Talkshow Thursday: When Valleys Bloom Again

Talkshow Thursday: 

When Valley Bloom Again by Pat Jeanne Davis

Christmas 1942 would be for many men who were sent abroad to fight their first time outside of the United States. Receiving handmade items of apparel and baked homemade goodies from loved ones back home in the states, would be a huge morale booster at any time but especially at the holiday season. Even when these were prepared and packaged for overseas shipment in plenty of time, it usually took many weeks before these items reached our homesick soldier.

Excerpt from When Valleys Bloom Again

November, 1942

            Abby looked up from measuring sugar to see Carol and Phyllis working side by side. In spite of Carol’s many complaints, Abby sensed she and her mother were close.

Abby wiped her hands on a red polka dot apron. “I never baked with my mother.” She heaved a loud sigh. “I missed out on all this.” Startled by a clang, she swung around. Aunt Val stooped to pick up a dropped baking pan.

“I’ll get it, Auntie.” Abby knelt beside her, noting a confused look in her eyes.

“I can manage, dear. Don’t fuss.”

Abby returned to her counter. “We’re much better off than they are in London. Jim wrote that brides have to make do with cardboard wedding cakes because sugar’s rationed.”

“Then why bother at all?” Carol said, turning on the electric mixer to blend the ingredients for cookies.

“We must have our situation reviewed again by the ration board,” Aunt Val said from across

the room. She added chopped walnuts to her batter. “I do hope this war’s over before next autumn.”

“Then maybe we’ll have butter again,” Carol said, lining a cookie sheet with parchment paper. She worked dough into large balls. “And not this awful oleo.”

Valerie poured the contents of her mixing bowl into baking pans. “I don’t see much choice about that since butter costs eight points a pound, while oleo only costs five,” she said, scraping the bowl. “Still, William likes butter, so we’ll have it occasionally.”

“By pooling all our ration points we got everything we needed. Even enough sugar.” Abby shaped dough into crescents. “My sister tells me even toilet paper and quality soap are rationed.”

Carol put an arm around Abby’s waist. “Thanks to you I’ll have a new dress and coat for Christmas with your unredeemed clothing coupons.”

“I look at the consumer report each month, to see how I can best use my points.” Phyllis stood at the sink, washing the utensils. “But I shouldn’t complain. There’s much to be grateful for this Thanksgiving Day.”

Valerie opened the double oven range door, sliding her pans inside. A miscellany of copper-bottom pans hung from brass hooks above the range. “Our cook complains she’s finding it hard to stock the pantry for the children and needs stamps for almost everything and that meat is scarce.” She shook her head. “She says those instructions on how to use stamps are too complicated.”

Soft laughter filled the room, while the delicious smell of baked goods filled the air. Abby bit into a scone. She pictured Jim opening the box with their treats. He’d written saying the men in his division held a party for the children near the base. She set aside some for Edythe. Jim would want her to. It was her habit to mentally submit her decisions to Jim for approval. How did she manage before without this reference point?

Carol transferred the cookies to a rack, taking one. “Do we need to send all these?”

Phyllis grabbed a dish towel and whacked her across the shoulder. “They’re for your brother, not you. And our package must go out tomorrow so as to be there in time for Christmas.”

About When Valleys Bloom Again

As war approaches in 1939 Abby Stapleton’s safety is under threat. Her father, a British diplomat, insists she go back to America until the danger passes. Abby vows to return to her home in London—but where is home? With her family facing mortal danger so far away and feeling herself isolated, she finds it hard to pray or read the Bible. Did she leave God behind in war-torn London too? Abby becomes friendly with Jim, a gardener on her uncle’s estate.

Jim can’t get Abby out of his mind. Did she have a sweetheart in England? Was it foolish to think she’d consider him? He curses his poverty and the disgrace of his father’s desertion and drunkenness haunts him. Can he learn to believe in love for a lifetime and to hope for a happy marriage?

Abby couldn’t know the war would last a long time, nor that she would fall in love with Jim—soon to be drafted by the U.S. Army—or that she’d have to confront Henri, a rejected suitor, determined by his lies to ruin her reputation and destroy her faith in God’s providence. Will she discover the true meaning of home and find happiness with Jim?

Amazon:   http://www.amazon.com/dp/1948888920

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-valleys-bloom-again-pat-jeanne-davis/1130351044?ean=9781948888929                                       

Connect with Pat:   

Website:  https://www.patjeannedavis.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pat.j.davis.7

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/patjeannedavis/

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43600391-when-valleys-bloom-again?from_search=true

Amazon Author Page:  https://amazon.com/author/patjeannedavis

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/pat-jeanne-davis-34290422/                   

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/patjeannedavis/

Yowza! All the Books, Day 8: Pat Jeanne Davis

Pat Jeanne Davis, When Valleys Bloom Again

Congratulations Sue Vesey, yesterday's Yowza! All the Books! winner. You have won a copy of Angela K. Couch's book The Return of the King's Ranger! Watch your email for details!

