Interview with E T McNamara, Author of The Chippendale Letter

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write The Chippendale Letter?

I have always been interested in American history, especially the 1940s and the war years. Blending in a romantic story, or in this case, two romantic stories, seemed to be a natural fit. In my previous novel, Fate’s Final Destiny, I used America’s history to move the romance along. I doubled down on that approach in The Chippendale Letter by having history provide the background for two separate tales of lost love. The challenge was taking two stories twenty-five years apart and coming together at the end. Hopefully, my readers will agree that I succeeded in doing just that.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of The Chippendale Letter, what would they be?

Without a doubt, it would be the Glenn Miller classic from 1939, Moonlight Serenade for Charlotte and George. For Patti, I’ll Never Fall in Love Again by Tom Jones might be appropriate. Finally, I think Put a Little Love in Your Heart by Jackie DeShannon would be Billy’s theme song.

What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

Surprisingly, although I write novels where the central theme is romance, I greatly enjoy reading non-fiction books about twentieth-century American history. I am also a big fan of Tom Clancy and Eric Lawson novels.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

The Splendid and the Vile by Eric Lawson, and The President and the Freedom Fighter by Brian Kilmeade.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

I believe it would be when Charlotte and George are in Washington Square Park. It was then that the two of them finally expressed their true feelings for each other.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

Unfortunately, I am pretty much straightforward about writing. It would probably not be a bad thing to be quirky, but in this matter, I am ordinary.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

Life is short. Each day is a gift that cannot be returned and should not be wasted.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

True love never dies. The happiness it provides is attainable to anyone. You may have to make an effort to find it, but getting there is half the fun.

E T McNamara is the author of the new book The Chippendale Letter

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