Dear Readers, I just
love finding authors I haven’t read before. And many of you have thanked me for
introducing you to authors you haven’t read. Today we have a debut author. Let’s give her a warm welcome.
Welcome, Terri. Tell
us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
Not much. I write the characters the way I wish I was. In Friends
and Enemies, Heidi engages in passive resistance in Nazi Germany and
helps a downed Allied airman to safety. Would I have had the nerve? Hmm. In
Book 2 No Neutral Ground (May 2016),
Jennie works with the OSS in Sweden . She’s also an artist. I do
fairly well at drawing stick figures. In Book 3 Soar Like Eagles (Sept 2016), Carol serves with the Red Cross in
the war zone in pretty rough circumstances. I’ve never been a camper.
Be sure to schedule
the next two books on my blog. What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
In ninth grade, I poured a salt shaker over the head of one
of my classmates. That was after he’d crawled under the table and poured sugar
in my pants cuff. (I attended a church school with six 9th graders and nine 8th
grades in our room.)
For something out of character, for twenty years I globe-trotted
on my own, mostly cruises and a few tours.
When did you first
discover that you were a writer?
In grade school, I wrote stories in notebooks. The first
Girl Scout badge I received was the Writer. I started writing in the early
2000s and had a manuscript with a publisher for a year that was finally
rejected. That cooled my enthusiasm for a while. In 2008, I got serious about
writing.
Tell us the range of
the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I enjoy memoirs and biographies. I love reading them as
research for my World War II novels. Besides WWII, I’ve read a lot of astronaut
and space exploration books. In fiction, I like historical and women’s fiction,
suspense by Lisa Carter.
How do you keep your
sanity in our run, run, run world?
In good weather, I bicycle a lot. I always have a book
started. I’ve recently decided to start knitting again. I used to do a lot of
cross stitch, but the walls are filled now with my “masterpieces.” Most
evenings, I walk the treadmill while channel flipping.
How do you choose
your characters’ names?
For Friends and Enemies I needed a lot of German names and
picked a lot of them from my family tree, including surnames for the good
Germans. Carol in Soar Like Eagles is
named for my mom. I’ve read tombstones to find era-appropriate names. I’ve
changed names a few times. Chet was a secondary character in Friends
and Enemies until I decided to use Chet for the main character in Soar Like Eagles. I used Word search to
change the name in Friends and Enemies but that didn’t always work out well. Did
you know Chet is in the middle of crocheting?
You’re right. I would
have never noticed that on my own. What is the accomplishment that you are most
proud of?
Having the gumption to travel on my own. I’ve seen so much
that I would have missed if I’d stayed home because I didn’t have a travel
companion. I made good friends while away. In fact, one of them translated the French
dialogue for Soar Like Eagles for me.
If you were an
animal, which one would you be, and why?
A dog, I suppose. Growing up, I’d look at all the dogs in
the World Book encyclopedia, deciding
which kind I’d get, if I could. But I couldn’t because of my dad’s allergies
and asthma. My favorites are dachshunds and yorkies. Dachshunds appear in Friends
and Enemies and No Neutral Ground.
What is your favorite
food?
I have a few food
allergies, so I understand. What is the problem with writing that was your
greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
Time to write. I am prone to migraines, and computer time is
a trigger. Working all day at my day job is enough, so I only write on
weekends. All three books in my series were completed when I signed the
contract. Writing under a deadline could be problematic.
Tell us about the
featured book.
Family history on the German side inspired it. I have
letters written in 1947-48 by distant cousins to whom my grandparents sent care
packages. I don’t know what their beliefs were about Hitler and the Nazis, so I
created a story for them.
Here’s the blurb: World War II rages across Europe , claiming the life of Heidi Wetzel’s husband. In a
bid to escape her grief and the frequent bombings of German cities, Heidi and
her sister flee Hagen
to a farm in the German countryside, where they help care for orphaned
children. While there, Heidi comes across an American airman, Paul, with whom
she spent time when her family lived in Milwaukee
during her high school years. When Paul’s plane is shot down over Germany , his
only thought is survival—until he hears God’s voice guiding him to his late
wife’s friend.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
Monday, May 31, 1943
She was too late.
Heidi Wetzel paused at the corner to catch her breath. A
line stretched out of the greengrocer’s market and snaked halfway down the
block, ending four feet in front of her. She’d hurried for nothing. Deflating
with a sigh, she took her place at the end.
