I was introduced to this amazing photograph by James R. Benn, a fellow World War II novelist and author of the Billy Boyle World War II series, and a new novel, Souvenir.
Isn't it amazing? According to Jim, it's a bombed library at Holland House, Kensington, London, 1940.
The people of England inspire me so much, especially those in London. How they continued to "keep on" was an inspiration to everyone around the world.
ReplyDeleteYes! Or "KPO" — "Keep Plodding On" as Winston Churchill would say.... (To the the ladies - the men heard "KBO" or "Keep Buggering On."_
ReplyDeleteI posted this picture on Pinterest with all appropriate credits and links! Gotta question for you. My husband is reading Mr. Churchill's Secretary at the moment (I reviewed it for Curled up with a Good Book) and he was wondering if the Churchill dialog was accurate, or your representation of what Churchill might have said.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for #2!
Some of the quotes are Churchill's and some are my representations. If you tell me the line, I can most likely tell you if it's fictional or not!
DeleteBook #2, Princess Elizabeth's Spy, will be published on Ovtober 16, 2012 - not too long to wait. And I'm under contract on books #3 and #4, so Maggie Hope's adventures will continue!
I only told DH the first part of your response - I could just see him wanting to know, line by line! One of the greatest things about my 38 year marriage - we share the same books and talk about them! :) Thanks for your quick response... Hurry up October!
DeleteHahahaha, ok, just off the top of my head, the speeches are all his, of course. The conversation about the gun muzzles, size large, is his. "I can boil an egg, I've seen it done." is his. The conversation with Maggie Hope about Hope/Holmes is close a conversation he had recounted by his wartime secretary Marian Holmes (my small tribute to Miss Holmes, whom Mr. Churchill nicknamed Miss Sherlock). I think everything else is mine!
DeleteI am also looking for some thought provoking book club questions for Princess Elizabeth's Spy. I enjoyed the book and feel we could have a great discussion at book club on Tuesday. Can you post a few questions anyone could use for discussion?
DeleteShari
Hi Shari, thanks for your interest in Princess Elizabeth's Spy. Here are a few I like to get people thinking about the time period....
Delete1) If you were a woman in wartime Britain what job would you volunteer to do? If you were a man?
2) What would be the hardest part of rationing for you?
3) The Royal Family kept to Wartime rules strictly, while Winston Churchill did not (for example, rationing food, hot bathwater, etc.) If you were a British citizen during the war, how would you feel about this discrepancy?
Hope this helps!
KBO — Susan
Do you have questions that can be used for a book group discussions? I am leading a discussion for my book group and usually can find questions in the book or online, but I haven't seen any for this book. I really enjoyed it and look forward to reading other adventures of Maggie Hope.
ReplyDeleteHi DJ, thank you for your interest! As far as I know, there aren't any "official" book group discussion questions from Bantam, but I'm happy to brainstorm a few, if you'd like. Please let me know what I can do to help your book group!
DeleteYou will probably not receive this note in time, but if you do have some Book Club questions could you email them to me. We meet usually on the 3rd Wed. but this month we have to meet a week earlier. It is a good book for Women as we are all of a certain age and times were different for us growing up than is the case today. I know we will have some topics. We were all born around the time of WWII but too young to really know much from History Books.
DeleteHi Sarirose,
ReplyDeleteWhat's your email?
S.
Hello! I'm doing this for my book group and I would love discussion questions if you have them! My work email it bollandg@einetwork.net. Thank you so much, I really look forward to discussing the book with my group!
ReplyDeleteHello Poshknits! Am I in time to help you with any questions? So sorry, I've been traveling and away from the computer..... If you're still interested in brainstorming some questions, please email me!
DeleteHello, I'm trying to track down more information on this photo (such as who took it and where it's archived) so I can use it in my classroom. I'd appreciate any help!
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Sabrina
Hi tsarcasm (love the name!)
ReplyDeletePlease contact author James Benn (the author of the fantastic Billy Boyle World War II series) for more information: http://www.jamesrbenn.com/
Thanks,
Susan
Hi Susan,
ReplyDeleteIt's my turn to choose a book for book club and I have chosen this one for July! I was hoping that I could be included in the brainstorming for poignant and thought provoking questions? My email address is viveur@gmail.com.
Hi Kristy,
ReplyDeleteI'll email you directly!
S.