Thanks for swinging by for a stop in the blog tour in honor of the launch of WWII, when Germany invaded Poland. Be sure to read to the end for the questions you’ll need to be entered in the grand prize of eight books plus a separate giveaway for a copy of my WWII novel Shadowed by Grace.
For my offering in this tour, I’ve created a prequel to my novella in Where Treetops Glisten. In this you’ll see how the heroine of White Christmas learns about the invasion. I hope you enjoy! It was such fun to come back to Abigail Turner and imagine how she would have reacted to the news.
Prequel to Where Treetops Glisten
Classes dragged all afternoon as Abigail Turner shifted from room to room. It might be September 1st, but she’d rather be about anywhere but sitting in classes. The weather still whispered to her the refrain of freedom and summer, while the calendar yelled the reality of school and drudgery.
Finally the bell rang signaling the end of the day. She grabbed her bag and cardigan and joined the flow of students racing out of the old high school.
She waved good bye to a couple classmates, but instead of heading home, she turned west and walked downtown. The many shops didn’t grab her attention. She wanted a fountain cherry Coke and a few minutes with Father. Today hadn’t been one of his days in court, so maybe she’d be able to do her homework in his extra office and walk home with him.
At the corner of Sixth and Main her steps took her to the door of Glatz’ Candies. One day she’d work here making the candy and drinks she loved. She just had to convince her parents that a job would give her a little independence. The long glass case revealed row after row of sweets, but Abigail bypassed them. Today she just wanted a Coke. She could read her history text while waiting.
A low murmur filled the room. It went beyond the normal post school flow of people. Instead there was a stiffness and almost harried undertone to the words. Abigail flashed a smile at the young woman behind the cash register. “A cherry Coke, please.”
Hannah Morris’ return smile was fleeting. “You’re usual on such a day, Abigail?”
“What do you mean?”
“You haven’t heard?” An eyebrow quirked as Hannah grabbed a glass and filled it with ice.
“I must not have.”
“One of the reporters from across the street ran over not ten minutes ago with the word that Germany’s invaded Poland.”
Abigail turned the words over in her mind. The summer had been filled with talk of Germany, but she wasn’t quite sure why this mattered so.
Then someone bumped into her shoulder. She knew without turning it must be Sam. A year ahead of her at school, he was a senior and ready to tackle the world like he tackled men on the football field. “It only means we’re that much closer to entering the war.”
“But we have no treaty with Poland.” That’s what always confused Abigail. Everyone seemed to jump from small countries in Europe to the United States joining in.
Sam’s grin didn’t reach his brilliant blue eyes. “No, but England and France do. Mark my words, once England is attacked we’ll throw in with them.”
As Hannah handed her the finished drink, Abigail followed Sam to a booth. Others crowded in around them, an edge of excitement in their voices. Yet all she could think of was the families in the way of the Germans. God help them all.
Giveaway Details
For a chance to win ALL EIGHT novels featured on our blog tour, please visit each blog, collect the answers to the questions, and enter the Rafflecopter giveaway on the BLOG TOUR PAGE. The contest opens September 1, 2014 at 6 am EST and closes September 6, 2014 at 11 pm PST. The winners will be announced on Monday, September 8, 2014.
To win the prize of ALL EIGHT books, you must collect ALL EIGHT answers. The winner must be prepared to send ALL EIGHT answers within 24 hrs of notification by email, or a new winner will be selected.
You can enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway once each day! The more often you visit, the more entries you receive! However, you only need to enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway once to be entered. But don’t forget…to win, you must have collected ALL EIGHT answers.
Question from Cara’s Post: Where does Abigail Turner want to work? (Keep the answer, but don’t answer in the comments). If you win the grand prize, you’ll need the answers from each post in the tour!)
Be sure to go to the BLOG TOUR PAGE to enter the grand prize: one of each WWII novel from eight authors. And you can enter below for a copy of Shadowed by Grace or Where Treetops Glisten. Good Luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Comments 74
Pingback: Eight Christian fiction authors band together to commemorate WWII.
Would love to win this book! Thanks for the contest!!
By the way, the title is soooo intriguing!
O COme o Come Emmanuel
How fun to read about a younger Abigail 🙂
Favorite Christmas Carol would be “Hark the Herald”
Oh my…must pick up this book now! Sounds so good!
I enjoy and love many Christmas carols, but my favorite would probably be “Silent Night”, though “Little Drummer Boy” comes in a very close second. 🙂
Thank you for both giveaways and the lovely, fun blog tour!
Blessings!
Kelly
Author
Thanks so much for stopping by, ladies. Such fun to read about your favorite carols! I’m ready to turn some on while I clean!
I have always loved Silent Night and Silver Bells.
Author
Those are fun songs.
Silent Night
I do enjoy Mary Did You Know but O Holy Night reminds me most of Christmas… Thanks for the blog tour, so interesting…
Author
I’ve loved reading the posts, too, Deanna!
