Traveling Tuesday: Casablanca During WWII

Traveling Tuesday: Casablanca During WWII

Most of us have watched Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, and Paul Henreid trade barbs and suspicions in the 1942 movie Casablanca, but what was Morocco’s largest city really like during the war? How much of the film was accurate and how much was speculation?

Casablanca (literally “white house”) is located on the Atlantic Coast in the central western part of Morocco, a country slightly larger than California. A French protectorate in 1939, Morocco was under the control of Vichy France during until after the success of the Allies in North Africa in the fall of 1942. Intriguingly, Northern Morocco declared itself neutral during the war. Southern Morocco was loyal to the Vichy regime.

Many Europeans fled to Morocco prior to the war but ended up living in poverty. The Jewish population was crammed into crowded areas known as mellahs (Arabic for salt or saline area). By 1940, laws were implemented by Vichy France that prohibited Jews from certain professions. As a result, nearly 8,000 unsuccessfully attempted to flee to the US or Palestine, instead, being sent to detention and labor camps.

As the largest port in North Africa, Casablanca was of great strategic importance. After the Allied

victory became a key part of the Allies’ supply lines. By all reports, the city was a major center of espionage and intelligence. America’s Office of Strategic Services and Britain’s Special Operations Executive had more than a few agents stationed in Casablanca. Singer-spy Josephine Baker often arranged her tours to pass through the city.

In addition to spies, including double agents, codebreakers set up residence, working to decipher the encrypted radio traffic. Diplomats from both Allied and Axis powers also remained in the city making backroom deals. Several reports indicate Casablanca was a major hub for the French Resistance active in collecting intelligence and helping refugees escape Europe’s holocaust.

With a population of nearly 500,000, Casablanca was bustling and bursting at the seams. In many ways, life for the rich and well-to-do didn’t change with the arrival of the war. Bars and restaurants, much like “Rick’s Café Américain,” continued to provide liquor and entertainment, as well as a location to exchange information. However, as described in Meredith Hinsley’s Destination Casablanca “danger lurked just below the surface various factions, including diplomats, military figures, and spies, converged to pursue their agendas.”

Apparently, Hollywood got it right.

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The American World War II Home Front in 29 Objects

Unlike Europe the American mainland escaped physical devastation during World War II as it was not subjected to full-scale invasions. However, that didn’t mean the United States wasn’t impacted by the war. The ramifications of large economic, cultural, and societal changes forced Americans to reconsider entrenched beliefs and traditions.

Artifacts collected from across the nation tell the stories of the American people whose lives were shaped by this second “war to end all wars,” World War II.

Purchase link: https://books2read.com/u/47pLxR

Photo Credits:

Casablanca Movie Poster: By Bill Gold - https://www.hometheaterseattle.com/Casablanca-1942-Movie-Poster_p_160.html, Public Domain.

Casablanca Port: Pixabay/Amajou Abdou

Casablanca Mosque: Pixabay/Thiago Assana

Talkshow Thursday: Unintended Hero The Story Behind the Story

Unintended Hero: The Story Behind the Story

By Becky Van Vleet

A kitchen table, a father, a daughter, and a cassette recorder. What’s so special about this? As a baby boomer, I’d always been fascinated with my father’s WWII stories he shared occasionally about the USS Denver, the light cruiser he was assigned to as a teenage gunner in the South Pacific. Fearing his firsthand accounts might perish in oblivion, I whipped out my dated cassette recorder on March 19, 1990, and corralled my father, Walter Troyan, to our kitchen table. I asked him to recount his WWII adventures, experiences, and battles so I could save his stories for our children. For the next two hours he spoke with vivid pride, and I tucked those tapes away, intending only to keep them as family keepsakes.

Fast forward thirty years, during the COVID lockdown, I replayed those recordings and realized they deserved a wider audience. Could I write a book? Preserve my father’s recollections for others to read outside of the family?

Google and other search engines became my friends. I had a big puzzle on my hands to fit all the pieces

together—my father’s stories, ship deck logs, research of the Pacific Theater, for ammunition and guns, the battles, hundreds of other Navy ships, and . . . well, I had a lot of pieces to fit together to formulate a narrative. A well-written one. This was a story, after all, about my father. He was no longer living, and my book must honor not only him, but the other sixteen million Americans who answered the call of duty to fight for our country. They sacrificed school, jobs, families, homes, personal aspirations, and sometimes their very lives. My book must also represent them.

Tap, tap, tap. My fingers flew over my keyboard faster than armor piercing shells firing from battleships for more than a year as a manuscript emerged. Help came from everywhere--my husband, editors, veterans, and friends. Family cheered me on. I took a couple of research trips to tour WWII ships, and I walked on Preble Field at the San Diego Naval Training Facility where my father marched for his boot camp training in 1942. And certainly, God held my hand each step of the way.

Unintended Hero, my debut historical novel, finally made an inaugural appearance on Amazon in August 2022. More than sales, my goal has always been to preserve my father’s firsthand account and honor the sacrifices of the Greatest Generation. Since publication, I’ve been invited into numerous schools to share lessons of sacrifice, teamwork, and patriotism—values my father and his fellow veterans exemplified. It's truly rewarding to witness the enthusiasm of students as they eagerly raise their hands with questions and engage in group discussions about applying these values in their lives. What an honor to pay tribute to my father and the Greatest Generation through today’s youth.

If you would like to book Becky for her interactive presentation, grades seven and up, for a school classroom, homeschool group, or youth group, you may contact her at beckyvanvleet9@gmail.com. She donates her time and is available in person or by zoom.

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About Unintended Hero

When the first bomb drops on Pearl Harbor, December 7th, 1941, Walter Troyan is a skinny seventeen-year-old California kid chock full of fear. But down deep he knows he must join the fight, so he drops out of high school and enlists.

Almost overnight, Walter is submerged into a brutal training regime and schedule. He’s homesick. Outmatched by all the other newbies. Knows he’ll never live up to his heroic brothers. And his soul shudders every time an officer shouts, “What are you made of!” Because Walter knows.

But then? Hope. He performs well on an aptitude test which sends him to Gunner’s Mate School. Upon graduation, Walter is sent to the USS Denver, docked in Philadelphia. He makes friends, gains a shred of courage.

Then his ship enters the Pacific Theater and Walter enters the crucible of his life. His body, spirit, and soul are forced to fight against emotions and circumstances he’s never encountered, and he’s faced with choices that will bring life or death to men he’s come to love as brothers.

