Publisher’s Note
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.
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.
Book details
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