Author Interview with Linda Shenton Matchett and a Giveaway!

July 25^th marks Linda Shenton Matchett’s book birthday for her WWII mystery, Under Fire. In celebration, she’s giving away an ebook copy to one lucky winner (chosen at random from those who comment. Grab a glass of your favorite summertime beverage and get a peek behind the scenes.

You have published several historical romances, but this is your first mystery. Can you tell us how that came about?

Interestingly, I wrote Under Fire before any of the other books I’ve published. I took Jerry Jenkins’s Christian Writer’s Guild Journeyman program, and the story came out of my class assignments. As a new writer, I struggled with knowing how to come up with scenes to move the plot along. Then I attended Crimebake (a mystery writer’s conference) and realized if I wrote a mystery, the scenes would be about solving the crime. As my first manuscript, it took a lot of writing, rewriting, editing, and polishing. It took quite a few years and submissions to find a publisher.

Research is an important part of writing. How did you research Under Fire?

I love to conduct research. I can get lost in it for hours! The main character, Ruth, is a war correspondent, so I read LOTS of autobiographies and memoirs by WWII journalists and photojournalists, lots of the articles they wrote, too. I found YouTube interviews of Americans and British citizens who lived during WWII. That gave me a real sense of the era in both countries, but especially what it was like to be in London during the Blitz. I also watched documentaries that were produced during the war.

How is Ruth, like you? Different?

War Correspondent Martha Gellhorn

Ruth and I are both very curious (some people might say nosy!) and tenacious. That’s what makes Ruth a good reporter. She’ll dig until she’s got the whole story. Those traits also help her solve the mystery surrounding her sister’s disappearance. In some ways, Ruth is much braver than I am. I wouldn’t do some of the creeping around she does!

How do come up with story ideas?

I’ve gotten ideas from newspaper and magazine articles, movies, TV shows, snippets of conversation, museum exhibits, and incidents I’ve experienced that make me wonder “what if…?” Under Fire came from a combination of brainstorming for class, an incident that happened in a town a short distance from where I live, and a TV show.

How do you pick the locations for your stories?

Research is sometimes the driving force for where my stories are set, although I intentionally wanted to set Under Fire in England. Even before I had a chance to visit, I was fascinated with England’s history, especially during WWII, so many of my stories are set there.

In addition to being a writer, you work a full-time job. How do you balance the two careers?

I am fortunate that I live only a half mile from my employer, so I don’t have a long commute. (In fact, I usually walk to work.) But it can be challenging to juggle all the components of being an author with working. I’m an early riser, so I write or revise my current manuscript in the mornings before going to work. Sundays before church I write and schedule my blog posts. Saturdays are for research, marketing, and social media planning. Some days, life goes according to plan, and I get a lot done. Then there are the other days…!

What are you working on now?

I just submitted book one in my Women of Courage series to an agent for consideration, and I’m in the revision stage of two manuscripts, one of which I’ll be independently publishing in the fall. It’s not titled yet, but I better come up with something soon, because the cover is almost done! The other is book two of the Ruth Brown mystery series. Once I finish the revisions on both these manuscripts, I’ll start writing book two in the Women of Courage series. It is tentatively a five book series.

Connect with Linda:

Website/Blog: http://www.LindaShentonMatchett.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorlindamatchett

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/lindasmatchett

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/lindasmatchett

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/authorlindamatchett

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Linda-Shenton-Matchett/e/B01DNB54S0

Newsletter Signup: https://bit.ly/2DDLmI2

Bio: Linda Shenton Matchett is an author, speaker, and history geek. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, she was born a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry and has lived in historic places all her life. A member of ACFW, Sisters in Crime, and RWA, Linda is a member-at-large for the New England Chapter of SinC and serves on the Crimebake Writer’s Conference committee. She is a volunteer docent at the Wright Museum of WWII and a trustee for her local public library.

Book Blurb: Set in 1942, Under Fire tells the story of Ruth Brown whose missing sister Jane is declared dead. Convinced her sister is still alive, Ruth follows clues from their small New Hampshire town to war-torn London trying to find her.

Purchase Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0743MS95H

STT Book Birthdays!

