A FOODIE WRITES A BOOK by Barbara M. Britton

A FOODIE WRITES A BOOK by Barbara M. Britton
Friday, August 14, 2020 by Patti Shene

FEATURED BOOK: Until June

AUTHOR: Barbara M. Britton

PUBLISHER: Pelican/Prism Book Group

GENRE: WWI Historical

SERIES or STAND ALONE: Stand Alone

TARGET AUDIENCE: 13 and up

IT IS MY PLEASURE TO WELCOME AUTHOR BARBARA M. BRITTON TO PATTI’S PORCH. BARBARA SHARES WHY THE INCLUSION OF FOOD IN A NOVEL CAN ENHANCE A READER’S EXPERIENCE.

BARBARA IS OFFERING A GIVEAWAY! SIMPLY LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW TO ENTER THE DRAWING FOR WINNER’S CHOICE OF A PRINT OR EBOOK COPY OF UNTIL JUNE.

A FOODIE WRITES A BOOK

Barbara M. Britton

I never dreamed that I would be an author. I have a degree in nutrition. My goal after college graduation was to be a dietitian, but instead I became a fashion merchandiser. Even today, when my young adult offspring doubt my diet advice, I tell them that I have a degree in food. What I didn’t know was how much food would play a role in my stories.

My novel, Until June, is based on a story I heard while on a cruise ship excursion. Many years ago, my family and I traveled to the Taku Glacier Lodge outside of Juneau, Alaska to see a glacier, wild beauty, and possibly a black bear. Unfortunately for my boys, no bears came to the lodge that day. I discovered a veteran and his caregiver had lived at the lodge after WWI. When I heard about the veteran and his caregiver being cut off from society when the Taku River froze, a story was born.

At the lodge, we ate lunch and I tasted fantastic ginger cookies. I’m usually a chocolate chip cookie gal, but these ginger cookies were delicious. I made my character, Geoff Chambers, a fan of those wonderful cookies. In my novel research, I read the diary of a missionary in Alaska and discovered how much tea was consumed on her travels. Tea became the drink of choice in Until June.

My family discovered huckleberries growing at the Taku Lodge. What pie do you think shows up in my novel? Geoff and Josephine also have a scene where they toss huckleberries. Though, no dirt encrusted huckleberries were used in the making of the pie.

Food choices and favorite recipes can enhance the setting of a novel. I had never tasted fried okra, black-eyed peas, or chicken fried steak until I moved to Texas to attend college. Those food items aren’t on too many menus in my home state of Wisconsin. You will find our beloved fried cheese curds on a Badger State menu.

The next time you read a novel, focus on the food the characters are consuming. Is it new to you? You may discover a new favorite food or expand your culinary horizons.

When Until June released, I asked for the ginger cookie recipe from Winged Airways. They were the group that flew my family out to the lodge. You’ll find Geoff’s favorite cookie recipe at the end of my post.

Have you ever discovered a new recipe in a book?

Book blurb for Until June:

When seventeen-year-old seamstress Josephine Nimetz agrees to take care of a WWI amputee in a remote Alaskan lodge to escape the influenza of 1918, there’s enough friction to melt the Mendenhall Glacier. Her position is only until June, and it pays well enough to overlook the hardship of managing a rustic home and a shell-shocked veteran, Geoff Chambers.

Geoff makes it clear that he isn’t too fond of the “runt” sent to take care of his needs, nor of her painful mistakes. Dealing with a depressed and addicted amputee pushes Josephine to the brink of leaving, if not for the money her salary brings.

But Josephine is a perfectionist, determined to get Geoff back on his feet—figuratively. Though, sending a rich, handsome veteran back into society may cost Josephine the man she has grown to love.

Purchase links for Until June

Amazon

B&N

wherever books are sold

Libraries can order the novel, too.

Patti’s Review of Until June:

Until June by Barbara Britton is the story of a severely physically and emotionally traumatized World War One veteran and his seventeen-year-old caregiver. Isolated on an island in Alaska in 1918, Josephine Nimetz learns a great deal more than she expected to about her patient and about herself.

The author demonstrates excellent character development as she delves into the wounds of veteran Geoff Chambers. Josephine’s stamina, compassion, and courage bring about miraculous changes in Geoff’s attitude, healing, and outlook on life.

The historical time period and location of the story provide a perfect backdrop for this sweet romance. I liked how this couple. who seemed so at odds with each other developed a mutual respect that grew into affection and finally a deep love.

The after effects of war are well portrayed in the battles Geoff and Josephine face together as they struggle through Geoff’s morphine addiction, self-esteem issues, and capacity to love.

Barbara Britton brings to light the sacrifice so many of our military men and women offer on the battlefield. She exposes the deep scars that continue to fester long after the battle has been won.

