Book Blast & Interview: Stranger In Paradise by @barbarabretton

 

 

 

Stranger In Paradise

Home Front

Book Two

Barbara Bretton

Genre: Post -World War 2 Romance

Publisher: Free Spirit Press

Date of Publication: October 15, 2014

ISBN: 9781940665085

ASIN: B00MTC0RBY

Number of pages: 347

Word Count: approx. 70,000

Cover Artist: Tammy Seidick

Blurb/Book Description:

Before they became The Greatest Generation, they were young men and women in love . . .

The year is 1953 and London is throwing the party of the century. Even though the ravages of World War II are still visible throughout the kingdom, the world is gathering on the Mall to celebrate the coronation of England's beautiful young queen.

For almost ten years, journalist Mac Weaver has been far from his New York home. America has changed since the war ended and he wonders if there's still a place for him in the land of backyard barbecues and a new Ford in every driveway.

However a chance encounter with beautiful English reporter Jane Townsend is about to change his life forever. As the new monarch waves from the window of her fairy-tale glass coach, a homesick Yank and a lonely Brit fall in love.

One week later, Mr. and Mrs. Mac Weaver board the Queen Mary for New York and a guaranteed happily ever after future in the land where dreams come true.

But there are dark shadows on the horizon that threaten Mac and Jane's happiness and family scandals that just might tear them apart . . .

"This generation of Americans has a rendezvous with destiny."

--Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Available at Amazon Kobo Smashwords BN iTunes

Read a sneak peek at http://www.barbarabretton.com/sip.shtml

Character Name: Mac Weaver

Character Bio: I’m a New York City kid who dreamed of seeing the world. I became a reporter and when World War II broke out, I was on my way. I became a war correspondent and have been in Europe since V-E Day, eight years ago. I was days away from going back home to the States when I met Jane Townsend in the crowd waiting to see the newly crowned Queen Elizabeth II and everything changed.

MAC WEAVER

JANE TOWNSEND

Describe yourself what is your worst and best quality?

I’m stubborn as hell. I’m also loyal. I hope the loyal part makes up for the stubborn.

What is your biggest secret something no one knows about?

I’m a romantic.

What are you most afraid of?

Another war. We came too close to losing everything that matters during the last one. And now that we have The Bomb …

What do you want more than anything?

All the things I thought I didn’t give a damn about when I left home to see the world. I want a home. I want a family. I want to grow old with my wife. I want what my parents were lucky enough to have. War changes your perspective. If it doesn’t, there’s something wrong with you. I know what’s important and it was worth fighting for.

What is your relationship status?

Newlywed. I eloped with the woman I met at the Coronation and we’ll be living in New York.

How would you describe your sense of fashion?

That’s a joke, right? I’m an American male. I have no sense of fashion. If it’s clean, I wear it. If it’s not, I toss it on the floor and look for something else. Besides, it’s 1953 . . .

How much of a rebel are you?

I don’t have a nine-to-five job. I married a woman I’d known less than forty-eight hours. And I stood up to Tail Gunner Joe McCarthy. That tells you everything you need to know.

What do you considered to be your greatest achievement?

Standing up for my wife and her uncle when the world crashed in on them. It scared me more than any German bomber overhead ever did but it was the right thing to do.

What is your idea of happiness?

Read my story. You’ll find out.

What is your current state of mind?

Hopeful. The future is finally looking good.

What is your most treasured possession?

My class ring from Columbia University. It became Janie’s wedding ring.

What is your most marked characteristic?

I follow my gut not my head. Janie says I follow my heart, but I’m not ready to admit to that. Who would’ve guessed I’d turn out to be a family guy?

What is it that you, most dislike?

War.

Which living person do you, most despise?

Senator Joe McCarthy.

What is your greatest regret?

That I didn’t meet Janie sooner.

What is the quality you most like in a man?

Fairness.

What is the quality you most like in a woman?

Compassion.

Who is your favorite hero in fiction?

Robinson Crusoe. He made the most of what he had and survived.

Which living person do you most admire?

My wife. She’s the strongest person I’ve ever known.

If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?

I would’ve met Janie a long time ago and started being happy sooner.

What is your motto?

Carpe diem. Because that’s all you’ve got. Losing my brother Doug during the war brought that home to me.

 

A full-fledged Baby Boomer, Barbara Bretton grew up in New York City during the Post-World War II 1950s with the music of the Big Bands as the soundtrack to her childhood. Her father and grandfather served in the navy during the war. Her uncles served in the army. None of them shared their stories.

But her mother, who had enjoyed a brief stint as Rosie the Riveter, brought the era to life with tales of the Home Front that were better than any fairy tale. It wasn’t until much later that Barbara learned the rest of the story about the fiancé who had been lost in the war, sending her mother down a different path that ultimately led to a second chance at love . . . and to the daughter who would one day tell a little part of that story.

There is always one book that’s very special to an author, one book or series that lives deep inside her heart. SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY and STRANGER IN PARADISE, books 1 and 2 of the Home Front series, are Barbara’s. She hopes they’ll find a place in your heart too.

www.barbarabretton.com

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