The clerk at the creamery had mentioned a delivery of fresh
strawberries, her first chance of the year for the tasty treat. Her mouth had
watered at the thought of biting into a plump red berry, its juice dribbling
down her hand. She shook her head to dislodge the craving. With a line like
this, by the time she got inside they’d likely be gone.
A small bottle of milk and a wedge of cheese resided in her
shopping net. She needed to get them home, but she’d wait. Wait and hope. At
least she could get the one egg allowed her during this ration period.
As her mother often admonished, she must be grateful for
what she had. The war threatened to drag on a lot longer; these shortages would
get worse.
The woman ahead of her raised a baby to her shoulder. Big
blue eyes blinked at Heidi, prompting her smile. A tiny hand clutched his
mother’s sleeve. Heidi stroked a gentle finger on the soft skin. The baby
giggled.
Tears sprang to her eyes. The happy sound slashed at her
soul like knives. If only he was her child. Motherhood threatened to remain an
elusive dream as long as the war raged.
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
My website is www.terriwangard.com
I am at www.facebook.com/authorterriwangard/Thank you, Terri, for sharing this book with us. I know it's one my blog readers will want have.
Friends and Enemies: A World War II Romance (Promise for Tomorrow) (Volume 1) - paperback
Friends and Enemies: A World War II Romance (Promise for Tomorrow Book 1) - Kindle
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27 comments:
I have read this story and it is amazing. :-) I learned a lot and was reminded about a lot of history.
This looks really good! I'd love to read this and so would my sister.
J.C. -Indiana-
I would love to read this book. Thank you for the opportunity.
Melanie Backus, TX
Sounds like a interesting book. Shelia Hall sheliarha64@yahoo.com from MS
This sounds very interesting! Thank you for sharing the first page.
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
I hope you all have a chance to read Friends and Enemies.
A very interesting inspiration and time period.
Mary P
QLD AUSTRALIA
Yay, a new to me author! This sounds like an interesting read. I really enjoy reading that time period. Thanks for the interview and giveaway!
Loraine in TX
Sounds like a good read. Thanks for the chance to win!
Beth in Montana
Lena, you have introduced me to another new author. YOU ROCK, GIRLFRIEND. I'd love to read and share. Thanks for the opportunity.
Marianne. Arizona
Sounds like a good read. kamundsen44ATyahooDOTcom. North Platte Nebraska
After reading the first page, I want to read more. Thanks for the chance to win. I enjoyed the interview.
Brenda in VA
Considering my dad fought for our country in Germany in WWII, this sounds interesting. From my understanding, he was almost captured. I can't help but wonder if there were those along the way who helped him. I think I would enjoy reading this.
Edward A in VA
PS: As many times as I have clicked on that "I'm not a robot" below, I have started feeling like a robot. LOL.
Love stories that take place during WWII. Please enter me.
Blanch NC
I'd love to read this.
BJM in SC
My Dad was in World War II and I always enjoy books set in that time period.
Beth from IA
Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Conway, SC.
I just recently heard about this book from another author talking about it - it sounds soo good!
Thank you for the interview and give-away!!
Raechel in MN
Teri, I always enjoy your historical posts on Stitches. Congrats on the release of Friends and Enemies and the great reviews.
Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the giveaway! Sydney Harries GA
Thank you, Terrill. Good to hear you enjoy Stitches.
Edward, so many veterans don't talk about their experiences. Understandable, considering how horrific war is, but the rest of us miss a lot.
Thank you, all, for your kind words.
I'd enjoy reading this book, I like WWII fiction! Thank you for the giveaway!
Beth S.
West Salem, IL
betherin02 (at) gmail(dot)com
I have read this ebook and really liked it. I am glad to learn there will be a continuation of the story. Thank you for this giveaway. Having lived in Germany as a military child and military spouse it was nice to take a tour of Germany again.
Kathy from Missouri
phoneticpandaatgmaildotcom
I have read this ebook and really liked it. I am glad to learn there will be a continuation of the story. Thank you for this giveaway. Having lived in Germany as a military child and military spouse it was nice to take a tour of Germany again.
Kathy from Missouri
phoneticpandaatgmaildotcom
Marianne, it my pleasure to introduce you readers to these authors. I'm so glad to hear how much you appreciate it.
This sounds good! It's one of my favorite time periods to read about.
-Melissa M. in TN
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