Nandria's War
Nandria's War is a story of one woman's fight to survive prejudice and war in the 1940s.
In 1938, Nandria, the beautiful, educated daughter of a Black college professor and British diplomat, marries Will Minnick, a Missouri farmers' white son. Will, stationed in Europe, has earned his captaincy in the U.S. Army Intelligence.
Will's family and the conservative community are less than welcoming when she arrives in Missouri to introduce them to their son's biracial infant. Despite the prejudice against her, Nandria stays to help her ailing mother-in-law as she waits for Will's return.
Nandria's presence is uncomfortable in yet another way. The rural area around tiny Boonetown is only beginning to recover from World War I and the Great Depression. Nandria's presence reminds the town that Europe is in the throes of another war.
After Will returns to Missouri, wounded, Nandria is devastated to learn that there is an angry mystery alienating Will from his father. And to make matters worse, Nandria is accused of murder when the one neighbor who had welcomed her dies while in the Minnicks' care. Attacked by gun-wielding thugs, Nandria must find a way to protect her baby.
“Nandria is a marvelous person!”
— S. Field
Started your book last night and fell asleep hours later, still thinking of the dilemma of the characters you've created. The story is compelling and I'm glad to say this is a wonderful read! I'm going to suggest it to a couple of book clubs and share part of the history attached to all of our lives. We live in an imperfect world you've brilliantly described. Thanks for sharing, Mary Jane. I love your book and highly recommend it. NFB, Idaho
