Look to the East by Maureen Lang

Please welcome my friend and author, Maureen Lang! Girl, you're up.

Greetings! I'm eager to share the news about my newest book release. Have you ever wondered how many love stories have one war or another for a backdrop?
Rather than counting, I decided to plunge ahead and add a few more titles. Look to the East is the first in a three book series, each one linked by a European, First World War settingóbut little else, since each one is an independent story.

So come along for a glimpse back, circa early 1900's, rural France . . .

Look To The East

A village under siege. A love under fire.
France 1914

At the dawn of the First World War, the French village of Briecourt is isolated
from the battles, but the century-old feud between the Toussaints and the de
Colvilles still rages in the streets. When the German army sweeps in to occupy
the town, families on both sides of the feud are forced to work together to
protect stragglers caught behind enemy lines.

Julitte Toussaint may have been adopted from a faraway island, but she feels the
scorn of the de Colvilles as much as anyone born a Toussaint. So when she falls
in love with one of the stragglersóa wealthy and handsome Belgian entrepreneur --she knows she's playing with fire. Charles Lassone hides in the cellar of the Briecourt church, safe from the Germans for the moment. But if he's discovered, it will bring danger to the entire village and could cost Charles his life.


A note from Maureen:

This book was one of those stories that just needed to be told. Inspired by actual events in a small town in France, it was a dream come true for me to travel there for research and to absorb the atmosphere. Although my book takes place nearly one hundred years ago, the same area today is similar in many ways:
picturesque little villages surrounded by a lovely rural landscape. Thankfully, there were no rumbles of battle in the distance when I was there . . .

My prayer is that the events of the past won't be forgotten, so we'll never again make the same mistakes.

About Maureen Lang:
Maureen lives with her family (her husband, three kids and their lovable lab) in
Illinois. She spends her days dreaming up people in faraway places, characters
who live far more exciting lives than she does within the safety of her happy
home. Look to the East is Maureen's ninth novel.

Happy Reading!

A Vote of Confidence by Robin Lee Hatcher

A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE

by Robin Lee Hatcher

Who says a woman can't do a man’s job?

Put up or shut up! Complaining about Bethlehem Springs' dissolute mayoral candidate, Gwen Arlington is challenged to take on the role herself. For seven years, she’s carved out an independent life in the bustling mountain town of Bethlehem Springs, Idaho, teaching piano and writing for the local newspaper. But now she’s a single woman running for mayor -- and in 1915 this decision is bound to stir up trouble.

Morgan McKinley is fed up with the delays that hinder the construction of New Hope Health Spa, a place where both rich and poor can come for rest and healing. New to the area, he has determined that serving as mayor would help him push through his agenda for progress.

Gwen and Morgan each want to prove they are the most qualified candidate, not only to voters but to each other, and so sparks fly as the two campaign. Although Morgan has learned to guard his heart as fiercely as Gwen guards her independence, could they learn to be allies instead of adversaries?

This first book in the Sisters of Bethlehem Springs Series provides intriguing insights into how women challenged convention and shaped America in the early twentieth century.

A NOTE FROM ROBIN:

Ideas come to writers in lots of different ways. The idea for The Sisters of Bethlehem Springs series came to me back in 2003-2004 and had its genesis in a couple of other books.

From Catching Katie had come a fascination with the decade leading up to the passing of the 19th Amendment that gave American women the right to vote.

From a secondary character in Speak to Me of Love came a fondness for a woman in an unusual occupation. While those two things were rolling around in my head, up popped the final ingredient. A question: Who says a woman can't do a man's job?

And the next thing I knew, I'd met Gwen and Cleo Arlington, the heroines of the first two books in the series. I had to wait to meet my third heroine until the hero of A Vote of Confidence walked into my imagination.

Guess what, Morgan McKinley had a younger sister, Daphne. Each of these women have jobs that weren't considered a woman's domain in their time (1915-1918). I hope readers will become as fond of Gwen, Cleo, and Daphne -- and the men with whom they fall in love -- as I am.

Rachel here: I love this book, the idea and the era in which it's set. It's anothe wonderful story from beloved Robin Lee Hatcher. Read an excerpt here.