REVIEW OF SUSAN ELIA MACNEAL'S WORLD WAR II SERIES

Susan Elia Macneal has composed an exciting new series. No wonder that it's a top seller and recipient of numerous awards. Ms Macneal engaged in extensive research for these books, especially the first one. She uses her knowledge as a background to place the reader in the midst of the action. The research allows her to transport the reader with the heroine protagonist, Maggie Hope, through an exciting maze of danger, friendships, romance, and discovery. I recommend this series wholeheartedly to all readers!

Although she was born in England, Maggie Hope has been living as the ward of her college professor aunt in the United States. Her aunt loves Maggie, but is a formal, undemonstrative woman. Still, Maggie had a good life and graduated with honors at the top of her college class as an exceptional mathematician. She is preparing to enter MIT for her doctoral studies when her aunt enlists her to go to London and sell the home of Maggie’s late grandmother. Maggie’s aunt and grandmother were estranged, so Maggie had never met her grandmother. In fact, she was not even aware her grandmother had been alive during her lifetime.

Times are uncertain and economic times are hard in London and Maggie is unable to find a buyer. Surprised by how much she wants to remain in London, she gathers four women her age to rent rooms in the large Victorian home. Through one of the women, Maggie gets an interview and is hired as a typist for Prime Minister Winston Churchill. (I was so impressed that typists took dictation directly as they typed rather than using shorthand as I did when I was a secretary. I would never have been able to keep up, at least not without a gazillion errors.)  

Each of these books unlocks another part of Maggie’s complicated past. She is angry at the deceit of her aunt and others, yet she still loves the woman who raised her. She realizes how difficult it must have been for her unmarried professor aunt to take an infant into her life. That doesn’t stop her mixed emotions with each personal secret she uncovers. At the same time, Maggie is uncovering many more secrets and encountering danger that places her life in peril.   

As I mentioned in the title, this review is not of one book but of a series. Authors always tell readers that their series books stand alone, and usually that’s true. In this instance, readers simply must first read MR. 

CHURCHILL’S SECRETARY or many of the undercurrents in subsequent books will be meaningless.

Here’s the blurb for MR. CHURCHILL’S SECRETARY:

London, 1940. Winston Churchill has just been sworn in, war rages across the Channel, and the threat of a Blitz looms larger by the day. But none of this deters Maggie Hope. She graduated at the top of her college class and possesses all the skills of the finest minds in British intelligence, but her gender qualifies her only to be the newest typist at No. 10 Downing Street. Her indefatigable spirit and remarkable gifts for code breaking, though, rival those of even the highest men in government, and Maggie finds that working for the prime minister affords her a level of clearance she could never have imagined—and opportunities she will not let pass. In troubled, deadly times, with air-raid sirens sending multitudes underground, access to the War Rooms also exposes Maggie to the machinations of a menacing faction determined to do whatever it takes to change the course of history.

PRINCESS ELIZABETH’S SPY is the second book:

As World War II sweeps the continent and England steels itself against German attack, Maggie Hope, former secretary to Prime Minister Winston Churchill, becomes a spy for M1-5. Possessing one of the sharpest minds in government for mathematics and code–breaking, she fully expects to be sent abroad to gather intelligence for the British front. Instead, to her great disappointment, she is dispatched to go undercover at Windsor Castle, where she will tutor the young Princess Elizabeth. Yet castle life quickly proves more dangerous—and deadly—than Maggie ever expected. The upstairs-downstairs world at Windsor is thrown into disarray by a chocking murder, which draws Maggie into a vast conspiracy that places the entire royal family in peril. And as she races to save England from a most disturbing fate, Maggie realizes that a quick wit is her best defense, and that the smallest clues can unravel the biggest secrets, even within her own family.

