What inspired you to write With Each New Dawn?
This book
continues the story of Addie and Kate, two young World War II women from Iowa.
Their saga simply couldn’t stop at the end of the first book, so I kept
writing. I couldn’t stop!
Which character in your new release did you most enjoy
writing? Why?
I’d have to
say Domingo, the Basque shepherd-turned guide and French Resistance saboteur.
Domingo had no desire to do anything but spend his life at his ancestral home
near a small French village. The work he inherited from his papa and
grandfather, caring for a flock of sheep on the beautiful meadows and hills of
the Department of Lot in Southern France brought him satisfaction.
Besides that,
his commitment to Sancha, his betrothed, included dreams of a family and a
quiet life. But Sancha’s murder by Nazi oppressors changes Domingo’s plans. He
learns the meaning of revenge, and deepens in his concept of mercy. Still
grieving his loss when he meets Kate, he has no idea how much more the war will
change his life.
What I like
best about Domingo is his humble attitude—he does what he can to aid the
Resistance, seeks no glory, and longs for the return of the simple, beautiful
way of life the war threatens to destroy.
What, if anything, do you and your heroine have in common?
Kate is much
more of a risk-taker than I am. Probably I’m more like her best friend, Addie,
with far too much fear. But Kate and I do share the propensity to ask
questions. Oh my...yes!
Experience has
taught me that our doubts and questions fail to alter God’s love for us, that
His commitment to carry us through goes far deeper than our mental and
emotional ups and downs. We’re human, so we fluctuate, but our Creator remains
constant. No matter what.
Kate has been
through so much grief and loss. An orphan from childhood, she also
grieves her aunt, her husband, and during the first part of With Each New Dawn, her firstborn. But most of all, an insistent desire to know
more about her parents haunts her. What were they like and why did they die so
young?
I’ve never
experienced orphanhood, but have longed to make sense of things for many years.
Back to Kate and me sharing a questioning mind.
What spiritual theme does this book include? How did it come
to be a part of this story line?
Most people
would agree that war brings out the worst in society. But conflict seems an
inevitable part of history. The World War II era had lived through World War I,
knew its horrors, and yet found themselves plunged into another terrible series
of battles spread all over the world.
Both Kate and
Domingo deal with spiritual questions—and so does another character, a wily
Catholic priest active in the Resistance. He suffers great loss as well, when
the Waffen S.S. ravages his hometown. Vulnerable and mourning, he finds Kate’s
questions very much like his own. Where is the Almighty in all this?
As these
characters grapple with impossible circumstances, their faith grows. Seems
highly unlikely, but don’t we all grow through the worst of times?
What household task do you most dislike? Which do you most
enjoy?
I’ve never
liked to vacuum. Actually, I don’t like housecleaning at all, but at least
there’s the satisfaction at the end, when things look their best for a while.
Maybe it’s the fleeting nature of that state that makes cleaning seem such a
futile use of valuable time. Let’s see, I must enjoy something…I don’t mind
doing dishes. There’s something relaxing about that task.
What makes you laugh out loud?
Things my
husband and grandchildren say. My husband’s quiet, wry sense of humor and his
love of language leads to some hilarious quips. Our grandchildren are always
coming up with actions or stories that make me laugh, too.
What smell do you love most, and why?
I love the
clean pine scent of the forest, with snow run-off flowing over rocks in the
background.
What book are you currently reading?
Queen Victoria, by Cecil Woodham-Smith. My
husband read this and since we’ve been watching Victoria on television, the
relationship between the Queen and Prince Albert intrigues me.
Do you usually insert a spiritual theme into your books? If
so, do you have a favorite?
Because my
heroines, so far at least, operate from a Christian-Judeo foundation,
spirituality enters naturally. I think the concept of God being there for us
through thick and thin is my favorite. Makes sense, because that’s always been
the toughest one for me to embrace—and the most comforting.
 |
| Ponderosa Pine Forest, where Gail walks in the winter. |
Where do you hide away when you want to pray, meditate, read,
or just cuddle up with God?
I absolutely
love to walk in the woods. Some people need ocean time, or love their cabin on
the lake, but towering pines and a mountain in the distances do it for me.
Please share a verse of scripture that is especially
meaningful to you, and why it is special.
Isaiah 63:9—In all their affliction He was
afflicted, And the angel of His presence saved them; In His love and in His
mercy He redeemed them, And He lifted them and carried them all the days of
old. (NASB)
We all suffer
in ways unique to us. The idea that our Lord shares our afflictions seems incredibly
beautiful. He who created the universe and sustains life, deems to suffer when
we suffer. How amazing is that?
Please share your conversion experience, if you’re
comfortable doing so.
Faith grew in
me before I even realized it. All the doubts and questions of my youth
culminated in crying out for deliverance in several areas between high school
and college. Answers came to me through Catherine Marshall’s book Beyond Ourselves.
Suddenly,
spiritual things began to make sense.
Of course, I
had SO very far to go on this journey, and I’m still at it. It’s not what I do,
but what God does...ahh, heavenly!
About With Each New Dawn
In war-torn
London, American Kate Isaac grieves her husband, awaits their child’s birth,
and welcomes her best friend Addie. But after her miscarriage, a meeting with
mysterious Monsieur le Blanc launches her into Britain’s Secret Operations
Executive(SOE). In late 1943, Kate parachutes into Southern France to aid the
Resistance.
Domingo, a
grieving Basque mountain guide-turned-saboteur, meets her parachute drop, tends
her injured ankle, and carries her to safety. Reunited a few months later, they
discover the injured Monsieur le Blanc who with his dying breath, reveals his
familial connection to Kate.
In the shadow
of the Waffen SS, Domingo and Kate find his younger brother Gabirel missing.
While Domingo seeks Gabirel, Domingo’s parish priest, Père Gaspard, creates a new identity for
Kate.
United once
again, Kate and Domingo subject their mutual attraction to the cause. But can
mere human will and moral courage change the war’s tide and forge a future for
them?
Preorder
info: http://tinyurl.com/jmvc36a
About the Author:
Gail Kittleson
taught college expository writing and English as a Second Language. Now she
writes memoir and women’s fiction, and facilitates writing workshops and
women’s retreats. In northern Iowa, she and her husband enjoy grandchildren and
gardening. In winter, the Arizona mountains provide new novel fodder.
Contact links:
Gail, it's a pleasure having you on Chirp and Chatter! Thank you for chatting with me. I enjoyed the interview.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview! It's fun getting to know authors as they answer the questions. I dislike house cleaning because it never stays that way lol.
ReplyDeleteI hear you on the housecleaning thing! Just...futile! lol
DeleteI'm glad you enjoy the author interviews. I like getting to know thrm, as well. Thank you for stopping by!