Born in the Aftermath

by Ian Griffin

**2025 Readers’ Favorite Five Stars**
**2026 Independent Press Award Distinguished Cross-Genre**

As the final days of World War II rip through a diminishing Germany, Gerd, a young man longing for survival, crosses paths with Emilia, a courageous young woman fleeing the atrocities of the Soviet army. Together, they encounter unimaginable horrors of a nation torn to shreds and cling to each other for survival amidst the chaos. On their journey to escape to the south, they rescue Olli, the four-year-old sole survivor of a war-damaged town, along the way. Gerd and Emilia try to find comfort and safety in each other’s arms and are eager to start a new life together, but peace is in jeopardy. A secret resistance organization fighting against Western ideas becomes a force in Germany, and Gerd finds himself in their sights, placing his life and family in peril. Loyalties are tested, and survival requires sacrifice. This powerful prequel to the Rick & Katja series by Ian Griffin reveals the roots of espionage, love, and resilience that will one day shape Franz’s destiny.

211 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 8, 2025

About the author

𝗜𝗮𝗻 𝗚𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗻 is a native Texan who served in the United States Army for 31 years. During his time in the army, he lived in Germany for nine years. Living in Germany gave him a unique perspective of Germany and its culture. The army would take 𝗜𝗮𝗻 to unique places that would span across the globe. He has incorporated his experiences and observations into spinning a yarn that encompasses 𝗥𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗞𝗮𝘁𝗷𝗮.

𝗜𝗮𝗻 won best literary work from the 𝗟𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻-𝗖𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀-𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲 for his book 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝘽𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙧! 𝗜𝗮𝗻 also won several 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗯𝗶𝗿𝗱 awards from 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗨𝗽 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝗥𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗼 for 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝘽𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙧. These awards include 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 place for 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗔𝗱𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝗙𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 place for 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗙𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 and 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱 place for 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗙𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

Reviews

[Lytleton Bollers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Born in the Aftermath. By Ian Griffin, is a thriller, set in the last days of World War 2 as the Western allies and the Russians race to capture Germany and divide the country between them.
Gerd and Emilia are a young couple whose family are murdered by the Russians and find themselves desperately trying to avoid capture and outrun their antagonists to the safety of the allies.
The suspense builds as Emilia narrowly escapes becoming a sex slave and Gerd is almost forced into fighting for the Russians, as they move from town to town, staying one step ahead of the enemy, sleeping in the woods and abandoned buildings and eating whatever food they can find.
This is a very good read with a surprise ending, as the author shows that disaster can find you, just when you think that you're most safe.

[Kirk Voclain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it.

I loved it, this is a powerful historical tale of survival, love, and resilience set in the final days of World War II. The book is full of vivid characters who face loss, it’s very sad. Also danger and courage. It draws you into a richly detailed and heartbreaking journey. This emotionally driven story blends history and human spirit in a memorable way that keeps you thinking long after the last page.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a bit outside my comfort zone and not something I would have picked up for myself. I’m so glad I was given this book though. This book was so good. I want to read the next one, but I have a different Ian Griffin book to read and I’m so excited to get started.