Don’t miss this epic tale—inspired by a true story—of a boy facing head on, the courage it takes to become a man.

Purchase link: https://amzn.to/3HxiA1s

Social Media Links
Website: https://www.beckyvanvleet.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorbeckyvanvleet/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/becky_van_vleet_author/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-van-vleet-0388982a6/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/125841473-becky-van-vleet
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/becky-van-vleet
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/beckyvanvleet/

Photo credits:

Author and book image: Becky VanVleet

Ship: Pexels/John Wolf

San Diego Training Center: Courtesy of https://www.bracpmo.navy.mil/

Movie Monday: Mildred Pierce

Movie Monday: Mildred Pierce

Initially released in New York in September 1945, Mildred Pierce, was released nationwide the following month. The film is based on James M. Cain’s 1941 novel of the same name. Cain is often referred to as “progenitor of the hard-boiled school of American crime fiction. According to one source, the book is described as a “psychological work with little violence,” and the adaptation was designed as a thriller, so a murder was added to the plot. Apparently, Hollywood felt the country was ready for something other than the lightweight, rom-coms that were prevalent during the war.

Joan Crawford plays the title role, her first since leaving Warner Bros. for MGM. She ultimately won an Academy Award for her performance. Eve Arden and Ann Blythe also appear in supporting roles. The murder victim is Mildred’s second husband, Monte, played by Zachary Scott, an actor who frequently played villains, and the suspect is her first husband, Bert, played by former Olympian shot-put champion, Bruce Bennett whose career spanned over forty years.

The plot told mostly in flashback is a little convoluted, and I wonder if that’s because of the changes

made from the novel’s original storyline. After Bert is charged with the crime Mildred insists that he is “too kind to commit murder.” Bert splits with his business partner, resulting in Mildred needing to find some way to support her family. She settles on selling backed goods. As time passes, Bert accuses her of favoring their daughters over him, and they argue, eventually separating. The girls remain with Mildred: sixteen-year-old, “bratty social climber” Veda, and ten-year-old tomboy, Kay.

Most of the movie is Mildred trying to provide the material possession and social status Veda craves. Veda’s behavior toward her mother is reprehensible, and she pulls one “stunt” after another, getting deeper and deeper into trouble. Their relationship deteriorates, but Mildred continues to try to fix the consequences of Veda’s actions. I won’t spoil the ending.

As mentioned, there are differences between the book and movie:

• The novel spans nine years (1931-1940), whereas the movie takes place between 1939 and 1943.
• Mildred is referred to as “more of a tycoon” in the movie by one source.
• Mildred’s restaurants are more glamorous, and she owns a chain rather than three.
• There are no references to the Depression or Prohibition in the movie.

A huge box office success, Mildred Pierce was met with mixed reviews from critics. Joan Crawford’s performance was praised, but some aspects of the storyline were panned. In 1996, the movie was deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” and chosen for preservation in the United States Library of Congress National Film Registry.

Have you seen this classic?

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The American World War II Home Front in 29 Objects

Unlike Europe the American mainland escaped physical devastation during World War II as it was not subjected to full-scale invasions. However, that didn’t mean the United States wasn’t impacted by the war. The ramifications of large economic, cultural, and societal changes forced Americans to reconsider entrenched beliefs and traditions.

Artifacts collected from across the nation tell the stories of the American people whose lives were shaped by this second “war to end all wars,” World War II.

Purchase Link: https://books2read.com/u/47pLxR

Photo Credits:

Movie Poster: By "Copyright Warner Bros. Distributing Corporation" - Scan via Heritage Auctions. Public Domain.

Movie Still: By Trailer screenshot - Mildred Pierce trailer, Public Domain.

Novel Cover: By http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=4511267781, Fair use.

Fiction Friday: New Releases in Christian Fiction

September 2025 New ReleasesMore in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website

Biblical:Survival Secrets by Lana Christian -- The Wise Men’s flight from Herod forces them to flee to the Wilderness of Paran to reach Egypt’s safety. But the trek will test their fledgling faith in ways they couldn’t have imagined. How much will they endure to protect their secrets, including what they know of Yeshua? (Biblical/Historical from Scrivenings Press)

Contemporary Romance: Building Hearts by Julie Arduini -- Evan Hart has always felt the odd one out in a family of thriving siblings. When his reality show pitch is greenlit and he's named co-producer, Evan sees a chance to finally belong within his family and the world watching them. Building with the Harts promises new beginnings and second chances until the network adds a wildcard: Shea Madden, a brooding co-producer with secrets of her own. (Contemporary Romance from Surrendered Scribe Media)

Old Town Symphony by Milla Holt -- Kezia Blair believes true talent shouldn’t need shortcuts. But after years of singing backup and recording anonymous jingles, her shot at a real music career is slipping away. When a last-ditch audition lands her on Starbound, TV’s biggest reality show, Kezia faces a painful choice: chase stardom on someone else’s terms—or walk away for good. Zach Falconer created Starbound to launch fresh talent—not get tangled up with it. Burned by a fame-hungry ex, he’s determined to protect his show from scandal and his heart from pain. In an industry where image is everything, can they hold onto what matters most… or will success cost them the truth—and each other? (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

Restoring Love by Dawn Kinzer -- A woman trying to revitalize a struggling candle shop and an apprentice learning to restore priceless instruments learn that sometimes it takes more than hard work and determination to fix matters of the heart. (Contemporary Romance Novella, Independently Published)

Heart and Soul by Nancy Lavo -- Big city pastor makes an unwanted trip to small town Texas for a lesson in humility and finds an unexpected chance for love. (Contemporary Romance from Iron Stream Media)

An Irish Kiss by Carolyn Miller -- Aurora Fairall—Rory to her friends—loves her jobs working at the village bookshop and the family castle-turned-boutique hotel, even if she sometimes wonders if this is all God has for her life. She knows she has much to be grateful for, but she wonders if the special Fairall legacy that sees its members struck by Cupid’s arrow has passed her by. Until she meets Aidan Quinn—not the actor, but an Australian guest on a genealogical mission to discover his ancestry—and sparks fly. Aidan never thought his visit to Ireland’s west coast would result in meeting a redheaded firecracker with a bewitching smile and pixie-like laughter. But obviously God knew better. And his quest to find his kin brings him into the warm embrace of this loud and loving family has helped heal his heart and gives hope that his future might be different to what he’d imagined. Until a secret from the past threatens everything he holds dear… (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

