Why Write about the Monuments Men?

Cara Monuments Men, World War II 2 Comments

ShadowedbyGrace_CVRBooks are born many ways. Shadowed by Grace started when I walked by a display at our local library the summer of 2010. There a new non-fiction book stood cover out.

The photo on the front piqued my interest: a clearly WWII soldier standing with a large painting. The stories I read in that book, Monuments Men, by Robert Edsel, intrigued me and made me want to learn more. Before long, characters and story ideas filled my mind, and I began fleshing out the story that became Shadowed by Grace.

The idea of an elite, tiny group of soldiers who were tasked with saving Western civilization fascinated me. Their task was compounded by the fact that WWII was the first war that involved constant aerial bombardment.

What challenges would they face?

What would they fear?

Then I started looking for unique roles American women filled on the European front. The idea of a war correspondent who was a photo-journalist seemed the perfect fit. An artist in her own right, she would understand the importance of saving art. Rachel Justice and Scott Lindstrom were born and became the heroine and hero in Shadowed by Grace.

You can read the first chapter here.

Enter to win 8 novels, including Made to Last, Shadowed by Grace, The Butterfly and the Violin, Catch a Falling Star, Wildflowers from Winter, Wishing on Willows, The Headmistress of Rosemere, and A Sweethaven Christmas. The prize also includes several gifts, including a Christmas in Connecticut DVD, Peppermint Twist lotion, a Heartstrings Stringed Quartet CD, a handmade ceramic hummingbird ornament, a $5 Starbucks gift card, a journal, and an art print!a Rafflecopter giveaway
Because I’m in the Christmas mood, I’m giving away two bonus copies of Shadowed by Grace, my novel that releases January 1st. You can read the first chapter here. There are two ways to enter. Leave a comment here or join my newsletter!

Comments 2

  1. Sarah Ladd brought you to a lot of people’s attention on her Facebook page. Shadow’s of Grace sounds like something I’d like. According to Sarah, we’re supposed to tell you our favorite Christmas carol in hopes of winning a book or two. There are too many beautiful carols … Silent Night, I Saw 3 Ships, Good King Wenceslas, Grandma Got Run over by a Reindeer (no, not really – ha !). Our library is trying out bring an author a month series. Sarah will be coming tomorrow night (Yikes! so soon). Pray she has a safe trip and enough attendees to make her glad she made the trip.
    Thanks, Harriette

    1. Post
      Author

      Thanks for coming over, Harriette! Sarah is a good friend. I bet she’ll have a great time. I love speaking at libraries…there’s nothing like talking books with readers! Merry Christmas.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *