I’m delighted to welcome Cat Gardiner back to Diary of an Eccentric today to celebrate the release of her latest novel, A Moment Forever. Cat is here to share an excerpt from the novel and has a fantastic giveaway for my readers. Please give Cat a warm welcome, and stay tuned for my review of A Moment Forever later this summer!
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In the summer of 1992, a young writer is bequeathed the abandoned home of a great-uncle she never knew. The house has a romantic history and is unlike any home she has ever seen. Juliana Martel felt as though she stepped into a time capsule—a snapshot of 1942. The epic romance—and heartache—of the former occupant unfold through reading his wartime letters found in the attic, compelling her on a quest to construct the man. His life, as well as his sweetheart’s, during the Second World War were as mysterious as his disappearance in 1950.
Carrying her own pain inflicted by the abandonment of her mother and unexpected death of her father, Juliana embarks on a journalist’s dream to find her great-uncle and the woman he once loved. Inadvertently uncovering the carefully hidden events of his and others’ lives, she will ultimately change her own.
This story of undying love, born amidst the darkest era in modern history, unfolded on the breathtaking Gold Coast of Long Island in 1942. A Jewish, Army Air Forces pilot and an enchanting society debutante—young lovers—deception—and a moment in time that lasted forever.
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Where did yesterday go? It’s hard to imagine that my own past is considered 20th Century historical nonfiction! It’s true! Those early years that I spent as a secretary, when I had learned to type 60 wpm on an IBM Selectric and took Gregg Shorthand dictation, were blips on a timeline, replaced by word processors and memo recorders. E-mail had been only a thought, and mobile phones were so large that they were in bags.
In this excerpt, I’d like to take you to our 1992 heroine, Juliana Martel, a junior style writer for the new fashion magazine, Allure. Following the discoveries made within her newly inherited home, she visits her editor with a fascinating proposal—a human interest article. Let’s take a look and see if she makes a convincing argument why a romance in 1942 is worth a second look in 1992.
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“So, what brings you in to see me on this beautiful day?”
Juliana reached into her bag and removed the box, resting it at the edge of the desk. She noted Maxine’s piqued interest focusing at what was written along the sides of the pretty blue box in black, block letters that caused her to tilt her head to read, “William and Lizzy—My Dearest Darling.”
“William?”
Juliana nervously chuckled. “Yes, and he’s the story I’d like to tell, but I need your help.”
Maxine tapped her Sharpie marker upon the desk and the slick images of Claudia Schiffer and Cindy Crawford. “Do tell. Do tell.”
“It’s a World War Two love story.”
The editor dropped her marker, the creative wheels in her brain turned at the possibilities. “Oh yes, I can see it—in love with the clothing … the elegance even during the ration. Gloves, hats, half-moon manicures, no hosiery, and hand sewed garments. The return to the basics of beauty.”
Ten fisted fingers burst in punctuation. “Here’s your hook: How to obtain an effortless, stylish look on a shoestring budget! How to resemble an MGM starlet during the Golden Age of Hollywood and return to an era of feminine allure and mystique. Rita Hayworth, Veronica Lake, and Brooklyn’s own Gene Tierney—the young bride of Oleg Cassini, fashion designer to the stars!”
Maxine’s voice rose with passionate excitement at the idea. “The hair! Oh the hair! Victory Rolls! All leading up to the pinnacle of post-war change in fashion: ‘The New Look’ by Dior. Yes! Ushering in short hair, cinched waists, full skirts, and luxurious fabrics in a romantic French explosion of sophisticated style. Julie—you are brilliant!”
Disheartened, Juliana responded with a slight grimace of embarrassment. “No, it’s not a fashion love story—it’s a human interest love story—an honest to goodness wartime romantic relationship—sweethearts.”
Maxine’s reply fell flat, deflated with the wind completely knocked out of her sails. “Oh.”
“I know it isn’t something we normally feature, but I’m sure this piece I’m working on could very well be an excellent F.O.B. An article such as this at the front of the magazine could segue into the feature well, covering your idea. I believe in the power of this story between this young couple and … and I intend on finding out what happened to them at the end of my research, which could very well mean a follow up feature story in another issue. Maybe during November for Veteran’s Day or on the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Battle of Peleliu.”
“The battle of what? Julie, we’re a fashion magazine. The only battles we face are those of wrinkles and fat.” Maxine chuckled. “Well, so, I guess the Battle of the Bulge may well be an appropriate topic. Perhaps, we could compromise if you’re insistent on a World War Two hook.” She laughed at her joke. “Get it? Battle of the Bulge?”
Juliana shrugged a shoulder. She had never heard of the Battle of the Bulge.
Maxine slid June’s mock-up cover in front of her friend. “I’m sorry, hon, but see here … ‘Split-Second Beauty’, ‘Diet Doctor.’ Allure offers trends, cosmetics, fashion and hair, an insider’s guide to a woman’s image. That’s what we do. We try to make people feel good about themselves, and if they don’t we tell them how to do so. The closest we get to a love story is how to have an explosive orgasm or how to strip for your man in twelve easy to follow moves.”
Like her editor, Juliana simply replied, “Oh.”
Maxine opened the box and pulled out the thick stack of letters. “Is this your story?”
“Only the surface. The house I was given is at the heart of it. These are the wartime letters to my great-uncle from his girlfriend and his family. I’ve only read a couple, and they are starting to fill in tiny blanks. I’d like to travel to some of the places written on the pages and see if I can connect the dots about this fantastic, heartbreaking love affair. It’s a mystery of sorts.” Juliana swallowed hard. “I’d like to concentrate on this story, Max. It’s … it’s important to me.”
“Why do you assume it’s heartbreaking?”
“Because as far as I know, they never married, or … worse … she died. See why I have to know?”
Fanning the tied fifty-year old letters, the professional in Maxine couldn’t deny the appeal to uncover a good mystery not just for her magazine but for herself, too. Not to mention everyone loved a heart-tugging story about a veteran. She gazed up at Juliana’s stylish charcoal suit. “That pin you’re wearing, is it authentic?”
Juliana fingered the cool edge of William’s pilot wings secured below her shoulder. “Yes, they were William’s.” She raised an eyebrow. “Why? Are you interested? Is there something pulling you toward this story? You see it don’t you?”
“Perhaps.” Maxine slid a letter from the top of the stack and admired the fine penmanship. She ran her finger over the salutation. “This is lovely stationery. Expensive.” She thoughtfully sighed. “I fear the day when this ‘so called’ electronic mail Bill Gates talks about comes along. You’ll see, before long, no one will write letters or even pick up the telephone to say hello. I shudder at what we will become. Hmm … I shudder at what will become of the memory and stories of the Silent Generation.”
She held out the letter to her friend. “May I read it?”
A sly, knowing smile appeared on Juliana’s lips. “Sure, knock yourself out.”
“June 8, 1942
Dear William,
What a delightful surprise it was to receive your letter, especially since I was under the impression that you did not wish an acquaintance. I was sure you interpreted my letter as too forward, even—dare I say—pushy! I have been told, on occasion, that I can be quite relentless in getting my way, but in your case, I was prepared to accept that you weren’t interested. So, with a resounding YES, I would love to meet you at four o’clock, Saturday, June 13 beside the lion at the Public Library closest to 42nd Street! Just look for the girl with a beaming smile of anticipation, that’ll be me.
I am so excited about attending the New York at War Parade on the arm of such a dashing pilot. Are you sure your marching will have completed by then since the parade travels such a long way up Fifth Avenue? Rest assured, I will wait with bells on until your arrival downtown. My sister will be marching with the ARC. Perhaps, we can send your brother a snapshot should we get a glimpse of her. I am so proud of her, and I imagine you are just as proud of Louie. I’m looking forward to hearing any news you have about his destination. Oh, does that fall under ‘careless talk’? Never mind then.
My other sister, Kitty and I have embarked on quite the endeavor since we met you on Memorial Day. I bet you’ll be surprised to learn that we have officially begun a nylon stocking drive because you know how we debs just love our hosiery! Now if I can only get them to donate then I’ll really have something to boast about. However, I do think our other venture may be a bit more realistic. We have decided to volunteer for the Victory Book Campaign through our local library. These old homes around here must all have libraries filled with hundreds of unread, like-new books, and it is our hope to get our neighbors to part with them for the war effort. I plan on visiting our librarian, Mrs. Tinsdale to discuss our ideas. In a way, I feel as though it is my first real job interview, and I’m very excited!