The third book is HIS MAGESTY’S HOPE:

World War II has finally come home to Britain, but it takes more than nightly air raids to rattle intrepid spy and expert code breaker Maggie Hope. After serving as a secret agent to protect Princess Elizabeth at Windsor Castle, Maggie is now an elite member of the Special Operations Executive—a covert organization designed to aid the British effort abroad—and her first assignment sends her straight into Nazi-controlled Berlin, the very heart of the German war machine. Relying on her quick wit and keen instincts, Maggie infiltrates the highest level of Berlin society, gathering information to pass on to London headquarters. But the secrets she unveils will expose a darker, more dangerous side of the war, and of her own past.

I highly recommend this series. Each member of my family has read and enjoyed it. One simply cannot stop reading these suspenseful books. I eagerly look forward to the June release of THE PRIME MINISTER’S SECRET AGENT. You will too!

Thanks for stopping by!

ONE STORY AT A TIME

By Karen Fisher-Alaniz

How to Create a Family Tradition of Story Sharing

My father didn’t begin telling his WWII stories until he was in his 80’s. At the time, I never could have imagined the secrets he’d held onto for so long.  That experience made me aware of all the stories that swirl around us, but remain untold. We can change that - one story at a time. I truly believe that everyone has a story worth telling and a story worth listening to.

Karen's dad in front of his home

Gathering family stories is something that most of us hope to do – someday. But we are busy with our lives. We’re raising kids, caring for our parents, and maintaining a job. We have the best of intentions, but sadly, for some, time will run out while waiting for the perfect moment.

With the holidays fast approaching, now is the time to create a tradition of story sharing that will live on for years to come.  With a little forethought, you can create a family tradition of story sharing that is as synonymous with the holidays as pumpkin pie served with coffee. Whether you have a small family or a large one, creating a tradition is as simple as one, two, three;

Karen and her dad at the Arizona memorial

 1. Create a tradition that fits your family dynamics: This will depend a lot on the ages of your family members. Many families choose to focus on stories of the older generation, such as grandparents. Getting everyone involved makes the tradition more fun, and less work. Perhaps you have teenagers around the holiday table. If so, set up a video camera in a quiet room, and give them a list of questions they can ask.  Maybe you want to give everyone in the family a chance to share. If so, choose a question and ask everyone to take turns answering the question. Young children can help you come up with the questions ahead of time.

 2. Choose a time that conversation naturally occurs: Your family may sit around a large table, enjoying a holiday meal together. Maybe they relax in the family room afterward. Or maybe you enjoy your holiday meal at a favorite restaurant. Carve out a sharing time that fits your family. Choose a time when people are relaxed and chatting naturally.

 3. Honor each story by recording it: Creating a time to share stories is great. But it’s even better if you record them in some way. It can be as simple as starting a tape recorder, taking notes, or using a video camera. The mode doesn’t matter as much as just making sure you do it. Someone can always write the stories up later. For now, just get them recorded in some way. If you need technical help, I highly recommend asking a teenager.

Here are a few questions to get you started;

·       What is your favorite holiday memory?

·       What was your favorite toy when you were little?

·       What games did you play as a child?

·       Who was your favorite teacher and why?

Here are the buy link's for Karen's book, BREAKING THE CODE:

Sourcebooks: http://www.sourcebooks.com/store/breaking-the-code.html

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Breaking-Code-Daughters-Question-Everything/dp/B008SMCHQW/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1351965878&sr=1-1&keywords=breaking+the+code+a+father%27s+secret

Karen Fisher-Alaniz

After many years teaching special education, Karen Fisher-Alaniz began her career as a freelance writer. Her articles were published in regional and teen magazines. Her personal essays have appeared in CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE NURSES SOUL II, and VOICES OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS. But when her father gave her more than 400-pages of letters he wrote during WWII, a new journey unfolded. Over the next several years, he slowly revealed a part of him that Ms. Alaniz could never have imagined; one of intrigue, top secret code breaking, and the traumatic loss that triggered symptoms of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), more than 50-years after the war. She wrote about the unintended journey of a father and daughter, and eventually the book chronicling their journey was published. Her memoir, BREAKING THE CODE: A FATHER'S SECRET, A DAUGHTER'S JOURNEY, AND THE QUESTION THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING  was published by Sourcebooks on 11/1/11. Her father, now 91, often accompanies his daughter to book events. Ms. Alaniz lives in Walla Walla, Washington with her family. For more information, visit her website at http://www.storymatters2.com .

