world war II – Page 2 – Britt Skrabanek

A Revamped Title and a Release Date

Over beers the other night Mr. H and I got down to business on the cover for my upcoming book release. He asked me to summarize the damn thing in the middle of our favorite tavern so he could gain the necessary inspiration to create one of his cover masterpieces.

Writers, I’m sure you can agree, that explaining your entire book to anyone can be challenging. Naturally the first verbal explanation sounded like a hot mess, but we got through it.

After that, something unexpected came up…a title change.

The Bra Game just wasn’t working. The title popped into my head over a year ago during the first draft phase. Now that the work is completed (yippee!), a change was imperative to encompass the true feel of the story.

The new title is…

…drum roll, please…

NOLA FRAN EVIE

I wrote three strong, incredible main characters for this book. These women are the heart and soul of the story, and they deserve to be celebrated.

Another cool thing is that you guys out there—my lovely readers—helped name Fran and Evie last February when I asked you all to vote for your favorite character names. So, I love the way this all came together.

I’ve never changed a working title before, so this was an ~~interesting~~ laughable process. Silly, stubborn me cried at first (that’s right, in a freaking bar) since I had become attached to the title after such a long time. I worried that I would have to change the entire book—or bits and pieces, or the ending.

Luckily, Mr. H was there to bring me out of my theatrics. And another round of beers sealed the deal.

Now the cover is in the shop and I FINALLY nailed down an important date.

The big release for Nola Fran Evie is…

…drum roll again, please…

JULY 22!!!

Stay tuned for more details, including some behind the scenes posts in the coming weeks.

A big thanks to Roy McCarthy for giving me some valuable/awesome/honest feedback on my description. I’ve made some solid tweaks since my first description reveal.

Here is the new and improved version with the temp cover…

NOLA FRAN EVIE

They were unladylike rebels, three young women abandoning rolling pins for baseball bats to join the All-American Girls Baseball League. They changed history and that changed them. After the league folds in 1954 Nola, Fran, and Evie meet by chance on a popcorn-scented summer day where it all began…Wrigley Field, Chicago. They team up once again to fight for a pivotal cause these dames can only win by uniting as one.

Inside these ball players lies a fierce beauty, an unconventional destiny beyond the kitchen. Foregoing the American dream of sparkling cars and pastel suburbia, together they face up to the reality of nuclear drills and civil rights. Their story is uncovered nearly forty years later when Jacks Demonte discovers a trail of clues tucked away in a vintage handbag. The extraordinary lives of these women intersect with Demonte’s as she falls deeper into a heroic past.

Ta-da! Hope you’re all having a stellar week!

The Bra Game Gets a Description

I don’t think I’ve ever come across anything more thrilling and terrifying than writing a book description.

You create a fictitious world from the ground up, live and breathe it for years, painstakingly edit until you’re sick of looking at it, then you have to sum it all up with efficient charisma.

So, last week I finally sat my procrastinating ass down to write The Bra Game’s description and made a sweet little home for my baby on the blog.

After some careful consideration, I have decided that my original—ahem, impatient—spring release date is a no-go. Our cross-country move to Portland was a bit of an obstacle for the project. Though I trucked on with edits, I still have some buttoning up to do.

I want to deliver a quality piece of work to you all, and that takes time. With that being said, I am pushing the release to early summer. Since The Bra Game (new title…NOLA FRAN EVIE) boasts a retro summertime feel, it should fit in swell with summer reads.

The cover is currently in the shop, so I am using this temporary 1950s-esque selfie until then.

Without further ado, I present to you the description. Ta-da!

They were unladylike rebels, abandoning rolling pins for baseball bats to join the All-American Girls Baseball League. They changed history, and that changed them. After the league disintegrates in 1954 Nola, Fran, and Evie accidentally reunite on a popcorn-scented summer day where it all began, on Wrigley Field. Nearly forty years later Jacks Demonte makes a startling discovery…a trail of clues tucked away in a vintage handbag. Forever fated to the bra game, the extraordinary lives of these women intersect with her own as she falls deeper into a heroic past.

Inside these bra players lies a fierce beauty, an unconventional destiny beyond the kitchen. The American dream of sparkling cars and pastel suburbia is mocked by the turbulent reality of nuclear threats and civil rights. Nola, Fran, and Evie team up once again, connecting in truth to fight for a pivotal cause these brave dames can only win together.

