A Garland of Emeralds
Van Ryk pens fascinating chronicle of recovering self-identity in the midst of trauma
New Xulon Book Speaks to Readers of Any Age, Race, Culture
Van Ryk pens fascinating chronicle of recovering self-identity in the midst of trauma
2012-09-27
MAITLAND, FL— Laverne Boulogne Van Ryk’s new
book, A Garland of Emeralds ($20.99, paperback, 978-1-62230-491-2; $9.99,
e-book, 978-1-62230-492-9) describes the dying days of the Dutch Colonial Empire with its
historical events, clashes of cultures and religions, nationalistic fervor and
war. What makes this story so unique is that, even though the characters are fictional,
the majority of the book is based on actual events in history as witnessed by
the author.
“…My hope is that the novel will speak to people, young and older, who have lost their native country through upheavals of war and revolution,” states the author. “‘A Garland of Emeralds’ is an excellent and moving story in a historical setting: WWII in the Dutch East Indies. It is seen through the eyes of the young main character, Jasmine, who goes through traumatic experiences as the country she considers her native land crumbles around her.”
The author was born to missionary parents from Holland on the island of Java. Her childhood was interrupted abruptly by the Japanese, who conquered Java in 1942. Of her expertise and life, the author expresses “…I started to write down my memories, which resulted in the novel ‘A Garland of Emeralds’. This novel became a symbol of the way I came to understand what identity means to me. The main character, Jasmine, expresses my memories and feelings of that time.”
Xulon Press, a division of Salem Communications, is the world’s largest Christian self-publisher, with more than 8,000 titles published to date. Retailers may order A Garland of Emeralds through Ingram Book Company and/or Spring Arbor Book Distributors. The book is available online through xulonpress.com/bookstore, amazon.com, and barnesandnoble.com.