LISAJOY SACHS
"We all leave things behind, but it’s what we carry forward that matters.” - Lisajoy Sachs
All About Me
Lisajoy Sachs is an award-winning author of historical fiction whose work explores memory, identity, and the enduring strength of the human spirit. Her debut novel, Bright One, launched a six-part World War II saga inspired by true stories from her own family ancestry. The novel established her as a powerful voice in multigenerational storytelling grounded in rigorous historical research and emotional authenticity.
The series continues with Golden Flight, scheduled for release in July 2026, and Aliyah Rising, forthcoming in 2027. The remaining titles in the completed saga include Folding Light, Restoring Hope, and Fading Night. Sachs has completed manuscripts for the entire six-book series, an ambitious literary undertaking that traces the lives, displacement, survival, and rebuilding of her ancestors across pre-war and wartime Europe.
Born and raised between Long Island and the Catskill Mountains of New York, Sachs was shaped by landscapes of sea and mountain that continue to influence the atmosphere and expansiveness of her fiction. She holds a Master of Fine Arts from the City University of New York and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Alfred University. Her professional background reflects a lifelong dedication to craft and design, with experience spanning fine arts, interior design, metal smithing, lapidary arts, and the craft beer and hospitality industries. She is an Accredited Jewelry Professional through the Gemological Institute of America, a Certified Beer Server® through the Cicerone® Certification Program, and a graduate of the Hop & Brew School at Yakima Chief Hops.
With the eye of a visual artist and the discipline of a historian, Sachs writes with cinematic scope and layered emotional depth. Her work is driven by a profound commitment to preserving family history and honoring those whose stories might otherwise be lost to time. Through richly detailed narrative and immersive storytelling, she illuminates the fragile threads that connect past and present.
Now residing in the Catskills Mountains, in New York, Sachs continues to write and research while embracing an active life filled with cycling, skiing, and travel with her partner and their standard poodle, Hops.
My HP Books
“Bright One is a deeply affecting portrait of love and survival under impossible circumstances. Intimate, restrained, and emotionally powerful, it honors women’s resilience and the enduring bond between mother and child in history’s darkest hours.” - Philippa Gregory, Author of The White Queen and The Other Boleyn Girl
Bright One is a powerful and deeply moving historical novel that brings to light a rarely told perspective of World War II—a story not from inside the concentration camps, but from the outside, where desperate choices meant the difference between life and death.
Inspired by true events, this emotionally rich narrative follows Jetti Finkelthal, a Jewish mother in Czernowitz, Romania, who makes the unimaginable decision to send her young daughter, Bertha, into an arranged marriage to save her from the horrors of Nazi persecution.
Told through the lens of her great-granddaughter, Lisajoy Sachs, this novel draws from a trove of family letters, photographs, stories, and memories to create a vivid, character-driven story of survival, sacrifice, and enduring love. As Jetti grapples with the grief of separation and the weight of her decision, her daughter embarks on a journey of exile, fear, and eventual resilience—carrying with her a secret sewn into the seams of her dresses: hidden treasures, and her mother’s hope.
Bright One stands apart in its genre by offering a unique lens on the Holocaust era—one centered not on imprisonment, but on forced separation and escape. It explores the intergenerational impact of trauma and the profound strength of maternal love, illuminating how personal sacrifice can echo through generations. The story is steeped in historical authenticity, emotional depth, and intimate detail, drawing readers into a world where ordinary people are called to extraordinary courage.
For those drawn to stories that explore the legacy of love and survival through the eyes of women and families forever altered by war, Bright One is a testament to the unbreakable bond between mother and child—and the lengths to which one woman will go to protect the future of her bloodline.
“Bright One is a deeply affecting portrait of love and survival under impossible circumstances. Intimate, restrained, and emotionally powerful, it honors women’s resilience and the enduring bond between mother and child in history’s darkest hours.” - Philippa Gregory, Author of The White Queen and The Other Boleyn Girl
In 1933, as antisemitism spreads across Europe, fifteen year old Berta Finkelthal leaves Czernowitz with a new name. Abramovich. A name she never imagined would replace the one she was born into. Married to a man three times her age, she is forced to surrender childhood overnight, stepping into the role of wife before she has fully learned who she is. Marriage was meant to secure her future. Instead, it carries her across borders just as hostility toward Jews intensifies and the ground beneath her people begins to shift.
What was meant to be a quick and safe departure becomes a desperate migration as anti Jewish persecution grows and escape routes narrow. By 1935, Berta and her husband Solomon are stranded in Istanbul, suspended between continents and consequence. Months pass in suffocating uncertainty. Promised departures collapse without explanation. Money thins. Friendship disappears into another ship’s wake. And within the confines of marriage, Berta begins to understand that protection does not always resemble love, and that survival may demand more maturity than she was ever meant to possess.
When passage to Palestine is finally secured, relief does not come easily. She has learned how quickly certainty dissolves. Ahead lies open water and the fragile hope of safety. Behind her, a Europe turning its back on Jews and closing its doors. Between those two realities stands a young woman who must decide what parts of herself she is willing to sacrifice in order to endure.
Set against the tightening grip of pre war Europe, this sweeping and intimate second installment of the Bright One series traces one girl’s forced coming of age amid exile, identity loss, and the quiet, often invisible costs of survival.