Thanks for stopping by!

AUTHOR ALYSON REUBEN STOPS BY + GIVEAWAY

Please welcome fellow The Wild Rose Press author, Alyson Reuben to the blog. Alyson has graciously offered a free pdf of BEAUTIFUL CAGE to one lucky person who leaves a comment. Please remember to include your email address!

The many faces of Alyson Reuben

Caroline: I love the montage of photos above. Great shots. Readers love to get to know authors. Please tell us about growing up.


Alyson: I’m the oldest in my family. You know those ugly stories that younger siblings tell about the oldest? Well, we have our share of those. Especially coming from my brother, Dereck, two years younger than me. He swears I led him around on a leash and made him do my bidding. Swears I intentionally got him into trouble, then stood back and laughed. Is any of that true? Of course not… but do you really think I would tell if it was? LOL My baby brother, Brandon is eleven years younger. I babysat him while my parents worked, so our sibling relationship is different from most, simply because there’s an element of nourishing that is more of an exception than the norm.

We grew up together in Brown County, Indiana, known as ‘little Tennessee’, a very rural, beautifully scenic area of Indiana. We moved to our current small town when I was a teenager, and although we’ve all moved away a couple of times, we find ourselves right back here again.


Caroline: I babysat for my brother who's just over ten years younger than I am. Were you the shy kid or the tomboy? Share anything that lets readers get to know the real you.


Alyson: Growing up in the country, I was a happy medium of princess and tomboy. I could make mud cakes and play with toads as easily as any boy. At the same time, I loved my dolls, collected 36 of them, and rotated their names on a list that hung from my wall, taking whichever doll was next on the list with me wherever I went. So I guess you can say I’ve always believed in diplomacy, fairness, and equality. Ha! And this attitude has carried over to my ten-year old daughter, who owns a gazillion Barbies and takes turns playing with them all!



 Caroline: I was a tomboy/princess also. Best of both worlds, right? When you’re not writing, what’s your favorite way to relax and recharge? Hobbies?

Alyson: When I’m not writing, I’m usually spending time with my fabulous family. But I do have other hobbies. Lots of them, in fact. Besides being an author, I’m also an artist. In fact, I thought at one time that I would pursue art as a career, but later changed my mind. I love to sketch and paint. Sometimes I paint wall murals. I also enjoy sewing and quilting. Antique shopping is high on my list. There are so many ways to use, refurbish, or reconstruct the vintage goodies I find. Touring old houses is another hobby — I like to visit and learn about them (they provide excellent settings for my stories, also). Reading is probably my best way to relax. Unfortunately, I don’t do it as often as I used to, since I became seriously involved in writing. However, I’ve recently committed myself to reading someone else’s book for at least an hour a day, which usually ends up being longer. While reading, I like nothing more than to curl under a warm blanket with a cup of hot tea or coffee at my side. Sometimes, my cat Benji settles on my lap to join my peaceful escape.



Caroline: Sounds as if we have a lot in common. Describe yourself in three or four words.

Alyson: Four words that describe me: Passionate, scatterbrained, loving, eclectic.

Caroline: Tell us something about yourself that would surprise readers.

Alyson holding a copy
of BEAUTIFUL CAGE

Alyson: I have directional dyslexia. I can’t distinguish my directions — not even left from right — without pausing to think about it very carefully. A handy trick I’ve learned is to form an ‘L’ with my thumb and index finger, indicating my left. Embarrassing, but totally true.


