We interviewed Annette Creswell, author from Down Under about her new novel, The Dark Before the Dawn, a Downton Abbey-like family drama during the pre-years of World War II.
From an early age, Annette was encouraged to write and was awarded many prizes for English.
She had a short story published at the age of twelve however, due to the demands of raising a family, there was no time for creative pursuits.
Now retired, Annette has reignited her passion and has written a total of six books with the seventh nearing completion.
She has travelled extensively for pleasure to the United States, Europe, the UK and South-East Asia and her interest lies in novels set around the periods of the first and second world wars.
Annette lives with her partner, Stephen at Neutral Bay, a suburb on Sydney harbour in Australia. She has two sons, Mark and Brett, two grandsons, Jaime and Flynn and a sister, Maree.
The Dark before the Dawn is her second published novel and it is available on Amazon and fine bookstores everywhere.
OBXPG: What is the theme of The Dark Before the Dawn?
Annette: The Dark Before the Dawn is a romantic drama set before and during the second world war in England.
OBXPG: What do you hope to accomplish with The Dark Before the Dawn?
Annette: I hope the readers will enjoy a story replete with humor, romance, drama and tragedy and be left with a feeling that good things can occur when you least expect them. All the characters are credible and the readers can relate to them and have empathy and sympathy for them.
OBXPG: Why did you write The Dark Before the Dawn? Does it reflect your real life in any way?
Annette: I was inspired to write the novel as I have a keen interest in midwifery and I loved the series, Downton Abbey. I also am interested in interpersonal relationships and admire those who can surmount tragedy and suffering encountered in their lives. I have travelled to the European places mentioned in the book staying at a friend’s house in Sarlat, France. The chapel I visited in Rocamadour was where my friend’s mother was married. The chateau in which Peggy and Charles spent their wedding night was based on Chateau D’Esclimont in the Loire valley where I spent one night with my former husband. The chateau was surrounded by a moat in which a dinghy floated but unlike Peggy and Charles we did not avail ourselves of it but admired it from the bank.
OBXPG: How did you come up with storyline(s)?
Annette: I did not have a set plan. The story seemed to take on a life of its own and evolved as I continued writing.
OBXPG: What inspired you to write The Dark Before the Dawn?
Annette: I have a keen interest in novels set around the periods of the world wars and was inspired by my favourite authors, Julian Fellowes, Sebastian Faulks and Evelyn Waugh whose writing style I can only hope to emulate! As previously mentioned, I have a great interest in the nursing profession especially midwifery and would adore to live in a grand house such as Hagley Hall in the English countryside and be waited on by a bevy of staff.
Just before the start of World War II, Peggy Davis, a London midwife, has a chance encounter with a stranger that changes her life forever.
When Peggy meets Charles, a wealthy lord as she boards a bus in front of Harrods department store, fate casts them together.
When Charles’ wife, Diana, and first child die in childbirth, Peggy, and Charles are thrust into a relationship of happiness, sorrow and unexpected tragedy.
They ultimately marry, have a son and adopt an east end refugee boy from London.
What transpires is a web of family dramas a la Downton Abbey with lesbian relationships, Nazi sympathizers and family secrets revealed as Peggy attempts to navigate through her new life from midwife to lady of the manor.
Paperback: 236 pages
Publisher: Outer Banks Publishing Group
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1734168722
ISBN-13: 978-1734168723
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.6 x 8.5 inches
Shipping Weight: 13 ounces
If you vote for Trump and his MAGA GOP members you may indirectly start World War III.
If Trump and his MAGA GOP take control of our Congress, they will cut off support for Ukraine. They already cut support on the advice of Trump when the Congress was ready to approve the spending bill with support for Ukraine.
What will happen next?
said Larry Jacobs, director of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance at the University of Minnesota. “This is supposed to be the party of conservative principles, of tradition, of respect for customs and rules that make society governable.
“The idea that the law does not apply to Republicans is something that has now become part of the mainstream of the Republican party. We see it in terms of the approach to elections. We see it in terms of the treatment of immigrants. Some of the actions with regard to abortion may approach that level. The Republican party appears to consider the law and the constitution to be optional and to have lost legitimacy.”
From The Guardian
Republicans’ lawless leaders at odds with midterm law and order message | Republicans | The Guardian
If you vote Republican you are supporting:
– 19 GOP red states have pending laws suppressing voter’s ability to vote. Historically, dictators and Fascists have suppressed votes to stay in power.
– The GOP has come out in support of QAnon, The Oath Keepers and the Proud Boys
– You may lose a loved one, a relative or a friend in a train crash, a bridge collapse or a plane crash as Republicans strip funds from President Biden’s infrastructure bill.
– The Texas abortion ban if left to stand will be passed in several other GOP states. Idaho will pass an anti-abortion law based on the Texas law. 16 states have “trigger” abortion ban laws.
by the US Supreme Court.
https://cnn.it/3RaW1zm
https://nyti.ms/3IcANNo
With the recent Supreme Court banning EPA authority from polluters
https://bit.ly/3IfQ1Bf
on Gun Purchases – will never get passed.
Watch Jimmy Kimmel’s emotional plea to improve gun purchase background checks
https://cnn.it/3AnRweO
– will never go up leaving 18 states still paying $7.25 an hour.
– the last thing America needs are conservative leaders, especially some Republicans who want to keep America from progressing. The last thing America needs is backward-thinking leaders in the 21st Century.
– Republicans have turned to cheating to stay in power or to get back into power…and nothing is getting done by them for the American people.
The enforcement or advocacy of strict obedience to authority at the expense of personal freedom.
and everything America stands for: Truth, Justice and Liberty for all? Look what is happening in Ukraine.
*Of course, not all Republicans are like those described above. Here is a list of those who should stay in office.
House of Representatives – those who voted to impeach the former president
Senate – The Republicans who voted to convict the former president after impeachment:
YOUR VOTE COUNTS. It’s a lie to think otherwise.
Paid for by Jake Stone for American Democracy
VOTE like your freedom depended on it…because it does.
Books of the NY Times
