THE UMBRELLA MAKER’S SON: Tod Lending in conversation with Renee Ryan

Academy Award-nominated and Emmy-winning filmmaker Tod Lending will be at Blue House Books on Thursday, February 20th, to discuss his exciting debut novel, “The Umbrella Maker’s Son”. Tod will be discussing his book with fellow Midwest author Renee Ryan (“The Paris Housekeeper”), answering questions from the audience, and signing books!

The event is free, but registration is required. Get all the details and RSVP here: https://www.blue-house-books.com/events/1595620250220

Set against the harrowing backdrop of World War II, this compelling work paints a vivid portrait of love, survival, and resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity.

Already generating buzz among critics and readers and drawing comparisons to “The Tattooist of Auschwitz” by Heather Morris and Lisa Barr’s newest novel “The Goddess of Warsaw”, Lending’s narrative tells a universal story of hope and human perseverance.

About THE UMBRELLA MAKER’S SON:

Born to a secure, middle-class Polish Jewish family, seventeen-year-old Reuven works alongside his father, an artisan businessman whose shop creates the finest handmade umbrellas in Poland. But the family’s peaceful life shatters when the Nazis invade their homeland, igniting World War II. The Nazis confiscate their business, evict them from their home, and strip away their rights, threatening the lives of the city’s entire Jewish population, including Reuven and Zelda, the girl he loves. After being separated from his family, Reuven embarks on a perilous journey through the Polish countryside, determined to reach the Kraków ghetto where he hopes to reunite with Zelda.

With exquisite attention to detail, Lending weaves a tale that transports readers to the heart of Krakow, capturing the essence of a community torn apart by war. The novel stands out not only for its historical accuracy but also for its deeply personal exploration of family dynamics amidst chaos. Lending’s background in documentary filmmaking shines through in his meticulous portrayal of the era and his ability to evoke powerful emotions.

About TOD LENDING:

Tod Lending is an Academy Award–nominated and national Emmy-winning producer, director, writer, and cinematographer. His work has aired nationally on ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, and HBO; has been screened theatrically and received awards at national and international festivals, including the “Sundance Film Fest.”; and has been televised internationally in Europe and Asia.

He is the president and founder of Nomadic Pictures, a documentary film production company based in Chicago. “The Umbrella Maker’s Son” is his debut novel.

About THE LAST FASHION HOUSE IN PARIS:

In the heart of occupied WWII Paris, an elegant fashion house is the unlikely headquarters of a daring resistance network. Behind closed doors, courageous women vie to save loved ones and strangers alike from the Nazis in this powerful story of survival, friendship and second chances.

France, 1942

Once, Paulette Leblanc spent her days flirting, shopping and drawing elegant dresses in her sketch pad. Then German tanks rolled into France, and a reckless romance turned into deep betrayal. Blaming herself for her mother’s arrest by the Gestapo, Paulette is sent away to begin a new life in Paris, working as apprentice to fashion designer Sabine Ballard. But Maison de Ballard is no ordinary fashion house. While seamstresses create the perfect couture gowns, clandestine deals and secrets take place out of sight. Mademoiselle Ballard is head of a vast network of resistance fighters–including Paulette’s coworker and friend Nicolle Cadieux–who help escort downed military men and Jewish families to safety.

Soon Paulette is recruited as a spy. Working as a seamstress by day, gathering information at glamorous parties by night, Paulette at last has a chance to earn the redemption she craves. But as the SS closes in, and Nicolle goes missing, Paulette must make life-and-death decisions about who to trust, who to love and who to leave behind…

About RENEE RYAN:

Renee Ryan is a bestselling, award-winning author of over 30 novels, including her most recent release, “The Last Fashion House in Paris”.

An avid reader, trained ballet dancer, and chocolate enthusiast, Renee grew up in a small Florida beach town where she learned to skateboard and surf very poorly. During her senior year at Florida State University, she was elected president of her sorority. After earning degrees in Economics, Religious Studies and Latin, Renee worked at a Florida theme park, a modeling agency, then took a job molding young minds at Leon High School in Tallahassee. She eventually married the love of her life, raised two amazing children, then left teaching to pursue her dream of writing full time.

For additional information about Renee, check out www.reneeryan.com. She can also be found on Instagram, Facebook, X, and Threads. See less