80th Anniversary of D-Day by Janice Lynn

Prior to May 2023, I couldn't have told you that D-Day was on June 6, 1944 and was the largest amphibious invasion in history and changed the world. I didn't really understand that it truly was a world war with us fighting in both the east and the west. I probably studied it at some point during my education, but as war and military weren't something that had interested me in the past, it didn't register. That makes me ashamed, honestly. With my son joining the Army National Guard full time, my perspective on things has certainly changed. First, with wanting to make him a patriotic quilt and discovering the Quilts of Valor Foundation. This wonderful group makes quilts to wrap those who have served in quits of healing. Joining this group has been such a blessing as they do such great work for those who have given so much for every American citizen and those our military help protect.

Then, when the physicial who was originally going on a Honoring Veteran legacy trip taking 3 WWII veterans back to Normandy, France was unable to go, a nurse gave my name as a nurse practitioner who would likely volunteer to go last minute. I'm so very glad I said yes. I met such wonderful people who I quickly grew to adore. I traveled from the US to France with the veterans and once there we met up with other WWII veterans.

I'm so blessed that I have the honor of volunteering again this year for the 80th anniversary. Going on that trip last year changed my life in so many ways. I didn't want to be ignorant of what the men I was accompanying had done and of what I was seeing so I began researching WWII. Let me just say that these men were heroes. The women, too. Part of me itches to write a romance set in that time period because those who rose to meet the demands of WWII events leave me in complete awe. Maybe some day.

For now, I have written a Medical Romance with a doctor volunteering to go on an honor flight type trip to Normandy. She was super close to her grandfather who had served in WWII. The paramedic hero is a former paratrooper. That I got to mentally revisit some of the places around Normandy while writing this story just warmed my heart. I fell for the people of Normandy and their beautiful countryside. I'm so excited that I'll be back in this beautiful country and with these warm people again soon.

I challenge you to learn more about D-Day, whether that's via television movies such as Band of Brothers which follows Easy Company or Saving Private Ryan or one of the many documentaries regarding WWII or by reading a book or by finding out of there are any living WWII veterans in your area who you could talk to. I also challenge you to thank a veteran. Whether that be a WWII veteran, a Korean War veteran, a Vietnam veteran, a Desert Storm veteran, etc., THANK THEM. Their service made a difference and continues to do so. Memorial day is also soon. Really stop and think about what this 'holiday' is and what it should mean to us.

My upcoming Harlequin Mills & Boon Medical Romance, Risking It All With the Paramedic, isn't a military story. Not really. It's a romance set in a place rich in military history. But my hope is that it conveys how much I respect and honor our veterans, how grateful I am to them, and on how much I adore the people of Normandy. 

 

When unlucky-in-love doctor Ivy leads a medical team on a veterans’ trip to Normandy, her sole thought is for the patients in her care. So she’s unprepared for the frisson of attraction she feels at meeting fellow volunteer Caleb! It’s clear the good-looking paramedic has ghosts of his own, but over the fortnight they’re together an undeniable connection forms... Only when they return home will they be brave enough to risk everything and turn temporary...into happy-ever-after?

USA Today, Wall Street Journal, & Publishers Weekly Bestselling author JANICE LYNN lives in Tennessee with her Prince Charming and their princes and princesses, her vivid imagination, an adorable Maltese named Halo who's the true royalty of the house, and bunches of unnamed dust bunnies that moved in after Janice started her writing career. In addition to writing romance, Janice is a nurse practitioner, a quilter, a military mama, and an avid supporter of the Quilts of Valor Foundation. www.janicelynn.com  

WRAPPED UP IN CHRISTMAS LOVE is coming November 2024 from Tule Publishing