The Ghosts of Brittany France by Diane Scott Lewis

 

 Isabelle is likable heroine, and I enjoyed watching her make the best of a bad situation. Anyone who enjoys historical romance with a paranormal twist might want to check it (A Savage Exile) out.
~ Long and Short Reviews

Could vampires have roamed the island of Napoleon's final exile? Will a young maid discover the truth, or become a victim?

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In writing a WWII novel set in Brittany, France, I learned more about their culture. Since October is the time of ghosts, I wondered how the Breton's felt about the otherworld. The most shocking revelation was, they believe the dead are always with them: two worlds in perpetual relation to one another. If the dead rustled the fallen leaves, this was expected, not surprising.

Also, they believe the dead are doomed to return to the land of the living up to three times--though the souls of the damned were usually lost forever. In rare cases, a damned soul might return to scold a loved one, warning them to change their ways before it's too late. People who died violent deaths were forced to linger between life and death until the natural course of their life would be over. These poor souls wandered the seashores and hedgerows awaiting Divine Judgement.

It was once thought the dead didn't immediately enter the Otherworld, but remained near their families for nine generations.

People were warned not to be out at night, and especially not to whistle. This attracted demons and the dead. One man in Northern Brittany was traveling home after dark and whistled to keep up his spirits. Then he heard an echo of his whistle, but this one was clearer and sharper than his. The whistler came closer and the man quickly realized the Devil was on his tail.

Working outside after dark was also a dangerous task. One farmer in Northern Brittany continued to sow his buckwheat after the setting sun. When he heard the cry "leave the night to whom it belongs," he stopped and hurried into his house.

In Southern Brittany, anyone who gazed too long on a will-o'-the-wisp, would go blind. And never look upon the ghostly white clad girls who carried blessed candles in the woods, doomed for using them in a profane manner.

In earlier times people carried rosaries and lanterns if they had to be out after dark. Or they could challenge the dead: "If you came from God, tell me your desire. If you came from the Devil, go on your way as I go mine." 

Information provided by Bon Repos Gites; Ghosts and Revenants of Brittany

Diane lives in Western Pennsylvania with her husband and one naughty dachshund.

To find out more about her and her books:  DianeScottLewis 

Digging Deep into WWII, surprises and revelations, by Diane Scott Lewis

 

“A rich plot with building suspense, the writing is perfect and flows well. I loved this story.”   ~History and Women~

To purchase Ghost Point: Ghost Point

To purchase my novels and other BWL books: BWL

For my upcoming novel set during WWII, I decided on Brittany, France for the setting. I wanted to visit there, but Covid decided otherwise. So, research was key.

Two of my critique partners are Frenchwomen, one whose husband lived in France during the war. As a child he thought nothing of the invading troops of Germans. Out in the country, early in the war, the reprisals were minimal. The soldiers were kind to the children, giving them gifts; a different side than what you usually hear. 

My biggest obstacle in my story is how to make a Nazi commandant palpable to my audience. There were so many cruel officers, and of course, horrible actions.

I think I've managed to show a man caught in a war he never wanted, and he'll make a vital decision to sabotage what is happening in the region he's put in charge of.

My heroine, Englishwoman Norah, is trapped in France by the invasion, and to her chagrin, finds herself attracted to the commandant. She sees the decency in him. Her life will be turned upside down by her decisions.

She loves to paint, but will she be required to go beyond painting to help the growing Resistance? She'll be at direct odds with her lover, and must make a choice.

Now I have to figure out how to plant explosives on a submarine. The life of a writer!

German U-boat

If the FBI ever checked my computer 'searches' they'd think I was a poisoner, a knife wielder, and a bomb maker.

I wish my father were still alive. He'd have so much to tell me about the war, as he served as a young Radioman aboard navy ships. He was stationed at the notorious Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. In fact, he swears he gave it the nickname, Gitmo. 

Carl Dahlstrom, my father in the navy.

He also worked, of all places, in Rio de Janeiro, but he'd never talk about it.

Years later, after his death, I happened to read in the paper that a secret submarine refueling site in Rio had just been declassified. I had my answer, but it was too late to discuss it with him.

So many secrets yet to discover!

Diane lives with her husband and a very naughty dachshund in Western Pennsylvania.

To find out more about her and her books: http://www.dianescottlewis.org