Thank you to the author, Barbara Britton, for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

DON’T FORGET TO LEAVE A COMMENT TO BE PLACED IN THE DRAWING TO WIN A PRINT OR EBOOK COPY OF UNTIL JUNE BETWEEN NOW AND TUESDAY), AUGUST 25^TH AT MIDNIGHT MDT. (US residents only eligible for print copy).

BY LEAVING A COMMENT, YOU GRANT PERMISSION FOR YOUR EMAIL TO BE REVEALED TO THE AUTHOR IF YOU ARE THE WINNER TO FACILITATE RECEIPT OF YOUR BOOK.

Barbara M. Britton lives in Southeast Wisconsin and loves the snow—when it accumulates under three inches. She is published in Biblical fiction and enjoys bringing little-known Bible characters to light in her stories. Look for Barb’s WWI Historical to release in June--“Until June.” Barb is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Romance Writers of America, and Wisconsin Romance Writers of America. Barb has a nutrition degree from Baylor University but loves to dip healthy strawberries in chocolate. Find out more about Barb’s books at her website:

http://www.barbarambritton.com/books.html

Follow Barb on

Twitter

Goodreads

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SUBSCRIBE TO PATTI’S BLOGS HERE

Comments

Barbara M. Britton From Wisconsin At 8/25/2020 10:17:44 PM

Hi Audrey. The cookies are delicious. I'm a chocolate gal, but the ginger is so addictive. Thanks for joining us on the Porch.

Audrey W. From Texas At 8/25/2020 8:13:48 PM

Enjoyed reading about the food/literature connection. And those ginger cookies sound delicious! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe, and congratulations on the book release!

Reply by: Patti Shene

Hi Audrey. Thank you for stopping by to join the discussion and extend your congratulations to Barbara.

Barbara M. Britton From Wisconsin At 8/24/2020 8:09:08 PM

Hi Gail and Carol, Thanks for joining me on the Porch. I learn something new about the author's life every week it seems. I'm a big fan of books centered around food. There are some delicious covers in book land. I'm glad you both joined us.

Carol James From Georgia At 8/24/2020 2:26:39 PM

Great interview, Barb. I always enjoy learning where an author's inspiration comes from. The cookies sound yummy, too.

Reply by: Patti Shene

Hi Carol. Thank you so much for stopping by and joining in the conversation.

Gail kittleson From Iowa At 8/23/2020 9:55:24 AM

Barbara, I never thought I'd be writing novels, either. And your main character has me so intrigued, this is a MUST read. Love that you put food front and center, b/c it was SO important during war-related times.

Reply by: Patti Shene

Hi Gail. Thank you for stopping by and joining the conversation.

Barbara M. Britton From Wisconsin At 8/17/2020 10:59:12 PM

Hi Karen. I'm always on the lookout for good recipes. It was fun to look at old magazines from 1918 and see what food cost and what people were eating. Thanks for joining us .

Karen Malley From Pennsylvania At 8/17/2020 9:55:19 PM

This sounds like a fascinating story. Food is such an integral part of our lives it makes sense to talk about it in our stories. I always enjoy it when authors include recipes. Thanks for sharing this - I'll put it on my TBR list!

Reply by: Patti Shene

Hi Karen. Thank you so much for stopping by and joining the conversation.

Barbara M. Britton From Wisconsin At 8/17/2020 2:29:20 PM

Hi Natalya Thank you for the encouragement. I'm so glad you liked Geoff and Josephine's story. Thanks for joining us on the Porch.

Natalya Lakhno From CA At 8/16/2020 6:32:29 PM

I love this story!!!

Reply by: Patti Shene

Hi Natalya. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment for Barbara.

Barbara M. Britton From Wisconsin At 8/16/2020 1:11:53 PM

Hi Diana. Thank you for joining us on the Porch. Over the years, I condensed this story from 3 years at the lodge to 9 months, so it moves fairly fast.

Diana Hardt From California At 8/16/2020 6:09:39 AM

I liked the synopsis. It sounds like a very interesting book. Thank you for sharing.

Reply by: Patti Shene

Hi Diana. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment for Barbara.

Barbara M. Britton From Wisconsin At 8/15/2020 9:22:49 PM

Hi Pam. I hope the recipes turned out well. I like easy, but yummy recipes. In the winter, I especially like crock pot recipes. Thanks for joining us on the Porch.

Pam Kellogg From Kansas At 8/15/2020 8:09:17 PM

I've tried several recipes I've found in novels, including those by Tamera Alexander, Joanne Fluke, and Diane Mott Davidson. UNTIL JUNE sounds like a book I would really enjoy. Thanks for the opportunity to enter the giveaway.

