anita said: Please find my heartfelt and honest thoughts on the novel,

'My Mother's Secret' below:

When J. L. Witterick first handed me a copy of her manuscript, I was excited ... but there was a bit of skepticism as well. As J. L.  explained, her first novel 'My Mother's Secret' was a story about the Holocaust of WWII ... a truly tough subject for anyone. Having completed a double major in History and Theology, I like to think of WWII novels as something that I have already read thoroughly. In my years of study, I must have covered countless topics, each providing me with vivid details and horrific accounts of the holocaust.

Nevertheless, having been born in Poland and coming from a strong Polish background, I started to read out of nostalgia.  Unexpectedly, I could not stop once I started and continued to read for almost the full day until I finished.  I did not want to leave one word behind. J. L.'s  book has an incredible capability to draw you in.  The story is about compassion and our hope for humanity all in one. I felt emotional and proud to be reading this book on heroism, love and hope during a dark time in history that aimed to destroy all such notions.

Coming from a Christian-Polish background, I do not have any ties to Judaism ... so perhaps many will wonder why this book appeals to me? This book is not just a tale about how Jewish families were saved by a Polish woman.  It is the story about a compassionate and brave soul, who in the midst of the horrors around her, still followed her conscience. You do not have to be Jewish, or religious, or a history enthusiast to have this novel appeal to you. It will seep into your heart and stir up powerful and beautiful emotions, no matter who you are or where you come from.

At first glance the novel seemed short to me, but I realized by the time I completed one third of it that J. L. did exactly what a powerful and memorable book does ... it leaves you in awe!  Sometimes this can happen 50 pages into a book, sometimes 400 pages, and sometimes not at all. But just a few chapters into J. L.'s  book and I felt a swell of inspiration ... a moment where I was deeply moved and intrigued and I dare not put the book down. J. L.  filled the book with such powerful characters, drawing on facts, data, accounts, emotions and of course love.

I can see this novel changing and touching many hearts ... including mine.  I wish nothing more than to see 'My Mother's Secret' have the same effect on millions as it did for me.