Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Q & A With Susan Meissner, Author of Secrets of a Charmed Life! Plus Giveaway!


I am so excited to be able to share a lovely Q & A with Susan Meissner on the blog today! I just love getting to peek inside the heads of writers and see what inspires them and how they come up with the worlds they write. Be sure to read through to the end and see how you can enter to win a signed paperback copy of Secrets of a Charmed Life, her newest novel coming out February 3rd, 2015!





Susan, tell us where the idea for Secrets of a Charmed Life came from.
 
The story began first as an image in my head of an impoverished girl on the brink of adulthood sketching wedding dresses in the tiny bedroom she shares with a younger half-sister. I could see her in my mind’s eye imagining a life far different from the one she is living. She wants a fairy tale life where love and comfort and happiness are in abundance, and for her, that charmed life begins with a wedding dress worn on that blissful day a girl’s childhood dreams come true. I decided to set her in London at the start of the war because I knew that even for a young woman not yet sixteen, war is a crucible. It is a tester of dreams and desires and determination. I knew the London Blitz was an opposition that would bring out the very best and the very worst in this girl, as war so often does.
 
How would you describe Secrets of a Charmed Life?
 
Like many of my other novels, Secrets of a Charmed Life is historical fiction framed by a contemporary layer that links to a story in the past. An American
college student named Kendra, who is studying abroad at Oxford, interviews Blitz survivor Isabel McFarland just when the elderly woman is ready to give up secrets she has kept all her life – beginning with who she really is. The story then takes the reader to England in 1940. An unprecedented war against London’s civilian population is about to take place and half a million children are evacuated to foster homes in the countryside. Fifteen-year-old Emmy Downtree and her much younger sister Julia find refuge in a charming Cotswold cottage, but Emmy’s burning ambition to return to the city and apprentice with a fashion designer pits her against Julia’s profound need for her sister’s presence. The sisters’ lives are forever changed when—acting at cross purposes—they secretly return to London on the first day of the Blitz.
 
What drew you to include in your story the evacuation of London’s children?
 
 



Prior to researching for this book, I was only minimally aware of what London’s parents did to keep their children safe during World War II. I’d long ago read C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia and I knew the four children in those stories had been sent out of London into the countryside at the start of the war. But I didn’t know that for tens of thousands of children just like them that stay in the countryside lasted for the duration of the war. We’re talking five years. How difficult it must have been for the parents and their kids to be separated from each other – with just occasional visits – for half a decade, and during a time of fear, danger, and deprivation. From a storyteller’s standpoint, the emotional pull of this situation is intense. I knew I wanted to explore what this scenario might have been like for two young sisters.
 
Is this a book about sisters, then?
 
It is that, but it is also a book about mothers and daughters, and other family bonds as they relate to children. The universe of children is rather small – home and family are pretty much their world. They don’t always see how their decisions are impacted by the decision of others, nor do they have much frame of reference for war, which is an especially cruel teacher to a child.
 
What were you most surprised by in your research for Secrets of a Charmed Life?
 
I think many of us who were born after World War II have a limited understanding of what England suffered because there were so many other more shocking situations, like the slaughter of millions of Jews, the occupations of nations like Poland and France, the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the storming at the beach at Normandy, and the Bataan Death March, to name just a few. I didn’t realize the magnitude of what London suffered until I took a closer look. The city was never occupied by Hitler’s forces but it was bombed relentlessly.
Seven of Christopher Wren’s beautiful churches were destroyed, as were thousands upon thousands of homes. More than sixty thousand civilians were killed in the whole of the British Isles. Those are staggering losses. And yet the British people were and are resilient. Their rallying cry of Keep Calm and Carry On (I truly can’t stand trivializations of this motto!) is truly the hallmark of that resiliency. You can go to London’s East End now and see street after street of 1950’s-era buildings, framed by a quiet horizon of much older buildings that the war did not flatten. London, Coventry and the other bombed cities rebuilt what was destroyed and moved on. The memories of the war aren’t in the streets but in the museums, and in national cemeteries, and sometimes, if you look closely enough, in the faces of those who survived it.

 
What would you especially like readers to take away from Secrets of a Charmed Life?
 
The title of this book, which I love, is meant to cause the reader to wonder if there really are secrets to living a life that has happily-ever-after written all over it. The title seems to suggest there are hidden truths to being able to have everything you’ve always wanted. But in actuality, and what I hope readers will take away, is that a happy life is not made up of what you have chased and achieved, but rather who you have poured your life into, who has poured their life into yours, and the difference you’ve made in the lives of others. Most of the dreams we pursue don’t have intrinsic worth, but people always do.  It’s not a perfect world, and we can only play our own hand of cards – if you will – but if we play the hand as best we can with love for others as the motivation, I think we can rest content.  
 
