Greetings, everyone!
The Pen Dames and I (Jennifer Taylor) are thrilled to have author Barbara Whitaker with us for December. This talented author writes Historical Romances set during WWII. She skillfully weaves an intriguing plot and infuses her characters with heart and sensitivity.
Her latest book is called Scarred Dreams. Here's the back cover blurb:
In 1944, a German artillery shell destroyed Milt Greenlee’s future in professional baseball. His hideously scarred face and useless arm require him to relearn and recondition. But no amount of rehab will restore his looks or his self-confidence. There’s no chance a “cripple” like him could catch the eye of the stunning Nurse McEwen.
Army Nurse, Annie McEwen dreams her voice
will take her far away from her hateful, overbearing father. She hopes Milt, a patient who fought in Sicily,
might be the one who can help her find closure with the death of her
cousin.
As their attraction grows, how can their relationship survive Annie's fears and Milt's secret?
Please enjoy this fascinating interview with Barbara:
How and when did your writing journey begin?
You could consider me a late bloomer because it was later in my life before I started seriously writing. Although I had made up stories in my head for as long as I can remember, I didn’t write them down or try to organize them until I was older. Once I decided I wanted to write a novel, I realized that I had a lot to learn. That’s when I joined a writing group and started reading books on writing. I soaked up all I could. Since I wanted to write historical novels (because I love history), I researched everything. I wrote my first draft, revised it, and revised it again and again. It was probably fifteen years from the time I decided I wanted to write a novel until my first one was published. I learned a lot during those years, and I became a better writer along the way.
What genre is your book? What do you like about writing in that genre?
My novel, Scarred Dreams, is a Historical Romance set during World War II. I love the history of any era and I love romance. I decided to set my romance novels during World War II because I never tire of reading about that time, which makes research easier. As a matter of fact, I can get lost in researching World War II. Another reason I chose World War II was because of all the stories I heard growing up. Everyone’s father, uncle, grandfather, or brother had fought in that war. Some of the mothers had also served, as nurses, in the Women’s Army Corps, or working defense jobs. These stories gave the history a personal touch, especially the ones about how couples met and married during or after the war.
Describe your main character—life, personality, motivation—whatever you think will make us want to get to know the person.
In
Scarred Dreams I consider the hero, Milton, as the main character, since he is
the wounded warrior who is brought back to the U.S. to recover. He grew up in a small town and was next to the
oldest of five children. Talented in all sports, he chose baseball as his
future career and he could have made the big leagues had he not been wounded. He
longs to make his own way in life, but the damage to his body makes it more
difficult for him to see a way forward. If you like reading about underdogs who
overcome obstacles, then Scarred Dreams is the book for you.
If you could spend an afternoon with any of your secondary characters, who would it be and why?
Sgt. Lloyd Baker is a rehab specialist or physical therapist who I loosely based on my father since that was his job during WWII. An afternoon with him to talk about all his experiences during the war would be wonderful. My father was stationed at the Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida, which the Army converted to a hospital. Stories from that time inspired me to use that location, with a fictitious name, in Scarred Dreams. Later, in Atlanta, my father worked with professional baseball player Luke Appling, so the character Louis Applegate was based on a real Baseball Hall of Famer.
Which authors/books are on your keeper shelves?
Susanna Kearsley writes a kind of time-travel where part of the book is current and part is in a historic time with connections between the characters in different times. The historical portions are often in Jacobean Scotland, although some have been in France or even Russia. I love Susana’s writing style and I anxiously await her next book.
Speaking
of Scotland, I love the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. If I had
time, I would reread the whole series.
Another favorite is Madeline Martin. (Note: Please see below the kudos Barbara received from Madeline for her first book, A War Apart.) I enjoyed her Scottish Highlands romances. Then she started writing World War II historical novels, which I love. As for World War II writers, Sarah Sundin can’t be beat. I’ve read all her books and always look forward to the next one.
I also enjoy a good, quirky mystery by Deanna Raybourn. With elaborate Victorian settings and most unusual characters, these novels are always a fun read.
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Here's a sample from Scarred Dreams:
“Good morning, soldier.”
She met his gaze and for an instant he saw recognition before she shut it down
as if she’d never seen him before. “Time for your penicillin shot,” she said.
Her melodious speaking voice almost matched her singing voice.
“Sure,” Milt replied,
making an effort to smile despite his pounding head. If she didn’t want to
acknowledge their brief encounter the previous day, why should he care? It
didn’t mean he couldn’t enjoy having a beautiful singer as his nurse.
“Which side?” she asked.
“Huh?” Had that sound come
from him?
“Which side do you want the
shot in? Right or left?”
He watched her lips form
the words. Soft, expressive lips. He blinked, knowing he had to reply. “Uh,
left is okay.” The cast on his left arm stuck out so much it made it near
impossible to roll onto his left side to expose his right cheek. Which made the
left as his only choice. In the last few weeks, he’d gotten so many shots in
his left butt cheek it probably looked like a purple pin cushion.
“All right. Just roll over and push down your pajama bottoms.” She
turned to retrieve a hypo from one of the trays.
Praise for Barbara Whitaker
“Barbara Whitaker’s A War Apart is a riveting novel set during
WWII that has been researched to perfection. Whitaker brings history to life
with her incredible descriptions and presents us with an entirely plausible way
for two people to find love during such tumultuous times where war has pushed
them apart…This is a fantastic book that will draw you in by the heart…”
~ Madeline Martin, NYT Bestseller.
“…achingly beautiful. True to the time…many ups and downs for
these characters both personally and together. A great attention to detail from
the author in which she uses wonderful imagery to transport you to the time…”
~ Novel News Network Blog.
Here are the social media and buy links for your convenience:
Website – www.barbarawhitaker.com
Facebook
Author Page - https://www.facebook.com/BarbaraWhitakerAuthor/
Facebook Personal Page - https://www.facebook.com/barbarawhitaker13
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/scarred-dreams-barbara-whitaker/1142306104?ean=2940185591581
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/scarred-dreams
All you lovers of WWII Historical Romance, you're in for a treat.
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