I wonder, do you enjoy reading? I do. I find it a fantastic escape and now that the Zephyr is in the repair shop, I am thoroughly engrossed in an Agatha Christie novel. I simply adore crime, mystery, and suspense. Once, I stayed awake until the wee hours of the morning just to finish, “Murder on the Orient Express.” That was one of the most suspenseful books I have read.
Well, Lieutenant Ducky Shincracker, I look forward to a swell afternoon spent in your company. Thank you for your letter and the invitation for a date. Don’t worry about my travels into the city. I’ll be taking the 1:15 train from Glen Cove—see I do take public transportation! Ha! If you change your mind, which I sincerely hope you don’t but am sure you won’t (remember I’m an optimist,) my telephone number is ORiole-67126.
Sincerely,
Lizzy”
Maxine lowered the letter. “Ducky shincracker? Oh, I like her—a girl going after what she wants and she wants him. It sounds as though she’s trying to impress him. Any indication of his feelings for her? By the sound of it, he wasn’t too gung ho at first. Are any of his letters in this stack? It would be great if we can hear his voice.”
“I haven’t gone through them all. As far as I can see from the first few, they are mostly hers and placed in chronological order. I’d like to read them as such so I can experience the development of their relationship. I know how he felt about Lizzy. My uncle was head over heels in love. There is a shrine to her sitting on my fireplace mantle that I haven’t had the heart to remove.”
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Thank you, Anna for hosting me and A Moment Forever on its blog tour. I am, once again, honored to visit with your readers. I’d love to hear some of their reflections on how things have changed in just the short time of 24 years. Is Maxine correct in her prophesying about the lost art of letter writing and communication? Have we lost something or are we more connected than ever? And what of Lizzy’s volunteering for the Victory Book Drive? Certainly technology and modern advances have changed how we read books and their ready accessibility, but what about for our servicemembers today?
I’d like to offer a special swag for Diary of an Eccentric domestic (U.S.) entries.
• One e-Book A Moment Forever
• Decorative vintage-style picture frame
• Bath & Body Works Paris lotion and shower gel
• Paris Decorative soap and box
• A Moment Forever bookmark
• Delft Blue swan
One A Moment Forever e-book for International entries
Giveaway details: To enter to win Cat’s generous giveaway, please leave a comment with your email address, let me know if you’re entering the U.S. or the international giveaway, and reflect on Cat’s questions about the lost art of letter writing. This giveaway will close on Sunday, June 26. The winners will be chosen randomly and announced in the comments section of this post. Good luck, and as always, thanks for stopping by!
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Check out A Moment Forever on Amazon and Goodreads. Visit Cat’s website and 1940s Pinterest board, as well as A Moment Forever‘s Spotify playlist and blog.
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June 15: Austenesque Reviews (Interview)
June 17: Of Pens & Pages (Review)
June 18: Romantasy Through the Ages (Guest Post)
June 20: Diary of an Eccentric (Excerpt)
June 24: Savvy Verse & Wit (Guest Post)
July 29: Goodreads Sofa Chat w/ Sophia Rose
Aug. 3: True Book Addict (Guest Post)
Aug. 9: So Little Time… (Guest Post)
Aug. 11: Impressions in Ink (Review)
Aug. 16: The Calico Critic (Guest Post & Giveaway)
Aug. 23: Margie’s Must Reads (Review)
Aug. 29: Jorie Loves a Story (Review)
Aug. 30: Celticlady’s Book Reviews (Review)
Aug. 31: Jorie Loves a Story (Interview)
© 2016 Anna Horner of Diary of an Eccentric. All Rights Reserved. Please do not reproduce or republish content without permission.
Diary of an Eccentric 
Your book sounds wonderful. Can’t wait to read it.
