Linda Shenton Matchett's Blog, page 70

Traveling Tuesday: Alabama's Wartime Service

Traveling Tuesday: Alabama's Wartime Service
Like with many states in the U.S., by the time World War II rolled around, Alabama had begun its recovery from the Great Depression. However, the war brought an explosion of industrial expansion, and as a result, creating boomtowns from the influx of new employees. On the Gulf of Mexico, Mobile welcomed more than 90,000 job seekers.
Because land in Alabama was plentiful and inexpensive, and the climate temperate, the government realized the state was ideal for military bases. Fort McClellan, already in place, became a major induction center, and Camp Rucker, constructed in 1942, was the state’s second largest training center. Chemical warfare training was done at Camp Sibert. Known as “The road to Tokyo,” Maxfield Army Air Base trained thousands of pilots and air crew. Perhaps the most well-known base was the Tuskeegee Army Airfield where more than 1,000 African-American men earned their wings.
On the home front, the Red Cross was active making bandages, knitting sweaters, and collecting clothing for people injured or displaced by the war overseas. Montgomery’s Soldier’s Center, later known as the Army-Navy USO Club, was the first civilian-run servicemen’s club in the U.S.
Manufacturing and shipbuilding were major industries in Alabama, and the state contained two of the nation’s five plants that produced aluminum, a crucial component in aircraft. By 1943, the Mobile facility was producing 34% of the country’s output. So important was this location that it became a target for German saboteurs, who were fortunately arrested in 1942. Other plants produced gunpowder, weapons, and textiles for uniforms, tents, bedding, and sandbags. Two arsenals were built in Huntsville.
Agriculture was also impacted by the war. Cotton saw an increase because of the textile mills, and forest products were used for lumber and paper products. As with the rest of the country labor shortages were an issue, but usage of POWs from one of the four camps in the state solved the problem. One report states that nearly 4,000 German and Italian POWs saved the 1944 peanut crop.Although residents of the state didn’t know it at the time, the waters off their shores were some of the most dangerous places for shipping. German U-boats sank about fifty freighters and tankers in the Gulf of Mexico. Explosions could be heard, and ships could sometimes be seen on the horizon.
More than 6,000 Alabamians gave the ultimate sacrifice, and lost their lives during the war. Twelve of the 469 Medal of Honor recipients were either born in the state or entered service there.________________________
Love's Allegiance now available for pre-order!
With most U.S. boys fighting for Uncle Sam in far off countries, Rochelle Addams has given up hope for a wedding in her future. Then she receives an intriguing offer from a distant relative to consider a marriage of convenience.
Conscientious objector Irwin Terrell is looking forward to his assignment at Shady Hills Mental hospital to minister to the less fortunate in lieu of bearing arms. At the arrival of the potential bride his father has selected for him, Irwin’s well-ordered life is turned upside down. And after being left at the altar two years ago, he has no interest in risking romance again.
Despite his best efforts to remain aloof to Rochelle, Irwin is drawn to the enigmatic and beautiful young woman, but will time run out before his wounded heart can find room for her?
Inspired by the biblical love story of Rebekkah and Isaac, Love’s Allegiance explores the struggles and sacrifices of those whose beliefs were at odds with a world at war.
Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/2jStfc7

Pre-order Day: Love's Allegiance

Pre-Order Day: Love's Allegiance
I hope you're as excited as I am for today. After several months of writing, editing, and polishing, the final book in my Wartime Brides series is finished! Now available for pre-order at the special price of $0.99, Love's Allegiance will be released on August 15, 2019. Isn't the cover fabulous? It's my new favorite.

