The Witch of the Breton Woods follows a woman who is part of the French Resistance who gives aid to an American soldier only to discover she has been betrayed and reported to the leader of a paramilitary organization affiliated with the Germans. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?

I love the region of Brittany and discovered that there were approximately 35,000 members of the French Resistance in this area of northern France during World War II. I also learned that many of the Allied planes flying American paratroopers into Normandy for the D Day landing were plagued by severe thunderstorms, gale force winds, and German 88mm antiaircraft flak artillery guns. I decided to write a novel where a young healer–a member of the French Resistance, struggling to survive under the Nazi Occupation of France– finds a critically injured soldier. She hides him from the Nazis and la Milice–the French paramilitary organization that collaborated with the Germans and betrayed their own countrymen.

How much research did you undertake for this book to ensure the accuracy of the historical aspects, and how much time did it take to put it all together?

I did extensive research! In selecting the regiment for my American paratrooper protagonist, I chose a division of parachute infantrymen, researching their military orders, uniforms, gear, insignia, obstacles encountered, and adaptive strategies undertaken once they were dropped into Normandy and forged their way into Brittany. I researched Operation Cobra, Operation Neptune, the building of Hitler’s Atlantic Wall, the forced labor camps for Frenchmen under the Third Reich, the Battle of Brittany, and the specific details of the Battle of Saint-Malo, which is where my story culminates. I also researched the ranking of SS Officers, German tanks and artillery, and the Russian Cossack soldiers who were recruited by the Nazis to hunt down members of the French Resistance.

Do you have a favorite scene from your novel? One that was especially enjoyable to write?

One of the most memorable scenes was when Yvette sought “retribution.” I won’t say any more so as to not spoil the suspense for my readers.

What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?

I am currently writing Dragon of Denmark, book 1 of a Viking trilogy set in 10th century Normandy. It takes place during the time of Richard the Fearless, the Viking Duke of Normandy, and Harald Bluetooth, the Viking King of Denmark and Norway. I’m integrating historical fiction, Norse mythology, paranormal fantasy, and Viking historical romance into an epic trilogy!

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