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

Traveling Tuesday: Connecticut During WWII

Traveling Tuesday: 

Connecticut During WWII

With a production volume worth over $8 billion, Connecticut manufactured 4.1% of the United States’ military armaments and associated items during World War II, ranking ninth among the forty-eight states. The state also provided more than 300,000 men to the armed forces with 4,500 making the ultimate sacrifice. Another one thousand died from disease or accidents.

From one end of the state to the other factories converted from commercial products to war materiél. Founded in 1925 by Frederick B. Rentschlar, creator of the air-cooled radial engine design, Pratt & Whitney manufactured more than 300,000 engines. Pioneer Parachutes, a division of The Cheney Brothers silk manufacturer, sewed parachutes, and Electric Boat built submarines. Hamilton Propellers made, well, propellers. Waterbury Clock constructed a new plant to manufacture mechanical time fuses and other equipment. E. Ingraham Company also converted from clocks to time fuses as well as anti-aircraft artillery. Producer of hand tools and household goods, New Britain company turned to making uniforms, guns, and equipment. North & Judd manufactured uniform buckles, clasps, and other fasteners. Many of these companies earned the coveted Army-Navy E award for excellence in manufacturing.

In addition to manufacturing, Connecticut had six air bases, the Coast Guard Academy, and several

naval stations, including one submarine base. Bradley Army Air Force Base in Windsor Locks was also home to a POW camp when hundreds of German prisoners arrived in October 1944. According to multiple sources, the prisoners were enlisted men and many “reportedly preferred being anywhere, even snowy Connecticut, to being shot at.” Whether it was because they were well-guarded or well-cared for, none of the prisoners ever attempt an escape.

Connecticuters served in every theater of the war, with approximately 4,500 making the ultimate sacrifice. Everett Rossen of West Hartford found himself in the Philippines during its surrender, being forced into the Bataan Death March. He remained a POW for four years until the end of the war, then remained in the military for another two decades before retiring. Ward Chamberlin was an ambulance driver with the American Field Service and served in North Africa, Italy, and India. Artist Deane Keller was a Monuments Man “rescuing Italian masterworks from the threat of combat and looting,” and was “part of the team that returned the Florentine Museum treasures to the city in 1945.”

Even colleges contributed to the war effort. Assigned to the Manhattan Project, Yale University Physics department, led by physicist Ernest O. Lawrence, worked on the development of the magnetic separation process which “allowed for the extraction and purification of Uranium-235 from natural uranium.” The chemistry department was led by chemical engineer John H. Reilly and “focused on the production of heavy water which was used as a neutron moderator in nuclear reactors.”

Last but certainly not least is Norwich native and attorney, Thomas Joseph Dodd, who served on the US prosecutorial team at the Nuremburg trials during which he was the second-ranking lawyer. In addition to shaping strategies and polices, he prepared indictments, presented evidence, and cross-examined defendants.

_______________________

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



Sources:
https://www.ctmq.org/pow-camp/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Connecticut
https://connecticuthistory.org/topics-page/world-war-ii/
https://yankeeinstitute.org/2024/05/24/connecticut-and-the-second-world-war/
https://centerprode.com/ojsh/ojsh0602/coas.ojsh.0602.03057m.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connecticut_World_War_II_Army_Airfields
https://www.pbs.org/kenburns/the-war/waterbury

Photo Credits:
Pratt & Whitney R-4360 Wasp Major Engine: Courtesy Air Force Museum
POWs: Courtesy Hartford History Center
Thomas Dodd: By http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=D000390, Public Domain.

Fiction Friday: New Releases in Christian Fiction

August 2025 New Releases
More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website

Children’s Middle Grade: Jack and the Red Giant by Amanda Cleary Eastep -- Snowball wars are being waged against the Tree Street Kids, and Jack Finch is building his greatest invention yet--the Abominable Snowman-ator. But his biggest battle will be against his distrust of Buzz Rublatz, the neighborhood bully. (Children’s Middle Grade from Moody Publishers) 

  Children’s Picture Book:
Otto and Ollie by Penny Frost McGinnis and Hannah L Wickline -- Otto and Ollie are best buddies. They live next door to each other and spend their days playing and pretending what they’ll be someday. When they have a disagreement, they discover it’s not what they’ll be, but who they’ll be that counts. (Children’s Picture Book from Mt. Zion Ridge Press)

  Contemporary:
What the River Keeps by Cheryl Grey Bostrom -- In the beautiful Pacific Northwest, a young woman’s discovery of her hidden past illuminates her present in this new novel from the award-winning author of Sugar Birds, “an engrossing tale” (Kirkus Reviews), and Leaning on Air, “an exquisitely nuanced love story” (BookTrib). (Contemporary General from Tyndale House)

