So thrilled to have Lecia Cornwall as my latest Open Book! Her recent novel, The Woman at the Front is the perfect, inspiring fall read. If you love a strong female lead who is determined, strong, smart and wanting to make a difference then you will love Eleanor Atherton. She is the Meredith Grey and Sybil Crawley all wrapped into one. 🙂 Read below to find out more about Lecia ❤
via Amazon ~
A daring young woman risks everything to pursue a career as a doctor on the front lines in France during World War I, and learns the true meaning of hope, love, and resilience in the darkest of times.
When Eleanor Atherton graduates from medical school near the top of her class in 1917, she dreams of going overseas to help the wounded, but her ambition is thwarted at every turn. Eleanor’s parents insist she must give up medicine, marry a respectable man, and assume her proper place. While women might serve as ambulance drivers or nurses at the front, they cannot be physicians—that work is too dangerous and frightening.
Nevertheless, Eleanor is determined to make more of a contribution than sitting at home knitting for the troops. When an unexpected twist of fate sends Eleanor to the battlefields of France as the private doctor of a British peer, she seizes the opportunity for what it is—the chance to finally prove herself.
But there’s a war on, and a casualty clearing station close to the front lines is an unforgiving place. Facing skeptical commanders who question her skills, scores of wounded men needing care, underhanded efforts by her family to bring her back home, and a blossoming romance, Eleanor must decide if she’s brave enough to break the rules, face her darkest fears, and take the chance to win the career—and the love—she’s always wanted.
What three celebrities/authors/figures- living or dead, would
you want to have a book club with?
I’d invite Roald Dahl, Jane Austen, and Meryl Streep—Roald for
his incredible imagination (his incredible children’s books helped
convince me that being a writer was the craziest, most wonderful
career in the world—and when I read about his life as a spy in
WWII, I became fascinated with that, too!) Toni Morrison for her
incredible insight into people and characters, her talent, and her
editorial skills. I’d want Meryl for her incredible ability to
transform into the character she’s portraying so well that she
makes us believe that she’s truly someone else. That ability is
also the best part of being a writer, creating a character, walking
around inside their world, and seeing things—good and bad—
from an entirely different point of view from your own.
Current binge series?
I’m currently re-watching the Sharpe movies with my family
(based on Bernard Cornwell’s book series and his incredible
hero, Richard Sharpe, who is played to perfection by Sean
Bean). It’s an amazing series!
Last favorite book?
I recently listened to the audio version of Amor Towles A
Gentleman in Moscow narrated by actor Nicholas Guy Smith. I
loved the story, and the way Smith performed it.
What 3 things to you pack in your bag for your dream
vacation? Where is it?
Lately I’ve been longing to visit the Hebrides—all those long,
gorgeous, isolated beaches, beautiful landscapes, history, the
sea, and hardly another person in sight. I think a lot of people are
craving that kind of vacation right now, with so much stress in the
world! I’d pack my camera, a notebook (a notebook is always a
writer essential, even if the Big Trip is to the grocery store!), and
a warm sweater (Scotland’s brisk breezes are not for the chill-
phobic!). Can I bring my dog too? Andy is a chocolate Lab, and
there’s no joy in the world like watching a Lab run on a beach,
and they generously make you part of their adventure, too, no
matter what it is.
Sunday NYT or US Weekly?
Sunday NYT—lots of luscious book and arts reviews!
Last person you sent a text message to?
To my daughter—we’re volunteering together and setting up a
silent auction for a local museum. I texted her a photo of one of
the prizes, a handmade quilt, to add to the listing.
Book you read that you wished you wrote?
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah (or pretty much anything else
she’s written).
Do you have a teacher who encouraged you to become a
writer?
I’d like to thank Sister Mary Damian, who gave her 5 th grade
class a story prompt for creative writing time. She put up a black-
and-white photo of a woman staring in the window of a store. I
wrote a story about a butcher shop in World War II, and the
occupying Germans who were enamored with the lady
proprietor’s delicious sausages. She’d offer to show her fans
exactly how they were made by beckoning them back into her
kitchen… Sister called my mother and told her she hoped I was
destined to become a writer someday, or else we must surely
despair. I was a terrible trial to Sister Mary Damian—I also made
her cry trying to teach me long division, which I just didn’t get!
Do you listen to music while you write? If so, who?