What are you working on right now?
 
My next book is set primarily in Hollywood’s golden age, specifically in 1939 when a treasure trove of timeless movies was released, including the most iconic movie of all time, Gone With The Wind. Two studio secretaries who become friends on the set of this movie forge a tale of love, desire, and survival that hints at the dynamic between the characters Scarlett and Melanie. The contemporary thread features a woman whose vintage clothing shop specializes in updated designs of classic Hollywood fashions. When her version of the infamous Gone With the Wind curtain dress is photographed for a local newspaper, a surprising delivery comes her way that ushers the reader back to old Hollywood and the two studio secretaries who, like Scarlett O’Hara, must decide what they are willing to do to get what they want most. The novel will release in February 2016 and is tentatively titled Stars Over Sunset Boulevard. I’ve always loved the movie Gone With the Wind; the sound track alone can stop me in my tracks. It has been a wonderful experience researching the details of how this film came to be made. Like most unprecedented endeavors, there was plenty of drama!
 
Thank you so much for this wonderful Q & A Susan! Let me just say, as a person who as read and loved Secrets of a Charmed Life, you perfectly captured the horror of the Blitz and the angst and joys Emmy and Julia both felt before and after their fateful return to London after their evacuation to the country. And you have me drooling for Stars Over Sunset Boulevard...Gone with the Wind is my all time favorite movie and I just cannot wait to get my hands on it!
 
Okay, now to the giveaway of one signed paperback copy of Secrets of a Charmed Life. This giveaway is open to US and CAN and the winner will be selected by random on February 2nd (I will announce the winner on the book's release day, February 3rd, 2015).
 
To enter, please leave a question for Susan regarding the book or the above Q & A or let us know your favorite WWII book and why you love it...I am always looking for new books to read!
 
Important: Be sure to leave  your email address so I can reach you if you are selected as the winner (no email address, no entry!). If you are the winner you will have 48 hours to respond to my email with your full  mailing address before I have to pick another winner. 
 
That's it! Good luck everyone!  
 
 
 
 

 
 


44 comments:

  1. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah definitely is on the top of my list at the moment. It's very powerful and shows the Holocaust from the perspective of non-Jews.

    The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult, which is one of the best Holocaust stories ever.

    The Pieces We Keep by Kristina McMorris, which goes between past and present to solve a WWII mystery.

    Thanks!
    mbamster0720 at gmail dot com

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    1. Thanks Melissa! I read The Pieces We Keep and LOVED IT! I have The Storyteller but haven't had a chance to read it yet and The Nightingale is definitely on my wish list.

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  2. What a fascinating and thought provoking post. I enjoyed learning about the author's philosophy and concur. Many wonderful World War 11 novels which are unforgettable and enjoyable even though the subject was difficult. Being Jewish this is important and I read so many. The House at Tyneford by Natasha Solomons was extremely intriguing. The Keeper of Secrets by Julie Thomas. Thanks for this great feature. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Thank you traveler! I have never heard of The Keeper of Secrets but I'm going over to Amazon right now to add it to my wishlist! Thank you so much for stopping by :).

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  3. This captivating post resonated with me since it is profound, meaningful and the novel sounds memorable. The Second World War especially Britain is my favorite era and locale for fiction. When I read fiction set during this period I never forget the trials and tribulations which all the individuals have struggled through. A Thread of Grace by Mary Doria Russell was excellent. A fabulous author. Also Herman Wouk's World War 2 novels which I read many years ago and enjoyed so much and extraordinary. Thanks and best wishes. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Thank you Petite! WWI and WWII Europe have become my favorite time/place to read about lately...I find the struggle and resilience so fascinating. I haven't heard of those books before but I'm off to add them to my wish list...thank you!

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  4. I loved The Things We Cherished by Pam Jenoff.

    walkingcorpse11@hotmail.com

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    1. I haven't read The Things We Cherished yet but I do have it. I read The Winter Guest and loved it so I am sure I will love this one as well. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!

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  5. I was very fortunate to listen to The Nightengale on CDs. If you don't mind waiting, it would be great to get it in audio form from the library. I had no idea about what the conditions where like in WWII when Germany invaded France. If you like sister stories is at the top of the list too.

    Also, Tei, A Memoir at the End of War and the Beginning of Peace makes you aware of what it was like in Korea when the Japanese fled from Korea. I wasn't even aware of that part of WWII. It is based on a real story of a woman and her two sons escaping. It is an unforgetable ordeal that she went through.

