We have another WWII author up on The Story behind the Story this week.  And don’t you just love the title? Beautiful! Before we ask Pat what inspired her to write the book, let’s find out a little bit about it.

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?

The book sounds great, Pat. What was your inspiration for it?

A question I’ve been asked is why a World War II novel and why this protagonist.

Members of my family in the US served in Alaska and in the European Theater in WWII. And when war was declared by Britain 1939, my father-in-law was conscripted into the British Eighth Army and served his country until 1945. He was in North Africa, Dunkirk, Normandy, and throughout Europe. I have a keen interest in this historical period and wanted to write a faith-based novel with an Anglo-American connection, setting a portion of the story in both England as well as in the US.

I found an opening for When Valleys Bloom Again after reading a biography 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 England.

Research is a large part of any historical novel. Readers want to know how I went about conducting research for When Valleys Bloom.

I read books and saw many films set in the World War II era. On trips to England with my British husband, I visited an actual air raid shelter, airfields, war museums, an aerodrome and the Churchill War Rooms in London. I also interviewed veterans of WWII in both the UK and the US.

Also, readers want to know if I discovered any extra-special tidbits of information.

While visiting Chatsworth House, the home of the present Duke and Duchess 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 won.

I learned from a tour guide there that in 1963 President John Kennedy had visited his sister Kathleen’s grave 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 imagine the sorrow President Kennedy felt.

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. Pat loves to hear from her readers. Subscribe to her newsletter here www.patjeannedavis.com

When Valleys Bloom Again can be purchased here:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Valleys-Bloom-Again-Jeanne-Davis/dp/1948888920/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=154

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Yowza! All the Books giveaway: http://www.lindashentonmatchett.com/p/contest.html

Pat is giving away an ebook copy of When Valleys Bloom Again. Just follow the instructions below to enter.
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Thank you so much for joining us, Pat! It’s been a pleasure to have you.