Commercial Break

Allow me to indulge my blog in a commercial! Look to the East will be shipping soon, and I just wanted to make sure everyone knows this is a RE-release of the first book in my Great War series. While it’s definitely one of my favorite stories, I’d hate for anyone who already purchased the original version to unknowingly buy the same book twice! (That’s happened to me, but it’s happened to my book-loving daughter on more than a few occasions.)

So here’s the old cover:

And the new:

Isn’t it pretty?

And it goes so well with the other two books in the series!

In celebration of the re-release, I’d like to have a little fun with an imaginary chat that might give you a glimpse into this story.

Ignoring the slight feeling of having a split-personality, today I’ll be “talking” to my character, Julitte Toussaint from Look to the East.

Maureen: Well, Julitte, it’s been a while since we’ve visited! Let’s give our readers a peek at your literary life, shall we? We'll start by telling our readers where you live.

Julitte: I'm from the small town of Briecourt in Northern France—of course this little spot is as imaginary as I am, so I hope readers won’t look for it on any maps of France!

Maureen: What makes this spot special enough to have been dreamed up in the first place?

Julitte: For one thing it’s inhabited by memorable people.

Maureen: I’m glad to see that your self-esteem hasn’t suffered in spite of all I put you through.

Julitte: Haven’t you heard? The book I’m in was a finalist in the Carol Awards and actually won first place in Faith, Hope and Love’s Inspirational Reader’s Choice Contest. I’d say that sets my book apart, wouldn’t you?

Maureen: Yes, although as the imaginary "parent" of my other characters, I do think each one is special. So, other than the memorable people inhabiting your story, what’s so special about Briecourt?

Julitte: I must confess that our little town isn’t known for its hospitality. In fact before the Great War it was probably best that we weren’t on any traveler’s routes. Most people from outside our town tend to avoid us, because we're known to bicker. But when we were faced with a common enemy, we came together . . . Mostly. At least when it counted!

Maureen: Why don’t you tell everyone a little about the story?

Julitte: If we know how to do anything in Briecourt, it's how to keep to ourselves, no matter which side of the town’s feud we found ourselves. If the rest of the world wanted to go to war, what did that have to do with us? Nothing—until the Germans invaded and dug a trench practically within cannon range of our rooftops! What could we do, but find ways to survive? And so we did, each in our own way. We even found a way to help a few stragglers, those unfortunate few caught behind the German line of fire—mostly Allied soldiers, but one who was a wealthy heir trying to get out France.

Maureen: Talking about this wealthy heir is making you blush, Julitte!

Julitte: And why not? He’s handsome! And believe it or not, he finds me—the adopted daughter of a fisherman—fascinating! Of course any visitor to a man forced to hide alone in a basement might be fascinating, but I chose instead to believe that his feelings are genuine.

Maureen: So, you’re helping to hide a man caught behind the lines on the wrong side of the fighting. I think that gives my blog readers a good idea of what the story is about, and if it sounds like something they’ve already read or would be interested in reading.

I know this is a short interview, but in the interest of keeping my blog entries manageable, that’ll be it for now. Stop back mid-week for a peek at a new book from one of my colleagues, and until then, Happy Reading!