I’ve known Barbara for a long time – back before either of us were published authors. Our sons went to the same summer camp. Hard to believe those boys are all grown up. Anyway, I’m always pleased to have her on the blog. This time, she’s sharing something a little different from her usual Biblical fiction. Let’s find out a little bit about it. (By the way, I’ve read it, and it’s fantastic! You’re going to love it!)
When seventeen-year-old seamstress, Josephine Nimetz, agrees to take care of a WWI amputee in a remote Alaskan lodge to escape the influenza of 1918, there’s enough friction to melt the Mendenhall Glacier. Her position is only until June, and it pays well enough to overlook the hardship of managing a rustic home and a shell-shocked veteran, Geoff Chambers.
Geoff makes it clear that he isn’t too fond of the “runt” sent to take care of his needs, nor of her painful mistakes. Dealing with a depressed and addicted amputee, pushes Josephine to the brink of leaving, if not for the money her salary brings.
But Josephine is a perfectionist, determined to get Geoff back on his feet—figuratively. Although…sending a rich, handsome veteran back into society may cost Josephine the man she has grown to love.
Barb, what was your inspiration for Until June?
I never thought I would write a WWI Historical until I took an Alaskan cruise for my anniversary. My family and I traveled to the Taku Glacier Lodge outside of Juneau on an excursion. While we were at the lodge, I heard a story about some of the early occupants. A WWI veteran and his caregiver stayed at the lodge after the war had ended. In winter, when the Taku River froze, the veteran and his caregiver were cut off from society. I pondered the thought about a man and a woman being isolated in a lodge and Until June was born. My characters needed visitors to add excitement to the novel, so I moved my lodge to Douglas Island where mining abounded.
Back in the day, at the Taku Glacier Lodge, Huskies were raised for sled racing. I placed an abandoned Huskie in my novel, and he shows up in some interesting scenes.
In my research about warfare in WWI, I discovered horrendous injuries from explosions and nerve gas. Several veterans returned from war with what we now know as PTSD. In 1918, the post-traumatic stress disorder was called being shell shocked. Geoff Chambers in my novel suffers from being shell shocked and has lost limbs from an explosion. Geoff is fairly cantankerous in the beginning of my novel, but his caregiver, Josephine, softens some of his icy Alaskan edges. I wanted to be true to the hardships of war and what veterans face in its aftermath, though I tried to add some humor so the story wouldn’t be too heavy.
I am not a seamstress, but my great-grandmother was quite the sewer. She even wove tapestries. Josephine Nimetz creates amazing gowns in my novel and is able to whip up pants with uneven hems for Geoff. If I had Josephine’s skill, I would make pants long enough for my height.
The theme for Until June is “Surviving Life’s Storms.” The Christian life isn’t always easy, but God gives us the strength to get through difficult times, and He brings people into our lives for encouragement and support. God also numbers our days. Only God knows when we will be born and when He will call us home. Geoff Chambers needs a little reminder of God’s faithfulness in the beginning of my novel.
I hope you enjoy your time at the lodge.
Barbara M. Britton lives in Southeast Wisconsin and loves the snow—when it accumulates under three inches. Barb is published in Biblical fiction and enjoys bringing little-known Bible characters to light in her stories. She also writes Christian Historical fiction. Barb is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Romance Writers of America, and Wisconsin Romance Writers of America. Barb has a nutrition degree from Baylor University but loves to dip healthy strawberries in chocolate.
Find out more about Barb and her books on her website: www.barbarambritton.com.
Follow her on Twitter, Facebook, or Goodreads.
You can purchase “Until June” on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or wherever books are sold. Libraries can order the book, too.
Thanks for joining us, Barbara. Always great to have you here!
Hi Barbara and Liz! I’ve read Until June, and the story is incredible. The characters have stayed with me long after I turned the last page. Wishing you much success!
Aw, thank you, Linda. This story holds a special place in my heart. I appreciate all of your encouragement.
New author for me. Always exciting to find an author I have not read yet.
Hi Kim. Thanks for joining us. I hope to return to Alaska one day. It’s a beautiful state.
Would love to visit Alaska someday. Sounds really interesting especially since we are dealing with a pandemic now. I think we all want to move to somewhere remote.
Hi Jacqueline. Thanks for stopping by. I had no idea when I wrote this story, and it was published, that we would have a pandemic. Geoff’s isolation becomes more understandable now. He and Josephine escaped the influenza of 1918.
