Playing with Matches

"Gripping, entirely credible and a page-turner. Recommended."

Emil, a fervent disciple of the Hitler Youth dreams of Luftwaffe heroics. His loyalty is shaken when a hidden radio reveals the war's harsh realities through BBC broadcasts. Together with his friends Moritiz and Johann and daring Katharina, they risk their lives to spread this truth, defying the regime they revered. Their dangerous mission threatens their lives at every turn.

As the war's tide turns against the Reich,  Emil's world unravels. His growing love for Katharina shows him a different future, yet the war's brutal advance thrusts the boys into the terror of the Eastern Front. In a world torn asunder, can Emil's hope for a future with Katharina survive the crucible of war?

****Available in German as Gefährliche Zettel****

What readers are saying:

"Using actual real-life stories from those who lived through it, Lee Strauss paints a bleak picture of fear and survival. Her characters seem real and jump right off the page."

"A real page-turner. If you like a good story and great history, read this book."

"An interesting perspective from the "other" side of the Holocaust."

"This is novel is an outstanding novel depicting the viciousness if the Nazi regime....Lee Strauss presents an unbelievable report on child abuse of the children "drafted" to serve the crazy sicko from Bavaria. This is a great read and I highly recommend your reading it."

"So moving, heartbreaking. A startling reminder of what happens when evil is allowed to bloom."

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Enjoy reading this well-researched, dramatic story of what it was like to be a teenager in Hitler's Germany. A slightly different perspective than many world war two novels.

Author Interview

Why did you feel compelled to write Playing with Matches?

It started a few years ago when a friend of ours sat on our couch and started telling us his story from when he was a young teenager in Hitler Youth and what happened to him directly after the war. It was very compelling and told from a different angle than any world war 2 novels that I had seen. Most books and movies tell stories of world war two heroes who were fighter pilots or soldiers in the field. Not many focus on the young people who bravely resisted from inside the ranks of Hitler's Youth.