Amsterdam and the Canadians

As I continue to work on my WWII book, I had to know who liberated Amsterdam.  It was the Canadians.  I spent a lot of time on websites concerning the subject.  The Anne Frank website is if filled with information.

It touched my heart to see how the Dutch remember their liberators. In school, the children are taught about the men who fought to free the city.  And they carefully tend the cemetery where all those men who never made it back home lie.
http://www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/2063900/GROESBEEK%20CANADIAN%20WAR%20CEMETERY

The Blitz

I am spending time in WWII London.  The English have my admiration for their toughness.  They wouldn't buckle under the onslaught of the Luffwaffe.  We can't even comprehend what they endure.  The citizens would spend the night in air raid shelters and then have to get up the next day and go to work.  Many had to walk, since transportation was spotty.

In the midst of this terror, St Paul Cathedral stood as a beacon to the Londoners.  It suffered no damage. On Sept 12, 1940, a time-delayed bomb that struck cathedral didn't go off and the Royal engineers where able to defuse it.

So, if the midst of chaos, God is there.

New Beginnings

We're 3 weeks into the new year, and I've not been good about blogging, but I have been good about writing.  I finished Captain Brenda's book and turned it in to my editor at Steeple Hill.  Now, I'm writing my WWII book and learning all sorts of things. 

Did you know that the Australians had their own Pearl Harbor when the Japanese bombed  Darwin?  It came Feb.19, 1942-- 10 weeks after Pearl Harbor and the air attack was in the morning like Pearl Harbor.  By the time the attack was over 8 ships (including an American destroyer), 22 aircraft, dozens of buildings leveled and more than 240 people died.

I've also run into little questions.  Where did you apply for a ration card?  Where was the UPI office in London?  Where was the Dutch embassy?

I'll find the answers.  I'm making my list and will be checking it twice.  If any of you knows, please comment.  


(Churchill and PM John Curtin)

Merry Christmas

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas.  We ended up iced in and ate all the goodies that I made to take to the family dinner.  We'll be eating Cherry dessert I made for awhile.  And the cheese appetizer I made we'll also work on.

I am excited for this new year.  My project for the next few months is a WWII book that will come out in the Summer of 2014.  The series will be with B&H Publishing.  There will be a series of WWII books, but each will be written by a different author.  My book will be set in the Netherlands and England. More later.

I also will have a book out with Love Inspired.  In Redemption Ranch there was a female captain who was injured and was at the ranch to regain strength.  Well, I've finished her book and I'll let everyone know when her story will be out.

I pray this year will be a good one for you.
Leann

My prayer

With what happened in Connecticut all our hearts are sad.  It is beyond understanding.  It is my prayer the God will wrap each family, victims and survivors, in His tender love.   He can comfort them in ways we can't understand.  Please join me in prayer.

Brenda's story is finished.

Some of the best time a writer has is when they finish writing a book.  I finished Captain Brenda Kaye's story on Tuesday.  I did a happy dance, then sent the manuscript to my proofer.  There is no way I could turn a book in without another person reading it.  Most writers need another set of eyes to look over the book, but with me, well, it's twice as bad.

I met the lady who does my proofing when I was in Bonham at their library doing a reading.  Bonham has organized a day in Feb. when they invite local writers to come and talk.  The ladies there bring a dish and feed us all.  It is a wonderful day.  Meeting readers is a highlight.  And I love going there.  That's where I met my proofer and she's been doing it for me for several years.  She's a jem.

Season of Thanksgiving

Leann here. I hope y'all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  My son-in-law cooked the turkey this year and did a wonderful job.  Our numbers were somewhat reduced due to my mom and sister-in-law weren't feeling well.  But we had a wonderful time.  Thanksgiving is probably my favorite holiday.  It has not been commercialized.  It is a time for giving thanks.  And what I enjoy the most about turkey day is turkey sandwiches with dressing and cranberries on it.  It is the best.

What is your favorite part of Thanksgiving?