Welcome to another Weekend Read post. My featured book this week is the World War Two thriller Danger Awaits the Resistance Girls by Alice G.May. Alice has dropped by today to tell us about the book and her writing life. So grab yourself a cuppa, get cosy and let’s get chatting to Alice.
BLURB
Danger Awaits The Resistance Girls
They said women were a liability in war. They were wrong…
April 1942
A dangerous call to duty…
Constance Hughes has always felt on the outside, never quite good enough, always doubting herself. So when she is asked to participate in a dangerous undercover mission to help the war effort, Connie is fearful – what if she fails and lets her friends – and country – down?
Behind enemy lines…
A fluent linguist, Connie is perfect for the task ahead, but it means being dropped into France – currently under German occupation. Getting there is dangerous, the mission fraught, and if Connie is captured, it will mean certain death. But determined to do her duty, she agrees.
The prospect of no return home.
Connie knows rural France well, but her mission isn’t as straightforward as she hoped. With German soldiers everywhere, Connie is under intense pressure. And when she meets a fellow British soldier hiding in the woods she is torn between helping him and saving herself.
But with only herself to rely on, Connie discovers a strength she never knew she had. And a new determination to get herself and the injured soldier home: mission accomplished.
A heart-stopping story of courage and the hidden heroines who risked everything to change the course of history. Inspired by the true-life stories of The Women’s Secret Army. Perfect for fans of Kate Quinn and Lana Kortchik.
Welcome to my blog, Alice. Have you always wanted to be a writer?
Yes. I dreamed of being a writer when I was a small child. However, I was told by an art teacher at school that I wasn’t creative and not to bother with any sort of creative career. I believed her and it wasn’t until I was in my mid-forties that I finally thought, ‘To heck with it. I’m going to write anyway.’
What are you writing at the moment?
I am writing a linked series of standalone World War Two thrillers called The Resistance Girls.
I am currently writing the fifth book in the series – title as yet unknown because I am rubbish at titles. My lovely publisher Boldwood Books sort out all the individual titles for me, which is a huge weight off my mind. I just do the research and write the books.
What inspired you to write this series?
These novels have been inspired by the 300 real women who were handpicked and highly trained by the British Special Operations Executive in the early 1940s and then dropped into British coastal locations to watch out for enemy spies. They were incredibly brave and none of them spoke about what they did after the war because they signed the Official Secrets Act. I believe they should be celebrated. While my novels are fictional, they are built onto a solid skeleton of historical facts in a tribute to these unsung heroines.
What do you like writing most?
I love writing action scenes. They just fly off my fingers. It’s brilliant.
Are you a pantster or a plotter?
Definitely a plotter now that I am contracted to write two books a year. There isn’t time for any deviation. I was originally a pantster and thought plotting would destroy the fun in writing. However, I have realised that plotting is fun too, and it’s less stressful writing when you know where you’re going. There’s still a lot of room for creativity along the way.
Is your writing ever inspired by your family or real-life incidents?
I would say that, while I don’t specifically take inspiration from my life particularly, I do sometimes hide from real world events in my writing. When, for example, reading the news stresses me out, I disappear into my books where I have control of what happens next.
Do you have a special place for writing?
Writing happens every minute of every day, whether it is thinking through plots or physically typing and editing, so I don’t have a special place. Nevertheless, I love a coffee shop writing session or simply being at home either at my desk or in the conservatory. Having said that, while the place isn’t important, the snacks are essential. If I eat too much, I then make myself go out and exercise. Which in the long run helps the writing too, because fixing plot holes is easier when I am out walking.
Meet Alice
AUTHOR BIO
Alice G. May writes historical thrillers and saga fiction for Boldwood Books.
Alice’s books follow the lives of ordinary women thrown into extraordinary circumstances, and are packed with action, adventure, loyalty and love.
Having always dreamed of being a writer, Alice finally put pen to paper in her forties and is delighted to have the opportunity to share stories that explore friendship and social change and champion strong, independent, brave women teaming up to support each other and serve their country.
She lives in the New Forest on the Dorset/Hampshire border and gains inspiration from walking both in the forest and along the coast.
WEBSITE
www.alicegmay.com
Instagram: @alicegmay
Facebook: AliceMayAuthor
More of Alice’s Books
Karen King 