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Thank you, Paulette! I hope you enjoy it. Good Luck in the giveaway. 🙂
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I have read this book and used many a tissue in reading it. It is so hauntingly poignant. Love to last….forever. Rates more than 5 stars in my book. Bringing me to tears just thinking about it again. I will read it again but it does take your breath away and is one you can’t put down so carve out some time when you pick it up.
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Aw, you are a sweetheart! Thank you, Sheila. Based on all the wonderful things you have mentioned about AMF, it is clear that you are part of the Sisterhood of the Swan, one of the ladies who the book is dedicated to.
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Oh, I don’t need the book but please enter me in the drawing for the other swag. I believe you have my e-mail address. Thanks for the chance to win such lovely offerings.
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Good Luck! I’m so happy to offer it! As you know, Paris has such special meaning in AMF.
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I don’t think much about the times I’ve lived through as the historical past, but then I read Cat’s thoughts and the excerpt or even listen to the younger gals at the office and have to wryly nod that I guess I have. When you learn to type on a manual typewriter and still remember the wonder of a cordless phone or a microwave or a Commodore computer as space age stuff and get a tad hive-ish about smart phones and blue tooth in cars, then you’re dating yourself. Haha!
Through the excerpts and reviews I can tell this is a truly poignant story that I can’t wait to read for myself.
Please do not enter me in the giveaway, Anna!
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Oh goodness! I’m making you feel older, Sophia! I knew that I had passed into 20th Century “old” when I was in an antique shop a few weeks ago and there was a girl in there with her grandmother. The teen picked up the receiver of a telephone and played with the rotary. She said, “I heard about these. Wow.”
Thank you so much for joining the conversation! I hope you enjoy AMF when it crosses your desk. Although your postman may strain a muscle. LOL Hugs, Cat
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I think the art of letter writing is now lost for most people, up to a couple of years ago I used to write letters but moving to Canada has made it expensive and so I noe send emails.
Iinternational giveaway, – meikleblog at gmail dot com
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I write long letters to 1.) my brother and his wife who got rid of their computer and 2.) to my daughter and son-in-law in Lacey WA as my daughter can’t find time to read and answer my e-mails but will read a letter. So I know I have kept the members of my family whom I don’t see often up-to-date with what we are doing…even if it is mundane.
Plus I try very hard to write Thank-you notes to the authors or Bloggers who send me prizes on these blogs. One prize came with no return address so I could not send that person a hand written note. But I like to receive mail so I think maybe others would too.
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I love how you got around your daughter not reading her e-mails! My mother was a big proponent of the “write a thank you note” for absolutely everything. That, too, is a lost thing of etiquette. I still do it, but I notice that so many don’t. You are a wonderful correspondent, Sheila. I know first hand. 🙂
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That’s another good point, Vesper. International postage is insane. On several of the JAFF forums there is a Holiday Card exchange and some readers/authors are opting for e-cards. Thank you so much for commenting and good luck!
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Ironically, I was just thinking a few days ago that letter-writing is a lost art. I think we are definitely more connected than ever thanks to social media, but it’s not the same. I am what would be considered an “old soul,” but I know if I wrote a letter to my friends or family today, they’d probably chuckle and be like, “Umm…you could’ve just told me over Facebook and it would’ve taken less time.” I think the difference is, texting, Facebook, Twitter, etc., are so casual and informal. Letters are more formal and intimate (I feel like). Anyone can pop off a message via Facebook, text, etc. It takes patience (and nowadays, love) to take the time to physically write your thoughts out to someone.
Thanks for the giveaway opportunity! Can’t wait to read this one! (stephaniebaumgartner9 at gmail)
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Hi Stephanie! Thank you so much for commenting and Tweeting and all the lovely support! I do miss letter writing, and I think this post has lit a fire in my practicing cursive once again. LOL We are all connected, sort of on the surface. The “Hope you’re doing great,” comments on FB are lovely winks and thoughts of “I’m thinking of you,” but you’re right, letter-writing is more intimate. They do take time, and because of that, I’m giddy when I receive a letter.
Best of luck in the giveaway!
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I just adore Cat! This is a great giveaway, but don’t enter me as I’m on the tour. 🙂 I think letter writing will only vanish if we let it. I still write letters, though not as much as I have in the past when I had a pen pal. I have written tons of email, but they don’t have the same feel to them at all.