Reply by: Patti Shene

Hi Pam. Thank you for stopping by and joining in the conversation.

Barbara M. Britton From Wisconsin At 8/15/2020 7:40:02 PM

Hi Ruth Ann. I love making cookies. Ginger cookies weren't a favorite until I made these. They are addicting with all the ginger. Isn't ginger supposed to be healthy for you? Thanks for joining us.

Ruth Ann Lingwall From Utah At 8/15/2020 5:37:35 PM

I love the honey ginger cookies my sil makes. I haven’t tried making ginger cookies yet myself but now want to! I will have to try this recipe and hers. Yum! The book sounds fun. I love historical fiction!

Reply by: Patti Shene

Hi Ruth Ann. Thank you for stopping by and adding to the discussion. Ginger cookies are wonderful! It's been a while since I made some, and I'm tempted to use the recipe Barbara so kindly shared with us.

Barbara M. Britton From Wisconsin At 8/15/2020 4:41:46 PM

Hi Vivian. In my research, I found severe injuries with a lot of WWI soldiers. We have advanced in medicine over the years. We've also come to understand drugs and addiction better. Geoff has to understand that life is worth living. Jesus gives us the strength to do that. Thanks for joining us.

Barbara M. Britton From Wisconsin At 8/15/2020 4:39:05 PM

Hi Donna. I like when recipes are included in the back of novels. Amish fiction does seem to have a lot of recipes included for the reader to enjoy. Thanks for stopping by the Porch.

Barbara M. Britton From Wisconsin At 8/15/2020 4:36:51 PM

Hi Naomi. I found it easier to incorporate food into "Until June" because we had eaten a meal at the lodge. I was so surprised to see my boys eat salmon. My youngest son said he was so hungry that he would eat anything. Thanks for joining us.

Barbara M. Britton From Wisconsin At 8/15/2020 4:34:43 PM

Hi Becky. I'm glad you joined us. I even get hungry sometimes reading food scenes in novels, or meal scenes. There are some great book covers with wonderful looking cakes and goodies, too.

Barbara M. Britton From Wisconsin At 8/15/2020 4:32:21 PM

Hi LoRee. I like print books, too. There is something about holding the story in my hands. I find it makes re-reading sections easier. Thanks for joining us.

Barbara M. Britton From Wisconsin At 8/15/2020 4:31:09 PM

Hi Roxanne! Thank you for your kind words about my daughters of Zelophehad series. I enjoyed writing about those girls. I hope you enjoy "Until June." Thanks for joining me on the Porch.

Roxanne C. From NH At 8/15/2020 4:18:58 PM

I enjoyed Barbara's Daughters of Zelophehad series. I will probably like Until June even more since Christian historical romance is my most favorite genre of all. After reading the story blurb, I am adding it to my TBR list.

Reply by: Patti Shene

Hi Roxanne. I also enjoyed the Daughters of Zelophehad series. If you have a heart for veterans, you will enjoy Until June. Thank you for stopping by and letting us know you were here.

LoRee Peery From Lincoln, Ne At 8/15/2020 4:07:16 PM

Enjoyed your post, Barb. and I love this book. I have it on Kindle but would be delighted to hold a copy in my hands.

Reply by: Patti Shene

Hi LoRee. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment for Barbara.

Becky M Van Vleet From CO At 8/15/2020 2:38:50 PM

Barbara, thank you for sharing your insights about the inclusion of food in novels. I had not given that much thought, but now I'll pay attention! I do know when food is included in scenes, my senses are enhanced and the scenes/characters become even more realistic as I'm reading.

Reply by: Patti Shene

Hi Becky. Thank you for coming by and adding to the discussion. I think food and eating are such a social activity that including them in our stories makes our characters more realistic for the reader.

Naomi From Arizona usa At 8/15/2020 10:33:37 AM

So neat to see the behind the scenes glimpses of food!

Reply by: Patti Shene

Hi Naomi. Thank you for stopping by and joining the conversation.

Barbara M. Britton From Wisconsin At 8/15/2020 9:58:02 AM

Thanks for having back on the porch swing, Patti.

Reply by: Patti Shene

Always a pleasure to have you visit, Barbara! Thank you for spending time with my readers.

Donna Irvin From Florida At 8/15/2020 9:11:57 AM

I love discovering recipes when reading, especially in Amish fiction! Until June sounds like an amazing read!

Reply by: Patti Shene

Hi Donna. Thank you for stopping by and mentioning the recipe. Barbara sent it to me to add to the post and i failed to do so! Will go back and do that now!

Vivian Furbay From Colorado Springs, CO At 8/15/2020 6:02:11 AM

I like the story synopsis and would like to read this book. It takes the love of Jesus to overcome such a terrible tragedy this young man went through.