Welcome

Written by Jadwiga Szelazek Morrison
Illustrations by Elizabeth Szelazek Emerson
Turning Stone Press (C) December 21, 2012

Combining history and hardship, battles and betrayal, miraculous escapes and death-defying encounters, From Exile to Eden, chronicles one family’s epic 12-year true story from deportation in Poland as political prisoners of war to a Soviet labor camp in Siberia, and finally to safety and freedom in America. The many extraordinary events on the battle field, personal encounters with famous political figures and numerous paranormal incidents keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

Where to Buy:

– Turning Stone Press / Red Wheel
– Amazon
– Barnes & Nobel

Full Synopsis:

On February 10, 1940, the Szelazek family was deported as prisoners of war from Poland to a Soviet labor camp in Siberia, beginning a 12-year epic journey that spanned countries and continents. In From Exile to Eden, Jadwiga Szelazek Morrison traces her family’s harrowing yet inspirational flight from war-torn Europe beginning with two remarkable people — Tadeusz Szelazek born in 1909 to a titled family of the old Polish aristocracy and Helena Semerylo born on Armistice Day 1918.

Tadeusz and Helena create an unforgettable story of love, loyalty, courage, and inspiration. Helena, destined to be unusual from the moment of her birth, discovers her psychic awakening at the age of five when she is struck by lightning, followed by a second lightning strike as a teenager. Her abilities prove to be both a blessing and a curse for her and her family, and lead her on a journey to distant lands far from the land of her birth. Tadeusz follows a path of intellectual pursuits trying to unravel the meaning of life, in the end finding answers only within himself and from those he loves. A chance encounter with a world-renowned seer, leaves him in possession of predictions concerning his future. With logic and intellect battling the possibilities of predestination, he finds his life unfolding in patterns which he fights to control and change.

Drawn from memoirs and family journals, From Exile to Eden weaves history, adventure, romance, parapsychology, and inspiration; sharing the story of the Szelazeks’ exile as political war prisoners, their battles with disease, hardship, betrayal, death, and struggles for freedom throughout Russia, Europe, and the Middle East.

Paperback: 292 pages
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1618520407
ISBN-13: 978-1618520401

Reviews:

5/5 on Amazon, 4.33/5 on goodreads

“A good book makes you forget about your own life for a while. And after you put it down, the images / phrases / people linger in your mind for the rest of the day…. you feel like you were watching a movie, not ‘just’ reading words. This book does exactly that. It will make you cry for sorrow and for joy. It’s a beautiful story that can appeal to everyone with its historical documentation, hope, humor, inspiration and mysteries. An easy, enjoyable read.”

“This was most amazing to me as it was a true story. I never wanted to stop reading it as I was drawn into the characters and their futures. A friend read it and she felt the same. I enjoy a good story where I can learn something as in this book. It was well written and I felt like a voyeur, it was personal but to the point. Would make a great movie. These times should not be forgotten or they will be repeated.”

“This novel, starting with the lives of two astonishing human beings Helena and Tadeusz Szelazek brings you right into the facts of the two Great Wars in Poland. They defied reality, and survived the odds multiple times throughout the book.”

“Intriguing story, learned things about WW2 that I knew nothing about, religious indications follow some of my own.The story line was easy to follow and enjoyable to read, a very interesting and difficult family story with a happy ending.”

“An excellent book! Right from the beginning I was pulled into Helena’s life as she was being christened. This true story about a family’s life led me on a journey of history with the Szelazek family. You are not able to read this life story without feeling the same emotions, as though you were right in the midst of the war, struggling with the family and wondering how they were going to survive. It left you on the “edge of your seat” wondering what came next.”

“This book as a page turner! Not only is the book well researched it is well written. You can tell that the author put her heart and soul into this retelling of family history. If you enjoy a good story that takes you seamlessly throughout the historical journey of a family, then this book is for you”

“This book keeps you riveted throughout the retelling. The characters are endearing and the story line is compelling. I found myself recalling passages that held meaning in my own personal life. I highly recommend this book for anyone who likes history, adventure, and true life experiences.”

“This was a great book by an amazing author who you can tell has done her home work. To this day I cant believe that this is a nonfiction book due to the amount of excitement found in the pages of this book”

“An engaging true story of the author’s parents. Their experiences during World War II make for a gripping read, and the reader comes to love the characters, cheering their triumphs and mourning their losses.”