Elaine Marie Cooper Author

Historical Fiction That Grabs Your Heart and Feeds Your Soul

Heart Mountain

Author Alice Wisler Interview and Review: Under the Silk Hibiscus

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Short Synopsis of Under the Silk Hibiscus:
During World War Two, Nathan and his family are sent to Heart Mountain, an internment camp in Wyoming for Japanese-Americans. Nathan’s one desire is to protect the family’s gold pocket watch, a family heirloom brought over from Japan. He fails; the watch is stolen. Struggling to make sense of his life in this land of “freedom” as the only responsible man of the household, Nathan discovers truths about his family, God, and the girl he loves.
Interview with Alice J. Wisler:
Tell us the story behind writing Under the Silk Hibiscus.
Friends in town have parents who were in internment camps during World War II and after hearing a few of their stories, I wanted to learn more about that time in our history.  I grew up in Japan, and yet had not read much about Japanese-Americans that  were forced to camps in 1942 because they looked like the “enemy” (i.e., they were of Japanese descent).  The research I did for the novel was mind-boggling and thought-provoking.  I got to interview one woman who was in a camp in Arizona. In addition to Under the Silk Hibiscus being a novel (fiction), I want others to grasp the history (truth) and have an understanding of what transpires when we let fear and prejudice overtake us.
Give us a glimpse of how your writing journey began.
From the time I was six, I loved to create stories.  My first and second grade teacher in our one-room school house in Kyoto, Japan, encouraged me.  She let me read my stapled-stick-figure-illustrated booklets to the class.
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We have in common that we write both nonfiction and fiction. Has combining these two genres been a challenge for you? If so, how?
 
I started off with fiction.  I used to write love stories on Saturday afternoons when I was in middle school.  But when my son died in 1997, I found non-fiction to be what I needed to write.  I wrote a lot of articles for grief and bereavement magazines.  My devotional, Getting Out of Bed in the Morning, is dear to me because it is about grief and loss—such a huge part of my life.   I don’t think writing both types of books has been a challenge.  So many writing techniques are similar for both of them.
Do you have current writing projects you are working on?
Always.  Fiction and non-fiction.
How can readers connect with you?
Please follow me on Twitter
Facebook Author Page
and my blog, The Patchwork Quilt
 
UnderTheSilkHibiscusCover
 My Review of Under the Silk Hibiscus:

Some historical novels are merely entertaining while others carry you on a journey of insight into human nature and the power of God to transform. Under the Silk Hibiscus fits into the latter category and transports a reader to a Japanese internment camp during World War II.

This novel is the story of a teenage boy of Japanese descent. Although an American by birth, he is forced into a world where he is under suspicion solely based on his family’s heritage.  His entire world is shaken with loss and grief as he is forced into the role of keeping the remnants of his family intact.

With endearing characters and a story that unfolds with both realism and hope, this novel by Alice J. Wisler earns an enthusiastic five stars.

Author Bio:

Alice Wisler has authored four novels published by Bethany House:  Rain Song (Christy Finalist), How Sweet It Is (Christy Finalist), Hatteras Girl and A Wedding Invitation, and Still Life in Shadows by River North/Moody. Her devotional, Getting out of Bed in the Morning:  Reflections of Comfort in Heartache (Leafwood), covers the many losses we face and how God sustains us through each one.  Under the Silk Hibiscus, released by Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas, is her latest novel and first historical.

In 1999, she founded Daniel’s House Publications (in memory of her four-year-old son Daniel), an organization to help fellow bereaved parents. She teaches Writing the Heartache workshops and Writing the Psalms workshops both online and at conferences across the country. The workshops stress the value and benefits of writing from pain and loss for healing, health, and hope.

In 2012, she and her husband started a business, Carved By Heart, where they carve log cabin mailboxes, memorial plaques/remembrances, house number signs, bird feeders, rustic clocks, and other home décor.

Although Alice grew up as missionary kid in Japan, and traveled the world, she’s now settled with her husband, three children and the handsomest boxer you’ve ever seen, in Durham, NC.

Alice is offering a Kindle copy of Under the Silk Hibiscus to one blessed winner! Leave a comment on this blog with your email address and you will be entered in the drawing.