Character Spotlight ~ Tricia Goyer & Ocieanna Fleiss' Rosalie Matthews

Rosalie

Tricia Goyer & Ocieanna Fleiss pair up again to write another historical romance in the Love Finds You line from Summerside. This time around it is the 1940s, during the height of WWII, when love blooms between an unlikely pair.

Enjoy this insight into Rosalie:~

Brief physical description

Have you seen the picture of Rosie the Riveter with the brown hair peeking past her bandana, a flexed bicep, blue jumper, and tough look? That’s pretty much our Rosalie, although she doesn’t grimace quite like that. I don’t think we purposely painted her to match the icon. It just sorta happened.

Actor/famous person

Early on we discussed a young Rita Hayworth, which definitely fits. But I have to admit, after watching His Girl Friday, I couldn’t help but imagine Rosalind Russell as our Rosalie. And her name even goes with it!

Strengths and weaknesses

Our Rosalie has a big heart! At one point in the story, Rosalie volunteers at the USO, collects pantyhose and old tires for the war effort, works to restore an old house, takes in ladies who have no place to live, helps a wounded soldier, and works to recruit more ladies to work at the plant. Phew! Rosalie can’t stop herself from working for victory. Like so many of the real Rosie the Riveters, she’s also strong, smart, and determined.

As is often the case, Rosalie’s strengths also represent her weaknesses. She tends to take too much on (gee, do you think?) and her powerful personality can lend itself to struggles with bouts of anger. She’s also terribly afraid of public speaking. As her path progresses, her new faith tempers some of this and she begins to find her hope in Christ rather than herself.

Quirk (if any)

Our girl likes to swing dance! The Lindy Hop, Jitterbug, Charleston—her dancing is one of the traits that drew Kenny (the hero) to her.

Your inspiration for the character

We were so impressed by the real Rosie the Riveters we read about, and then when we interviewed five of them (one who’s a stand-up comedienne at age 81) our admiration grew. We tried to capture at least a hint of their strength, sacrifice, and patriotism in Rosalie.

Background to the story

Many of the events, descriptions, locations, slang, music, movies etc. sprang from the period’s true history. As you’re reading, if you wonder, “Did this really happen?” chances are they did. (Note: You can find a list of some of the real history behind Love Finds You in Victory Heights, Washington www.ocieanna-ohistory.com) on Ocieanna’s blog.

The Second World War has stolen Rosalie’s fiancé from her. But rather than wallow, Rosalie throws herself into her work at the Boeing plant in Seattle, shooting rivets into the B-17 bombers that will destroy the enemy. A local reporter dubs her “Seattle's Own Rosie the Riveter,” and her story lends inspiration to women across the country.

While Rosalie’s strong arms can bear the weight of this new responsibility, her heart cannot handle the intense feelings that begin to surface for Kenny, the handsome reporter. Fear of a second heartbreak is a powerful opponent—but will it claim victory over love?

Thanks so much ~ what a great insight into Rosalie and women's contribution to the war effort!

On Monday we head to the Vietnam War with a spotlight on John Aubrey Anderson's Bill Mann from his military thriller, The Cool Woman

Relz Reviewz Extras

Review of Love Finds You in Lonesome Prairie, Montana

Character spotlight on Julia Cavanaugh

Visit Tricia's website and blog

Buy Tricia & Ocieanna's books at Amazon or Koorong

Coming soon from Summerside Press

Summerside Press continues to impress with the authors it is attracting to its Love Finds You line of historical and contemporary romance line. July sees the following releases. Enjoy!




Love Finds you in Victory Heights, Washington by Tricia Goyer and Ocieanna Fleiss

When World War II robs Rosalie of her fiance, she throws herself into her work at the Boeing aircraft plant in Victory Heights.

A local newspaper dubs her "Seattle's Own Rosie the Riveter," and her story becomes an inspiration to women across America. Rosalie can handle that---but what about her feelings for the handsome reporter?











Love Finds You in Calico, California by Elizabeth Ludwig

Hearing news of a silver strike, spunky seamstress Abigail Watts packs up her needles and thread---and follows her father out West. But she soon finds herself alone and pressed into a marriage of convenience.

When she uncovers the truth behind her father's mysterious death, will she leave the town---and her husband---for good?

Love Finds You in Lonesome Prairie, Montana by Tricia Goyer & Ocieanna Fleiss

Julia Cavanaugh has never left New York City.