Check out the book trailer and description, then click on your favorite retailer to reserve your copy today:

Love's Allegiance Book Trailer


With most U.S. boys fighting for Uncle Sam in far off countries, Rochelle Addams has given up hope for a wedding in her future. Then she receives an intriguing offer from a distant relative to consider a marriage of convenience.
Conscientious objector Irwin Terrell is looking forward to his assignment at Shady Hills Mental hospital to minister to the less fortunate in lieu of bearing arms. At the arrival of the potential bride his father has selected for him, Irwin’s well-ordered life is turned upside down. And after being left at the altar two years ago, he has no interest in risking romance again.
Despite his best efforts to remain aloof to Rochelle, Irwin is drawn to the enigmatic and beautiful young woman, but will time run out before his wounded heart can find room for her?
Inspired by the biblical love story of Rebekkah and Isaac, Love’s Allegiance explores the struggles and sacrifices of those whose beliefs were at odds with a world at war.

Purchase Links:
Amazon:  https://amzn.to/2jStfc7
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/love-s-allegiance
Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/book/id1472185764
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/loves-allegiance

Release Day: Love's Allegiance

Release Day: Love's Allegiance
I hope you're as excited as I am for today. After several months of writing, editing, and polishing, the final book in my Wartime Brides series is finished! Now available for pre-order at the special price of $0.99, Love's Allegiance will be released on August 15, 2019. Isn't the cover fabulous? It's my new favorite.

Check out the book trailer and description, then click on your favorite retailer to reserve your copy today:

Love's Allegiance Book Trailer


With most U.S. boys fighting for Uncle Sam in far off countries, Rochelle Addams has given up hope for a wedding in her future. Then she receives an intriguing offer from a distant relative to consider a marriage of convenience.
Conscientious objector Irwin Terrell is looking forward to his assignment at Shady Hills Mental hospital to minister to the less fortunate in lieu of bearing arms. At the arrival of the potential bride his father has selected for him, Irwin’s well-ordered life is turned upside down. And after being left at the altar two years ago, he has no interest in risking romance again.
Despite his best efforts to remain aloof to Rochelle, Irwin is drawn to the enigmatic and beautiful young woman, but will time run out before his wounded heart can find room for her?
Inspired by the biblical love story of Rebekkah and Isaac, Love’s Allegiance explores the struggles and sacrifices of those whose beliefs were at odds with a world at war.

Purchase Links:
Amazon:  https://amzn.to/2jStfc7
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/love-s-allegiance
Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/book/id1472185764
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/loves-allegiance

Talkshow Thursday: Meet Love's Allegiance Rochelle Addams

Talkshow Thursday: Meet Rochelle Addams

I love the research aspect of writing a novel. Not surprising. I’m a huge history geek. The more factoids I can find the better. My next favorite part of writing is developing my characters. In fact, I typically create an entire biography for all primary and secondary characters; from birthdates and physical attributes to hobbies and fears. Love’s Allegiance was no different, but this time, I found the perfect photograph that encapsulates my vision of Rochelle Addams, my female protagonist.