  Contemporary Romance:
A Montana-Sized Secret by Allie Pleiter -- Returning to High Mountain pregnant is not the fresh start Carly Davis imagined—nor is telling Jack Peters he’s the father. And with Jack in the early stages of addiction recovery, she questions if he can handle being a parent. But Jack is determined to show that he’s changed, and a chance to prove himself arises when they must care for a litter of rescued baby bunnies. Trust slowly builds between them again, but as unexpected news threatens their fragile bond, can they overcome the uncertainties to be the family they both need? (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Meant For Me by Betsy St Amant -- He was her best friend. Still is. But when her beloved beignet shop burns down, he’ll have to be more if she hopes to start over. But will friendship survive the dangers of a marriage of convenience? (Contemporary Romance from Sunrise Publishing) 

  A Matter of Trust by Rena Bell Yeager -- Rachel Wilson is a divorcee who has devoted her life to her daughter and her career. But when her employer is shut down by the FBI for fraud, she is encouraged by her daughter to take a long-overdue vacation to Texas. Randall Hudson is a widowed resort ranch owner and corporate tycoon, as at home in his blue denim shirts as he is in the boardroom. When he meets Rachel, he is smitten. But when he begins manipulating things in her life to make her want to stay in Texas, her mistrust of men grows. When Rachel's ex shows up demanding money, she has no choice but to turn to Randall for help. But can she trust him? Will they find a way to overcome their obstacles and forge a new path together? (Contemporary Romance from Pixley Knob Press)

  Historical Romance:
A Lady Divided by Sandra Ardoin -- A bitter and unconventional southern widow joins forces with a former enemy to battle accusations of murder . . . twelve years after taking lives in the War Between the States. (Historical Romance, Independently Published)

The Undercover Heiress of Brockton by Kelly J. Goshorn -- Henrietta “Etta” Maxwell, heiress to the Maxwell fortune, is a hard-hitting investigative reporter for The Enterprise Daily. The catch? Etta must pen her columns under the nom de plume, Henry Mason—a fact that routinely puts a knot in her knickerbockers. Leo Eriksson is a second-generation firefighter with a passion for rendering aid to those in need. When Leo discovers that Henry Mason is really Henrietta Maxwell, the fire department’s wealthy benefactress, he agrees to keep her identity secret. After a sudden blast rocks the Grover Shoe Factory, Leo and Etta team up to determine if the explosion is related to a series of suspicious fires in the area. When an unnamed source reveals Etta’s secret identity to a rival reporter, she falsely accuses Leo of being the informant. As the truth comes to light, Etta must persuade Leo to give her a second chance or lose the only man she’s ever loved. (Historical Romance from Barbour Publishing)

  Crime Suspense:
Martha’s Veil by Urcelia Teixeira -- In the fog-shrouded coastal town of Weyport, head baker Martha Porter lives a life of quiet control—perfect cakes, polite smiles, and a heart safely tucked behind emotional walls. But when a charming man begins messaging her through an online Christian forum, Martha dares to hope again… until she vanishes on the very night she agrees to meet him. The missing-person case falls to Sheriff Angus Reid, whose investigation takes a dark turn when another woman’s body washes ashore—another victim who’d been speaking to a mysterious online suitor. As Angus uncovers a chilling network of digital manipulation, stolen identities, and religious deceit, the race to find Martha becomes more urgent. Can Angus unmask the predator before Martha becomes his next victim? Or will the fog that shrouds Weyport's coast hide another tragedy forever? (Crime Suspense, Independently Published)

  Romantic Suspense:
Gazing into Darkness by Heidi Glick -- Instead of moving closer to his girlfriend, Chance McPherson gets dumped and relocated to Cincinnati—farther from his dreams and closer to his shameful past. Stacey Sanderson is excited to finally secure a role in law enforcement, like the rest of her family, especially as an EPA CID agent, where she can protect God’s creation. On the job, Stacey’s perfectionism and faith rub Chance the wrong way, while his antics and wisecracks irritate Stacey. When federal employees who worked an old case with Stacey start dying, Chance becomes concerned, and not just because Stacey is his partner. Can Chance and Stacey stop the person who is out to kill her before it’s too late? (Romantic Suspense from Scrivenings Press) 

