For as long as I can remember, I have been interested in the 1940s and World War II. Part of it may have to do with the fact that I lived on Guam (which played a major role in the Pacific Theater) during my early childhood, and part of it is likely due to the fact that Molly McIntire's (of American Girl fame) stories were set on the American home front in 1944. I read those books over and over till the spines broke and the dust jackets disintegrated.
My love for the 1940s, and history in general, has taken me down interesting paths. I'm a veteran historical re-enactor of various time periods. Most notably, I have played in the Elizabethan period, the Regency period, the American Civil War, the Edwardian period, and World War II. Being a re-enactor is sometimes the best research because you learn a lot about what it was like to live during that particular time period.
Through re-enacting, I got involved with the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight, and served as a volunteer and one of their two Bombshells from 2009-2018. Dressed in period correct attire, we mingled with the crowd, chatted with the families, and welcomed the veterans home from their special day with a sweet treat (and maybe a little bit of red lipstick). Check out my Pin Curl Adventures to see a few pictures of us in action.
The saying goes that you should write what you know. While I know many time periods very well, I can't think of a better time period to write about than World War II. The richness of the period itself amidst the chaos of war creates a ripe environment for a love story to blossom all on its own. You see that evidenced through the real life loves stories that have spanned sometimes seven decades. As one woman told me: those days were the worst of her life and yet the best of her life. This speaks so much to me because while everyone did come together for a common goal, the fear that you never knew if your significant other was coming back from war was very real. In those cases, the decisions made in haste were the only option they felt they had. They weren't about to let love wait till the war was over. And so, my stories are for the couples who lived and loved during World War II; a taste of what life might have been like during those turbulent times.
When I am not writing, playing in another part of history, kissing veterans, or have my nose buried in another research book, I spend my time with the two loves of my life: my husband and our son.
My love for the 1940s, and history in general, has taken me down interesting paths. I'm a veteran historical re-enactor of various time periods. Most notably, I have played in the Elizabethan period, the Regency period, the American Civil War, the Edwardian period, and World War II. Being a re-enactor is sometimes the best research because you learn a lot about what it was like to live during that particular time period.
Through re-enacting, I got involved with the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight, and served as a volunteer and one of their two Bombshells from 2009-2018. Dressed in period correct attire, we mingled with the crowd, chatted with the families, and welcomed the veterans home from their special day with a sweet treat (and maybe a little bit of red lipstick). Check out my Pin Curl Adventures to see a few pictures of us in action.
The saying goes that you should write what you know. While I know many time periods very well, I can't think of a better time period to write about than World War II. The richness of the period itself amidst the chaos of war creates a ripe environment for a love story to blossom all on its own. You see that evidenced through the real life loves stories that have spanned sometimes seven decades. As one woman told me: those days were the worst of her life and yet the best of her life. This speaks so much to me because while everyone did come together for a common goal, the fear that you never knew if your significant other was coming back from war was very real. In those cases, the decisions made in haste were the only option they felt they had. They weren't about to let love wait till the war was over. And so, my stories are for the couples who lived and loved during World War II; a taste of what life might have been like during those turbulent times.
When I am not writing, playing in another part of history, kissing veterans, or have my nose buried in another research book, I spend my time with the two loves of my life: my husband and our son.
Special thanks to Evernight Designs for helping in the creation of this website, and to Darlene Martin, Danah Zoulek Photography, Studio 6teen, and Canteen Cowboy for the photographs.