Now, you get to meet her, too.
LM: You are from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. Can you tell us a bit about what it was like to grow up there, and how was that different from life at Shady Hills?
Rochelle: It is a lovely small town, with just under 6,000 people living there. Did you know the town was named for the mechanics who made and repaired Conestoga Wagons in the 1800s? Railroad tracks go through the town, so there is a constant stream of trains which makes it a bit noisy, but it’s fun to see all the lines going through on their way to delivering everything from fruit and coal to newspapers and ice. There are lots of troop trains that pass through as well. The boys usually yell out the windows and waves. Some of the girls go down to the station and blow kisses and wave back. We also have a small amusement park called Willow Mill, and they added a new carousel, a whip, and a couple of new kiddie rides.
LM: With just about all the guys your age off at war, what was the social scene like?
Rochelle: In one sense, it was very dull because there were very few boys my age or even a little older around; no one to date on a steady basis. However, because of the Naval Supply Depot coming in 1942, there were lots of sailors coming and going. Some of our friends volunteered as junior hostesses with the USO, but that wasn’t for me. It was hard knowing they were going overseas to fight and maybe lose their lives.
LM: Everyone “did their bit” for the war effort. How did you serve before going to Shady Hills, and what was your favorite activity?
Rochelle: I was part of the local pen-pal club. A bunch of us would get together once a week and answer all the letters we received from local boys who’d gone into the service. I enjoyed that the most because I liked sharing news of what was happening in town or at church. I also rolled bandages for the Red Cross, and of course, collected scrap like everyone else.
LM: Do you consider yourself brave or foolish leaving everything you knew to pursue a potential marriage of convenience?
Rochelle: A little of both, I suppose! I made the decision quickly and agreed to move immediately so I couldn’t change my mind. Here I was one day complaining to Claire that there was no one to marry, and only a few days later I’m in an expensive car being chauffeured to meet a prospective husband. But I didn’t feel I had anything to lose by exploring the possibility.
LM: What were your first impressions of Irwin?
Rochelle: That he was uncertain and unhappy. He is a handsome man, someone any girl would think was attractive, but he was frowning when I stepped out of the car, and his expression didn’t change must for most of my first day.
LM: What was it like working at Shady Hills?
Rochelle: Initially, it was very difficult. Many of our coworkers didn’t like Irwin because of his conscientious objector status, and I was guilty and unlikable by association. But Lester was a nice man, and he befriended both of us. Eventually, most people accepted us. The work was very rewarding, working with people less fortunate than ourselves. The patients were dear, and I grew to love quite a few of them.
LM:Where can readers find your book?
Rochelle: http://www.lindashentonmatchett.com/p/books.html_______________________________
COMING SOON!
Cover Reveal Coming Love’s Allegiance : With most U.S. boys fighting for Uncle Sam in far off countries, Rochelle Addams has given up hope for a wedding in her future. Then she receives an intriguing offer from a distant relative to consider a marriage of convenience.
Conscientious objector Irwin Terrell is looking forward to his assignment at Shady Hills Mental hospital to minister to the less fortunate in lieu of bearing arms. At the arrival of the potential bride his father has selected for him, Irwin’s well-ordered life is turned upside down. And after being left at the altar two years ago, he has no interest in risking romance again.
Despite his best efforts to remain aloof to Rochelle, Irwin is drawn to the enigmatic and beautiful young woman, but will time run out before his wounded heart can find room for her?
Inspired by the biblical love story of Rebekkah and Isaac, Love’s Allegiance explores the struggles and sacrifices of those whose beliefs were at odds with a world at war.

Wartime Wednesday: DIY Apple Corn Muffins

Wartime Wednesday: DIY Apple Corn Muffins

Let’s face it: America has a sweet tooth. We love our cookies, cakes, pies, and ice cream. Sugar rationing during WWII put a damper on desserts until folks started to experiment with recipes to find substitutions for the difficult-to-get sweetener. Honey, corn syrup, and maple syrup were common swaps.
Food companies took the opportunity to publish cookbooks and flyers that included recipes that omitted or reduced rationed items. All touted to be the answer for frustrated homemakers.The following was on the back of the Rumford Sugarless Recipes pamphlet:
“When you view your half-empty sugar bowl with alarm…when your sugar ration runs short…when you pine for a good Rumford cake, shortages or not – that’s the time to dip into this little treasury of Rumford Sugarless Recipes. There’s not a spoonful of sugar in any of them – but they taste mighty good just the same! Baking without sugar is no secret of the wizards; it’s a little different, that’s all.”The leaflet cautioned cooks to:
“Follow the recipes given here exactly. The experts have worked out just what happens when you switch to syrups, etc. and you will have the best results if you follow directions to the letter. Generally speaking, you can replace one-fourth the sugar in any recipe with corn syrup (although our recipes here use no sugar). Another thing to expect is slightly different texture from what you’re used to.”
Rumford Apple Corn Muffins¾ C sifted flower1/3 C cornmeal3 t Rumford Baking Powder½ t salt¼ C sliced raw apple1 egg, well beaten1/3 C milk¼ C honey3 T melted shortening (remember butter was also a rationed item)
Sift together flower, cornmeal, Rumford Baking Powder, and salt. Wash, pare, and cut apple into eighths. Remove core and cut crosswise in very thin slices. Combine egg, milk, and honey. Add to dry ingredients, stirring only enough to dampen well. Stir in melted shortening. Fold in apple. Fill well-greased muffin tins 2/3 full and bake in a moderately hot oven (400 degrees) for 25 minutes Makes 12 medium sized muffins.
Enjoy!
_________________________
Set in 1942 and taking place in London, Under Fire tells the story of Ruth Brown, whose missing sister Jane is declared dead. Following clues from her tiny New Hampshire town overseas to England, Ruth stumbles resistance fighters, the IRA, and smugglers, all of whom want her dead for what she has discovered. 
Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/31E8Qs6

Mystery Monday: Who was Virginia Rath?