More than writing or revising my story I enjoyed doing research for When Valleys Bloom Again. I talked with those who lived during the WWII era and also had the opportunity to ask questions of veterans in the U.S. and U.K., now in their mid-90’s, who were willing to share their experiences and their photographs. I enjoyed traveling to distant and unfamiliar places. I visited living museums in England where people went about their tasks in clothing that would’ve been worn during the 1940’s. The guides were always helpful and eager to share what they had learned. I’m happy when I uncover an extra special tidbit of information that will enhance my story.

On one research trip, I went into the largest purpose-built civilian air raid shelter in England that was extended to accommodate 6,500 people during the Second World War. The Stockport Air Raid Shelter is a network of underground tunnels, a mile long, carved out of the sandstone hills on which the city stands that provided not only protection but a way of life for families. This underground world still intact today as it was during the war years gave me an opportunity to learn about the raw realities of life during the Blitz. I came away with a deep admiration for my husband’s family and for numerous others who struggled to live with only the basic amenities in such depressing and stressful surroundings.

There are lots of ways I choose characters’ names. At times I pull from a book I read, a film or documentary I watched, or maybe someone I’ve known. In my debut novel for a character, I used my great-grandfather’s full name, but added an “e” on the end of his surname. He immigrated to the United States as had Uncle Will, the loveable secondary character in my novel. A cousin of mine said she nearly fell out of her chair when she saw our great-grandfather’s name in my novel, but was delighted to see him in the story.

As an author I love the idea of having tea with my favorite literary character. For me that would be Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus’ character is shown in the way he raises his children to respect all people and his willingness to talk with them about the injustices they see around them. Atticus shows courage when he agrees to defend a black man of a crime he’s charged with. This lawyer stands tall against the abuse and threats against him and his family from his racist community and proves in court his client is innocent. In When Valleys Bloom Again, one of the characters is a lawyer. Unlike Atticus Finch, Henri is racially prejudice, shrewd and not an honorable man.

My favorite Bible verse is Romans 8:28: And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. I receive such reassurance from this Bible verse.

In When Valleys Bloom Again, my heroine, Abby, frequently reminds herself of this promise in God’s Word after she is uprooted from London due to impending war and forced to return to a country far from her family and the life she’s become accustomed to living.

Scene at New York Harbor, Sept. 4, 1939

As the Queen Mary closed in, men in military garb holding rifles scanned the vessel, their heads in constant motion. Not here too. Policemen weaved through the waiting throng below, looking at papers and detaining one here, one there. Abby seized the railing and closed her eyes. Lord, help me to see this is all working to my good. Caught in a tidal flow of passengers behind her, unburdened of shipboard courtesies and agitating for solid ground, Abby felt herself shunted toward the gangplank. Clutching at the coarse hand-rope, she rode the roiling wave down.

About Pat:

PAT JEANNE DAVIS lives in Philadelphia, Pa with her British-born husband, John. They have two grown sons. She enjoys flower gardening, genealogy research and traveling with her husband. Pat has published essays, short stories and articles online and in print. She has a keen interest in twentieth-century American and British history, particularly the period of World War II. Pat’s father-in-law served in the British Eighth Army during the war. When Valleys Bloom Again is her debut historical romance set in that era. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and the Historical Novel Society. Subscribe to her newsletter here www.patjeannedavis.com

About When Valleys Bloom Again:

As war approaches in 1939 Abby Stapleton’s safety is under threat. Her father, a British diplomat, insists she go back to America until the danger passes. Abby vows to return to her home in London—but where is home? With her family facing mortal danger so far away and feeling herself isolated, she finds it hard to pray or read the Bible. Did she leave God behind in war-torn London too? Abby becomes friendly with Jim, a gardener on her uncle’s estate.

Jim can’t get Abby out of his mind. Did she have a sweetheart in England? Was it foolish to think she’d consider him? He curses his poverty and the disgrace of his father’s desertion and drunkenness haunts him. Can he learn to believe in love for a lifetime and to hope for a happy marriage?

Abby couldn’t know the war would last a long time, nor that she would fall in love with Jim—soon to be drafted by the U.S. Army—or that she’d have to confront Henri, a rejected suitor, determined by his lies to ruin her reputation and destroy her faith in God’s providence. Will she discover the true meaning of home and find happiness with Jim?

Connect with Pat:

Website: http://www.patjeannedavis.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pat.j.davis.7

Amazon Author Page:  https://amazon.com/author/patjeannedavis

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18797403.Pat_Jeanne_Davis

Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/patjeannedavis/

  

Your turn!

Visit Pat’s website or Amazon page to be able to answer the following question to be entered into today’s giveaway of When Valleys Bloom Again: In what country was Abby Stapleton born?

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Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Pat Jeanne Davis

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Pat Jeanne Davis

Linda: Thanks for joining me today. Congratulations on the release of your debut novel, When Valleys Bloom Again. You live in Philadelphia which is steep in colonial history. What made you decided to write a book set during WWII, and what was your inspiration for the story?