Since August is our birthday month, we thought we'd mix it up a little bit and share the Book Birthdays of those on our Stitches Thru Time community. As it turns out, we have several! Won't you help us celebrate the birth of these wonderful new titles?

July 25th release - Under Fire by Linda Shenton Matchett

Small-town journalist Ruth Brown's sister Jane is pronounced dead after a boating accident in the Spring of 1942. Because Jane's body is missing, Ruth is convinced her sister is still alive. A series of events and discoveries raise Ruth's suspicions about Jane's work at the local manufacturing plant, then additional clues send Ruth to war-torn London. By the time their brother contacts her with the devastating news that Jane's body has been found, and evidence suggests she was murdered, Ruth has stumbled on black marketers, resistance fighters, and the IRA-all of whom may want her dead.

Buy the Paperback

Or get the ebook on Amazon

Coming the End of August - Wheresoever They May Be by Terri Wangard

A sailor, his Rosie-the-Riveter wife, her WAC sister, and a grasshopper pilot. They’re all doing their part to help win the war, but sometimes the enemy can be hard to identify.

Follow Terri on Amazon or Facebook to know when the book releases! 

Coming September 1 - Solve by Christmas by Amber Schamel (Pre-order now for some awesome bonuses!)

When sabotage threatens the Rudin Sugar Factory, Detective Jasper Hollock believes this will be his first real case. But dear Mr. Rudin—the only father Jasper has ever known—holds a different assignment for his private investigator.

“I’ve struck a deal with God, Jasper, and you’re my angel.”

Mr. Rudin charges Jasper to build a “case” of reasons for his employer to continue his life. If he fails, Mr. Rudin will end it in suicide on Christmas night.

As the incidents at the factory become life threatening, Jasper’s attempts at dissuading Mr. Rudin prove futile, and Jasper is left staring at the stark reality of his own soul. Time is ticking. Jasper must solve both cases by Christmas before Mr. Rudin, the company, and Jasper’s faith, are dragged to perdition. Will this be the Christmas Jasper truly discovers what makes life worth living?

Find out where to pre-order and what the bonus is!

Coming September 6 - A Groom for Mama by Catherine Castle

A sweet romantic comedy with a touch of drama.  Follow Catherine on her blog to keep updated on the release!


We need a song. "Happy Book Birthday to you, happy book birthday to you!"

I'm singing here, and it sounds suspiciously like the "Happy un-birthday to you" from Alice in Wonderland. Somebody help me out.

AND to celebrate all these amazing Book Birthdays, I'm giving away one Advanced Reader copy of Solve by Christmas! That means you will get your hands on it before the public. What do ya say to that? ;) 

Leave us a comment to get your name in the drawing.

Linda Shenton Matchett's Under Fire

Our own Linda Matchett had a new full-length novel release on July 25. Set in World War II, it ranges from New Hampshire to England to Ireland, and back to England. I was privileged to read an early readers copy. Questions often come to mind while reading and this time, I had the opportunity to ask Linda about Under Fire.

Lake Winnipesaukee

I recognized Lake Winnipesaukee right away, but it’s not named. Why? Too big a mouthful?

LOL! Most people do stumble over the name the first few times they try to say it (BTW, it’s pronounced win-eh-peh-sock-ee). I decided that writing about a fictional location would be easier. With all the WWII research I had to do to ensure historical accuracy, I didn’t want to have to research the town’s history too.

A Chris-Craft photo by Classic Boating Magazine

Since my family’s business is publishing Classic Boating magazine, I was right at home reading about Chris-Craft and Lyman boats. (Yes, those wartime boats are classics now.) Have they been part of your life?

Not at all. I grew up boating on the Potomac River with my dad in his twelve-foot Jon boat. I was unfamiliar with wooden lake boats until we moved to New Hampshire. I’ve had several opportunities to ride in Lymans and Chris-Crafts, and there’s nothing like the experience. The gorgeous wooden hull, cushy interior, throaty snarl of the engine, the speed across open water.

Ruth lives a very adventurous life, traipsing of to London on her own in wartime, sneaking into places and spying on bad guys. Do you live vicariously through your characters? Is this the way you’d like to see yourself?

