Shannon here: Aubrey Taylor shares insight into her characters’ romance from her Historical Romance, Sani: The German Medic. Comment or answer the question in this post to enter the drawing for a copy, e-book or print. Deadline: May 24th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Aubrey:
Sani: The German Medic is a fictional story of Frederick Smith, a young German-American who returns to Germany on the eve of the Second World War. When deciding whether to “ask” these questions of wartime Freddie or postwar Freddie, I decided on the latter, in the hopes that those who have read Sani might enjoy hearing about his life with Krystyna. At the risk of some spoiler alerts, I also hope that this interview might spark curiosity among those who haven’t read the book. If that’s you, take advantage of the giveaway that is being offered by commenting on this post!
Interview with Frederick Smith from Sani: The German Medic:
- What’s the most romantic thing your spouse has ever done for you?
Krystyna believed I would return, even when no one else did. Her parents urged her to let go and stop speaking my name, but she continued to pray for me in private every night. She encouraged Mischa, the girl who would become our adopted daughter, to do the same.
- What’s the most romantic thing you’ve ever done for your spouse?
Well, I trekked on foot from Leipzig to Eastern Poland just make good on my promise to come back for her. I admit that marching was nothing for me at the time, I had been doing it for five years. This time, though, I was alone and had to travel by night, dressed in civilian clothes I’d stolen from a bombed out apartment in Leipzig. I lived in constant fear of being found by the Russians. I had to place a lot of faith in God… and the fact that I am clearly American-born.
- Where is the most romantic place you and your spouse have ever been?
So far? Sitting by the stream on her family’s property, dangling our feet in the water. Really. The place we’re staying now is quite beautiful too, but there is something special about that memory that makes her family’s little home in Poland the most beautiful place in the world.
- Do you and your spouse have a favorite song?
Giveaway
Well, after I met her, I started to understand some of those marching tunes a little better. You know, most of them aren’t political. They’re about the beauty of love and nature. I’ve sung Es war ein Edelweiss to her a few times. In English, It was an Edelweiss. This tiny little white flower kept the couple together. Sometimes, men in the Alps will try to climb high up on the mountain cliffs to pick an Edelweiss, just to show their love for a girl. I’ve never done that, but like I said—I hiked from Leipzig to Eastern Poland for her.
- What simple gesture does your spouse do that melts you every time?
She pulls me back down to reality. {Laughs} I become excited or upset pretty easily, and my emotions run deep. Sometimes, all it takes is a look from her big brown eyes to pull me back down to earth. She balances me out pretty well. I’m hooked for life.
- How soon after meeting your spouse did you know he/she was the one?
Within a few hours. Growing up, I was just too focused on other things to get caught up with a girl. First there was caring for my aging grandparents, then trying to support my mother during the Depression, then moving back to Germany and joining the army. I have a feeling my outspoken faith in Christ turns a lot of girls off too. That’s alright. When I met Krystyna, I figured it out quick: this is love.
- How soon after meeting you did your spouse know you were the one?
She knew before I left her to return to the army. She truly believed I would return, although she had no real reason to expect that I would. The odds of my survival were stacked against me. She didn’t really even have to trust me, either: I wore the uniform of the enemy. Somehow, though, she chose to.
- Who is most romantic, you or your spouse?
We’re each romantic in our own way. She lights candles and puts flowers around the home. Me? I guess I show her my love by being in her presence and doing whatever I can for her. I love to talk to her, she loves to listen.
- Where did you and your spouse go for your honeymoon?
To the loft above the barn on her family’s property. I know, it sounds a little silly, but given the circumstances, it was the only option we had. Naturally, she made it beautiful with flowers, and candles casting flickering shadows around us. Maybe someday I’ll have the opportunity to take her somewhere special.
Question for Readers: What culture or other country fascinates you and why?
About Aubrey: The only child of a single parent, Aubrey filled her younger years by creating characters and writing stories. This ended around age sixteen when music, friends and part-time jobs began to fill her time. After that came college, work, marriage, and children.
It wasn’t until the world was beginning to come out of the COVID pandemic that God led her back to her love for writing, coupled with a passion she’d always had for history. It was time to start a new adventure! Her current long-term project is Gott Mit Uns, a German-perspective 20th century historical fiction series.
Aubrey lives in Upstate New York with her husband and three children. She’s busy keeping the home, caring for her family, doing research for and writing her books.
Aubrey enjoys music and is involved with the worship ministry at her church as well as a German choral group. She also plays gigs occasionally with friends as a singer and acoustic guitarist, and dances with a Bavarian dance group. After all that, she finds time to sketch, craft, and hike.
She is a lover of Jesus Christ, The Holy Bible, history, German culture, tea, and cats, and has a special heart for those who struggle with severe anxiety, depression and PTSD. Learn more & connect:
Aubrey’s Website Aubrey’s Blog
Aubrey’s Facebook Aubrey’s Twitter
Aubrey’s Instagram Aubrey’s Bookbub Aubrey’s Goodreads
About the book:
Weimar Germany, 1923
A father, a son, and a cousin.
Ernst was born too late to fight alongside his brothers in the Great War. An alcoholic and brawler, he finds his place in Germany’s postwar struggle by throwing in his lot with the burgeoning Nazi Party. Yet the failed Putsch attempt brings him home to stay for the first time in years.
Jakob is a young prodigy and church musician who wants nothing more than to spend time with his childhood sweetheart and live a quiet life of service to God. Yet this is not the world he was born into.
Friedrich is a German-American who remained in Germany after fighting with the Allies in the Great War. After healing from a life-threatening injury sustained in October 1918, he’s become a devoted husband and man of God who is loved and admired by all. Yet can there truly be forgiveness for the sins of a past that continues to haunt him?
Written as a prelude to Sani: The German Medic, this book stands on its own or can be read in sequence, bringing the reader deeper into the history of the fictional Schmidt family as they wrestle through the tumultuous Twentieth Century in Germany.
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Good to have you here, Aubrey. Australians in the Outback fascinate me. I think because they seem to live very remotely, very happily.
Wow, I agree! The whole history of Australia is unique and fascinating!
Amish culture is fascinating to me.
Reflecting on the interview – we are the same with my hubby, he pulls me back down to reality! I become excited or upset pretty easily 🙂
I’m that way too! We have Amish communities a bit south of here, very interesting to see how they live!
Japan, it’s people and the country itself.
I have a friend that just visited Japan! She was there during the cherry blossom season. So beautiful!
Two cultures I’d like to learn more about are the Irish and the Polish, both a big part of my own ancestry. Thinking outside the box as to what can be defined as “culture,” I’ve always been interested in 90s pop culture since I lived through it, and in writing my first novel I found myself researching prison culture, which is fascinating, but not at all in a nice way!
I still have Sani on my TBR list but haven’t bought it yet!
Thanks for your comment! I know exactly what you mean about 90s and prison culture. I found the same thing working at a deaf school for 8 years. There’s something about cameraderie and commonality!
I have a winner! Julie McDonough won the drawing. I appreciate Aubrey for being my guest and everyone else for stopping by.
Congratulations Julie!