West.Heading west.Put the past behind you.Start over. In nose-biting pre-dawn cold, Ray's rap sounded. Out front waited a new wagon. Abby buttoned her wool coat and bonnet, doubled Papa's traveling blanket over her arm with her parasol, and crossed the threshold for the last time. Ray hoisted her trunk as she clambered into the buckboard.He was no gentleman-no surprise to that. Through hushed streets, past Annabelle's house, the silent empty clapboard church, and beyond the new train depot, memories flitted one by one. With each, her heaviness lifted, and out in the countryside west of town, each squeaky turn of the wheels breathed hope.In rhythm with the creaking wheels, words circled through her mind like poetry - Now we are wed... no longer alone... heading west.A fog immersed her. Not an endearing word from him, nor even a kindly touch of his hand.Her husband. *** A sudden light spangled the heavens as if...

1943The world is at war and the outcome is anything but sureIn the heartland, communities like Caroline, Iowa, must bind together to support The Cause. As the war drags on, few families escape paying the untimate price.But the unity of this close-knit community is threatened by a violent death-a murder committed in the basement of the town's beloved Church Street United Brethren. Everyone, including the congregation's handsome new pastor, becomes a suspect.The underpinnings to the mystery delve deep into the town's past... and extend far beyond its border

Distant thunder rolled as Mr. Olsen poured coffee for his customers, and comments crackled like popcorn."Surrender?""Unconditional, he said. Who woulda thought...""Sure ain't lookin' good.""Sure hate to think of 'em bein' prisoners.""Ain't Howard Hannam's son over there?""Yeah, and my brother's boy. Sure hope MacArthur keeps his promise to rescue them fellas."The news was grim in May 1942. The Philippines had fallen to the Imperial Japanese Army. Rommel is on the move in Northern Africa. The Russian Army is pushed back toward Stalingrad. In the sweltering jungles of Corregidor, PFC Stan Ford battles illness and injury as he and his comrades escape and evade a tenacious enemy. And in the Heartland, women mourn the loss of husbands, sons, and sweethearts.While everyone else seems to be doing something to support the troops, Twila Brunner feels lost, and useless. But when she sees a newspaper article about a Prisoner of War...

The Lavender Farm was Gabe's idea. He recalled the lavender fields from his childhood in his native Italy, before he had immigrated to America with his parents. "Oh, the fragrance on a morning mist-heaven come to earth," he had said. "I can't even describe it to you, Lyra. The scent always seemed to me like the first real breath of dawn."Now Gabe was on the battlefield with the 45th Infantry, fighting to free the old country from the fascist dictator, Mussolini. And it was up to his wife, Lyra, to breathe life into Gabe's vision - to coax the hardy lavender plants to take root in the rocky Arizona soil.And just when normal had re-established itself in her household, a knock came at the door. Her mother-in-law had gone to town that morning, so she grabbed baby Luca and clutched him to her chest as she opened the door."Telegram, Ma'am. If you would sign right here, please."Since Gabe left, Lyra had wished for time to flee faster, and now it had brought...

Late Winter, 1943The world is at war with no end in sightAddie Bledsoe and Kate Isaacs, best friends from Iowa, are embroiled in their own private battles. In England, Kate grieves the loss of her pilot husband even as she awaits the birth of their child. Addie makes the dangerous trek across the ocean to be with her friend in her hour of need, much to her abusive husband's ire.With Europe reeling under the heels of the Nazi Wehrmacht the two friends are once again called on separate journeys. Kate is recruited into Britain's Secret Operations Executive (SOE), resulting in a clandestine mission behind enemy lines in occupied France, while Addie wages a war of the heart in war-torn London.Somehow, these heroic Women of the Heartland must find a way to overcome the adversities of the war without, and the war within.

March 3, 1943 - Bethnal Green - London's East EndShortly after a quarter past eight, a siren split the air. Marian Williams lifted her sleeping daughter from her bed and darted down the stairs. Her mother and father-in-law, off on air warden duty, had left the front door unlocked.She hugged her youngest child close. The blackout made the going difficult, but her husband's instructions echoed in her brain: "Whatever you do, get down inside the station fast as you can."She hoped for a spot near the canteen, with access to milk. Uneven light shone over the paved steps. Then she tripped. Her knee hit the concrete, then something bashed her left side. Someone cried out. Another blow scraped her arm on the landing floor. Where was her baby? She attempted to get up, but an even heavier weight slammed her face down. A crushing burden descended, then all went black.Riding in the backs of Army trucks across North Africa, throughout the...