Danger in the Wilderness by Darlene L Turner -- Park warden Dekker Hoyt’s father-son camping trip turns into a nightmare when a serial killer abducts his father. With just seventy-two hours to find him, Dekker turns to criminal investigative analyst Blaire Tremblay to identify the Park Campfire Killer. As they follow his taunting clues and face increasingly violent threats, Dekker and Blaire know that one wrong step could be fatal. With the ruthless criminal following their every move, can they stop a killer in hiding…waiting to complete his deadly plan? (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

Protecting the Texas Witness by Virginia Vaughan -- Deputy Drake Shaw rescues single mom Isabelle Morris from an assailant's attack, only to be mistaken for her late husband. After exposing the corruption at her health-care company, Isabelle fears danger has followed her and her daughter all the way to their remote cabin. Now Drake must keep them safe long enough for Isabelle to testify against her former boss. But when her child is taken, the stakes are raised. Can they survive to unravel the truth about the present…and the past? (Romantic Suspense from Love Inspired [Harlequin])

  Speculative Fiction/Fantasy:
Dawn of the Elding by Demi Griffin -- The new Age unfolds with the sight of crumbling foundations in Everlasting, echoing with the deafening sounds of conflict and upheaval. The air thickens with the smell of tension and fear as history is misunderstood and old grudges resurface, disintegrating the bond holding the Realms together. Only the Realm Keeper possesses the power to unite them once more and bring back harmony to Everlasting. However, he cannot accomplish this task single-handedly. His alliance with the Timebender grants them both access to the only weapon that can combat death. Restoring balance, ending the perpetual chill, and returning the Elding to Everlasting all depend on each fulfilling their destinies. (Speculative Fiction/Fantasy, Independently Published) 

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

Chasing Time by Pamela G Baker -- After embracing life in the 21st century, Lydia is catapulted to the 1870s of her youth to prevent unscrupulous scientists from disrupting the timeline—again. (Speculative Fiction/Time Travel) 

On the Brink by Michael E Cafferky -- A life-threatening illness leads corporate executive Gabriel Oliver to an epiphany about his faith; he adjusts the priorities of his life, but the change he makes increases his vulnerability by endangering his career and upsetting his relationship with his wife Sandra (Contemporary General) 

Morning on the Mesa by Jenny Fulton -- Navajo princess sisters Lillian and Zoe learn about God and Creation while herding sheep on their family's mesa. (Children’s Picture Book) 

Take The Sea by Jenny Powell -- Follow modern-day Hope Gerard & 18th-century Anglican priest John Wesley as they battle their fears through their faith. (Contemporary General) 

Forged by Fire by Melanie D Snitker -- Firefighter Leslie Granger and Police Officer Clint Baker stumble upon a motive that will test their courage and force them to confront not only the danger, but also the unexpected attraction growing between them (Romantic Suspense) 

BondKeeper by Colleen K Snyder -- Canna and Gentry are running for their lives from dragon hunters, slave traders, renegade dragons, and the Widow Swansworth who wants Gentry as a bride for her son Brody. Can Gentry learn to trust the Master? Or will she go her own way, and lose the best friend she’ll ever have? (Young Adult) 

What Brings Us Joy by Teresa Wells -- Though Clarence Parker doesn’t regret testifying against the outlaws in his former gang, he fears his future with Delia Truitt is in jeopardy. Clarence will protect her from the killers, even if it means risking their future together. Can Clarence keep her safe? And will Delia love him after she finds out about his past? (Historical Romance)

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Jennifer Wright

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Jennifer Wright

I love discovering new-to-me authors, don't you? Jennifer writes wonderful historical fiction. Listen in...

1. When did you know you wanted to become an author?

I’ve always known I wanted to do something involving writing. From a very early age, I was drawn to words and stories, but I actually grew up wanting to become a journalist. I was always a very curious—some might even call it “nosy”—child, and journalism seemed a perfect fit to feed that hunger. I even went as far as to get my master’s degree in journalism before deciding I hated being a reporter and switched to fiction writing instead.

2. What is your favorite thing about being a writer?

It’s hard to narrow it down to just one thing so I’ll have to give you two! Firstly, I love the research that comes along with writing, discovering forgotten tidbits of history and immersing yourself in the past. Secondly, I love engaging with readers who connect to the stories that I write in a deep and meaningful way. Many of these readers have become special, life-long friends.

3. How did you learn to write?

I believe writing is a skill best learned by doing, and that’s what I did. I just started writing. Short stories, long stories, newspaper articles, magazine articles—I just wrote. There’s obviously something to be said about reading as much as you can, seeking out friends/mentors who are also writers, and attending classes or seminars. But I believe there’s no better way to learn good writing than to just write and to write as much as you can.