I love White Christmas, Silver Bells, Silent Night, Carol of the Bells. Really, I love almost all Christmas carols.
Author
Amy, I am much the same way!
I love Silent Night. Thanks for offering your book and participating in the giveaway!
my favorite would probably be “Silent Night.Thank you for both giveaways
Author
Emma, thanks for taking part!
Do You Hear What I Hear? is my favorite
Author
I love the concept behind that carol.
Oh it is totally “Away in a Manger.” Love that one. “Silent Night” is also close to my heart. 🙂 I sang that in our first grade Christmas pageant. 🙂 Thank you for the chance.
Author
That is such a great song!
Thank you for the opportunity to win. This sounds like an amazing story! I love reading about Christmas in world war two. There is an extra meaning to Christmas when you’re in the middle of a war.
I have a love/hate relationship with Christmas. My father passed away a week before Christmas when I was 14, so sometimes I’m not the most cheerful at that time of the year. However, I love Christmas music and books that take place during it. I’m one of those people would can listen to Christmas music all year round. My favorite carols are probably Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” and “I’ll be Home for Christmas.”
Silent Night
One of my favorite Christmas carols is White Christmas. I like most Christmas carols.
Grandma got run over by a reindeer 🙂
I especially like “Come On Ring Those Bells” because it is so joyful.
“What Child is This?” If a Christmas album doesn’t have it, then I might not be willing to buy it!
thank you for sharing Cara and being part of the blog tour. I would say my favorite Christmas carol is Away in a Manger.
grandma got rain over by a reideer
My favorite Christmas carols are “Angels from the Realms of Glory” and “Angels we have Heard on High.”
Love the WW2 blog tour!
Silent Night is my favorite Christmas carol.
It was very nice to meet you at the Whiteland library. I enjoyed your talk and stories very much.
Author
George, it was great to meet you, too! Thanks for stopping by!
Silent Night is my favorite Christmas Carol
One of my favorite is What Child is This?
I’ll Be Home for Christmas
This story begins like stories my aunt told me! I am excited to see a book that will likely take me back to a few years before I was born. Thank you for being part of this commemoration!
Author
Thanks for stopping by, Sharon! It was fun to dive into Abigail’s experience with the war.
Let it Snow and White Christmas
Jingle bell rock
Looking forward to this book–love Christmas collections set during WW2! Thanks for the prequel.:)
Hmmm . . . my favorite Christmas Carol is The First Noel. Thanks so much!!!
My favorite Christmas carol is Silent Night. Thank you for offering a copy of your book. I love reading Christmas books over the holiday season.
I think my two favorite Christmas carols are “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” and “Go Tell it on the Mountain”. Thanks for this giveaway and the whole Blog Tour. It is interesting to read all the different stories about WWII.
Joy to the World is my favorite Christmas Carol. I think it is a vivid reminder of what our hearts can be full of as we think of Christ entry into our world and why.
Author
That’s such a great point, Sharon.
“Some Children See Him” is my favorite Christmas song.
Author
I’ve never heard of that song, Tami. I’ll need to go find it since I love Christmas music!
I would love to win this book and the tour’s books. Love your books too.
Author
Thanks, Connie!
Sorry, I meant to say it’s definitely hot out here 🙂 Thanks so much for the giveaway!
Author
Thanks for coming by, Irene!
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Best question ever! I love Christmas! 🙂 My favorite is O Come, O Come Emmanuel.
My favorite Christmas carol is Joy to the World!
Oh Holy Night and It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen has always been my favorite Christmas carol since I was a little girl 🙂 Thank you for taking part in the giveaway!
Angels We Have Heard on High. I look forward to reading this book. I love all things WWII and add in Christmas to get a perfect combination!
Author
There’s something special about that time period. Love writing during it.
Oh Come All Ye Faithful
How fun! I love so many Christmas carols, it’s hard to choose! But one of my all-time favorites is “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day”; the line about God not being dead or asleep gets me every time. =) And I also love “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”.
Author
It’s almost an unfair question. So many good choices. Love “I Heard the Bells.”
My favorite carol is “Joy To The World”.
Do you hear what I hear but only when sung by Bing Cosby:)
Author
I love Bing Crosby! Such a classic voice.
“Oh Holy Night” and “Bethlehem Morning” Your book looks so good Cara! One of the members in a group I’m in was the first to show me your book cover, she’s one of your Reviewer’s.
Author
How fun, Denise! Love Oh Holy Night, too.
I’d love to read his book!
Oops, just saw the part about the Christmas carol. My favorite is “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly.”
Author
Thanks for stopping by!
I have already read a lot of WW2 books and I would love to read this one! But it’s not easy to read a book that isn’t written in in your mother tongue…
Author
I’m so glad you found us. I would love to visit your country someday!
Definitely nothing represents Christmas better to me than Silent Night, in German!
I really enjoy the angel carols, especially when sung all in a row – Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Angels from Their Realms of Glory, and Angels We have Heard on High.