Their Texas Christmas Redemption by Mindy Obenhaus -- Back home at her family’s Texas ranch for the holidays, the last thing Audrey Caldwell expects to see is her ex-husband, Tyler, on her doorstep—with his orphaned niece. The sweet baby in his arms brings up painful memories that she’d rather forget, but when little Willow gets sick, Audrey can’t turn them away. She offers to care for the baby if Tyler agrees to do some construction projects on the ranch. As they work together on a community Christmas event, neither can deny their growing connection. Can they heal their deepest wounds and find their way back to the family they always wanted? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Framed with Love by Rebecca Reed -- Photographing people gives Olivia Perez the jitters, but she’s determined to prove her friends’ loyalty isn’t unfounded. This secret celebrity wedding is do or die for their business. When her videographer quits, Olivia needs a replacement––fast. The diving instructor is the last person she expects will fit the bill. If only she’d curbed her tongue at their first meeting. Stirling “Mac” MacAllister isn’t ready to come out of hiding––or is he? When his Labrador’s antics bring him face to face with a dark-haired spitfire and her pet rabbit, sparks fly, and he begins to wonder if he wants more than his solitary, beach bum lifestyle. When Olivia invites Mac to be her videographer for an upcoming wedding, he dusts off his equipment, but soon discovers she needs more than his technical skills. A flooded yard forces the wedding indoors, and Olivia’s insecurities undermine her confidence. With everything––including their hearts––on the line, Mac and Olivia must trust God and each other if they’re to frame a future together. (Contemporary Romance, Independently Published)

Rumors of Grace by Rena Bell Yeager -- Tyler Grant is the cowboy everyone likes to talk about. The Tall Black Hat Guy has a mysterious past and a scandalous present. He likes the ladies, the bars, and fun. Georgia Duncan is everyone’s favorite eighth grade teacher. Cute, girl next door, sings in her church choir. When Tyler asks Georgia out on a date, it is disastrous. As is the next. And the next. They should give up. But when a terrible wreck puts Tyler into the hospital, Georgia offers to let him stay in her spare room while he recuperates. Neighbors talk. Rumors fly. What is the truth? And what do they both learn as they navigate their strange relationship and the rumors surrounding them? Will they find their happily ever after? Do they even want to? (Contemporary Romance from Pixley Knob Press)

Dual/Split Time: The Broken Weathervane by Laura DeNooyer -- Two co-workers seek the same information. One wants to publish it; the other has good reasons to keep it hidden. As Leslie Wickersham, Raymond University grants officer, seeks information to unravel a family mystery, English professor Gregory Stafford seeks an elusive interview with one more Buckwalter relative for his upcoming author biography. While Greg and Leslie guard coveted details from each other, her goals are further complicated by letters of blackmail threatening to reveal all she has worked hard to hide. In this dual timeline novel alternating between 2015 and the 1950s, loyalty is tested and secrets abound when family honor collides with truth. Leslie grapples with the trade-off: How far will a person go to help a loved one thrive? (Dual/Split Time from Scrivenings Press)

General Historical: Kate’s Crucible by Elmer Fuller -- Kate Collins never imagined her journey to the Kansas Territory in 1855 would be filled with such obstacles and challenges. As she arrives to teach at a New England Emigrant Aid Company settlement, she is met with constant problems—from nature's wrath to the pain of loss. But it's not just external forces that challenge Kate, who left a suitor and damaged relationships in Boston. She must confront the question: if God wants her to teach in Kansas, then why does he allow her to face such obstacles? (General Historical, Independently Published)

The Women of Oak Ridge by Michelle Shocklee -- 1944. Maebelle Willett arrives in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, eager to begin her new government job and send money home to her impoverished family. She knows little about the work she will be doing, but she’s told it will help America win the war. Not all is what it seems, however. Though Oak Ridge employees are forbidden from discussing their jobs, Mae’s roommate begins sharing disturbing information, then disappears without a trace. Mae desperately attempts to find her but instead comes face-to-face with a life-altering revelation―one that comes at significant cost. 1979. Laurel Willett is a graduate student in Boston when she learns about the history of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where thousands unknowingly worked on the atomic bomb. Intrigued because she knows her Aunt Mae was employed there, Laurel decides to spend the summer with her aunt, hoping to add a family connection to her thesis research. But Mae adamantly refuses to talk about her time in the Secret City. Mae’s friends, however, offer to share their experiences, propelling Laurel on her path to uncovering the truth about a missing woman. As Laurel works to put the pieces together, the hidden pain and guilt Mae has tried so hard to bury comes to light . . . with potentially disastrous consequences. (General Historical from Tyndale House)

Historical Romance: As Far As the West by Barbara A. Curtis -- Revenge against Eliza and Caleb Morgan has been smoldering over twenty years in Benton Calloway's heart. Now the perfect plan to exact payment lands on the threshold of his tailor shop-in the arrival of their daughter, adventurous seamstress Lizzie Morgan. And what could play into his hands better than her interest in his worthless son, Josiah? Lizzie and Josiah struggle to overcome the obstacles hurled at them. Can Lizzie's love survive, though, when Josiah is accused of being a thief like his father? Is he her redeemed, wounded war hero-or a man following his father's past? Josiah's dream of ranching is as shattered as his leg. Even in the bustling city, working as an accountant, his memories from World War I hound him.Past legacies of bitterness are about to be resurrected. Will Lizzie and Josiah follow that path, or will they discover that God's accounting of grace and forgiveness is boundless-as far as the east is from the west? (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)

The Recluse’s Vindication by Danielle Grandinetti -- The Loch Ness Monster isn’t the only recluse seeking a Scottish haven. Bieldfell. Scotland, 1933—Falsely accused of murder sixteen years ago, American cowboy Benjamin Ford has chosen to hide out in the Scottish Highlands. Reclusive and not afraid to die, he rescues children out of an increasingly dangerous Germany. When his childhood best friend appears at his door, he’s not the boy she remembers. Eleanor Finch’s life ended sixteen years ago. In one horrible day, she lost her dreams, her reputation, and her heart. However, she never gives up the hope of finding her friend, so when she learns of Ben’s whereabouts, she leaves all that is familiar to convince him to return home. But Eleanor isn’t the only person searching for Ben. Hunters follow her trail. The thin veil of gossip and rumor may be their only chance of a future … unless the Loch Ness Monster is real after all. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

