Discover
A Song for a Soldier
A Christmas story unlike any you've read before.
The world is at war. The holidays all but forgotten on the battle front. Soldiers sworn to be enemies, yet something else happens entirely.
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In A Song for a Soldier, Daniels gives us an engaging and emotionally evocative narrative. The characters are well-defined and become believable and relatable to the reader. The plot moves along at a good pace, punctuated with periods of suspense and sadness as it alternates between the men on both sides of “No Man’s Land” and their families in England and Germany… While this story is certainly appropriate for the Christmas season, its underlying theme of amity and understanding is timeless and goes beyond the setting of a single holiday or military event.
Kimberlee J Benart
- Readers' Favorite -
A story about
Two soldiers on opposite sides of a war that would soon engulf the entire world. Their sweethearts at home, trying to survive without them.
A holiday, sacred to many, inspiring an illicit truce. A Song for a Soldier is the compelling tale of the Christmas Truce of 1914. Balancing the story with perspectives from both sides of No Man's Land, Emily Daniels's characters come to life with love, fear, hate, and a new understanding that emerged from that one Silent, Holy night.
A Look Inside
A Song for a Soldier
The Characters
Hi, I'm Emily Daniels. It's great to see you!
I've been writing stories and poems since I was old enough to hold a pencil. While I didn't enjoy history in school, I've found a new love for it as I research the stories surrounding world events and historical figures. It is sheer joy for me to create fictional characters to share those events in a relatable, entertaining way. I hope you find as much joy in reading my stories as I have writing them!
Chapter 01
Sneak - Peek
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Chapter 01
May 15, 1914
Dusseldorf, Germany
May 15, 1914
Dusseldorf, Germany
Friedrich frowned. Why was it when you were looking for a particular gift, it was nowhere to be found? He picked up a small bouquet of flowers and examined it carefully. No, this isn’t right, he thought, putting the bouquet back in the basket.
Moving on to the next basket, he sighed. This bouquet must be extra special, for tonight was their fifth anniversary. Tonight, he thought, tonight is the night we make a baby. They had been trying for three years and were always disappointed when Gerdie found she wasn’t with child. But, tonight, he felt lucky. So tonight, the flowers must be just right.
He looked for the proprietor of the flower cart. He saw her flirting with a young soldier standing nearby. Raising his hand and clearing his throat, he tried to attract her attention. She glanced up, barely acknowledged him, then went back to her conversation.
Frowning, Friedrich stepped up to the young couple. “Excuse me, fräulein ,” he said, “do you have any other flowers?”
“Nein,” the young girl glanced up at him and shook her head, returning immediately to her conversation.
Friedrich rolled his eyes and shook his head as he began walking home, empty-handed. Young love, he thought. Ah, well. His own love was young enough, he supposed.
As he turned down his street, a little flower garden caught his eye. It was a small, carefully tended garden near the front door of a run-down apartment building. In the center was a beautiful rose bush with a perfect pink rose. Just what he’d been looking for.
Perhaps Frau Schmidt wouldn’t miss just one flower. He looked around and saw no one, so he carefully stretched over the smaller flowers in front. He didn’t want to step into the garden for fear of crushing the other blooms. Bending forward, he grasped the stem of the perfect rose near the main stalk and tried to break it off. It didn’t budge. Frowning, he worked a little harder, but jerked back as a thorn pricked his thumb.
He stood up, put the injured thumb in his mouth, and considered his options. He knew if he tried hard enough, that perfect rose would come off in his hands, but it might disturb the rest of the bush or crush the rose and he didn’t want that. Bad enough that he was stealing this one flower. He bent down and reached in to try again when a voice startled him.
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I couldn't put this book down, I love the way this author writes. From page one I was drawn into the story and finished within a twenty-four-hour time period. Just a lovely story to read during the Christmas Season that really warms the heart, but at times it would pull on the heart strings too. Emily Daniels is one of my new favorite authors!
Dottie G.
“Song for a Soldier” is a sweeping drama that will enrapture and captivate readers of most every genre. Daniels’ historical research is impeccable, her flair for the dramatic is enticing, her ability to build anticipation is captivating, and her beloved characters are genuine as well as completely endearing. I highly recommend this novel as an accompaniment to a History course including the events surrounding the 1914 Christmas Truce or simply for pleasure reading.
Author JB Richards
IHI Book Review Project & founder
of the Indieverse Resource Library
A moving story, with real people, real heartache and loss, real friends to help them through, and real love in it all. I had a hard time putting this one down, I kept thinking about the people in the story while I wasn't reading it. Truly inspiring, I felt there were several good lessons to be learned, not the least of which was to be understanding of people, regardless of who they are or where they come from. We are not all so different from each other.
Amanda B.
This book was one that tugged at my heart. Made me think what it would've been like during the Christmas Truce of 1914. Two boys on opposing sides and the impact on each during the ceasefire. Well researched, well written, and a great read.
Marilyn G.
An emotional story that will hook you from the first page.
Emily Daniels wrote a book that will tug at your heart strings and make you sad for all that those soldiers had to endure. The book was well researched and provided me with an interesting perspective of what transpired that fateful Christmas day in 1914 when a truce happened in the most unlikely place.
L. Beers
I love Emily Daniels’ books! Such sweet stories that leave me feeling glad I took the time to read after so many years of telling myself I didn’t have time.
Wendy n.
I’ve had the pleasure of reading and rereading this book ever since I received it as a gift. It’s a beautifully written story that takes your heart on a journey that you won’t soon forget.
Jessica C.
Chapter 01
Friedrich frowned. Why was it when you were looking for a particular gift, it was nowhere to be found? He picked up a small bouquet of flowers and examined it carefully. No, this isn’t right, he thought, putting the bouquet back in the basket.
Moving on to the next basket, he sighed. This bouquet must be extra special, for tonight was their fifth anniversary. Tonight, he
Chapter 01
Friedrich frowned. Why was it when you were looking for a particular gift, it was nowhere to be found? He picked up a small bouquet of flowers and examined it carefully. No, this isn’t right, he thought, putting the bouquet back in the basket.
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In my own words...
The story of the Christmas Truce of 1914 has fascinated me for years. I love the fact that the common soldiers were the ones who called the truce despite the desires of some higher-ranking officials. When I decided to explore this event through the eyes of two soldiers, one from each side, I discovered what I'd always suspected... that "we are more alike than we are different." I hope you find hope in this story of war and what can happen on one Silent Night.
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