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Aw thanks, Serena! You make a good point; we must hold onto letter writing, and dare I say, cursive penmanship? *gasp* I don’t know if a letter through snail mail that says “How R U?” would do it for me. LOL But in email, I don’t mind it at all! I love the idea of a pen pal and before, email, I had many in other countries. One was a very distant cousin whom I met via my genealogy research. He lived in Queensland Australia. One day I received a large envelope in the mail. It was a 11×14 wedding photograph of my Great-Grandparents, 1895. I Love the mail!
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I used to write quite a lot of letters when I was younger, and I am only 30. I actually miss it as it was a tender way of communicating.
Looking forward to read this book. Thank you for doing the giveaway.
(international giveaway please, ana (dot) mr (dot) 1986 (at) gmail (dot) com)
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Hi Ana! So happy to see you here. Thank you for your comment. Maybe this post might get you letter writing again? I hope you enjoy AMF and best wishes in the giveaway!
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I do not have now people to write letters and to write back. It is a shame. People think they are too busy nowadays, and they may be but peope do not remember that you also need time to “get bored”.
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What a lovely and generous giveaway! I will add a link to it on my blog (in the side bar).
As much as I enjoy using modern modes of communication, such as email and texting and Instagram, I do think that there is something extra special about hand-written letters and notes, which seem to capture the very essence of the writer, in the meaning of the words, as well as by the form of the words. We may be more connected today, but I’d like to see us more deeply connected.
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I am entering the U.S. giveaway. 🙂
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Hi Suko! Thank you for commenting and adding the link to your blog! That is so sweet! I have yet to break into Instagram. Heck I only got rid of my flip phone last year. LOL I wholeheartedly agree with you about the impact of a handwritten letter, the care taken to form and write the words, the time put into it and the thought – it is all so special. I adore receiving letters and cards and I sent one today – thanks to this post and all the kind responses. Good luck in the giveaway!
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I love real letters! So much so that I joined a project on a website some years ago to start writing real letters again! 😀 I was very lucky because they gave me the address of a lovely girl and now we are great friends!
Thanks for the giveaway. I’m international.
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What a fabulous idea! I love it! Thanks for sharing, Maria. Best of luck in the giveaway!
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This book sounds fantastic. Have added to my TBR list. I used to love writing letters. I remember as a young girl writing to my friend and was always excited to receive a letter back. I can’t remember the last time I actually sent a hand-written letter to someone. Everything is sent electronically now. It’s kind of sad! Thanks for this beautiful giveaway. I’m entering in the US!
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Hi Letty! It’s lovely to see you here! Thank you for commenting and adding AMF to your TBR. 🙂 It is kind of sad, especially since e-mail boxes seem to grow with spam and unread messages. Texts are those abbreviated “How R U” notes. I think we should all start a letter writing campaign and see if we can start a trend. Thank you again, and good luck in the giveaway!
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I wish people wrote more letters especially when they had something deep/insightful or heartfelt to say. Apologies guess this doesnt count as a entry but thought I’d put in my two cents. US Here 😉
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I don’t usually handwrite letters but I do so with Thank-you notes. The letters I write are usually on the computer and cover both sides of my paper. Of course, I sign them in cursive. Do kids learn cursive anymore?
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Yes! I agree, Darla. I cringe when I hear how a break up or bad news is delivered via e-mail. I’m so happy you stopped by and gave us more than two cents 🙂 Thank you for commenting!
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And sometimes, Sheila sends lovely surprise notes to authors, making their day and sending them a smile via snail mail. 😉
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You deserve more than that but happy to be mentioned…smiles and hugs to you.
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I miss my college days when I would write real letters to my family and friends. I loved collecting stationery, and I loved just sitting down with a pen and paper. Devices just aren’t the same!
Thank you all for a fantastic discussion! The giveaway winners are stephaniebaumgartner (U.S.) and Maria (international). Congrats and happy reading!
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Congratulations to the winners. Enjoy.
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[…] 20: Diary of an Eccentric (Excerpt & […]
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