Discerning God’s Best Series Collection by Heidi Gray McGill -- Four faith-filled stories of love, hope, and healing set in 1800s America, featuring a marriage of convenience, slow-burn romance, found family, and an exclusive bonus story available only in this bundle. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

Risking it All by Jeri Stockdale -- On the run and out of options, Rebecca takes the place of a mail-order bride and marries Jesse, a rancher grieving his wife and raising two children alone—neither of them ready for love, and both estranged from God, until their unexpected union sparks a journey toward redemption neither dared hope for. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

Christmas Mail Order Brides by Carrie Turansky, Susan Page Davis, Vickie McDonough -- Marriage arrives by mail-order—and just in time for Christmas. In these touching stories of faith and romance in the American West, three women seeking new beginnings find love in unexpected places. (Historical Romance from Wild Heart Books)

Cozy Mystery:

The Last Owners by Jean Rezab -- When Courtney purchases a quaint house in the countryside, her dreams of transforming it into a cozy, inviting inn appear within reach. But beneath the charming exterior lurks a tangle of dark secrets. The previous owners vanished without a trace—eight years ago. Driven by curiosity and a sense of justice, Courtney and her husband Alex team up with Gary, the son of the missing couple, to unravel the mystery. The clock is ticking. The promise of treasure draws fortune hunters to dig up the tranquil backyard. When a fresh murder shatters the peace, Courtney realizes that the truth might be buried even deeper than she feared. As the stakes rise and the body count grows, Courtney must decide how much she’s willing to risk to bring the truth to light—and whether some dreams are worth dying for. (Cozy Mystery, Independently Published)

Romantic Suspense:
Girl Lost by Kate Angelo -- A LOST BABY - Luna Rosati found acceptance and comfort with her childhood foster family, but when she became pregnant at sixteen, she gave the baby up for adoption and left without a word. Now a CIA counterintelligence officer, Luna wants to reconcile her fractured sense of self by finding the only blood family she has--the teenage daughter she's never met. As Luna closes in on learning the girl's identity with the help of her mentor, Stryker, she prepares to meet him in her old neighborhood--the last place she wants to be. Then Stryker is captured. AN INESCAPABLE PAST - Special Agent Corbin King changed his last name to escape the shadow of his convicted father serving a life sentence. When he runs into Luna, the object of his failed teenage romance, the two must put their pasts aside and work together to expose a secret that someone's willing to kill for. A DEADLY THREAT - But when they encounter a kidnapping, missing bodies, and murder, the secrets Corbin and Luna are keeping from one another are only the beginning of the threat they face with more than their own lives at stake. (Romantic Suspense from Revell – A Division of Baker Publishing Group)

Canyon of Deceit by DiAnn Mills -- A survival expert and a Texas Ranger trek into an off-the-grid desolate area to free a seven-year-old little girl who’s held hostage to silence her Russian father from revealing terrorist information. (Romantic Suspense from Tyndale House)

Unexpected Danger by Penny Zeller -- Londyn Siegler never imagined her attempt at a fresh start would include a stalker intent on watching her every move. Nor did she imagine her unidentified stalker would follow her back to the very place she was running from--and now the only place that can offer even a semblance of protection. Now, as danger grows and the stalker remains at large, Londyn finds herself seeking refuge with Sheriff Brodie Brenneman, the man whose heart she broke. When the stalker's attacks increase in severity, Londyn and Brodie find themselves fighting for their lives...and their rekindled love. Can justice be served before it's too late? (Romantic Suspense from Maplebrook Publishing)

Speculative Fiction/Fantasy:
The Stolen Destinies by Demi Griffin -- Wren was accustomed to guiding others in shaping their fates in the grand tapestry of Everlasting’s history. However, the weight of the destinies resting solely on his shoulders was a novel sensation for him. As the Bookshelf of the Ages was desecrated by theft, the air thickened with tension, disrupting Wren’s peaceful repose. Tasked with safeguarding the Divine Territory and rescuing the stolen destinies, he embarked on a quest filled with mysterious clues and the palpable sense of urgency. Would his failure thwart the King’s plan toward The Illumination? (This interlude should be read after book five and before book six of the Illumination Chronicles) (Speculative Fiction/Fantasy, Independently Published)

  Plus check out these recent additions to Fiction Finder published within the past month:

Kage: The 6th Commandment by Charlene Amsden -- When wounded journalist Trina Vaughn’s life collides with that of ex-con pastor Kage Kincade, the two must trust each other with their lives—and their hearts—as they confront a conspiracy that tests the limits of faith, courage, and the commandment ‘Thou shalt not kill.’ (Romantic Suspense)

This Isn’t Shakespeare by Stephanie Cardel -- When her dreams fall apart, Madison believes it’s a sign from God she should commit to her atheist boyfriend and make a new dream, but once she realizes God would never send her a sign that would cause her to sin, how can she forgive herself for believing the lies of the world? (Young Adult)

Surviving the Deal by Seralynn Lewis -- She’s not looking for love. He’s not looking for a wife. But a deal with eternal consequences is about to change everything. (Contemporary Romance)

Her Secret Amish Admirer by Beth Wiseman -- Sadie Miller is content with her job as a schoolteacher in a small Amish community located in southern Indiana. She loves children, but her past keeps her from pursuing marriage and having a family of her own. (General Contemporary)

The Day Sarah Ran Away by Janell Goodrich York -- When her daughter's return sparks unexpected change, Sarah leaves routine behind for a cross-country journey-full of surprises, self-discovery, and a future she never imagined. (General Contemporary)

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Sally Jo Pitts!

FROM REAL-LIFE ROMANCE TO STORYTELLING

While plotting a romantic suspense, I was inspired to hear about the blind date, love-at-first-sight marriage proposal of my friend. After interviewing the couple whose marriage is still going strong after 55 years, I learned they each had prayed, in their own way, for God’s help in revealing the best spouse for them.

Ask God! Makes sense.

This inspired me to explore how someone might pray specifically ahead of time for their future spouse. (Of course, parents and grandparents might also lift up these prayers for the spouse of their child or grandchild.)

