A heart-wrenching tale of loss, survival, and the search for belonging.

Abandoned at the doorstep of a Wisconsin church merely days after his birth, Tyler Braun is bequeathed to the world by his dying mother. Nurtured and educated by devout nuns, Tyler forms his first emotional bond with Mary, a fellow orphan. As he turns 17, duty calls, and Tyler enlists with the 32nd Infantry Division, setting off to the frontlines in France during the tumult of World War I. His unyielding courage in the face of horrific battles earns him the esteemed rank of Sergeant.

At the conclusion of the war, Tyler and his loyal comrade, Louis Porter, make their journey home. Yet the shadow of the Spanish flu looms, callously snatching away the lives of both Louis and Tyler's cherished Mary. Battling the shambles of his life, Tyler seeks solace in the warmth of the Porter family, who welcome him as one of their own.

Tyler, who had always possessed a natural affinity for horses, spends a winter as a horse manager for a logging crew. Come spring, he returns to his roots and is sworn in as a deputy sheriff. Serendipity strikes again when, on a seemingly ordinary fishing expedition, he crosses paths with Audrey. Love, once lost, blooms again in Tyler's life.

Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of the life and adventures of Tyler Braun, a tale woven with resilience, love, and the undying human spirit in the face of adversity.

Mark Gengler

Our Ancestors Series

Young Adult, 1900s, Early 20th Century historical fiction, Wisconsin, orphan, orphanage, rural life, Spanish influenza, prohibition, romance, friendship