#SaturdaySpotlight is on Gail Kittleson & In Times Like These

Good Morning Friends!

Today's guest, Gail Kittleson is no stranger to our blog. She's shared treasures and thoughts with us before so I'm going to get right on into spotlighting her book....

Pearl Harbor attacked! The United States is at war.

But Addie fights her own battles on the Iowa home front. Her controlling husband Harold vents his rage on her when his father's stoke prevents him from joining the military. He degrades Addie, ridicules her productive victory garden, and even labels her childlessness as God's punishment.

When he manipulates his way into a military unit bound for Normandy, Addie learns that her best friend Kate’s pilot husband has died on a mission, leaving her stranded in London in desperate straits.

Will Addie find a way to help Kate, and courage to trust God with her future?

Excerpt:

The lamb, pink-nosed and healthy looking, snuggled into the crook of his arm. Not far away lay a motionless wooly gray mound—the mother. Addie bit her top lip. This loss would trouble Harold, but at least he saved the orphan.

Sleep mellowed the harsh lines of his face. In this quiet moment, he seemed like a little boy, and Addie imagined away the years.

“Oh, Harold . . . this is who you really are.” On a crossbeam, a barn swallow’s forked tail flicked in its cup-shaped mud nest.

“You’re as headstrong as Orville and as tight-lipped as Berthea, but I know you’re hurting for Joe, somewhere out there in the Pacific.”

A bitter draught razed the dusky alleyway, stirring the tight scent of oats in feeding troughs, a tinge of blood and water from the birthing, and the warm, acrid aroma of fresh manure. So far, the cold restrained the dead ewe’s rancid smell, but by morning, the stench would permeate the building. Harold shifted against the bale and snored, so Addie set the thermos near him and backed away.

“He might not hold me like he does that lamb, but he’s consumed by the war. He can’t think of anything else but Joe going down on the Arizona.” Her bulky chore coat caught on a splinter, so she wrestled it loose. “In time, he’s bound to change. Doesn’t love believe the best and never give up?”

Her whisper bounced back at her. She wanted to help him to bed, but knew better. No, until the old Harold returned, she’d bide her time and practice her own kind of loyalty.

Gail Kittleson taught college expository writing and ESL. She now writes women’s fiction and facilitates writing workshops and women’s retreats. She and her husband enjoy family in northern Iowa, and the Arizona Ponderosa forest in winter.

WhiteFire Publishing released Gail’s memoir, Catching Up With Daylight, in 2013, and her debut women’s historical fiction, In This Together (Wild Rose Press/Vintage Imprint) released in 2015. She also contributed to the Little Cab Press 2015 Christmas Anthology,

The first novel of her World War II series released recently (In Times Like These), and Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas will release the sequel in February, 2017. You can count on Gail’s heroines to make do with what life hands them, and to overcome great odds.

Connect with Gail at the following places...

http://www.gailkittleson.com/

www.facebook.com/GailKittlesonAuthor

http://amazon.com/author/gailkittleson

https://twitter.com/GailGkittleson

Now here's a short Interview with Gail and a Reader Review of In Times Like These...

            How do you see your writing, Gail? 

As a huge gift. Doing what I love, receiving messages from

readers that my memoir and novels make a difference, and encouraging other authors that the long road to publication offers satisfaction brings meaning to me.

            If you could change anything about your writing, what would it be?

I’d start earlier. I’d believe in myself and my gifts decades ago—but coming to this point took time. As my husband and I often say, “It is what it is.” And life is good.

            What advice would you give to an author trying to decide whether

or not to give writing their all? I’d say, “If you really believe you’re called

to this vocation, go for it. But be aware that the work changes you—if you’re willing to embrace transformation, things will go smoother.

If you think it’s the road to riches or glory, forget it. You must be content working long, long hours for no visible reward for a long, long time. You must devote yourself to writing, and be satisfied knowing you’ve done your best to put words together in the most meaningful way. Someday, you might find recognition, but the opposite is also possible.”

Review:

"Addie may not have a Purple Heart pinned on her chest, but she’s seen plenty of action and been wounded in battle. In spite of a glowering husband, she manages to grab hold of love and support, some of which reaches her from half a world away.

     This is a warm, uplifting tale of the power of love overcoming darkness and fear. Addie’s journey to wholeness takes many a turn, but she does not travel alone."

     "Looking forward to the next stories of Addie and her pals." ~ Machelle L.

Well friends, hope you enjoyed today's spotlight and that you'll return weekly for more Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time, take care and God Bless!

PamT

PS: Gail has a speaking engagement today but she promised to check in as often as possible so go ahead and leave your comments for her!