FOUR PRAYERS FOR A FUTURE SPOUSE

• Pray for Their Relationship with God: May this future spouse prioritize God and seek a deep and personal relationship with Him. Let him/her lead a Christ-centered life, shine the light of Jesus, pursue God’s heart, and remain strong both spiritually and mentally.
• Pray for Their Relationships with Family and Friends: Since healthy, loving connections are vital, pray this future spouse has a supportive relationship with his/her parents. Pray their extended family becomes a valued part of the future family. May he/she have godly friends who encourage and challenge him/her positively. May negative influences be removed so he/she will be able to reach his/her full potential.
• Pray for Their Character and Attitude Toward Love: May he/she develop a moral code rooted in integrity, honor, and humility. When he/she speaks the words, “I love you,” may they reflect the elements of godly love—patient and kind, not envious, boastful, proud, rude, self-seeking, or easily angered.
• Pray for Their Purpose: As God prepares the best spouse for him/her, may that person step boldly into God’s plan and purpose for him/her.

BLENDING ROMANCE AND SUSPENSE

This true God revealed, love-at-first-sight spark became the foundation of my hero and heroine’s

romance. Coupled with a sinister plot, the result was Sweet Double Cross, book #2 in my Secrets of Sweet County series. Here is the back cover copy:

A scientific mission turns into a harrowing day of death and destruction.

Dedicated biologist Trudy Fields is passionate about her invasive plant species research in northwest Florida. When real estate developer Kirt Mayfair arrives in Sweet County to learn how to eradicate a kudzu infestation on property he plans to purchase, Trudy is assigned to assist him. Their instant connection surprises them both—especially when Kirt impulsively proposes marriage.

But research and romantic interest takes a deadly turn when a colleague of Trudy’s is shot and killed on the way to the isolated kudzu experimental island. On the run from a ruthless killer with precision sniper training, Trudy and Kirt must navigate treacherous terrain, dangerous wildlife, and a shocking conspiracy.

As bullets fly and bodies pile up, Trudy discovers Kirt is hiding his own secret. Amidst unexpected attraction and lethal betrayal, can the two survive this double-cross?

About Sally Jo Pitts

Sally Jo Pitts is an award-winning author who brings experience as a private investigator, licensed lie detection examiner, high school guidance counselor and home economics teacher to the fiction page. Having worked thirty years alongside her late law enforcement husband in his private investigations agency, she learned to teach by day and snoop by night. Currently, she draws on real-life experiences to pen faith-based stories of romance and mystery. Her works include the Hamilton Harbor Legacy romance series, the Seasons of Mystery detective series, and the romantic suspense series—Secrets of Sweet County. Connect with her at https://sallyjopitts.com

Talkshow Thursday:

Action Beats in Fiction

A Guest Post by Ruth Wong

In fiction, using dialogue tags alone without action beats may cause certain issues. The following are some thoughts for your consideration.

1. Pacing and Rhythm: Action beats help break up the speech, giving readers a sense of timing and rhythm.
2. Context: Dialogue tags alone (e.g., “he said,” “she replied”) provide no additional information about what’s happening in the scene. Action beats can offer clarity, showing what characters are doing or how they are feeling.
3. Characterization: Action beats offer opportunities to reveal character traits, emotions, and mannerisms. Without these, characters may seem two-dimensional.
4. Immersion: A dialogue-heavy text without accompanying action can feel less immersive. Readers need visual and sensory details to engage with a scene.
5. Confusion Over Who is Speaking: Even with dialogue tags, long stretches of dialogue without interruption can lead to confusion about who is speaking, especially in scenes with multiple characters.
6. Opportunities for Subtext: Action beats can provide a subtext, showing characters’ body language, which often conveys more than words alone. Subtext adds depth and complexity to interactions.
7. Emotional Depth: Action beats can amplify the emotional weight of dialogue. Without them, intense scenes may lack the necessary impact or emotional resonance.

Here’s an example taken from my book, Center of Enigma (Paradise PA Mystery Book 1; mystery/suspense/thriller) (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D9R2M134):

** Without Action Beats:

“Tina, it’s okay to cry,” Amelia said. “I’m here for you. Cry as much as you want.”

I replied, “I... I’m sorry to have disturbed your sleep.”

“It’s all right,” she said. “Care to tell me what’s bothering you?”

“My mother passed away when I was seven,” I said. “I’m scared. Where will I live once my grandaunt’s house is sold? How can I survive by myself?”

“Oh, Tina,” she said. “I had no idea your life was so tough.”

** With Action Beats:

“Tina, it’s okay to cry.” She rubbed my back. “I’m here for you. Cry as much as you want.”

I wrapped my arms around her, buried my head on her shoulder, and wailed. At last, I regained my composure. “I... I’m sorry to have disturbed your sleep.”

“It’s all right.” Her sturdy frame squeezed against mine. “Care to tell me what’s bothering you?”

“My mother passed away when I was seven.” I recounted my past, except for the part about Grandaunt Susie’s estate. “I’m scared. Where will I live once my grandaunt’s house is sold? How can I survive by myself?”

“Oh, Tina.” She hugged me even tighter. “I had no idea your life was so tough.”

What do you think after reading the example with or without action beats? Look forward to receiving your comments.

Author bio:
Dr. Wuwong (PhD in biochemistry, MBA in finance) has published 120+ scientific books and papers (under her legal name) and a few Christian fiction books under R. F. Whong. She lives in the Midwest with her husband, a retired pastor. They served together at three churches from 1987 to 2020. Her grown son works in a nearby city. She currently runs a small biotech company (http://www.vidasym.com) and has raised more than twenty million US dollars during the past few years for Vidasym. In addition to her weekly newsletter and the platform (http://www.ruthforchrist.com), she’s active in several writers’ groups, including ACFW, Word Weavers, Facebook, and Goodreads. Through these connections, she plans newsletter/promotion swaps with others and has writers endorse her books, write forewords, and host her on guest blogs. The Minnesota Anoka County Library has chosen her as a 2025 Featured Author. One of her books, Echoes over Stormy Sea, has won several awards, including being recently chosen by readers as a winner in the HOLT Medallion Contest.

Allure of Elegance (Paradise PA Mystery Book 3; mystery/suspense/thriller): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FCP1BV32. Amateur detective in Amish Country.

Luxury, lies, and danger in the unexpected places…

In tribute to Agatha Christie, this modern mystery series weaves together atypical tales set in the idyllic Amish country of Paradise, PA.

Two years ago, still haunted by the tragic events of September 11, Tina Sheng reluctantly served as a Christian summer camp counselor in Paradise. Now, she works as an insurance fraud investigator in nearby Lancaster and is pulled into a web of lies and luxury when a bold theft targets expensive designer items. Despite her training, she struggles with self-doubt and is swayed by the allure of the opulent world.

