The Bravest Soldiers

A mother’s love. A new love. As the Pacific War looms ever closer to Australia, will waiting and wondering break their hearts?

September 1939. Sophie Parker nursed wounded soldiers in France during the Great War. She knows the physical and mental devastation war can wreak on hearts, minds, and bodies. When WWII breaks out, and Australia is called to join the effort, Sophie knows all too well what her sons will face when they enlist to fly and fight.

Marianne Ryan grew up in a French town battered by the Germans during the Great War. But while she spends WWII in Sydney, far from her home and family in occupied France, the new love she never expected to find could break her heart beyond repair.

With the war looming ever closer to Australia, Sophie and Marianne must watch and wait as the Japanese cut a swath through the Pacific. Can the two women be as courageous as the men they love?

As they are in all wars, the women who wait at home must be the bravest soldiers.

The Bravest Soldiers is the next chapter of romance, love, and longing in the Parker – Ryan family story begun in Dare Not Tell, but can be read as a standalone.

• Finalist, 2024 CIBA Hemingway Awards for 20th Century Wartime Fiction
• Winner, 2023 BREW Project – 20th Century Historical Romance
• Winner, 2023 American Writing Awards – Historical Fiction
• Winner, 2023 American Writing Awards – Historical Romance
• Silver Award, 2023 Literary Titan

“A sweeping portrait of life on the Australian home front during the second World War.” —The BookLife Prize by Publisher’s Weekly

"...a tapestry intricately woven with the threads of valor, passion, and heartrending sacrifice."  —Historical Fiction Company 

“A compelling story told with insight and understanding... Schroller deftly builds a portrait of two proud women who...commit their lives to showing the world that women who wait at home can be as courageous as the men they love. Wonderfully awash in the early twentieth century atmosphere, this hard-to-put-down historical tale is a must-read.” —The Prairies Book Review

"...masterfully intertwines romance and history as it paints a vivid picture of love and resilience during World War II."  —The Chrysalis BREW Project

“…an emotionally rich reading experience that beautifully captures the profound impact of war on individuals and relationships.” —Readers Favorite Five Star Review

“… heartfelt and memorable... I could easily enter the mindset of many of the characters and needed to pause several times due to tears that fell.” —Readers Favorite 5-star Review