Caroline: I know others with that problem. Would you like to share any guilty pleasures that feed your muse?


Alyson: Guilty pleasures? Does excessive coffee-drinking and eating chocolate and pretzels count?

Caroline: Eating chocolater a guilty pleasure?  Of course not! Chocolate is a necessity. Are you a plotter or a panzer?

Alyson: I’m a little bit of both. For the detailed historical parts, I have to rely on research and careful planning. But for the human interaction and romance scenes I’m totally a panzer!

Caroline: Tell us about your writing schedule. Do you set goals? Do you write daily?


Alyson: Yes, I set goals. I try to finish a rough draft within a certain time frame. Sometimes I make the deadline. Other times I don’t. But I’ve discovered that I can’t rush my stories too much.


And, yes, I write every single day. I write at crazy hours. I write in my sleep. Well, not really. But I do dream about characters sometimes. And I often wake up at absurd hours to jot down inspired scenes.


Caroline: What is it about a lot of us writers who keep late hours? What long-term plans do you have for your career?

Alyson: My long-term plans? I may have to write one or two more books before making it to the NY Times Bestseller list. Just kidding.

Making it to the top of the shining list has never been my number one priority. My first one goal is to tell the best story I can, and to leave my readers with lasting impressions of the characters and their story. To me, that’s what being an author is all about. I hope to continue sharing my stories for the rest of my life.


Caroline: Well said. Would you like to tell us what you’re working on now?


Alyson: I’m currently working on two stories at once. The sequel to A BEAUTIFUL CAGE, tentatively called A BEAUTIFUL TEMPEST. It centers on Rebecca’s American cousin Anna Bloomberg and Holden Ellsworth, an American soldier fighting in WWII Italy. Also, I’m writing a story that’s very different from my others. I consider it women’s fiction. In CASTLES WE BUILD, set in the roaring twenties, Julia finds herself in the impossible situation of being married to her second husband, a wealthy Industrialist, when her first husband, supposedly dead in WWI, returns for her.


Caroline: Both sound intriguing. What advice would you give to unpublished authors?


Alyson: Most important - keep writing! This sounds simple, but most writers know it isn’t as easy as it sounds. Don’t let anyone discourage you. Especially those who are closest to you. Criticism or a sense of disinterest coming from family and friends can be crippling— but only if you allow it to be. Also, in between writing, build your internet presence by blogging and participating in author/reader events.


Caroline: Oh, yes, building your brand is necessary. Tell us about your latest release.

From The Wild Rose Press

Alyson: A BEAUTIFUL CAGE

Wanted by the Gestapo, Rebecca Bloomberg is on the run for her life. Sheltering in the home of a reporter who writes absurd lies for a Nazi propaganda newspaper is hardly an ideal solution. Irresistibly drawn to the man, she dares not trust him, until she discovers his journalist position is a mask for involvement in an anti-Nazi resistance ring.

Gustav Von Furst has done all he can to perfect his mask. Neither his family nor his close friends know the truth. Hiding a Jewish girl is the most foolish risk, yet there is something about her that makes him want to protect her.

Eager to forget the outside world, Rebecca and Gustav are caught up in a private world of forbidden passion—until unexpected danger lands on their doorstep and they’re faced with a decision that will change everything. Will love demand a sacrifice too great to give?

Caroline: That sounds exciting! World War II and the Nazis are so important in our history, but many young people know almost nothing about either. Can you give us an excerpt?

Alyson: Here's the excerpt:

Splaying his hands across her bottom and mid-back, he pinned her tight.

She froze, motionless, staring up into his shadowed face, into eyes that glittered in the low light. How did he manage to look both irritated and roguish at the same time?



“Let me go, I—” But the words were smothered in her mouth as his lips plunged down over hers. She pushed at him, but he was unmovable. And with each passing second his lips ravished hers, she grew weaker, reserves fading. Even while she thumped his shoulders with her fists, her traitorous mouth opened wide for him.


