Today I welcome author Delores Topliff who, interestingly, did the opposite thing I did: she went to Canada and married a Canadian, while I came to the US and married an American. I think we're both pleased with the choices the Lord made for us!

Last June, I wrote here about my four illustrated children’s books and the importance of keeping wonder alive. For years, I’ve also taught college world history and geography. Gradually, themes and events from America’s Pacific Northwest where I grew up and Canada where I lived after marrying my Canadian husband inspired me to write historic novels.

My 2021 release, Books Afloat, is based on little known events when a Japanese submarine invaded the Columbia River during WWII. Next, I wrote two more historicals described under the Books tab on my Delorestopliff.com website. My newest, Strong Currents, is the sequel to WWII Books Afloat and releases February 21^st.

I believe the Lord puts stories in our hearts and lets them grow much like we propagate plants. Slice the stem of most growing things you like, expose them to water and sunlight, and grow enough healthy roots for a whole new plant.

Books Afloat readers asked for a sequel involving most of the same characters. Key parts of Strong Currents were inspired by the life experiences of my Austrian-born college roommate, Ingeborg Oberweger. From the time we met, I knew her family’s story needed preserving. I didn’t dream I’d be privileged to write it.  

When Inge was an infant, Hitler’s army commandeered her school teacher dad for military service. When he was killed in combat nine days later, his distraught wife fled with their three young children to her mother’s home in Dachau, Germany. They were told not to question the many train cars traveling the tracks at the back of the grandmother’s property.

In Strong Currents, the International Red Cross rescues Erika Hofer by shuttling her to her hero uncle in America’s Pacific Northwest. However, instead of a warm reception, she finds hostility and death threats.

She meets US Navy seaman, Josh Vengeance, invalided home after his ship is torpedoed at Midway. These two work with local volunteers to protect Columbia River folks from Japanese invasion.

Such crucial themes keep recurring in history. I hope examining them again helps us determine they won’t happen again.

Inge knew I was writing Strong Currents. I’m sad she recently lost her battle with cancer. I’m honored to feature the themes of hope and heroism again along with the book’s question, “Is there any price too great to pay for love?” Each of us is privileged to decide that answer.