Romantic Reads: Kiss Me Once Again (book) by Gail Kittleson

Welcome Gail Kittleson to the blog!

She's here to share the story behind the story of her book, Kiss Me Once Again.

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Kiss Me Once Again: The Story Behind the Story

A guest post by Gail Kittleson

When Glenora Carson’s story first came to me, I didn’t anticipate writing a romance. This World War II tale evolved into just that, however.

Romance has never excited me because I like more complicated stories. Girl gets guy—that’s the basic plotline, right? Well, maybe I had a thing or two to learn.

World War II complicated everything. When you’re worried that a brother, sister, or parent may not return from battle, the entire setting burgeons with obstacles.

Egotistical commanders may make haphazard decisions that lead to needless deaths. The enemy may change tactics and surprise a unit. (This occurred in North Africa when Rommel shocked American commanders by reversing his course.)

On the home front, wild things can happen, as well. In Glenora’s case, just when she thought she had most things managed, her father’s health began to decline. Worry about her brother Red’s ship being struck by a typhoon in Nakagusuku Wan, near Okinawa, most likely had something to do with that.

Time has dragged on since then, with no word about Red. Is he still alive? If he ever comes home, will he be able to marry his high school sweetheart and take Glenora’s place at their father’s garage? That was his plan before December 7, 1941, but so much has happened in the interval.

For one thing, Glenora has been filling his spot there...will she have to continue wielding her wrench and pliers for the rest of her life? She’s already sacrificed her college scholarship and dreams of teaching home economics to keep the garage open.

Then, out of the blue, a convalescing soldier named Hank returns to town. With his bent for mechanics, his uncle volunteers him to help out at the garage. Thankful she can now devote her time to organizing the books, Glenora attempts to add more figures to the “paid” column.

Relieved of crawling under broken-down tractors and farm trucks to diagnose and fix problems, Glenora can now pay more attention to her other tasks...housekeeping, gardening, and contributing to the war effort in every way possible. When her mother died a few years ago, all of these responsibilities fell to her—there simply aren’t enough hours in her day.

Hank brings relief with him, but also another complication. Back in 1941 when her beau went down with the Arizona, Glenora buried her dreams of romance and having a family of her own. Hank’s presence in the shop urges those dreams to surface, but he seems bent on his own dream of studying under the G.I. Bill as soon as the war ends.

On top of that, he’s kind, honest, tenderhearted, and a good worker. If that weren’t enough, he also has a way with her dad.

This is where my plot led me...right into the complications of romance! I hope you like this old-fashioned World War II story.

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Author Bio:

Writing has always been Gail’s passion, but building her self-confidence took decades, so she’s a late-bloomer. 

Her addiction to the World War II era guides her plot choices, and her Women of the Heartland is all about honoring the make-do Greatest Generation who sacrificed so much for the cause of freedom.

Gail and her husband live in northern Iowa and enjoy Arizona’s Mogollon Rim Country in the winter. They also enjoy grandchildren and gardening. It’s no secret why Gail calls her website Dare to Bloom, and she loves to encourage other writers through facilitating workshops.

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Book Blurb for Kiss Me Once Again:

No one ever accused Glenora Carson of being a breathtaking beauty. Her tall, gangly figure and angular face are more solid Midwestern stock than Hollywood glamour. But Joe liked her. He even told her, “You’re the one for me.” He gave her a locket with. his picture inside, to remind her of him while he was away, serving his country on the U.S.S. Arizona.

After December 7, 1941, Glenora shelves her dreams of attending college on the scholarship she was offered by Iowa State University, locks her heart away, and focuses on holding down the home front by helping out the family business—Carlson’s Garage. The grease-stained overalls didn’t do much to compliment her female. figure, but they did cover her female heart well enough.

That is, until Hank Anderson, a wounded warrior back from battle, walks into the garage and into Glenora’s life. Is an old maid’s future Glenora’s fate, or will Cupid throw a wrench in her plans?

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Buy Gail's book on Amazon

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Connect with Gail:
Website: http://www.gailkittleson.com/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/GailKittlesonAuthor

Twitter: www.twitter.com/GailGkittleson

Amazon Author Page: http://amazon.com/author/gailkittleson