Glenora Keeps Her Heart Under Lock and KeyNo one ever accused Glenora Carson of being a breathtaking beauty. Her talk, gangly figure and angular face are more solid midwestern stock than Hollywood glamour. But Joe liked her. He even told her, "You're the one for me." He gave her a locket with his picture inside, to remind her of him while he was away, serving his country on the U.S.S. Arizona.After December 7, 1941, Glenora shelves her dreams of attending college on the scholarship she was offered by Iowa State University, locks her heart away, and focuses on holding down the home front by helping out the family business – Carson's Garage. The grease-stained overalls didn't do much to compliment her female figure, but they cover her female heart well enough.That is, until Hank Anderson, a wounded warrior back from battle, walks into the garage and into Glenora's life.Is an old maid's future Glenora's fate, or will...

July 7, 1937The Marco Polo Bridge Incident results in a prolonged war between China and Japan.The United States remained neutral.September 1, 1939Germany invades Poland leading Britain and France to declare war on Germany.The United States remained neutral.Over the next 15 months at least 35 nations were embroiled in the Second World War.The United States remained neutral.December 7, 1941 - The Day that will live in InfamyThe Imperial Japanese Navy launched a surprise attack on the U.S. base at Pearl Harbor, killing 2,403 Americans, wounding 1,143, and destroying 18 naval ships including five battleships. The following day the United State declared war on the Empire of Japan. Three days later, the US declared war on Germany and Italy.In Iowa, the Heartland of America, best friends Addie and Kate are embroiled in their own private wars. Kate's pilot husband has gone Missing in Action, and Addie's overbearing and controlling husband vents his rage on her. Somehow, these...

Set in the German Hill Country of Texas during World War II, Land That I Love is a sweeping literary novel of love and loss; friendship and animosity; fathers and sons; and coping during times of war and peace. Yet it is more than a love story. It is about the racism and bigotry that still exist in our world. As author Gail Kittleson's characters struggle with the problems of everyday life, they teach us that we survive hard times by being good neighbors despite our differences and that hatred can be conquered by love, understanding and forgiveness.

After World War II steals her only son and sickness takes her husband, Dottie Kyle begins cooking and cleaning at the local boarding house. The job and small town life allow her to slip into a predictable routine, but her daughters and grandchildren live far away, and loneliness is Dottie's constant companion when she's not working. Al Jensen, Dottie's long-time neighbor, has merely existed since his wife died. Al passes his time working for his son at the town's hardware store. However, he still copes with tragic memories of serving in WWI. Being with Dottie makes him happy, and their friendship grows until, for him, love has replaced friendship. When Dottie's daughter has health issues, will Al's strength and servant's heart be enough to win Dottie's love and affection? Can Dottie's love for her family enable her to face her fear of crowds and enclosed spaces and travel halfway across the country to help the daughter who so desperately needs her?

World War II stole her only son, and sickness took her husband. Her daughters and grandchildren live far away. Little is left for Dottie Kyle beyond cooking and cleaning at the local boarding house and a small town life that allows her to slip into a predictable routine.Loneliness is Dottie's constant companion.Then along came Al Jensen.

Though War Breeds Cruelty and Injustice, Grace Yet Prevails.Southern France - Spring, 1944German panzer units crisscross the region, dealing ruthless reprisals against the French Resistance, and anyone suspected of supporting its efforts. Secret Operations Executive (SOE) agent Kate Isaacs is tasked with providing essential radio communications with the Allies, while her guide, Domingo Ibarra, a Basque shepherd-turned-Resistance fighter, dedicates himself to avenging the destruction of his home and family.Thrown together by the vagaries of war, their shared mission, and common devotion to liberty, the last thing Kate and Domingo anticipate is the stirring of affection that threatens to blossom into love. But how can love survive in the midst of the enemy's relentless cruelty toward innocent citizens?Everything hinges on the success of the Allied Invasion - L'Invasion.