WWI on My Mind

I'm in the middle of writing Book #2 in my WWI series. So although it's 2012 in the real world, it's 1918 in my head! :) I think this time period is so fascinating - the clothes, the cars, the budding technology, the brutality of a war where tanks, airplanes and machine guns were new. I also love the lesser known pieces of history from WWI.

This is a propaganda poster from 1917. Both liberty bonds and propaganda play a part in my first book in this series, which explores the conflict of a schoolteacher and a German-American handyman who fall in love while anti-German hysteria divides the population of their small Iowa town.

I knew a little about the German prejudice during WWI from a couple other novels I'd read, but it wasn't until I began researching it for this book, that I realized how rampant it really was. German-Americans changed their last names, German-sounding streets or cities were also changed, even sauerkraut became "liberty cabbage." German-Americans were forced to buy liberty bonds, were tarred and feathered, were made to kiss the flag and subjected to numerous other injustices. It was both interesting and sad to read accounts of what many Germans here in the U.S. faced during the war.

How much do you know about WWI? Is it a time period that you find interesting or would like to learn more about? Like me, are you counting down the days until Downton Abbey starts again? :)

Giveaway Winners!

Thanks to everyone who entered the An Heiress at Heart by Jennifer Delamere giveaway. The winners of the two advanced reader copies are ... karenk and Jes! I'll be emailing you, ladies, for your addresses. Congratulations; it's a great read. The book releases October 30th, but you can pre-order it on Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

An Heiress at Heart by Jennifer Delamere

*In an effort to spread the word about my favorite type of book - inspirational romance - I occasionally share my recommendations for books in this genre.

An Heiress at Heart by Jennifer Delamere

What It's About:
A youthful indiscretion has cost Lizzie Poole more than just her honor. After five years living in exile, she's finally returning home, but she's still living a secret life. Her best friend Ria's dying wish was for Lizzie to assume her identity, return to London, and make amends that Ria herself would never live to make. Bearing a striking resemblance to her friend, and harboring more secrets than ever before, Lizzie embarks on a journey that tempts her reckless heart once again . . .

A committed clergyman, Geoffrey Somerville's world is upended when he suddenly inherits the title of Lord Somerville. Now he's invited to every ball and sought after by the matchmaking mothers of London society. Yet the only woman to capture his heart is the one he cannot have: his brother's young widow, Ria. Duty demands he deny his feelings, but his heart longs for the mysterious beauty. With both their futures at stake, will Lizzie be able to keep up her façade? Or will she find the strength to share her secret and put her faith in true love?

My Thoughts:
The premise of this book drew me in right away - a young woman pretending to be her best friend in high society London! I love the characters in this book. Lizzie is an independent heroine, trying to do what she thinks is best as she attempts to right the past. Geoffrey is a fabulous hero - serious but kind! And James is the perfect flirty, not-a-care-in-the-world cousin who provides great humor. The romance is full of great chemistry between the characters, while never crossing a line - and though, I did have to wait a bit for the hero and heroine to kiss, it was well-worth it. :) The inspirational/faith elements of the story are very light and will definitely appeal to those who like the romance to be at the center of the story. I can't wait for the other two books in the series!

Giveaway!

I'm giving away TWO advanced reader copies of An Heiress at Heart! If you'd like to enter the giveaway, just a leave a comment on this post between now and next Tuesday (the 23rd). I'll randomly select two commenters and announce the winners on my post next Wednesday.