Great interview! I love hearing behind the scenes stories!
Thanks, Naomi. You never know when you’re going to hear a story that sticks with you. I’m glad you joined us.
interesting characters
Thank you, BN. Geoff was a challenge as he was overcoming several hardships. He’s also my son’s favorite. Thanks for joining us.
This book sounds so fascinating! I’ve always wanted to visit Alaska; I am a quilter/sewer, so that interests me too…and then the dynamics of a relationship during isolation… sounds like a book I won’t be able to put down!
Hi Barb. You have a lot of connections to my novel. What fun to make quilts. I appreciate you joining us.
Hey Liz and Barbara! Barbara, What do you want readers to take away from your stories?
Hi Caryl. What a wonderful question. I have a theme for all of my novels. It’s usually on my bookmark. For “Until June,” the theme was Overcoming Life’s Storms or God Numbers Our Days. There is a different theme for each book depending on the story. I’m glad you joined us,
I always love finding out how fellow authors get their book ideas. This is a wonderful story, Barbara!
Good luck and God’s blessings
PamT
Thanks, Pam. You never know where a story idea is going to pop up. Thanks for joining us.
I’ve never been to Alaska and consider Colorado my home as I have lived here most of my life even though i wasn’t born here.
Hi Vivian. I have been to Colorado and it’s beautiful. John Denver’s song is running through my head now…Colorado Rocky Mountain high. Thanks for joining us.
What great inspiration! Traveling always gives me “novel” ideas. I love the plot and can’t wait to read the book. Congratulations on your new release.
Hi Carol. Thank you for the congratulations. I am thrilled “Until June” has finally launched. I guess I need to take another cruise. I appreciate you joining us.
I loved this story and hope to see Alaska some day. My hubby won’t go back because as a young marine he spent the winter with only his “tank” as shelter.
Hi LoRee. I think your hubby might like cruising. He could stay on the ship and you could do excursions. Alaska is a beautiful state, but tank acommodations are a bit cramped. Thanks for joining us.
Hi, Barbara,
Now that you’ve written a historical fiction novel, will you be doing more?
I haven’t read UNTIL JUNE yet but I’m adding it to my TBR list!
Hi Carol. I’m working on another Biblical at the moment, but I will probably write another Historical. I have a story brewing. I appreciate you joining us.
I don’t have any questions but the book sounds like one I’d enjoy reading. Barbara is a new-to-me author.
Hi Pam. I’m glad you joined us. “Until June” is my family’s favorite story. As an author, I don’t pick a favorite. Each story is different and touches the right reader.
Thanks for sharing about this story and giveaway. It sounds lik an incredible story.
Blessings!
Connie
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi Connie. I never dreamed I would write a WWI story. This story nagged at me over the years. I’m so glad it’s finally in the book world. Thanks for joining us.
Your book “Until June” sounds extremely interesting to me. I know I would really enjoy reading it.
My question, in your writing does the Lord place a “theme” in your heart for that particular book? Or does a theme become more apparent as you write?
For example, you said this was “surviving life’s storms” with God’s help. Did you know this was what your story was going to be centered around beforehand? For me as a reader I love discovering those little truth nuggets in a book. I purposely look for spiritual truths and delight in them when I find them! It’s like finding good or the pearl of great price spoken of in scripture. :-)I
Thanks for the fun author interview and talking about your inspiration for “Until June”!
Oops, sorry I just saw a typo! That’s supposed to read at the end “It’s like finding gold” NOT finding good. So sorry! 🙂
Hi Trixi. I usually have a theme for every book that comes from Scripture. That is easy with my Biblical Fiction as there is usually a key verse in the Scripture I am writing about.
In books like “Until June,” I have a Christian worldview. The theme “God numbers our days” reflects Geoff’s feelings of giving up and not realizing God has a plan for our lives and suicide is not an option. God will give us the strength to get through the hardships in life.
Thanks for joining us and asking a question.
You mentioned making pants long enough for your legs, how tall are you?
I have the opposite problem, I’m barely 5 feet tall.
Hi Patty. I’m 5’9″ and shrinking. I’ve always had a problem finding pants long enough to wear that didn’t look like floods after one washing. Brands are getting better about making “Long” sizes which helps. I’m glad you joined us.