If you were a man in the 1940s, what style of hat would you
prefer?
As a woman during this era, would you prefer volunteering as a WAC
or working in a factory?
The 1940s is my favorite time period, I suppose, for many reasons,
so writing these books is something I anticipate each time I begin another one.
The research, yes, is vast, but I love research and work hard to get it right.
My mother lived through WWII and from her tales and pictures she shared, I was
hooked on the era early on. Such romantic and swift marriages, clothing, hats,
language, and music! I'm a romantic at heart, so it is easy to see how the WWII
Spies series was born. I also was raised on the story of a civilian spy—we
knew the man who wrote the book—and it was always suspected that he was
that spy. It captured my attention that a person could serve as a spy and never
be able to share their service or be recognized as such.
When I first thought of the idea of three red-headed sisters, it
was with the knowledge I wanted to write the first book as a dedication to my
mother and her love for her family and me. I also wanted to portray each sister
as their own persons, with individual traits, but all of them beautiful and
talented in her own way. This second book, A Flute in the Willows, deals
with the second daughter, Josie Rayner Patterson, who eloped with Jerry
Patterson in the first book.
That time period
speaks to me in such a vivid way.
·
The dangers and spy activities,
· The romance of the 1940s era,
· The gorgeous fashions, the hats, and styles for both sexes
· The men's bravery and the women's strength and determination in
stepping up to fill their missing men's jobs,
· The music—so much nostalgia, and particularly the flute
· The slang and language,
·
Hair—both the styles and shades of red. (I wanted the right shade
for each sister),
·
Germany
·
Ice Skating and the Olympics
·
The city of Cincinnati
·
The food, and/or lack of certain items
·
and so many other things resonate inside me.
All in all, the first
two books have been a delight to write, and I'm looking forward to the writing
the third book soon.
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AfitW Blurb
Both rebels in their own way, Josie and Jerry Patterson must
figure out how to keep the other's love...and keep the German enemy at bay.
She has two loves—her skating and Jerry, her husband. But
when he returns home looking like a skeleton trying to return to life, she's
scared. What happened in Germany to change a man so much? Has another woman
captured his heart?
Jerry has vowed to let Josie live her own glamourous
life...especially after what happened in Germany. But when his wife's life is
threatened, Jerry realizes he can't stand by and do nothing. Jerry has to risk
all for the very soul and life of himself—Josie.
These two damaged, rebellious people learn the hard way that
leaning on God instead of their own selves and abilities is the only true way
to love and happiness.
Sample Chapter
AfitW by Carole Brown
First Chapter
Chapter One
1943
Jerry Patterson stared out the yawning black hole in the side of the
plane. Seconds to go before he dropped. Night time parachuting was always a
risky thing, but the pilot was one of the best who’d keep this baby right on
target, lessening the chances he’d have to hit water. Trees were another
matter, but with any kind of luck, the landing would go smooth.
Then to meet his contact and move into the German military high life.
His pulse revved up. It was a dangerous game he was about to play.
Josie’s face flashed in his mind, and Jerry felt his heart soften. How
he loved his tomboy wife. She was a beautiful butterfly dancing on ice, but put her in a social
setting, and she was like a wild creature let lose in a maiden aunt’s prim
parlor.
Three weeks of marital bliss. It’d been heaven on earth for him. One
rapturous day—and night—after another. She’d cried the night before he’d left,
but had been strength personified when he’d boarded the train the next morning.
If—no, when—he got home, he’d wrap his arms around her and not let her
out of his sight.
Jerry stepped into the hole and dropped rapidly, counting. One
thousand...One thousand one...One thousand two... With a jerk he pulled, the
parachute opened above him, and he drifted earthward toward his assignment.
Bio:
Besides being a member and active participant of many
writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. An author of
ten books, she loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along
with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for
outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but
have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they
enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and
did she mention their grandsons?