Mystery Monday: Who was Virginia Rath?

Despite her short life, Virginia Rath managed to publish thirteen mystery novels that comprised two series. Both set in Northern California outside San Francisco where she was from, featured Sheriff Rocky Allan. The second series of eight books featured an unusual amateur sleuth. Fashion designer Michael Dundas and his wife Valerie appeared between 1938 and 1947. In his books readers could count on observation and commentary of the women’s outfits.
Born Virginia McVay in 1905, she graduated from the University of California and initially taught high school in a California mountain railroad town. She then married Carl Rath, a railroad telegrapher. While working in a railroad telegraph office herself during the war, she apparently took a break from writing as there is a publishing gap from 1942 to 1947.
The only photo I could find of Rath
(from https://mwa2017berkeley.wordpress.com/)Her last publication was under the pseudonym of Theo Durrant. She penned a chapter in the round robin novel (a book in which multiple authors write one chapter) The Marble Forest that came out in 1951 (a year after her death).
Neither cozy nor hard-boiled, Rath’s books are more traditional murder mysteries. She is well-known for her street chase scenes that use genuine locations. Embedded in her novels are studies of base human motives and the corruption of mankind as well as views on cultural and social mores of the times. In Murder on the Day of Judgment, she also explores issues of race and prejudice.
Her novels are difficult to find, but with any luck, you’ll find one or two in your local public library.
Have you ever heard of Virginia Rath?
_________________________________

Set in 1942 and taking place in London, Under Fire tells the story of Ruth Brown, whose missing sister Jane is declared dead. Following clues from her tiny New Hampshire town overseas to England, Ruth stumbles resistance fighters, the IRA, and smugglers, all of whom want her dead for what she has discovered. 
Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/31E8Qs6

Talkshow Thursday: History Never Ceases to Amaze

HISTORY NEVER CEASES TO AMAZEA Guest Post by Marie Watts
As a writer I have eclectic tastes and am published in both the fiction and non-fiction arena.  One of my joys is delving into historic newspapers and finding a connection with our day-to-day lives.

While searching for information regarding a funeral in 1888, I noticed a number of deadly shootings had been chronicled by the Fayette County, Texas paper.  The editor opined: “Shooting and killing it would seem are liable to become epidemic, judging from what occurred the past week.  There are too many persons in the county who have the privilege of wearing six-shooters.  Their number should be curtailed.” 
A 1936 report concerning my grandparents’ displacement by the Tennessee River Authority revealed that they had electricity courtesy of Delco. Curious I began researching and found that the General Motors Company, under the name of Delco-Light, had been manufacturing battery-operated power plants for rural residents.  Thousands subsequently lost their jobs in that industry when electricity was delivered to rural areas through the Rural Electrification Act.
My most recent find came while I was writing a blog about robocalls in Chinese designed to prey on recent immigrants.  After a bit of research, I realized that scamming immigrants has a storied past in the U.S.  One of the standouts was the notorious con men George C. Parker.  He began his career in 1883 and managed to talk newly arrived, uneducated immigrants into purchasing the Brooklyn Bridge, Madison Square Garden, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the tomb of U.S. Grant. 
Many of the issues of today such as scams, gun control, and government subsidizing power sources that affect other industries are not new.  However, knowledge of the past can help us understand the complexity of the issues at hand and may offer clues to solutions.  Moreover, it reminds us that the “Good Old Days” were not really that great.   We can, nevertheless, strive each day to put out best foot forward, do the right thing, and treat others with compassion.
I invite you to join me at mariewatts.com as I write “stories about life” and learn more about my recent novel, The Cause Lives:  Warriors for Equal Rights.  You can find my historical articles under “Lagniappe”—a little something extra.  You can also find me on:


Website: http://www.mariewatts.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mariewattsbooks
Twitter: @mariewattsbooks
Instagram: @mariewattswriter

Wartime Wednesday: DIY Stanton Shelters

Wartime Wednesday: DIY Stanton Shelters

The more I research World War II, the more I realize how easy my everyday life is because of the vast number of modern conveniences now available. Food was made from scratch. Clothing was handmade. (Yes, there were ready-to-wear items in stores, but after rationing began scarcity became a problem.) Cameras came with a manual that explained how to process film, so that even photographs were developed at home.
As discussed in two prior posts, Anderson Shelters and Morrison Shelters were also Do-It-Yourself. Made of steel, the pieces bolted together and were seemingly easy to assemble. I recently discovered Stanton Shelters, another type of air raid shelter that was delivered unassembled.
Made of pre-cast steel reinforced concrete segments, the shelters were manufactured at Stanton Ironworks, in Ilkeston, Derbysthire. Highly resistant to shock, the shelters were low cost, and any length could be built by adding more segments, each of which was twenty inches wide. A pair of segments formed a seven-foot high arch and transverse struts were provided to ensure rigidity. The segments were bolted together, then bolted to the adjoining pieces. Joints were sealed with a waterproof compound. Like Anderson Shelters, Stanton Shelters were partially buried into the ground with an entrance.
The manufacturer’s instructions touted the shelter’s ease of assembly, but I can’t imagine trying to wrestle large pieces of concrete into place, then connecting them and slathering the joints with some sort of “goop” to make them impervious to water. I’m skeptical that this was a simple weekend project. The general public may have felt the same way. Only about 100,000 personal Stanton shelters were assembled versus the millions of Anderson and Morrison shelters. However, there are reports of multiple Stanton shelters on company sites around England.
In a BBC interview, Mr. Ashby talked about the mixed blessing of her family’s Stanton shelter. “A couple of benches and an oil lamp made up the furnishings. Dad said we would be safe there.” Apparently his father didn’t consider the weather because it flooded during rainy weather. Fortunately he was correct about its effectiveness. During one air raid the shelter was hit by an incendiary bomb that “hit the roof and bounced off into the garden without detonating.”
Think you could have hauled around bits of concrete to build a shelter?
______________________________________


Set in 1942 and taking place in London, Under Fire tells the story of Ruth Brown, whose missing sister Jane is declared dead. Following clues from her tiny New Hampshire town overseas to England, Ruth stumbles resistance fighters, the IRA, and smugglers, all of whom want her dead for what she has discovered. 
Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/31E8Qs6

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome back, Mary Ball

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome back, Mary Ball
Linda:  Welcome back. You’ve recently had two books release back-to back. What was it like to juggle the two projects?
Mary: At times, challenging. I have to keep focused on the deadlines.

LM: Did you always want to be a writer or did that desire come later, and if so, how?Mary:   Later. When I stopped public work to keep my oldest grandson, I found time on my hands and started writing Christian articles for Exmainer.com. From there an idea for a fiction novel began and a year and half later Inspired Romance Novels published my first novel, Escape to Big Fork Lake.  
LM: You’ve written multiple books. Where do you get your plot ideas, and are they ever based or inspired by true stories? 
Mary: Not really. I believe I get inspiration with the Lord’s nudging. An idea forms and will tug at me, until I begin to put it down on word.          
LM: What sort of research did you have to do for Awaken the Past?
Mary: I live in a small town but didn’t have knowledge of the police procedures in small towns so I needed to find out a few things. I also researched gas lines on older model cars.    
LM: How have you dealt with writer’s block?
Mary: I try not to let it grab hold of me for long. Most time, if I open my WIP file and read the last chapter, or the one I’ve started, it won’t be long before I’m diving into it again.   
LM: How to you prepare yourself for writing? Do you have a routine you follow?
Mary: No. I’m busy with church obligations and my youngest grandson so I have to make use of every chance I get to sit down with at my desktop or with my laptop.
LM: What writing projects are on your plate right now?
Mary: I have a Christmas novella due in September that will part of Romancing the Christmas Angel boxed set by Winged Publications. The stories are set in 1930-1945 and are based on a good-hearted, caring heroine. I choose 1945 (when war ended) as my date because this is my first Historical and I knew I’d need lots of research. During that period, many men came home from WW11 wounded. My hero deals with being an amputee. While researching, I was astonished to discover The National Academy of Sciences (an American governmental agency) established the Artificial Limb Program in 1945. The program began the many improvements made and changed the quality of life for many.I’m also looking forward to my next mystery novel project with age 50+ heroines, set in a small town.                  Linda: Where can folks connect with you?
Mary: Website: http://www.marylball.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gracefulbooks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/inspires4mary
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/8757890-mary-l-ball
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/authormary/                     About Awaken the Past:

Everything Laurel believed about her childhood suddenly changed.

During her mother's illness, Laurel discovers unsettling things from her past. She travels to the small town of Silver Springs, North Carolina to search for the truth. She arrives in town and senses people watching her every move. Even the easygoing police officer Chad Wilkes gives her the cold shoulder.

With trouble following her, the Lord is the only one she can trust. Can she find the secret to the past and open her heart to more changes?

Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/2XwoZRl

Wartime Wednesday: DIY Morrison Shelter

Wartime Wednesday: DIY Morrison Shelter

Last week, I looked at the use of Anderson bomb shelters in Britain during WWII. Devised in March 1941 and named for Herbert Morrison, the Minister of Home Security at the time, the Morrison Shelter was a solution for people who didn’t have an outdoor location suitable for an Anderson Shelter.
Like the Anderson, the Morrison shelter came in a kit that was assembled once brought into the house. The completed size was six-feet-six-inches long, four feet wide, and two-feet-six-inches high. The sides were welded wire “mesh” sides with a solid 1/8 inch (3 mm) steel plate “table” top and metal “mattress” type floor. Three tools were supplied with the kit to put together the more than 350 parts. Occupancy was rated at four adults, although many anecdotes exist that tell of many more people jammed inside. A “double decker” version came out later.
Also like the Anderson, the Morrison shelter cost £7, but was distributed for free to members of the public who earned less than £350 per year. Half a million shelters had been distributed by the end of 1941, and one of the first Morrison’s to be installed was at 10 Downing Street (the Prime Minister’s office).
In his 1960 autobiography, Herbert Morrison states: “The experts – engineers and scientists – would have argued for weeks {about the design}. However, I told them that I intended to lock them up in a room until they agreed, promising to arrange to send food into them. I reported to Churchill that I had taken this attitude and he was delighted, saying that he would back me to the limit. The experts had their designs agreed upon and completed within twenty-four hours. So was born what became known as the Morrison table shelter.”
Advertising claimed the shelter was “good for table tennis and it made a find den for children’s games.” It also doubled as a table in many homes.
A concern by many people was being trapped inside the Morrison if a house collapsed during a bombing raid. Hence, families often had an Anderson shelter as well if they had the outside space.
Which shelter would you prefer?
___________________________
Love's Harvest, a modern retelling of the biblical story of Ruth takes place in London during the early part of WWII. The first in my Wartime Brides series, the novella is Permafree on Amazon, Kobo, and Apple Books. Download your copy today.
Noreen Hirsch loses everything including her husband and two sons. Then her adopted country goes to war with her homeland. Has God abandoned her?
Rosa Hirsch barely adjusts to being a bride before she is widowed. She gives up her citizenship to accompany her mother-in-law to her home country. Can Rosa find acceptance among strangers who hate her belligerent nation?
Basil Quincey is rich beyond his wildest dreams, but loneliness stalks him. Can he find a woman who loves him and not his money?
Three people. One God who can raise hope from the ashes of despair.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans for welfare and not calamity, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11 NASB)