Tina’s company assigns her to look into the insurance claim. While she navigates the treacherous path between justice and desire, temptations taunt her. After a tragedy strikes a friend with whom she tries to share the gospel, her intensified search traps her in a secret network involving the mysterious Baroness Hermès, who specializes in procuring Birkin bags for wealthy clients.

Facing tough choices, can Tina break into a dangerous underground operation and emerge as a beacon of resilience?

Social Media Links:
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/ruth.wuwong
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWuwong
Website: www.ruthforchrist.com
Linked In: www.linkedin.com/in/ruth-wu-wong
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruthwuwong/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/love.respect.grace
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/42632055.R_F_Whong
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/r-f-whong

Movie Monday: Christmas in Connecticut

Movie Monday: Christmas in Connecticut

Interestingly, Christmas in Connecticut was released in August 1945. However, according to IMDb, the move was purely strategic, “capitalizing on the post-war euphoria sweeping the nation following the end of World War II…recognizing the potential for success in the immediate post-war period, rather than waiting for the traditional holiday release.” A smart decision – the movie earned $3 million, more of a fortune in those days than now – a was one of the year’s most successful movies.

The movie features Barbara Stanwyck as Elizabeth Lane, a single, lifestyle writer who can’t boil water yet writes a regular column with recipes and homemaking tips and Dennis Morgan as Jefferson Jones, the returning soldier, a hero in the eyes of everyone. Sydney Greenstreet plays the publisher who sees a publicity opportunity and insists Elizabeth host a dinner for our intrepid soldier who has read all of her recipes while in the hospital.

Stanwyck who was orphaned at four years old and raised partially in foster homes, worked from a very

young age. At sixteen, she was selected as one of Ziegfield’s chorus girls. She moved into acting and the 1927 play Burlesque made her a Broadway star. Two years later she moved to Hollywood where Frank Capra chose her for his romantic drama Ladies of Leisure. She did well and by the late 1930s was a sought-after actress, and by 1944, she was the highest-paid actress in the US.

Dennis Morgan, not often remembered, yet an actor who appeared in dozens of films, got his start as a singer with a troupe in Chicago. He also spent some time as a radio announcer before moving to Hollywood in 1936 where he almost immediately found work with MGM, then Paramount who cast him as a leading man. Warner Brothers signed him as a contract player which was typical for the time and kept him busy.

British-born Sydney Greenstreet went into acting at the age of 61 and is probably best remembered for his roles in The Maltese Falcon, Casablanca, and Passage to Marseille. He’d only been in Hollywood for four years when he appeared in Christmas in Connecticut, a “witty performance” according to one source. Making another eleven films, he would retire in 1949.

The movie is referred to by most sources as a screwball comedy which is probably accurate as reality must be suspended for most of the film’s duration. However silly, Christmas in Connecticut is warm and endearing and a feel-good flick worth watching. The remake in 1992 that doesn’t quite hit the mark, stars Dyan Cannon and Kris Kristofferson as the romantic couple, and Tony Curtis as her publisher with an update that has the “fraudulent homemaker as an actress…making a reality TV show.” I’d give it a miss.
______________

The American World War II Home Front in 29 Objects:

Unlike Europe the American mainland escaped physical devastation during World War II as it was not subjected to full-scale invasions. However, that didn’t mean the United States wasn’t impacted by the war. The ramifications of large economic, cultural, and societal changes forced Americans to reconsider entrenched beliefs and traditions.

Artifacts collected from across the nation tell the stories of the American people whose lives were shaped by this second “war to end all wars,” World War II.

Pre-order Link: https://books2read.com/u/47pLxR



Photo Credits:
Movie poster: Theatrical Release Poster
Stills: Courtesy Warner Brothers

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Back Sandra Ardoin

Talkshow Thursday: 

Welcome Back, Sandra Ardoin!

I'm pleased to have Sandra back to my blog. She writes fantastic stories and has a new release.

How many books have you written, and which is your favorite?

Including A Lady Divided, my newest, my book list consists of six novellas and eight novels.

I don’t like to play favorites, but for me, I think my favorite would be A Lady Divided. I wrote this story over a decade ago, entered it into a couple of contests where it became a finalist, and put it on the shelf until I felt the time was right to release it . . . which is now. 😊

I absolutely adore Laurel. She’s loyal, responsible, stubborn, independent. In other words, she complicated.

What does your writing space look like?

When my daughter moved out, I moved my office into her bedroom. Immediately. I painted and added new sheers, decorated a wall with a wall quote that reads: Life is a book unwritten . . . only you hold the pen. It seemed appropriate.

My desk sits in a corner facing the wall, so I can see out a window—if I stretch my neck. I have our old (emphasis on old) microwave to heat my coffee—over and over, because I let it grow cold as I work. The room also contains a dresser that was an antique before my mom bought it for my room when I was very young. I keep copies of my print books in the drawers. I never use the yoga mat on the floor for yoga, but I do use it for general stretching and pacing.

Can you share a real life event that inspired your writing?

With A Lady Divided, the story came from a scene that popped into my head and wouldn’t leave me.

Once I decided on the backstory, I came across a book of letters from a woman who disguised herself as a man to take advantage of the conscription money for Civil War soldiers. While Lauren’s story is different, this woman’s story was inspiring. And that’s all I’ll say. 😊

How did publishing your first book change your writing?

For one thing, it made me take the business of writing more seriously. Expenses increased with marketing, having a website, on and on.

It also cut into my actual writing time. Before I could just write and take as long as I wanted to finish a book. Afterward, I dealt (and still do) with deadlines and marketing and the other various tasks that come with being an “author.”

How do you develop your characters? (e.g. decide on their vocation, names, etc.)?

This question is making me think. So often, they pop into my head partially dressed, meaning they already have a name (at least a first name) or occupation or story/personal problem. I like to take secondary characters in one story and give them their own book, and sometimes I’ve given those characters a job or name suitable to that first book, so I’m kind of stuck going forward. Although, if I think they’ll become a hero/heroine in their own book, I’m more particular about the name.

In the case of first books, I’m definitely more particular. For instance, in A Horseman’s Mission, I knew before I developed the full story that Lane Becker was a man who raised and sold horses. Fun facts: His first name began as Caleb Becker and the story was to be the first book in a series. When I decided to make A Musician’s Heart the first book in the Hidden Veil Hometown series, using Kyle, a secondary character from a previous book (Lost in Winter’s Wonderland), I found I had too many (hard) C/K names.