When I’m writing, I like classical music. I love Beethoven, Vivaldi,
Handel, or the wonderful soundtrack from Lord of The Rings. If
I’m seeking inspiration for a story, or trying to get past a sticky
plot point, I listen to Loreena McKennitt—her music transports
me to other times and places like nothing else!
Describe your writing space?
Messy! I have books, files, notes and craft everywhere. There
are important memos on the wall, family photos, two calendars (I
love that fact that calendars allow you to change the art every
single month!), many pens and pencils, three pairs of reading
glasses, and two sweater-lined baskets for my feline muses. I
think a writer’s desk is like their mind—an attic populated by
potential characters whispering their stories in your ear, and filled
with intriguing boxes and bundles, old letters, books, lists, bits of
string, and treasures waiting to be unraveled, dusted off, and
brought into the light.
Coffee or tea?
Coffee in the morning, and tea in the afternoon. (Earl Grey, hot).
Do you have a favorite book that you gift?
I give way, way too many books, especially at Christmas, but I
choose books based on the interests of the recipient, which is
usually different from mine (my husband reads Sci-Fi exclusively,
my son reads about politics, Russia, and military history, and my
daughter enjoys sharp-edged female characters and 18 th century
history) and I think considering their reading loves makes the gift
much more thoughtful. The last book I gave because I loved it
was to my son, Kate Quinn’s The Huntress. Only my late father-
in-law ever said, ‘give me whatever Lecia is reading’.
Book that you wished they would make a movie out of?
Kate Quinn’s The Alice Network comes to mind first.
If you could have one song as the theme song of your life
what would it be and why?
It’s hard to choose just one song! There are so many songs I
love, but the one artist that speaks to my soul is Loreena
McKennitt. I love “The Old Ways”, a song about forgotten history,
lost love, and remembering what’s important.
What/Who inspires you?
My daughter. She had a learning disability as a child, struggled
in school, and endured daily injections of growth hormone
growing up, along with the medical tests involved with that. She’s
always been brave, so amazingly supportive of others who
needed support the most, and she grew up determined, brilliant,
and is now a historian about to begin her PhD in 18 th century
British history. She inspires me to go after my dreams and to
help others do the same.
Bravo reality TV- yes or no?
No. The closest I come to reality TV is This Old House and
history documentaries.
Favorite Instagram account?
I follow several art restoration accounts including conservation. I
find it fascinating (and very soothing) to watch the meticulous
cleaning, repair, and restoration of works of art. Museum
conservation is one of the careers I considered once (along with
archaeologist, photojournalist, architect, and doctor), but I
became a writer, and I can be all those things through my
characters.
If you could name just one lipstick after a book, what would
you call it and what shade would it be?
Recently, I was fascinated to learn about the invention and
popularity of Victory Red lipstick during WWII, which was worn
both as a show of defiance and for a bit of feminine glamor in
dark times. One of the things I’ve missed most during COVID is
lipstick! Introducing Enchanted Red, named after my last
Scottish romance. It’s a Cinderella re-telling, and the heroine is
painfully shy and must learn to be brave and stand up for what
(and who) she wants. Enchanted Red would be bold, a scarlet
red with a hint of plum to add depth and mystery, like the shadow
of a doubt, perhaps. In some light, the shade would seem dark
and seductive, in others, as red as blood and determination, a
color that would fascinate anyone watching as you speak and
make them long to know what secrets lie hidden behind those
lips. Enchanted Red would make the wearer feel beautiful and
truly enchanting, and as if they could do anything, be anyone, so
long as that lipstick graced their lips.
Current #TBR pile?
I’m one of the people who read at least two or three books at a
time. Added most recently are Laura Morelli’s The Stolen Lady,
Three Souls by Janie Chang, Noble Ambitions by Adrian
Tinniswood, Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer.
Best advice you’ve ever received?
In terms of writing, it’s “Burn the Spaghetti”. Romance author
Judith Ivory said that at the very first writing conference I
attended, and where she was the keynote speaker. It means that
a writer’s goal must be to write a story that totally captivates a
reader, immerses them to the degree that they forget everything
around them, even dinner boiling on the stove. Not that I want
anyone to eat burnt spaghetti, or set their house on fire, of
course. Perhaps read after supper.
Follow Lecia:
blissbeautyandbeyond.wordpress.com 