Salida Book Review

Love Always, Petra, by Petra Nemcova and Jane Scovell. A true tale of courage, tragedy, and love.At the age of twenty-five, Petra Nemcova was leading a charmed life, complete with a busy modeling career (including a Sports Illustrated¨ cover), a handsome and loving photographer boyfriend, and a jetsetting lifestyle. This was a far cry from her childhood, which she spent under the specter of communism in the former Czechoslovakia. But her world changed forever on December 26, 2004 when a powerful tsunami hit the resort of Khaolak, Thailand, where she was vacationing with her boyfriend, Simon Atlee. As he was swept away by the fierce waves, Petra managed to cling to a tree for nearly eight hours, even as her pelvis was shattered by the ocean's ferocious power and her legs lost all feeling. Petra's remarkable grace under pressure and the brave rescue by heroic Thai natives and tourists has been reported around the world. But now, for the first time, she will tell her entire story and share her amazing journey back: from her agonizing physical rehabilitation to confronting the pain of losing the love of her life to her tireless efforts to help with Thailand relief efforts. Petra will also reflect on her struggle through a poor childhood, and how, at eighteen, this shy young woman managed to launch a modeling career in the fashion capitals of the world-a glitzy and glamorous time in her life. But most of all, Love, Petra is the story of her love for Simon Atlee; a love that has not been extinguished by his untimely death. A heartbreaking, touching, and finally uplifting account, Love, Petra will share an inspirational message of hope, faith, and love to readers everywhere.