At what point had she started losing control of her life? Was it when she lost her family? Lost James? When she was assaulted in the alley? Or when it was decided she must stay inside the von Furst home?


Well, there were some things she could still control. And this was one of them. With that resolve, she shot up on tiptoe, angling to bite his lips, digging her fingers into his back. She was going to take control of this kiss, dammit, whether Gustav liked it or not.


Caroline: This sounds like a timely book. As I mentioned earlier, I believe it's important the world remember the Holacaust. Where can readers find your books?

Alyson: Buy links:


Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-Cage-Alyson-Reuben/dp/160154958X/ref=sr_1_1ie=ITF8&qid=1319007144&sr=8-1



Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-beautiful-cage-alyson-reuben/1105584348

The Wild Rose Press: http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=176_145&products_id=4606

My author links:
website: http://www.alysonreuben.com
blog site: http://www.abiteofreubensandwich.blogspot.com
twitter: http://twitter.com/#/alysonreuben
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Alyson-Reubens-Author-Page/107423069337260
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5171065.Alyson_Reuben

Caroline: Alyson, thank you very much for sharing with us today. I can hardly wait to get my copy of A BEAUTIFUL CAGE and start reading!

Alyson: Thanks again for inviting me to on your blog!

Remember that Alyson is giving away a free pdf. of A BEAUTIFUL CAGE to one person who leaves a comment and email.

Prizes! Fun! Join In!

Please join me Monday when the Spooktacular Blog Hop begins, sponsored by the blogs "I'm a Reader, Not A Writer" and "I'd Rather Be Reading." From October 24-31, comment on any of over 400 blogs to be entered in a drawing on each blog. Click on the graphic at the top right sidebar to see who's participating. Winners will be announced on November 1-2. My blog will be offering a free pdf of one of my books (winner's choice) each day during the Blog Hop. And my giveaway includes International participants.

Readers, thanks for stopping by!

KRISTINA MCMORRIS, LETTERS FROM HOME, AND A FREE BOOK!

Kristina McMorris

Readers, please welcome a fascinating author as my guest. Kristina McMorris is with us to talk about her debut novel, LETTERS FROM HOME. Kristina lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two young sons. She has garnered more than twenty national literary awards since writing her first novel, LETTERS FROM HOME. A graduate of Pepperdine University, she spent twelve years hosting weekly television shows, including an Emmy® Award-winning television show at age nine. Prior to her literary career, she was the owner of a wedding/event planning business and public relations director of an international conglomerate.


Caroline: Tell us about growing up. Were you the shy kid or the one full of mischief? Only child or from a large family? Did you move a lot or live in the same house all your childhood?


Kristina: Given that my father is a Japanese immigrant, he really was hoping for a son for all the usual cultural reasons (carry on the family name, bloodline, etc.). What he ended up with was three daughters who love to give him a whole lot of grief. As the oldest of the crew, I was very outgoing and didn't get into much mischief at all. Come to think of it, I'm sort of regretting that now! We lived in the same suburban home for most of my youth. Not until we sold the house toward the end of my high school years did I discover that it was built on the edge of what used to be a cemetery. Poltergeist flashback, anyone?


Caroline: Makes you wonder what happened to the graves, doesn't it? Tell us about your acting and television career and other jobs you found interesting.


Kristina: At the age of nine, I started a five-year stint of hosting a kids' television show for Oregon's ABC-affiliate. It was an interesting way to grow up—spending every Tuesday memorizing scripts, then Wednesday evenings at the station, doing homework between shots, and filming on-location reports over the weekends. As a result, I became very comfortable interacting with adults and developed a strong work ethic early on. I still have fond memories of playing with the weather monitors, thanks to a kind meteorologist. After college, I stumbled back into the industry while living in Los Angeles, and had some great and memorable experiences. Maybe one day I'll write a tell-all book. Hmm….


Caroline: Truly a child star, what an interesting life you've led! Have you always wanted to write?


