Luck Follows the Brave: From Refugee Camps, Abuse, and Suicide Loss to Living the Dream (ePub)

As a teenager in Bosnia, Aida Šibić witnesses the horrors of war. She and her family leave loved ones behind as they flee religious persecution and ethnic cleansing, escaping to refugee camps, then fleeing to America. They must live on government assistance while learning to communicate and support themselves. Aida soon discovers her love of technology, which paves the way to her financial independence and successful career in cybersecurity.

But Aida's personal dreams-a happy family, a loving husband-often feel out of reach. In the U.S., she laughs again, experiences romance, and travels. With war seemingly behind, Aida recounts the long-term effects trauma left on her family. As a domestic and emotional abuse survivor, Aida fights to provide safety and stability for her two children. She writes about the tragic loss of a close family member to suicide, sharing vital information about suicide prevention and helping other survivors feel less alone.

Aida's story demonstrates Bosnian "Inat," a term for stubborn and determined desire to persevere despite all obstacles. Ultimately, she lifts up her family, celebrates her Islamic heritage, and lives a life of strength and joy. Readers will be amazed by this profound, heartwarming portrait of courage. If you like inspirational stories of strong women, Luck Follows the Brave tells a triumphant story of surviving and thriving amid extreme adversity.

Editorial Reviews:

"This sensitive memoir about the war in Bosnia in the 1990s will quickly make readers think about the current conflict in Ukraine: stories of families torn apart by the horrors and atrocities of war; the miracle of love finding new hope in mountains of despair. Aida Šibić's war tragedy, Luck Follows the Brave, recalls another Bosnian writer, Nobel Prize winner Ivo Andric, who, in fiction, crafted sensitive portraits from the galleries of Bosnian history. Šibić draws deep from her own well of experience to paint an accurate portrait of contemporary Bosnian history. Read it to weep. Read it to learn. Read it to find your own pathway through life's trials to dreams of hope." --B. William Silcock, PhD, Emeritus faculty and former Assistant Dean for International Programs at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University

"It's unimaginable that one woman could not only survive multiple traumas but also rise above her experiences with courage and resilience. As a fellow survivor of suicide loss, I could identify with Aida's story. It resonated with me. By telling our stories, we can heal and, in turn, inspire others to not give up, regardless of the circumstances. Aida's love for her children reminded me of my own motivation to keep going, despite the emotional turmoil. I highly recommend Luck Follows the Brave. You will be touched, moved, and inspired." --Cathie Godfrey, author of Your Suicide Didn't Kill Me: Choosing to Love and Live Again After Loss

"Aida Sibic's Luck Follows the Brave is a well-written book that includes important life events from the genocide in Bosnia, though difficult to read at times. Anyone like me, and the millions of others who have survived genocide or violence in any form, will find it comforting to read about someone who has gone through a similar experience. Aida's memoir proves that life doesn't have to be only about pain. While sorrow is essential to human life, it can, and should be, overflowing with joy. Aida's life is a living witness to that possibility. --Oksana Kushaliieva, from Ukraine, Crimea; BA in international studies with a minor in French from Brigham Young University Idaho