    The Auschwitiz Escape is a fictionalized account of true story where some Jews and non Jews did escape. I was reading this book at a doctor's office and the woman beside me asked about it. She knew some of the people who made the escape.

    Also another book to read before or after The Nightengale is A Cool And Lonely Courage: The Untold Story of Sister Spies in Occupied France.

    I read all of the above books in 2014. Each one was very memorable.

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    1. Hi Carol!!! Oh, I've had The Nightingale on my wish list for awhile know but hadn't thought of getting it as an audiobook! I will look into whether my library carries it or see about using it on audible.com (I have a free credit I've been coveting so maybe I'll use it for this :) ).

      I have not heard of the other books but will add them to my wish list. That is fascinating about the woman in the doctor's office knowing some of the escapees...makes for a more personal and important read. Thank you so much for coming by and commenting!!

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    2. I also have THE NIGHTINGALE on my TBR list!

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  6. hi i have this on my wishlist! Were you always interested in WWII? thanks for the chance to win!

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    1. HI Charlene! I'll let Susan know there's a question for her so she can come and answer for you :). Also be sure to give me your email address so I can contact you if you are the winner of the book!

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    2. Thanks for your question! I am a hugely interested in the period of time between 1900 and 1950 as so many pivotal events took place in those fifty years, WW2 being one of them. I will likely write about this war again sometime, but my next novel (2016) is set primarily in 1939 in Hollywood - a great year for Hollywood. It was actually one of the last great years for Hollywood as the war and TV would change everything.

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  7. When I was growing up, my favorite books were the Molly books by Valerie Tripp of the American Girl Series. In the fourth book, "Happy Birthday, Molly!" her family takes in a child from England to live with them. She gives the family a taste of what it was like to live in an area that truly had to use bomb shelters and not just practice, and other hard things. I'm excited to read Susan's new book. My email is sappster@sherbtel.net

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    1. Hi Jennifer! I haven't read any of the American Girl books but I have a friend who's daughter is obsessed with American Girl dolls! This might be a nice book to get her that would not only be associated with the dolls she likes but would teach her a little history. Thanks for the suggestion and comment!

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  8. I do love Evelyn Waugh's Sword of Honour trilogy. It is sharp and critical and interesting to read a generation or two removed from the chaos of war. Secrets of a Charmed Life looks like like a wonderful read - and that cover is gorgeous :).
    Thanks so much for the giveaway and congratulations to you Susan!
    tiffanyannbutton[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. Thank you for stopping by, Tiffany! I haven't heard of the Sword of Honour trilogy but I will check it out for sure!

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  9. Michelangelo in Ravensbruck is a true story of the life of the author,Karolina Lanckoronska. Born into a wealthy, aristocratic family, she was an art professor in a university when Poland was invaded.She worked for the Polish resistance and was imprisoned in Ravensbruck. There, she tried to keep up morale among her fellow prisoners, by starting secret lessons in art, hence the title. She was able to get out of the prison and continue to fight the Nazis. She died a few years ago at the age of 104.She bequeathed her family's enormous art collection to her beloved Poland, after her homeland became free from communism and Soviet domination during the Revolutions of 1989.What made this story really poignant to me, was when I learned an aunt of my mother's cousin fought in the same unit. He showed me his aunt's badge, that they wore.
    Thank you for the giveaway.

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  10. Hi Denise! What an exceptional story...I haven't read Michelangelo in Ravensbruck yet but I do have it on my wish list. It sounds amazing and how amazing that your relative fought in the same unit...she must have been exceptionally brave! Please comment with your email address if you would like to me entered in the giveaway. Thanks for stopping by!

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  11. This story sounds wonderful and I love the message that the author wants us to take away from the story. My favorite read involving WWII is The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton. k3kdpv at gmail dot com

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    1. Oh Kimberly, I LOVED The Secret Keeper!! I have all of Kate Morton's books but haven't had the chance to read them all yet...but The Secret Keeper I read and couldn't put it down. Thank you so much for coming by and commenting!

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  12. My favorite WWII book is The Bronze Horseman. My email is reeskarae@yahoo.com. Thx for the giveaway

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    1. I haven't read The Bronze Horseman but I will look into that one. Thank you so much for stopping by, Laurice!

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  13. My fave WWII novel would be The Book Thief. I'm looking forward to reading Secrets of a Charmed Life. Susan is a SoCal author. : )

    SuzyQ4PR(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. I LOVED The Book Thief!! Cried my eyes out with that one :)! Thank you so much for stopping by, Suzy!