For my names, I use baby books and internet sites with popular names from a particular decade or era. I also employ a name generator on a software program I use.

With jobs, it depends on setting, era, and what the story is about.

If your book is part of a series: Did you set out to write a series? Why did you decide to write a series?

A Lady Divided is the first book in the House of Fire series. I’ll have two more coming out in the future: A Lady Unveiled and A Lady Restored.

My books rarely start out with the idea that there will be a series. I think the exception is my Hidden Veil Hometown contemporary romance series. It doesn’t take long, however, before I find characters in the story that draw my attention and beg for a story of their own. It’s my favorite thing to do, actually. I’d thought of making the novella A Love Most Worthy the first of a series but have never written succeeding books.

What is your process for writing? (do you outline, have a special place or time of day you write, etc.) What is your favorite part of the process?

Weekdays, I get to my desk before 7:30 in the morning and leave at 5:00. However, I’ve been trying to do more of life lately. In other words, I’m taking more time out of my day or week to do non-working activities, such as going to gym and taking more days off.

When it comes to my writing, I plot some of the main points of the story, but I’m not an in-depth outliner. I know the type of character I want, the issue with them, and some of the things that will happen. I refine things as I write and get to know the characters better.

As for my favorite part of the process. For many authors, it’s the first draft—the discovery of the story. For me, it’s the rewriting process. I have the story down. I can tweak it however I want.

What is your advice to fledgling writers?

Have patience, study the rules and business of writing, and never give up!

What books are on your nightstand right now?

There are oodles of books on my Kindle waiting to be read. As of this writing, my next ebook is Dawn Kinzer’s September release Restoring Love. On my nightstand now is Of Silver and Secrets by Michelle Griep. Among others, coming up on the nightstand will be Lynette’s Eason’s Final Approach and Dani Pettrey’s Two Seconds Too Late.

What is your next project?

Right now, I’m writing the fourth book in my contemporary romance series Hidden Veil Hometown. The first three are out, and I plan to get A Father’s Promise out in the first part of 2026. Then I’ll release the second book in the House of Fire historical romance series in late 2026.

About A Lady Divided:

Just when she thinks she’s defeated the past, it returns with a vengeance.

Fighting to keep her late husband’s dream alive and her land-grabbing neighbors at bay, Laurel Tillman longs for a peace she knew before the war. But when her skill with a rifle saves a stranger from a mountain lion attack—a man whose life she once wouldn’t have hesitated to take—wartime memories rush back. While raising her daughter and taking responsibility for the stray women who work on her sheep ranch, Laurel can’t wait to get the injured Yankee out of her house. Getting him out of her heart is an entirely different matter.

Quinn Spencer, a former Union cavalry officer, owes Laurel a debt, but his career as a new lawyer in town comes with a warning to stay away from the unconventional women of La Casa del Fuego. Then, with the discovery of a dead man on Laurel’s ranch, Quinn must choose between his career and justice for a woman who can’t bear the sight of him. As they battle an unknown adversary who sets out to destroy Laurel, will she join forces with her former enemy? Or will she allow the past to overcome any chance of a truce between them . . . and, possibly, something more?

Social Media Links:

Website: https://www.sandraardoin.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SandraArdoinAuthor
X: https://x.com/SandraArdoin
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5069360.Sandra_Ardoin
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/sandra-ardoin

Photo Credits:

Author Photo/Book Image: Sandra Ardoin

Letters: Pixabay/Nile

Woman with laptop: Pixabay/Peter Olexa

Wartime Wednesday: VJ Day

Wartime Wednesday: VJ Day

(An Encore Post from Heroes, Heroines, and History)

“This day is a new beginning in the history of freedom on this earth. Our global victory has come from the courage and stamina and spirit of free men and women united in the determination to fight.”

President Harry S. Truman

By August 1945, America had been at war for almost four years, Poland and England for six. Victory in Europe day was declared in May 1945, but conflict still raged with the Japanese, whom it seemed would never give up. In fact, no Japanese military unit had surrendered during World War II. Despite being victorious for the Allies, the battles on Iwo Jima and Okinawa were devastating with heavy losses.

Plans were made to invade the Japanese home islands, however, prior to execution of the operation, on August 6, 1945, the United States dropped the atomic bomb, the first of its kind, on Hiroshima. Three days later, a second bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. On August 10, Japan notified the Allies of its intent to surrender on August 14, 1945.

 
As soon as the news was released on August 14, celebrations began across the globe. The United

Kingdom announced its official V-J Day would be the following day, August 15, 1945. September 2nd, the date the surrender documents were signed is the official US commemoration. In Japan, August 15 is known as “memorial day for the end of the war.”

In London, people took to the streets, civilians and members of the armed forces alike. One article reported soldiers dancing in a conga line on Regent Street. In Paris, Frenchmen paraded on the Champs-Elysees singing “Don’t Fence Me In.” In Berlin American soldiers reportedly shouted, “It’s over in the Pacific.” The Chinese set off fireworks, and in Manila residents were said to sing “God Bless America.” In Washington, DC, a crowd yelling, “We want Harry,” tried to break into the White House. They were unsuccessful.

New York’s Times Square filled with the largest crowd it had ever seen, with kissing, dancing, and singing. One of the most famous photographs, a soldier kissing a woman who appears to be a nurse, was taken in Times Square and published in Life Magazine. Life also reported that news of the war’s end “sparked a coast-to-coast frenzy of {servicemen} kissing…everyone in skirts that happened along."

Tragically, some celebrations, such as the one in San Franciso, was categorized as a “three-night orgy of vandalism, looting, assault, robbery, rape, and murder.” Another article called it the “deadliest riots in the city’s history.” Additionally, Japanese soldiers murdered POWs, then committed suicide. Fortunately, these incidents were few.

V-J Day was bittersweet in light of the worldwide destruction and death. As historian Donald L. Miller, Ph.D wrote, “For those who had seen the face of battle and been in the camps and under the bombs—and had lived—there was a sense of immense relief.”

__________________

A Lesson in Love

He thinks he’s too old. She thinks she’s too young. Can these teachers learn that love defies all boundaries?

