A poignant novel of love, survival, and how brightly hope can shine against the backdrop of unimaginable darkness.
Rachael is a resilient Jewish woman imprisoned in Auschwitz during World War II, clinging to the memories of her lost family while enduring the harrowing reality of the concentration camp. Amidst the brutality, she uncovers a hidden diamond engagement ring in the mud—its brilliance offering a glimmer of hope and a reason to survive. As she navigates the perils of camp life, Rachael forms a profound bond with Chaya, a young girl also yearning for connection and comfort in their shared despair.
Interwoven with Rachael’s tale are the lives of Samual and Hanna, a young Jewish couple planning for their future while navigating the hardships of Nazi-occupied Prague. Distracted by his life in Prague, Samual initially dismisses the growing threats against their community, focusing instead on the engagement ring he dreams of giving to Hanna. As the grip of the Nazis tightens, their plans unravel, yet their love becomes a beacon of resilience amid escalating fear and loss.
Diamonds in Auschwitz illustrates how, when everything seems lost, even the smallest treasures can illuminate the path to freedom and connection. Through Rachael and Chaya’s friendship, and Samual and Hanna’s unwavering love, the story reminds us that even in the bleakest times, humanity can shine brightly.
“A Gem of a Holocaust Novel”
“Heartbreaking, chilling, and historically significant, with a touching bittersweet conclusion.”
“Author Meg Hamand delivers a heart-breaking dual storyline highlighting the horrors of being Jewish during the German occupation in World War II in Diamonds in Auschwitz….Have your tissues handy for this book. Diamonds in Auschwitz illustrates how something beautiful can breathe hope into a truly depressing and ugly set of circumstances.”
“The novel is a powerful, timely reminder of what happens when unfettered evil is allowed—even encouraged—to run rampant.”
“The novel’s heart lies in the surprising connections across timelines, in people caring for each other amid horror, and in the fight to honor life and love even when death and hatred seem triumphant.”
“This novel represents a significant contribution to Holocaust literature, offering a unique, harrowing, and uplifting perspective.”
Diamonds in Auschwitz
The Bride of St. Michael’s
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The Bride of St. Michael’s *
Meg's next book takes place in Charleston after the Revolutionary War, combining women's lit with Shakespeare and low country legends.
Meg's new project is The Bride of Saint Michael’s, a historical novel inspired by a real Charleston legend. The story reimagines the haunting of Saint Michael’s Church through the life of Harriet “Ettie” Mackie—a young woman who grows up believing she must marry one of two brothers to claim her inheritance, only to fall for a poor carpenter and war-scarred Revolutionary War veteran. Ettie’s choices defy social expectations, love, jealousy, and betrayal entwined into a Southern retelling of Othello, laced with Charleston’s most enduring ghost stories—including the Gray Man, Anne Bonny, and the Bride herself. Part of the story is told by the boo hag that haunts Ettie, giving readers a look into the darker plot against the story’s heroine. The Bride of Saint Michael’s blends historical fiction, mystery, and the supernatural. It will appeal to readers of Kate Morton’s The Clockmaker’s Daughter and William Kent Krueger’s This Tender Land, with the Southern gothic tone of Truman Capote’s Other Voices, Other Rooms.
Meg Hamand is a historical fiction author whose debut novel, Diamonds in Auschwitz, showcased her talent for weaving meticulous research with deeply human storytelling and gift for transforming history into intimate, character-driven narratives. She is now seeking representation for The Bride of Saint Michael’s, a historical novel inspired by a real Charleston legend.
Meg hopes to collaborate with a literary agent who shares and values her passion for meticulous historical detail, stories with heart, and compelling characters who linger long after the last page.