So, what do we think?

Beneath the Satin Gloves – FREE on Smashwords!

That’s right, loves! For the rest of October my debut indie book is totally FREE on Smashwords.

For those unfamiliar with Smashwords, know that they are a very pro-indie author distributor, offering any e-book format in existence. Instructions are right here so you know what to do after you download the format you need. With my Kindle Fire, I just email the mobi file right to my Kindle email address.

To get the free goods, use the coupon code down below.

A modern day woman, torn by her illusive dreams, awakens to a strange life in 1943, hurdled against the throes of destruction in wartime Berlin. Following a haphazard trail of clues, she discovers her new identity as Alina Feuer, code-named Sparrow, a famous entertainer, seducing a high-ranking SS officer to gather vital information for the Allies.

But, Alina is an amateur in these incessant spy games, relying solely on her wit and instinct to make her next move while frantically hiding her erratic behavior from the watchful eyes of her suspicious liaison/love interest and her pestering socialite gal pal along the way. A reluctant heroine, she must use charismatic glamour as her weapon of choice to fulfill her deadly mission before the week is through.

Click here to buy on Smashwords

(just copy and paste coupon code MS89Y at check-out)

In true indie fashion, I interviewed myself. Check it out…

The Permanent Book Sale

Hey friends!

Just dropping a quick note to say I have decided to lower the prices on both of my little books to $2.99…permanently! So happy summer reading to you from your indie author pal, Britt.

In the heartland of oil money, Jaye Davis spends her whirlwind existence trapped in the battle fields of high fashion. Surrounded by sparkling ambition and plastic perfection, she reluctantly masquerades as a sales drone at Lyman’s, a luxury store in Dallas. After escaping a turbulent past and leaving everything behind, Jaye struggles to find her place in the world. Armed with a quiet determination, she embarks on a solitary quest, searching for certainty in an uncertain future.

But Jaye Davis isn’t her real name–only a byproduct of the witness protection program. Once her fabricated identity is thrown into jeopardy, she flees to the haunting allure of Prague. Unearthing her roots in an important step toward self-discovery, she learns to surrender to the life she truly deserves.

Watch the Inside Look

Buy on Amazon

Watch the Inside Look

Buy on Amazon

Berlin: My Scarred Muse

When I traveled to Berlin back in 2009, I was mesmerized and speechless: the in your face street art, the bold and chic architecture, the playful, rebellious nature of its people, and the intentionally abandoned scars from a time in history when she almost fell entirely off the map.

I fell in love with the city at a young age, enthralled by its turbulent history and thriving culture. It was the only locale that came to mind when my husband dared me to write a novel. Although I wanted to write about a multitude of time periods, the World War II junkie in me prevailed, and Beneath the Satin Gloves was born.

It is the biggest challenge I have ever taken on, a delicious adventure.

I’ve always wanted to live in another time, and writing effortlessly granted me that impossible wish. Off and on for the past three years, I lived in the 1940s through the characters and plots in my head.

I love the idea of an intelligent character being uncomfortable, completely out of their element. To add a twist to my book, my main character is actually from present day, and wakes up in the past as a spy in Berlin. Therefore, modern elements and thoughts are incorporated throughout the story.

An excerpt from Beneath the Satin Gloves…

One lazy afternoon, spending quality time with her remote control, she flipped through channels and landed on a travel show discussing the gender qualities of cities. American cities, like Chicago, were masculine, embracing smart business suits, non-stop hustle and bustle, and snappy hamburgers. European cities, like Brussels, were feminine, encompassing tidy dogs, chic cafés, and lazy croissants swimming in artery-blocking cream.

Berlin was both feminine and masculine, eclectic sense of style mixed with undeniable assertiveness. Graffiti covered the walls in one eye-catching portrait after another, expressing creativity and attitude beneath its brazen messages.

It was estimated that ninety percent of Berlin was destroyed during World War II. Walking around that summer, she found bullet holes permanently embedded in different exteriors around the city. She often stopped and touched them, closing her eyes, feeling these scars as if they were her own.

Scars could never diminish Berlin’s spirit. There was no need to cover them up with unnecessary make-up, because they made the city who she was—a survivor.

Many would claim Berlin is not a romantic city, but I beg to differ. In my eyes, romance is defined by complexity, passion, and intrigue.

I am currently in the final editing stages. I would love to hear your feedback! What do you guys think of the excerpt?