But in 1890, the young woman must head west to ensure that the orphans under her care are settled into good families. After her final stop in Montana, she plans to head straight back east. But upon arriving in the remote town of Lonesome Prairie, Julia learns to her horror that she is also supposed to be delivered—into the hands of an uncouth miner who carries a bill of purchase for his new “bride.” She turns to a respected circuit preacher to protect her from a forced marriage, but with no return fare and few friends, Julia’s options are bleak. What is God’s plan for her in the middle of the vast Montana prairie?

My take:~

Renowned author Tricia Goyer and her long time editor Ocieanna Fleiss, have combined their talents to write a tender romance about a hard working orphan and a circuit preacher determined to keep his vow to God not to marry. The writing is seamless, without any of the disjointedness often present with collaborations, and the tale is abounds with adventure, humour, attraction and spirituality. Love Finds You in Lonesome Prairie, Montana is expertly written with engaging characters and spiritual depth which will appeal to all who crave a traditional Christian historical romance. This is one collaboration that will stand the test of time and have readers asking for more.

With thanks to Litfuse Publicity for my review copy

Relz Reviewz Extras

Character spotlight on Julia Cavanaugh
Visit Tricia's website and blog
Enter Aussie giveaway of Love Finds You in Lonesome Praire, Montana
Enter Tricia & Ocieanna's contest (US only)
Buy Tricia & Ocieanna's book at Amazon or CBD

Character Spotlight ~ Tricia Goyer & Ocieanna Fleiss' Julia Cavanaugh with Aussie Giveaway

Today the spotlight shines on.....................Julia Cavanaugh


While this is the first novel Tricia and Ocieanna have written together, they have been collaborating for some time in the past years with Ocieanna editing a number of Tricia's novels. Their symmetry shows in this historical romance for Summerside's Love Finds You series. Enjoy this look behind the scenes:~


Brief physical description

Julia Cavanaugh is 19 and sadly wears her gorgeous, wavy brown hair hidden away in a bun--it's the proper thing to do in her time, you know. She's slim yet if you touched her bicep, you'd find muscles hiding beneath her prairie blouse sleeve from working hard all her life.

Actor/famous person

We never really settled on an actress but were leaning toward a darker-haired Taylor Swift.

As for Isaac, we don't really have an actor, but we found this handsome cowboy on Google. Isaac was roughly based on my church's pastoral intern. :)

Strengths and weaknesses

What a great question! We first see Julia show compassion and patience toward the children and then toward the quirky characters she meets on the prairie. We also find she has a passion for literature and desires to learn--especially the Bible. Being an orphan herself, Julia has trouble trusting people and especially God.

Quirk (if any)

She liked to read what they called "Dime Novels" about life in the "Wild West." Especially before she left New York, she was fascinated by their romanticized version of life on the frontier. When she got there, things were quite different...

Your inspiration for the character

I don't know if there was one inspiration that we drew from. As we plotted the story, our perception of Julia evolved. We'd say, "Let's say she helped run an orphanage, what would it be like if she had to say goodbye to the girls she loved?" Or, "She lives in New York then has to move to this terribly lonely and isolated place. What does she feel?" And we pieced all the parts together and came up with our dear Julia.

Background to the story

Tricia and Ocieanna had been planning on writing a book together for Summerside about the homefront in World War II, but a conflict of interest put that on hold (till next summer). So Summerside gave us the title /Love Finds You in Lonesome Prairie, Montana/ and asked if we could come up with a historical romance. We said, "Oh sure!" And four months later we went from just the title to a full 80,000 word book. A cool part is that Ocieanna had recently delved into the 1800s (a period she knew very little about) to teach two intense courses to homeschool kids. She was able to use some of this info for Lonesome Prairie. What a blessing!

Also, the more we researched, the more we were fascinated by the pioneers who forged their life on the frontiers. We admired their hard work under primitive conditions. We also discovered crazy characters out there who did outlandish things. We had too much fun putting some of these antics in the book.

Thanks so much, Ocieanna, for taking the time to share your inspiration behind Julia and this story :)


Tune in on Monday for a spotlight on Loree Lough's Sam Sinclair & Bryce Stone from the Christmas themed, Love Finds You in North Pole, Alaska!

Relz Reviewz Extras

Visit Tricia's website and blog

Enter Tricia & Ocieanna's contest (US only)

Buy Tricia & Ocieanna's book at Amazon or CBD

Aussie Giveaway

Love Finds You in Lonesome Prairie, Montana is not available in Australia yet so I'm thrilled to have a copy to giveaway to one of my readers!

To enter:~

Post a comment on or before Sunday 20th December, 2009 but you must have an Aussie postal address and leave contact details!