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Available from Amazon CA
London 1941. Identical twins Tillie and Maggie Kingston have survived the chaos of the Blitz attacks but the war grinds on. Tillie and Trevor want to seal their love with a wedding, but how can they plan during wartime?
I'm pleased to welcome author Deb Stratas to The Writing Desk:
Tell us about your latest book
My latest book, The Kingston Twins, Wartime Heart is brand-new in January 2023. It’s the sequel to The Kingston Twins, Bravery in the Blitz which tells the story of twins Tillie and Maggie Kingston, facing war in 1939 London. By the end of the first book, Tillie and Maggie are in the thick of wartime struggles. Tillie drives an ambulance, and Maggie serves on a WVS canteen. The Blitz carries on for fifty-seven nights straight, decimating Britain’s capitol, and causing heartbreak to the entire Kingston family.
Wartime Heart starts where the last book ends – as the Blitz finally ceases, and Londoners pick up the pieces of their ragged lives. Tillie has found her true love Trevor, and is eagerly making wedding plans – until Trevor joins the Royal Air Force. Maggie feels compelled to do more for the war effort, and signs up for the Women’s Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS).
Surprising herself, she tests well in advanced skills and is assigned a job as an ack-ack girl. She longs for her love, Micah, but he is trapped in German-occupied France with his family. As anti-Jewish sentiment rises, she fears for his survival. Will she be reunited with her love? And what of Tillie – can she find lasting happiness with Trevor? What other wartime struggles will the Kingston family face and overcome as they all reveal incredible wartime heart?
As with all my books, I invested many months in research to bring wartime London to life – the daily challenges, life in the ATS, way of speaking, and so much more. I hope you’ll find yourself immersed in Maggie and Tillie’s lives as they navigate the drudgery of war in 1941 and beyond.
Why did you write a sequel to Bravery in the Blitz?
I always wanted to tell Maggie and Tillie’s stories in at least two parts. Bravery in the Blitz introduces us to a fascinating set of family members – each with their own internal struggles. The first book focuses more on Tillie’s story as she discovers self-worth, and finds her soulmate. Wartime Heart is Maggie’s tale. As the quieter twin, she struggles with self-confidence in the shadow of her dazzling sister.
As with all my books, I invested many months in research to bring wartime London to life – the daily challenges, life in the ATS, way of speaking, and so much more. I hope you’ll find yourself immersed in Maggie and Tillie’s lives as they navigate the drudgery of war in 1941 and beyond.
Why did you write a sequel to Bravery in the Blitz?
I always wanted to tell Maggie and Tillie’s stories in at least two parts. Bravery in the Blitz introduces us to a fascinating set of family members – each with their own internal struggles. The first book focuses more on Tillie’s story as she discovers self-worth, and finds her soulmate. Wartime Heart is Maggie’s tale. As the quieter twin, she struggles with self-confidence in the shadow of her dazzling sister.
She comes of age as an independent woman, finding her own friends, and making significant war contributions operating anti-aircraft guns to protect London’s skies. And of course, she has her own love story! It’s not without trials and heartbreak, as we start to see the real horror of Hitler’s plans for the Jews. But Maggie is strong, and fights for a once in a lifetime love.
What advice do you have for writers interested in writing a series?
What advice do you have for writers interested in writing a series?
My best advice is plan out your series. I always create a high-level outline for each novel, as well as a chapter-by-chapter summary. As I write, things evolve, but I generally stick to my overall plan. Ensure you build a story arc for each character that carries through the series. Your readers get invested in them, and want to know what they are doing, and how they are progressing.
Leave a few dangling storylines at the end of each book to leave your readers wanting more. Ensure each of your characters has a unique voice, and develop it along the way. Show progression and growth. As always, do your research so that your characters, timeframes, language, dress, way of life are realistic to the time period.
What interests you in writing women’s WWII fiction?
Like so many of you, I’ve had a decades-long fascination with World War II England –particularly the women. For me, what they did for six long years is nothing short of heroic. They sent their husbands, fiancés, sons, and loved ones to fight for freedom, perhaps never to return.
What interests you in writing women’s WWII fiction?
Like so many of you, I’ve had a decades-long fascination with World War II England –particularly the women. For me, what they did for six long years is nothing short of heroic. They sent their husbands, fiancés, sons, and loved ones to fight for freedom, perhaps never to return.
Putting on brave faces, they took care of their families, stood in hours-long queues for dismal rations, and took on jobs to make ends meet. As the war progressed, they were also called to service. In the tens of thousands, women young and old answered the call – signing up for the army, navy, air force, land army, and special services. And all the while, staying cheerful as they “kept calm and carried on.”
I’ve read hundreds of books – both fiction and non-fiction – about these courageous women, and there are still many stories yet to be told. As the few remaining women who survive from that time are quickly fading away, it’s critical to keep these incredible tales alive. I hope I’m doing my part in raising up these women as the heroines they were.
How much time do you spend researching vs. writing?
Like most historical fiction writers, I love research. History is endlessly fascinating, and the research phase for any book is rewarding. It’s important to me to get even the tiniest details right, so I spend a lot of time researching daily life in WWII London – food, fashion, household management, even what movies were playing in the cinema – all are important to the believability of the narrative.
I’ve read hundreds of books – both fiction and non-fiction – about these courageous women, and there are still many stories yet to be told. As the few remaining women who survive from that time are quickly fading away, it’s critical to keep these incredible tales alive. I hope I’m doing my part in raising up these women as the heroines they were.
How much time do you spend researching vs. writing?
Like most historical fiction writers, I love research. History is endlessly fascinating, and the research phase for any book is rewarding. It’s important to me to get even the tiniest details right, so I spend a lot of time researching daily life in WWII London – food, fashion, household management, even what movies were playing in the cinema – all are important to the believability of the narrative.
With Wartime Heart, I dove deeply into ATS life, especially the role of ack-ack girls on anti-aircraft bases. I must admit, it’s hard to transition to the writing phase as research is so much fun. Roughly, I spend about 60/40 – 60% researching to 40% writing. This doesn’t include editing or marketing. I’m planning a long-postponed trip to London this summer, and I can’t wait to visit my favourite spots, as well as explore historically important locations to continually inform my writing.
Will there be a third book in The Kingston Twins series?
Of course! I’ve already started the research for The Kingston Twins, Katie’s War which will delve into the war experiences of Tillie and Maggie’s younger sister, Katie. Fingers crossed; I hope to publish it by the end of 2023.
Deb Stratas
Will there be a third book in The Kingston Twins series?
Of course! I’ve already started the research for The Kingston Twins, Katie’s War which will delve into the war experiences of Tillie and Maggie’s younger sister, Katie. Fingers crossed; I hope to publish it by the end of 2023.
Deb Stratas
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