Monday, March 03, 2014

Homefront Dreams

A Story Set in WWII

Before we learn more about this book, the winner of last week's Permanent Resident at the Purse Table is Melanie Backus.

In Homefront Dreams, Darlene Franklin takes us back to the years following the attack on Pearl Harbor. Patriotism runs high and everyone wants to do their part. Clarinda Tuttle Finch is a war widow serving out her husband’s term as mayor of Maple Notch, Vermont. When she is re-elected, her opponent, high school principal Ralph Quincy Gilley, doesn’t hold a grudge but pitches in to help her in any way he can except to keep the girl’s school open. The school has been in the family since Clarinda’s grandmother started it in the late 19th century. Enrollment is down, and the faculty is growing older and really needs to close. As Clarinda and Ralph work together, the attraction between them grows, but can they resolve their differences and find a solution for the problems facing their town because of the war? With characters who will touch your heart in situations faced by so many of our loved ones during those early years of war, Darlene has crafted a story that is both heart-warming and nostalgic, but also heart-rending as the people of Maple Notch face the realities of a world war.  

Blurb for the Book:
CLARINDA FINCH HATES CHANGE.
As the newly elected mayor of Maple Notch, the war widow must lead her town through the dark days of World War II. But where she finds comfort in tradition, the town council insists on trying new ways of handling the homefront challenges. Her most untraditional opponent? Councilman Ralph Quincy. 
High school principal Ralph never expected to become a friend to Clarinda and her family. But as she spars with him over the war effort, the smart, spirited mayor is the most compelling woman he's ever known. Can they put aside their differences and fight for both their town and a future together?


Darlene Franklin’s greatest claim to fame is that she writes full-time from a nursing home. She lives in Oklahoma, near her son and his family, and continues her interests in playing the piano and singing, books, good fellowship, and reality TV in addition to writing. She is an active member of Oklahoma City Christian Fiction Writers, American Christian Fiction Writers, and the Christian Authors Network. She has written twenty-seven books, been published in twenty more, and has written more than 200 devotionals. Her historical fiction ranges from the Revolutionary War to World War II, from Texas to Vermont. You can find Darlene online elsewhere at http://darlenehfranklinwrites.blogspot.com/, http://mydailynibble.blogspot.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/darlene.franklin.3 .

Leave a comment with your answer to the question: Do you have any memories from WWII from your parents or grandparents? Share with us.
Darlene will be giving away of copy of this book to a lucky reader at the end of the week. Be sure to leave your email address so we can contact you if you win.

Annoying legal disclaimer: drawings void where prohibited by law; open only to U.S. residents; the odds of winning depend upon the number of participants. No purchase is necessary and only one entry per post. Winner will be selected next week-end and posted here on Monday, February 17. You must be 18 or older to enter. Remember to leave your email address for contacting you in case of win.




12 comments:

Unknown said...

My biggest memories thru reading about WW2
are the unity of the United States,supporting our military,standing behind them.
God bless you
Chris Granville
granvilleATfrontiernetDOTnet

Darlene Franklin said...

Hi Chris, I hope that comes through with this book!

Melanie Backus said...

Iam intrigued by this book. I think it will be a great read, thank you for sharing.

mauback55 at gmail dot time

Melanie Backus said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Darlene Franklin said...

Thanks, Melanie!

Martha, do they need to answer the question to have a chance to win a book?

Martha W. Rogers said...

Yes, it's been added to the post at the bottom.

Darlene Franklin said...

That;s what I thought. Melanie, I'd love to hear your answer.

Britney Adams said...

Homefront Dreams sounds like such a special story! I have only heard bits and pieces about the war from my grandparents. They have talked about rationing and reusing various things. There are some things they continue to save and reuse today, such as foil.

texaggs2000 at gmail dot com

Darlene Franklin said...

Hi Britney, Yes, it was a time of creative use of doing without, with great pride and patriotism.

Darlene Franklin said...

Hi Britney, Yes, it was a time of creative use of doing without, with great pride and patriotism.

Martha W. Rogers said...

Darlene brought back a lot of memories for me as I read this book. I was 5 when the war began and 9 when it ended, so I have memories of ration books, victory gardens, and saving tin foil and rubber bands. Even the very youngest were given a chance to help our service men.

Thanks for stopping by and sharing.

Darlene Franklin said...

Martha, it's been my pleasure to be your guest. :)