I have definitely lived vicariously through Ruth. She is much braver than I am in many ways. I have a fear of heights and am claustrophobic, so I admired her ability to scale walls and fences and squeeze into tiny hiding places. I also get lost easily, so I can’t imagine having to navigate a city where the signs have been removed.

Under Fire is full of twists and turns. Did you plot the novel before writing or did ideas come as you wrote?

I did plot the novel before I began. The first full length story I wrote as an adult was done free form, and it lagged and sagged in the middle, and I often got writer’s block. Since then I’ve always outlined my books. I also write extensive biographies for my characters. I allow my characters to wander “off script,” and sometimes an idea will come to me and I’ll change what I had planned, but for the most part I know generally how the story is going to go.

  

Where did the inspiration for Under Fire come from? 

As a former HR professional, I am intrigued about women’s employment experiences in the early 20^th Century. I love reading about women who were trailblazers in their field, and I’ve got a background in journalism.  When I learned that only 127 of the 1,600 certified war correspondents were women, I knew what I wanted my protagonist to do for a living. Once I had nailed that down, I decided to explore how the WWII impacted people’s faith in God (e.g. how could a loving God allow Hitler to succeed, etc.), and I wanted Ruth to experience a personal crisis of faith as well. That’s when I decided to make her sister disappear.

I’ve just read your novella A Love Not Forgotten. Parts seemed familiar and sure enough, it’s a companion to your Love’s Harvest. Do you anticipate Ruth showing up in a future project?

I’ve got two more Ruth Brown mysteries written with several story ideas percolating.

What are you working on next?

I am working on a mystery about a young woman who joins the USO to escape an arranged marriage. When her fiancé is found dead, she must prove her innocence.

Stay tuned!

Under Fire Blurb: Journalist Ruth Brown’s sister Jane is pronounced dead after a boating accident in April 1942. Because Jane’s body is missing, Ruth is convinced her sister is still alive. During her investigation, Ruth becomes suspicious about Jane’s job. Eventually Ruth follows clues to war-torn London. By the time she uncovers the truth about Jane’s disappearance, she has stumbled on black marketers, resistance fighters and the IRA – all of whom may want her dead.

Bio: Linda Shenton Matchett is a journalist, blogger, and author. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry, Linda has lived in historical places most of her life. She is a volunteer docent at the Wright Museum of WWII and as a Trustee for the Wolfeboro Public Library. Active in her church Linda serves as treasurer, usher, choir member, and Bible study leader. She is author of several romance novellas. Under Fire, the first in her trilogy about amateur sleuth/war correspondent Ruth Brown has just been released by eLectio Publishing (electiopublishing.com). Click here (eepurl.com/cp_SRL) to receive Linda’s monthly newsletter that includes book reviews, links to free book sites, historical tidbits, and more.

Weekly Windup: Comment to Win Under Fire by Linda Shenton Matchett

Weekly Windup

Welcome to the Weekly Windup! We have a winner to announce!

 Winner of Embracing Hope by Janell Butler Wojtowicz is...Melody Schamel!

   If you are a winner, please Contact Us to claim your prize.

 

This Week's Giveaway:

Under Fire by our very own Linda Shenton Matchett

Small-town journalist Ruth Brown's sister Jane is pronounced dead after a boating accident in the Spring of 1942. Because Jane's body is missing, Ruth is convinced her sister is still alive. A series of events and discoveries raise Ruth's suspicions about Jane's work at the local manufacturing plant, then additional clues send Ruth to war-torn London. By the time their brother contacts her with the devastating news that Jane's body has been found, and evidence suggests she was murdered, Ruth has stumbled on black marketers, resistance fighters, and the IRA-all of whom may want her dead.

Releasing on July 25th!

 

 

 Comment on any post now through August 6th to get your name in the drawing! Winner will be announced in the August 7th issue of the Weekly Windup. Paperback giveaways are for U.S. residents only.

Coming up this week:

Monday, 7/24: Dwelling in Happiness by Carole Brown
Tuesday, 7/25: Christmas in July by Elaine Manders
Wednesday, 7/26: No bake Strawberry Pie by Crystal Barnes
Thursday, 7/27: Book review by Jodie Wolfe
Friday, 7/28: Guest Jennifer Slattery
Saturday, 7/29: Interview with Julie Arduini