Book Title Reveal

Hello, readers! Today is a special day for me. And not just because it's Friday. But today is the day I tell you the title to the novel I've been working on for the last 3 years! Without further ado, here it is:

That photo brings me such joy! I am such an indecisive person and didn't decide on the title until the middle of last year, over halfway through this writing journey.

About Stars Over the Pacific

SOTP (my novel even has an acronym now)

is a novel set during World War 2. Here is the back blurb (subject to change of course);

In the heartland of Kansas, amidst the looming shadows of World War II, love blossoms like the prairie flowers and faces trials more daunting than the winds sweeping the Great Plains. Stars Over the Pacific is a historical fiction saga that weaves the tender tale of Conrad and Thea, two teens in love during the tumultuous time of war.

Conrad Davis leaves behind his love, Thea, after he enlists and is sent to the Pacific Theatre. Amidst the chaos and brutality of battle, Conrad's devotion to both his country and his family back home is unwavering. On the shores of Iwo Jima, wounded and frightened, he whispers a message to the stars. A silent love letter to Thea, hoping against hope that she might receive it in the heartland. If he makes it back alive.

Back home, Thea grapples with the challenges of wartime life. Joined by a group of resilient women in a sewing circle, she stitches not just her wedding quilt for Conrad, but friendship, too. As the war rages, their lives are woven into a fabric of sacrifice, hope and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

Stars Over the Pacific is a captivating journey through love, loss and the indomitable spirit that bridges the miles between hearts. Will the stars carry Conrad's whispered words across the vast Pacific, or will they fade into the dark?

I love it so much!! SOTP is historical fiction, but it very much is based on the true story of my great grandfather's time in World War II. Many of the places Conrad visits my grandfather has seen also. To make this even more special, I have visited Saipan and walked the same beach both of these men do. It was a humbling experience.

People have accused me of being superstitious, which is totally accurate. I am still unsure to this very day which section of the beach he stormed. I walked the entire thing, just to be sure. On my way back, there was a break in the clouds and sunshine was illuminating one spot on the entire beach landing site. I interpreted that as a sign, a good omen, and took a handful of sand home from that very spot.

Could it have been just coincidence? Perhaps. But in my heart I know it isn't. Now I sometimes pull the sand out and run my fingers through it just to feel more grounded in this story, and closer to my grandpa. All of my books are a part of me, but this one is more special than all the others. I love knowing I can share some parts of what my grandfather and others went through to protect us from the axis powers.

What's next for SOTP?

Y'all I printed off my entire manuscript and is over 200 pages of standard printing paper, front and back. It's very thick and I'm beyond proud. I'm going through it right now editing it word for word. This isn't even a complete manuscript. There are 2 chapters I still need to write, but I want to go through it and see everything until I get to the missing chapters. Then I feel like I'll be in the right place to finish them.

After adding those chapters and finishing the first edit, I'm going to submit my manuscript for querying! I'm going to hopefully get an agent and be published traditionally. If no one wants it, then I will still be moving on with self-publishing.

You will, of course, be kept in the loop about what querying is like. They don't call it 'querying trenches' for no reason.

Please let me know what you think of my title!

Have a wonderful weekend my friends,