The Liberty Bodice
Joy Gerken is a trained nurse, working at a local hospital. Her first novel is 'Figs, Vines and Roses' a tale of love and loss at the turn of the nineteenth century. The second novel was released in June 2015 and is called 'The Liberty Bodice'.This is a completely different genre to the first novel and follows the trials and tribulations of a young girl working for the Special Operations Executive[S.O.E.]in W.W.2. We have conducted an interview with her.
What is 'The Liberty Bodice' about?
The Liberty Bodice is a tale of courage, tenacity and Our protagonist Gloria, educated in Ireland and England has a penchant for languages. This makes her an ideal candidate to join the Special Operations Executive[S.O.E.]and she becomes one of only 38 women S.O.E. agents who became known as Churchill's secret army. Gloria is parachuted behind enemy lines into France. She achieves any successful missions alongside her comrades working for the French Resistance. Eventually she is captured and suffers dreadfully at the hands of the Nazis. Gloria and a friend found in the concentration camp of Dachau, escape. The twists and turns of the story thereafter will keep you turning the pages.
What inspires you to write about the character in Special Operations Executive[S.O.E.] in W.W.2.?
I have always been interested in the WW2 having been born just after the end of the war. I was used to hearing my parents and aunts talking of these brave women and men.
How does the timing like the turning of the 19th century influence you and your novel?
The timing of my first novel is for me a fascinating subject. That period when such a vast expanse existed between rich and poor.And the plight of women wanting to start a career was virtually unthinkable for a women of Isabella's privileged status.
What is your key message within your first novel about 'love and loss'?
Key message for "love and loss" is that our protagonist falls in love with a man from an impoverished background. Eventually after a Summer of loving him she looses him.
Who would you recommend to read your books and novels?
The 1st novel is a women's book, the 2nd is for all adult readers. My new novella is a medical romance and will suit anybody who enjoys reading about love.
