Author Interview (and a Giveaway!): Pat Jeanne Davis & When Valleys Bloom Again

Please join me in welcoming Pat Jeanne Davis to the blog today, to chat about her debut novel When Valleys Bloom Again

PAT JEANNE DAVIS has published essays, short stories and articles online and in print. She has a keen interest in mid-twentieth-century American and British history, particularly the period of World War II. Pat’s father-in-law served in the British Eighth Army during the war. When Valleys Bloom Again is her debut historical romance set in that era.

She lives in Philadelphia, PA with her British-born husband, John, and four cats. They have two grown sons, one living at home. She enjoys flower gardening, genealogy research and traveling with her husband. She is a volunteer in the nursery at the church she attends and at the local chapter of MOP’s. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and the Historical Novel Society. Pat loves to hear from her readers. Subscribe to her newsletter here: www.patjeannedavis.com

You can connect with Pat on her website, Facebook, and Pinterest.

As war approaches in 1939, Abby Stapleton’s safety is under threat. Her father, a British diplomat, insists she go back to America until the danger passes. Abby vows to return to her home in London—but where is home? With her family facing mortal danger so far away and feeling herself isolated, she finds it hard to pray or read the Bible. Did she leave God behind in war-torn London too? Abby becomes friendly with Jim, a gardener on her uncle’s estate.

Jim can’t get Abby out of his mind. Did she have a sweetheart in England? Was it foolish to think she’d consider him? He curses his poverty and the disgrace of his father’s desertion and drunkenness haunts him. Can he learn to believe in love for a lifetime and to hope for a happy marriage?

Abby couldn’t know the war would last a long time, nor that she would fall in love with Jim—soon to be drafted by the US Army—or that she’d have to confront Henri, a rejected suitor, determined by his lies to ruin her reputation and destroy her faith in God’s providence. Will she discover the true meaning of home and find happiness with Jim?

Hi Pat! Welcome to the blog!

Pat: I’ve had cats all my life. They give me so much pleasure in return for so little. Until two years ago, I had a mother and daughter. Then my son moved back home, bringing his two cats. These are both indoor and outdoor cats and don’t require much attention. We love all four.

Abby, the heroine in When Valleys Bloom Again had a cat named Gulliver. Unfortunately, when she left England for America Gulliver couldn’t travel with her. 

Carrie: I’m not a cat fan but i do feel badly for poor Gulliver :-/

Pat: Netflix. I enjoy historical fiction drama and can find those films more easily on Netflix.

Carrie: that’s true

Pat: I enjoy all kinds of soups, especially in cold weather. Many times when out for lunch, I get the soup and salad bar only because of the wide selection of soups there.

Carrie: me too! And now i want to track a restaurant that still has one of those…Yum.

Pat: I prefer to hold a paperback in my hands while reading. I can see all the novels on my bookshelves as I write, reminding me of the pleasure I received from reading them.

Carrie: I definitely still buy my faves in paperback for that very reason!

Q: Around here I like to say that reading is my superpower. If YOU had a superpower, what would it be?

Pat: I’m able to make a satisfying cup of tea. The ritual around brewing and serving tea I learned from my British hubby.

In one scene in my novel, Abby considers the possibility of reading the tea leaves in the bottom of her cup to know what the future holds for her. Instead, she abandons that idea and turns to God in prayer. What an incredible power we would have if we had perfect trust in the One who holds the future and always possessed an awareness of God’s abiding presence.

Carrie: Amen to that!

Q: What is your favorite book character from childhood?

Pat: The first book I can remember that I selected on my own and one that’s left a lasting impression is Lorna Doone. Lorna is the heroine in a romantic story set on the wild moors in the English West Country during the late 17^th Century. She and John triumphed over seemingly insurmountable obstacles to achieve their happily-ever-after. On my first trip to England, I visited Exmoor on a damp, gray, and menacing day. A near perfect setting for the story as I remembered it. As we drove into Exmoor National Park and through the wild moors and watched the wild ponies, I could visualize some of the scenes from the book and more recently the film made in 2000 based on the book.

Carrie: I’ve always wanted to read that one and have not yet had the chance to do so.

Q: Writing spaces are as diverse as authors and books. Where is your favorite space to write?

Pat: The table in our breakfast room as the sun is streaming through the large glass doors and later in the day to watch the setting sun. Weather permitting I can open the doors and listen to the birds singing. All the while sharing the room with Cinnamon and Ginger, our two female cats, as they sleep on chairs close to mine.

Carrie: I love those names for your cats!

Q: How would your characters describe you as an author?

Pat: My characters would probably say I’m a slow and deliberate writer, intent on doing justice to them in telling their story with truthfulness and with compassion.

Carrie: I bet they love you 🙂

Q: What surprised you about your book or your characters as you wrote When Valleys Bloom Again?

Pat: The antagonist was not as insensitive and selfish as he first appeared to be. That underneath he was lonely and insecure and the product of an unhappy and troubled home life.

Carrie: There’s always more to someone’s story than we first see, isn’t there?

Q: Were there any songs that inspired you as you wrote When Valleys Bloom Again?

Pat: I often listened to a very popular song in England during WWII titled, “They’ll be Bluebirds Over (The White Cliffs of Dover),” sung by Vera Lynn. The words to this song express the longing for war to end, peace for the world, and for life to return to normal. I was also inspired by the words to a popular love song titled, “I’ll be Seeing You,” sung by Frank Sinatra with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. This song meant so much to my hero and heroine during those long years of separation when he was away fighting to make the world free.

Carrie: I love that you listened to songs from that period!

Q: What do you most want readers to take away from {YOUR BOOK}?

Pat: That with faith in Christ and submission to God’s will, we can be hopeful and steadfast in purpose during times of distress and conflict.

Carrie: Amen ♥

Thank you so much for taking time to talk with me! 🙂 Before we say goodbye for today, tell us what‘s coming up next for you.

Pat: Finishing a novel titled, To Pursue a Passion. This is the story of Marcella, a young woman from a respected and wealthy family, who—defying the social expectations of her father and her intended in marriage—takes up the cause of the suffragists in getting votes for women and works in a settlement house, becoming a voice for social reform for women and children among the newly arriving immigrants. In doing so, she places her life in danger from a corrupt politician.

Pat Jeanne Davis is giving away a print copy of When Valleys Bloom Again to one of my readers! (US only) This giveaway is subject to Reading Is My SuperPower’s giveaway policies which can be found here. Enter via the Rafflecopter form below.

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What about you? Do you have an older song that you love, like the songs that inspired Pat as she wrote her novel?