Kristina: I wish I could say I was at least an avid reader before believing I possessed the skills necessary to pen an entire novel (a decently enjoyable novel, that is). But honestly, I was a movie buff instead. Only due to blissful ignorance did I venture down the crazy literary path before realizing how little I knew about…well, all of it. By then, it was too late to turn back, and thankfully so.


Caroline: I noticed that your book is a selection on Book Movement for book clubs. What prompted you to write LETTERS FROM HOME?


Kristina: When gathering family recipes to compile a cookbook as a holiday gift one year, I decided to interview my grandmother for the biographical section. She soon revealed a secret stack of letters my late grandfather had sent to her while he was serving in the Navy during World War II. That collection was the nugget that inspired my debut novel.


Caroline: That sounds wonderful! I’m very interested in family history. Which reminds me of a project in which you’re very actively invovled. Would you tell readers about United Through Reading?


Kristina: In honor of my grandparents, and all the other families kept apart by tours of duty, I’m donating a portion of my book’s proceeds to United Through Reading, a nonprofit organization that video records deployed U.S. military personnel reading bedtime stories for their children. You can learn more about the program at http://www.unitedthroughreading.org/military


Caroline: That’s a commendable program. I noticed that the same organization also has a unit that allows grandparents to tell stories to their grandchildren. Tell us a little about LETTERS FROM HOME.

Kristina: LETTERS FROM HOME features a Midwestern infantryman who, in the midst of World War II, falls deeply in love through a yearlong letter exchange, unaware that the girl he's writing to isn't the one replying. Sharing equal spotlight are three female friends whose journeys toward independence take unexpected turns as a result of romance, tragedy, and deception—and the repercussions each woman faces from her choices. At its core, it's a story about sacrifices made in love and war, and the chance encounters that change us forever.


Caroline: Such a gorgeous cover! With your marketing experience, did you have trouble selling your manuscript?


Kristina: In the beginning, absolutely! Although I've always remained passionate about the premise of my book, my craft had a long way to go. Also, when I first set out to find an agent, WWII was not a "hot" genre for women's fiction, to put it mildly. But eventually the market shifted, thanks to a handful of popular novels set during that era, and they opened a door for books like mine to make it to the shelves.


Caroline: All your readers will be grateful this book is available. What is your current project?


Kristina: I recently turned in my second novel to my editor, a women's fiction story titled BRIDGE OF SCARLET LEAVES. It's about a female Caucasian violinist who secretly elopes with her Japanese-American boyfriend—against societal molds and families' wishes—the night before Pearl Harbor is bombed.


I'm very eager to share this one with readers, since it features some shocking aspects of history that most people have never heard about, as well as heroes who are too often passed over. Also, being half Japanese, I was able to infuse a unique perspective of living between worlds.


Caroline: Sounds intriguing. I love learning new aspects of history. Is there anything else you’d like to tell readers?


Kristina: LETTERS FROM HOME includes a book club discussion guide and 1940s recipes. And I'm happy to meet with reading groups in person or via phone/Skype.


I hope your readers will swing by my website, where I offer a lot of special highlights, including excerpts from my grandfather's World War II letters.


Caroline: What a great segue for me to ask where readers can learn more about you?


Kristina: My website: http://www.kristinamcmorris.com


LETTERS FROM HOME Trailer is at: http://www.tinyurl.com/McMorris


You can read a LETTERS FROM HOME excerpt at: http://www.kristinamcmorris.com/home.php?pg=excerpt_letters_from_home


Caroline: Can you provide a buy link to your publisher?


Kristina: http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/finditem.cfm?itemid=18739


Free Book to One
 Lucky Reader!


Caroline: Thank you so much for being my guest today, Kristina.


Readers, Kristina has graciously offered a copy of LETTERS FROM HOME for one lucky person who leaves a comment. (Please include your email so I can contact you if you win.)


Good luck, and keep reading our books!