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  14. Hi Colleen, thanks for this feature and giveaway! I've never heard of this book before now, but I know the author is supposed to be a very fine writer. Please include me in the giveaway draw: shamy at post dot harvard dot edu

    I don't know if you have read this one already, but I'm sure you must have heard of it: The Gods of Heavenly Punishment by Jennifer Cody Epstein. I read it last year, and though I found the ending underwhelming, the story was a standout. There are several scenes, as it were, in the book that are burned into my memory...Epstein is a phenomenal storyteller.

    Right around the same time, I read a mystery novel covering the immediate post-WWII period that I thought was even better than Epstein's book when considered on the whole: A Commonplace Killing by Sian Busby. I think it's an excellent work, and it just happens it was crafted by the author as she was dying of cancer(!!!) Yeah, really. Cheers and thanks again, Kara S

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    1. Hi KAS!! Thanks for stopping by! Susan is one of my all time favorite authors so I hope you give her try. And if you win the giveaway you can start with this book :)!

      I have heard wonderful things about The Gods of Heavenly Punishment but I haven't read it yet. I went over to Amazon to add it to my wish list and do you know they had the paperback on sale for $1.79?!!! I couldn't believe it! So in about 2 days I will own a copy ;)!

      I haven't heard of A Commonplace Killing but I have added it to my wish list. How sad that it was written while the author was dying! But I'm excited to read it as it sounds wonderful. Thanks so much for commenting and good luck with the giveaway!

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  15. Susan's new book sounds wonderful. The evacuation of children during the War must have been so heart-wrenching for all involved. Another novel I really enjoyed from WWII involves young women as well, Elizabeth Wein's Code Name Verity. It was very powerfully told story. Thanks!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. I completely agree, the thought of those children being separated from their parents without knowing when they would see them again, even if it was for the best of reasons, is just heart breaking to me. I can't even imagine doing that! I actually have Code Name Verity but haven't read it yet though I'm excited to. Thanks for the suggestion and good luck!

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  16. Grand Central: Original Stories of Postwar Love and Reunion :)

    flashlightreader(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Yay, hi Erin :)!! I have Grand Central and am so excited to get the change to read it! I just wish I didn't have to sleep so I could get to it quicker...I am not the fastest reader out there :)! Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment and share the giveaway online!!!

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  17. I've enjoyed many of the titles previously mentioned but Sarah Jio's THE BUNGALOW is one of my all-time favorites. I read it in one sitting.

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    1. I've read two of Sarah Jio's books and loved both of them!! I haven't read The Bungalow yet but I do have it on my wish list and am so excited to read it (I seem to say that a lot :) ). Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting! Be sure to give me your email address so I can enter you in the giveaway!

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  19. My favorite WWII book (other than The Diary of Anne Frank) is Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys. The highly acclaimed novel follows a Lithuanian family as they're taken from their home by the Nazis and put on a train to Siberia with hundreds (thousands?) of other Lithuanians. This heartwrenching book focuses on the triumph of the human spirit, even in the most nightmarish of situations, and will stay with you long after you've read the last page. Definitely recommend it! kmcelroy123@aol.com

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    1. Hi Kirsten!! The Diary of Anne Frank is essential reading for anyone interested in WWII and the atrocities of the Nazis and I will always remember reading that one when I was younger. And I actually have Between Shades of Grey and cannot wait to read it. It sounds phenomenal! Thank you so much for commenting and good luck!

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  20. Thanks for the chance to win Secrets of a Charmed Life, it looks like a wonderful story. My personal favorite WWII book is non-fiction, The Damned Engineers by Kentucky author Janice Holt Giles. It's the story of her husband Henry's battalion at the Battle of the Bulge. An excellent true-life story. Thanks again. carlscott(at)prodigy(dot)net(dot)mx

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    1. Hi Carl, thank you so much for stopping by! I have never heard of The Damned Engineers but I will definitely be looking into finding that one. Although I've read a few I haven't read that many nonfiction books set during WWII so I really need to do so. Good luck in the giveaway!

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  21. I love the cover & I cannot wait to read it!!!
    what can we expect next from Susan?!?!?!?
    thank you for the giveaway!!

    cyn209 at juno dot com

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    1. Isn't it a beautiful cover?! Her next book is going to be set in the golden age of Hollywood and surrounding the making of Gone with the Wind. Let me tell you I am so excited!! Thanks for stopping by!

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  22. My favorite is actually 2 books I read last year The Butterfly and The Violin & Saving Amelie - they were both written about the Nazi era.

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    1. I've heard of both of these - although I haven't had the chance to read either yet - and they both sound wonderful! Thanks for the recommendations Sharon!

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  23. I really liked The Butterfly & the Violin ;)

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