4. What does your writing space look like?

I struggle with ADHD so I have to make sure my writing space is as free of distractions as it can

possibly be. Just my laptop, a few research books and notebooks, and maybe a cup of coffee. Anything else and my mind will wander…

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

Last Light Over Galveston is my fourth book, and my favorite always tends to be the one I’ve just finished! But, in reality, all of my books are special in their own unique way, and I consider the main character of each a special friend.

6. What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

In Last Light Over Galveston, I was surprised to learn just how much the 1900 Galveston hurricane was a human disaster, rather than just a natural one as many assume. Although the storm itself was an act of nature, there were many mistakes made by those in charge—such as ignoring hurricane warnings from Cuba, misunderstanding the science behind such storms, and rejecting calls for a seawall—that made this particular hurricane one of the deadliest.

7. What questions do you ask yourself when preparing to write a new book?

There are two main questions: 1) What is God leading me to write about? That is usually where the spiritual thread of my stories comes in. And 2) what is something I’m interested in enough that I could spend the next year of my life reading and writing about it? Because writing a book takes a LONG time, and you will invariably grow weary of a topic before you’re finished with it if you’re not careful!

8. How did publishing your first book change your writing?

This might sound counter-intuitive, but publishing my first book actually taught me to write for myself rather than an audience. If you’re not careful, you can find yourself trying to write what you believe others want to read, even if it’s not the story God has laid on your heart. Publishing my first book taught me firsthand that I will never make everyone happy; two back-to-back reviews said: “This book is too Christian” and then “This book isn’t Christian enough.” So I learned to let go of that need to appease everyone and just write what I felt led to write, trusting my book will find its way into the hands of those who appreciate it.

About Last Light Over Galveston

Galveston, Texas. September 1900 

Only months ago, Kathleen McDaniel returned from finishing school in Switzerland to her family home in New York’s Hudson Valley with a future of promise and privilege set before her. But one horrific event shattered her picturesque life. Now she has fled as far as the train line and a pocketful of money would take her, finding refuge at the St. Mary’s Orphan Asylum on Galveston Island, where she helps the nuns care for their young charges and prays her past will not find her. Despite her tenuous standing at the orphanage―and the grief and betrayal that drove her from home―Kathleen slowly begins to make friends. There is Emily, the novice nun she rooms with; Maggie, the tempestuous young girl who only bonds with Kathleen; and Matthew, a kind, handsome man recently employed by Isaac Cline at Galveston’s office of the US Weather Bureau.

Then in one fateful day, Kathleen’s fragile new life begins to crack as it becomes clear that she can’t run far enough to escape the reach of her former life. Meanwhile, as troubling news about a storm crossing the Gulf from Cuba swirls in the Weather Bureau offices, Matthew holds fast to Cline’s belief that no hurricane can touch Galveston. But as darkness falls on the island, Kathleen must gather her courage and reach for a strength beyond her own if she―and those she loves―are to survive."

Social Media Links: 

Website: http://www.jenniferlwright.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JenniferWrightLit

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/jennnwright82

Photo credits:

Author and book cover: Jennifer Wright

Journal: Pixabay

Galveston Memorial: Pixabay/grahics4fun

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Back Jodie Wolfe!

Talkshow Thursday: 

Welcome Back, Jodie Wolfe!

I love Jodie's books and can't wait to read this next one. Get to know this interesting author plus a behind-the-scenes peek!

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

Hannah’s Quest is my 11th published book. I’ve actually written a few others that are in my filing cabinet. 😊 If I had to pick a favorite so far… it probably would be Taming Julia, since the heroine was a lot of fun to write.

I love that story! What does your writing space look like?
 

Check out the photo below! I always have a story board so I can easily see my characters while I write. During the writing process, my desk gets fairly messy. When it’s cleared off, it means I’m getting ready to write a new book. 😊

What questions do you ask yourself when preparing to write a new book?

With my current Time to Come Home Series, I am trying to include old houses from the town I’m

writing about, as well as area churches, stores, etc. So I often have a bit of research to do before I even start writing a novel in this series.

What was your inspiration for the story?

If you asked me a few years ago if I’d ever write a series focused on prodigals, I would have adamantly said no, since I have no experience in that area. However, things have changed in our lives since then, and it currently is the road my husband and I are walking. I use my writing to help work through various trials we are going through or have gone through.

What draws you to the time period about which you write?

Good question. 😊 I think I love historical because in some ways it was a simpler time of life, although the 19th Century required much more physical work.

What is one thing you wish you could do?

I wished I had a maid to take care of cleaning/organizing the house, while also making meals for me/us.

What was your favorite childhood book and why?

Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House on the Prairie series. It helped to develop my love of historical and the desire to write.

What is your next project?

I’m currently working on a historical novella collection called Courting Love that will hopefully be out sometime this fall. Once the final novella is written, I’ll get back to work on my Time to Come Home Series. Book #3 will be Sarah’s Search, due to come out in February 2026.

About Hannah's Quest:

Hannah Moore escapes the overbearing grip of her relatives and forges her own way in Shippensburg, PA, far away from their clutches. Despite Hannah’s sheer determination, she finds life on her own daunting as she loses job after job. Unsure where she fits in, Hannah wonders if she’ll ever be good enough. She feels as if God has forsaken her and questions if she will ever find a place to belong. The last thing she needs is an ignorant shop keeper constantly questioning her abilities and standing in her way. Hannah will take almost any position available so as not to return to the place of her upbringing.

Luke Weiser has one goal in mind—finding a way to save his grandmother and restore her health. Only trouble is, she has other ideas about what is best for her. Gran longs to see Luke’s return to faith in the Lord, but he blames God for his grandmother’s sickness and the tragic events of his childhood. After the death of his mother, followed by his father’s abandonment, Luke refuses to trust his heart to anyone, and certainly not a wife. When Hannah keeps popping up in the hardware shop where he works, Luke is forced to think twice about his convictions.

Can two bruised hearts follow their personal quests and discover healing in the process?

Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/44kXFHx

About Jodie:

JODIE WOLFE loves writing historical fiction after years as a homeschooling mom. She enjoys spending time with her husband in Pennsylvania, reading, knitting, and walking. Jodie creates novels where hope and quirky meet. Visit her at http://www.jodiewolfe.com.

Traveling Tuesday: Flushing, New York

Traveling Tuesday: Flushing, NY

Eye of the Beholder, my contribution to the Apron Strings Tea Tales series that will release in July 2026, is set during the 1939 World’s fair which was located in Flushing Meadows, a neighborhood in the north-central section of Queens, one of New York City’s five boroughs (a district that is an administrative unit). With a current population of over 200,000, the neighborhood is larger than the biggest city in New Hampshire where I live!

The idea for the World’s Fair began four years earlier when George McAneny, executive manager at the New York Times and president of the Regional Plan Association, brought a group together to discuss the possibility of an international exposition. With support from Mayor Fiorello La Guardia, the New York World’s Fair Corporation was formed, and McAneny was named president. After much consideration, the Flushing Meadows site was selected because of its size (1,003 acres), central location, and the city already owned 586 acres nearby.

Straddling the Flushing River, Flushing Meadows was mostly wetlands until the 1910s when it was ushed as a dumping ground for coal ashes with the thought to eventually develop the land into a port. With the onset of World War I, plans for the port ceased, however, dumping continued.

As a result, much work needed to be done to prepare the site for the fair including purchasing the

surrounding land and relocating the occupants, then leveling the ash mounds and diverting the river into underground culverts. Beginning in June 1936, four hundred fifty employees worked three eight-hour shifts to rebuild the landscape and excavate to create Meadow and Willow lakes. The lakes were to serve as repositories for excess storm runoff, and the dirt was used as additional topsoil for the park. In 1937, trees were put in to create a natural landscape around the park and along pedestrian walkways.

Using much of the refuse (ash mounds), the road system surrounding and bisecting the park was also improved in preparation of the anticipated thousands of visitors. You may be familiar with some of the streets: Vany Wyck Expressway, Long Island Expressway, and Grand Central Parkway. However, executives must not have given enough thought to the water system because in November 1939, a water main that supplied the area failed. The pipeline had not been built on piling foundations which cause it to sink into the marsh. Oops! Repairs cost more than $50,000. The public transit system was also upgraded and expanded.

Because the organizers knew the fairgrounds would be converted to a park after the event, the landscape architect, Gilmore David Clarke (who designed many of NYC’s parks and public spaces) planned accordingly with 250 acres of lawns, and topiary and deciduous trees. More than one million plants, one million bulbs, 250,000 shrubs, and 10,000 trees were installed. There were also approximately fifty landscaped gardens, as well as fountains and water features.

All in all, about $156 million dollars, a combination of public and private funds, was spent to transform “The Valley of Ashes” into Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.

________________

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:

World's Fair Promenade: By FOTO:Fortepan — ID 16945:Adományozó/Donor: Public Domain

Valley of Ashes: By New York (N.Y.). Bureau of EngineeringFairchild Aerial Camera Corporation - NYPL Digital Gallery — Catalog ID (B-number): b13985741, Public Domain.

Flushing Globe: Pixabay/nerastudio