Born and raised in London, Isobel Turvine knows nothing about farming, but after the students in her school evacuate during Operation Pied Piper, she’s left with little to do. Her friend talks her into joining the Women’s Land Army, and she finds herself working the land at a manor home in Yorkshire that’s been converted to a boys’ school. A teacher at heart, she is drawn to the lads, but the handsome yet stiff-necked headmaster wants her to stick to farming.

Left with an arm that barely works from the last “war to end all wars,” Gavin Emerson agrees to take on the job of headmaster when his school moves from London to Yorkshire, but he’s saddled with the quirky manor owner, bickering among his teachers, and a gaggle of Land Army girls who have turned the grounds into a farm. When the group’s blue-eyed, blonde leader nearly runs him down in a car, he admonishes her to stay in the fields, but they are thrown together at every turn. Can he trust her not to break his heart?

Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3YHgUb0

Photo Credits:
VJ Day in Times Square: By New York World-Telegram and the Sun staff photographer: DeMarsico, Dick, photographer. - Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. New York World-Telegram and the Sun Newspaper Photograph Collection. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3c19650, Public Domain.
Civilians and Soldiers in London: By Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer. From the collections of the Imperial War Museums. Public Domain.
Soldier in Times Square: By Victor Jorgensen - US archives, Public Domain.

Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victory_over_Japan_Day
https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofBritain/VJ-Day/
https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/v-j-day
Legacy of VJ Day: A Modern Sailor’s Tribute to Inspirational Grandfather: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dlZKR2h0-A
https://www.defense.gov/Multimedia/Experience/VJ-Day/

Talkshow Thursday: Meet Julie McDonald Zander

Julie McDonald Zander: 

A Writing Journey

While volunteering as a docent for school tours of our local museum more than a decade ago, I spotted a placard describing a mother’s journey across the Oregon Trail in 1847 and the tragedy that befell her.

I thought, What would you do, thousands of miles away from family? How would you survive?

I decided to find out.

In between my Chapters of Life projects, helping people capture and preserve their life stories in books, I delved into the woman’s history, scanning diaries and letters at the Washington State Library, perusing newspaper clippings, and pulling together her remarkable story. I had no idea when I started whether Matilda was a Christian, but then I stumbled upon a note in museum’s files stating that her husband ordered a Bible and hymnals shipped around Cape Horn in the early 1850s. Later, newspaper articles reported she kept a Bible beside her and read it regularly, which only made sense when I learned about the overwhelming losses she suffered. How could she possibly survive so much without faith in God?

Then I debated about whether to write the story as nonfiction or fiction. Most history is written about

men, and nobody had ever told the story of this amazing hostess who entertained Washington Territorial Governor Isaac Stevens and his family, future president Ulysses S. Grant, and Generals Phillip Sheridan and George B. McClelland. With decades of experience writing and publishing more than seventy nonfiction books, while just dipping my toes into writing novels, I published the nonfiction Washington Territory’s Grand Lady through Chapters of Life in 2019.

But her story deserved a wider audience, so I shared her story week by week, month by month, with my
two Christian writers’ critique groups. Their generosity and kindness helped so much. Instead of telling me “this stinks,” which I’d heard in a secular group, Melanie Dobson told me, “Julie, we don’t need to know everything they packed into their wagon.” I learned to kick out the reporter and focus on the story.

St. Helens Press, a fiction imprint, published my debut novel, The Reluctant Pioneer, in September 2024. The book won a Will Rogers Medallion and was a finalist for the Western Writers of America Spur Award for Best Historical Novel.

After The Reluctant Pioneer, I wrote a second novel, once again inspired by true events, a day of tragedy and violence that unfolded on the streets of Centralia, Washington, on November 11, 1919, during the first Armistice Day parade celebrating the end of World War I. I toyed with the idea of writing it as a dual timeline novel, but I struggled with the contemporary story, so then I figured I’d write it as historical fiction. After all, I knew the history and how it unfolded, although some of the facts have been debated for a hundred years. But my critique group partners once again encouraged me to write it as a time-slip novel, which I did.

St. Helens Press released Shattered Peace: A Century of Silence in the spring of 2025. It’s been an interesting journey, especially with my third novel, which is based on family lore but entirely fictional. I’ve never been a seat-of-the-pants writer, but this time, I sit down on Monday night before my Tuesday morning critique group and ask myself, “Now what happens?” It’s a challenge but so much fun to make it up.

I’ve enjoyed sharing my books and hearing from readers. At book club meetings, I listen to how the story unfolded in the minds of readers. And I pray that the underlying messages of faith, redemption, and the steadfastness of our Lord and Savior shines through in my writing.

_______________________

Shattered Peace: A Century of Silence 

A forgotten diary. A century-old secret. A town still haunted by its past. 

When former Navy Seabee Colleen Holmes inherits an old house in Centralia, Washington, she sees it as a chance to escape her own ghosts and start anew. But as she peels back layers of history within the home’s walls, she unearths long-buried secrets tied to a dark chapter in the town’s history. 

Hidden behind crumbling plaster, a faded diary and a bundle of love letters unveil the struggles of a soldier trapped in the trenches of France and the heartbreak of those left waiting at home. Yet the diary’s brittle pages hold more than just longing—they bear witness to the explosive events of November 11, 1919, when a parade meant to celebrate peace erupted into violence and bloodshed. 

As Colleen pieces together the tragic choices that shattered lives and fractured a town, she realizes history is never truly buried. The wounds of yesterday still shape today, and the past is not done with her yet. 

Inspired by true events, Shattered Peace is a gripping time-slip novel of love, loss, and the echoes of history that refuse to fade.

 
Purchase link: https://books2read.com/u/4jj7gv

Author Bio:

Julie McDonald Zander, an award-winning journalist, earned a bachelor’s degree in communications and political science from the University of Washington before working two decades as a newspaper reporter and editor. Through her personal history company, Chapters of Life, she has published more than seventy-five individual, family, and community histories. Her debut novel, The Reluctant Pioneer, won a Will Rogers Medallion and was a finalist for the Western Writers of America’s Spur Award for Best Historical Novel. She and her husband live in the Pacific Northwest, where they raised their two children.

Author Links:
Website: https://maczander.com/
Twitter / X: https://x.com/MacZanderAuthor and https://x.com/ChaptersofLife
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563140294856
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliemcdonaldzander/?hl=en
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mczander.bsky.social
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1gV_qYTDqMbPVbygc-lOXw
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/maczanderauthor/
Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/julie-mcdonald-zander
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maczanderauthor?lang=en
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001K8VG86
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5856830.Julie_McDonald_Zander