BOOK REVIEWS
Drawing inspiration from real events and people, “Bright One” by Lisajoy Sachs is a profoundly emotional journey that intricately explores the life of Jetti Finkelthal. Through vivid storytelling and rich character development, the narrative brings to life Jetti’s hardships and achievements, inviting readers into her world where hope and resilience intertwine.
Throughout her tumultuous journey, Jetti grapples with harrowing themes of abandonment, the ravages of war, the strain of illness, and the heavy shadows of grief that shape her experiences and fortify her resilience. The narrative intricately delves into her struggles and triumphs, painting a vivid tableau of her emotional distress, as well as the profound impact of her tumultuous past has on her present reality. With deftness and sensitivity, Sachs masterfully captures the complexity of Jetti’s character, allowing her story to resonate deeply with readers who embark on this emotional odyssey alongside her, witnessing her relentless fight for healing and hope despite overwhelming adversity. With the arrival of her daughter, Berta, a glimmer of belonging and newfound purpose ignites within Jetti, filling her heart with a fierce resolve to prioritise her child above all else. Yet, as the world around them begins to unravel, and the shadow of violence looms ever closer, Jetti finds herself faced with an agonising decision. The pursuit of what is best for her daughter demands an unimaginable sacrifice, forcing her to confront the depths of her love and the harrowing choices that come with it. Jetti is a deeply captivating character whose journey embodies remarkable resilience in the face of life’s adversities. Her narrative unfolds with an authenticity that makes her feel strikingly real. As she grapples with the profound loss of loved ones, the emotional toll on her spirit becomes poignantly evident, illuminating the depth of her grief. Unlike one-dimensional characters who simply shake off their challenges and press on, Jetti immerses herself in her pain, feeling every moment with an intensity that reflects her inner turmoil. Her struggles resonate on a universal level, showcasing not only the impact of her trauma but also her capacity for growth and healing. Through her relatable experiences of heartache, self-discovery, and joy in motherhood, she forges a powerful connection with anyone who encounters her story. Readers find themselves emotionally invested in her journey, drawn into the intricacies of her character, and inspired by her unwavering strength to face life’s trials with vulnerability and courage.
Although Joel, Jetti’s husband, makes only a fleeting appearance in the narrative, his experiences during the war are heartbreakingly intense and deeply affecting. Now that the echoes of gunfire have faded and the conflict has drawn to a close, he is left grappling with a deep sense of loss and disconnection. With his family having embarked on a new life in the bustling streets of New York, Joel feels adrift, tethered only to Jetti—yet the bond they once shared feels frayed and distant, as if they are mere strangers fated to pass each other by. Joel is a richly developed character, his internal struggles and the emotional scars etched into his psyche vividly articulated. As he contemplates the impending reunion with Jetti, a swell of anxiety consumes him—Will her love for him remain unchanged? Can he be worthy of her devotion after the war has fundamentally altered his sense of self? The reader can sense the tumultuous emotions swirling within Joel, a storm of doubt and fear. However, his fateful decision to leave Jetti without so much as a word casts a shadow over his turmoil, rendering his actions seemingly unforgivable. This lack of communication not only deepens his isolation but also accentuates the vast chasm that the war has carved between them, leaving both characters to navigate the heavy silence of unvoiced feelings and unresolved heartache.
The book features a vibrant array of supporting characters, each adding depth to the narrative. However, the grim realities of war and the relentless grip of the Spanish flu take a heavy toll, leading to the tragic loss of many. As these characters are swept away by fate, Jetti finds herself locked in a fierce struggle, grappling with the emotional aftermath and the weight of their absence.
The narrative unfolds with a lush, evocative depth, intricately weaving together a vibrant tapestry of sensory details that beckon readers to immerse themselves in a world brimming with life and emotion. The author’s voice glides gracefully across the pages, infusing the text with a profound emotional resonance and an undeniable sense of historical authenticity. Each carefully crafted phrase paints a strikingly vivid picture, capturing the delicate beauty and intricate fragility of the Finkelthal family’s existence. Through rich imagery and expressive figurative language, the story blossoms like a cherished memory, inviting readers to bask in the warmth of familial connections and the soft, haunting whispers of the past.
The novel opens in 1917, presenting the setting of Czernowitz with vivid imagery. At the heart of this story stands a grand mansion that whispers stories of opulence and privilege. Inside, the library opens like a hidden treasure chest. This estate serves as a sanctuary of affluence and stability, contrasting sharply with the turmoil brewing just beyond its gates. As the years progress, Czernowitz, with its lively marketplace bursting with a kaleidoscope of colours and sounds, exudes an air of multicultural charm. It is a place where the laughter of children mingles with the calls of merchants peddling their wares. However, the community faces new challenges as the tendrils of anti-Semitism begin to creep into their lives. The vibrancy of Czernowitz starts to wither under a looming shadow that drapes over the landscape, filling the once-joyous streets with an unsettling fear and a palpable sense of uncertainty. The charm and warmth of this beloved city are increasingly tarnished. Although Jetti does not want to scare her child, she is acutely aware that their haven is under a silent siege, transforming their playground into a place haunted by the spectre of intolerance.
“Bright One” by Lisajoy Sachs is an incredibly moving tale that resonates deeply with the reader, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page is turned. With its evocative prose and richly drawn characters, this story captures the complexities of human emotions and relationships, ensuring that its themes echo in the minds of those who embark on this heartfelt journey into the life of Jetti Finkelthal and her family.
Review by Mary Anne Yarde
Yarde Book Promotion
BOOK trailer