Pat: Thank you for having me as a guest on your blog.

Philadelphia in addition to being rich in colonial history was the site of a large and busy shipyard during World War II. The city is situated at the confluence of the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers. The Naval Shipyard had its greatest period during WWII when it employed 40,000 people who built 53 ships and repaired 574. During this time, the yard built the famed battleships, USS New Jersey and its 45,000-ton sister ship, USS Wisconsin.

I was born in Philadelphia after the post-war period. I had family that had served in the European Theater. When war was declared by England in 1939, my father-in-law was conscripted into the British Eight Army and served his country until 1946. I’ve had a keen interest in this period of history and wanted to some day write a faith based novel with an Anglo-American connection. A portion of my novel is set in England as well as in the US.

I found an opening for When Valleys Bloom Again after reading a book on the life of Kathleen Kennedy, daughter of Joseph P. Kennedy, the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom. He and his family were living in London when Britain declared war. Kathleen Kennedy’s story intrigued me. She was forced by her father to return to the US for her safety. Kathleen had made many friends while living in London and was determined to return some day. She eventually did go back, served in the British Red Cross and married William Cavendish who was in line to become the next Duke of Devonshire. Sadly, he died in battle a few months after their marriage.

I based my protagonist, Abby Stapleton, loosely on Kathleen Kennedy’s situation at the outbreak of war in 1939. Abby is the American-born daughter of a British diplomat. Her father sends her back to the US to escape impending war. She too vows to return to London.

LM: The age old question for writers – are you a planner or a “pantster,” and what is your favorite part of the writing process?

Pat: I tend to be more of a planner. I enjoy the editing more than the actual writing.

 LM: Research is a large part of any book. How did you go about researching When Valleys Bloom Again and did you discover any extra special tidbits of information?

Pat: In the beginning, I took out books written about World War II from my local library. While in England doing research for When Valleys Bloom Again, I visited Chatsworth House, the home of the present Duke of Devonshire. I found the grave of Kathleen Kennedy in St. Peter’s Churchyard, not far from Chatsworth House. She too died tragically shortly after peace was declared. I learned from the guide at Chatsworth House that in 1963 President John Kennedy had visited his sister Kathleen’s grave site while on his way home from a trip to Ireland, only six months before his assassination. He and his sister had been very close throughout her life. Standing before Kathleen’s grave, I could only image the sorrow President Kennedy felt.

During my research trips to England, I visited an actual air raid shelter, airfields, war museums, and Churchill War Room in London. I also interviewed veterans of WWII in both the UK and US.

LM: What is one thing you wish you knew how to do?

Pat: As an introvert, I find it difficult to speak before an audience. I’d love to have the ability to speak with ease publicly. This would make author talks and signings less stressful.

LM: If money were no object, what is your idea of the ultimate vacation?

Pat: To spend a month on the South Coast of England, living in a self catering cottage.

LM: Here are some quickies:

Favorite movie: There are so many, but high up on the list is North and South, the British TV drama based on Elizabeth Gaskell’s book.

Favorite childhood book: The Little House on the Prairie series.

LM: What is your next project?

Pat: Finishing a novel set in the Progressive Era, a time of social reform and the continued struggle for the right of women to vote. My heroine works in a settlement house helping immigrants adjust to life in their new country. Against the wishes of her father and her intended in marriage, she joins the suffrage movement and campaigns for the rights of women and children.

LM: Where can folks find you on the web?

Pat:
Website: http://www.patjeannedavis.com

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pat.j.davis.7

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43600391-when-valleys-bloom-again?from_search=true   

Amazon Author Page:  https://amazon.com/author/patjeannedavis 

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/pat-jeanne-davis-34290422/                   

Google+:  https://plus.google.com/115180148187668366845    

Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/patjeannedavis/    

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/pat-jeanne-davis

About the book: As war approaches in 1939 Abby Stapleton’s safety is under threat. Her father, a British diplomat, insists she go back to America until the danger passes. Abby vows to return to her home in London—but where is home? With her family facing mortal danger so far away and feeling herself isolated, she finds it hard to pray or read the Bible. Did she leave God behind in war-torn London too? Abby becomes friendly with Jim, a gardener on her uncle’s estate. 

Jim can’t get Abby out of his mind. Did she have a sweetheart in England? Was it foolish to think she’d consider him? He curses his poverty and the disgrace of his father’s desertion and drunkenness haunts him. Can he learn to believe in love for a lifetime and to hope for a happy marriage?

Abby couldn’t know the war would last a long time, nor that she would fall in love with Jim—soon to be drafted by the U.S. Army—or that she’d have to confront Henri, a rejected suitor, determined by his lies to ruin her reputation and destroy her faith in God’s providence. Will she discover the true meaning of home and find happiness with Jim?

Purchase Links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MVV5TSN

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-valleys-bloom-again-pat-jeanne-davis/1130351044?ean=9781948888929