1--What is the title of your latest release?
FROM THE VALLEY WE RISE
2--What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
French Resistance agent Isabelle Seauve, US Army Chaplain Peter Christiansen, and young maquisard René Amblard each face danger and harrowing choices when the town of Sisteron is bombed during Operation Dragoon in the final summer of World War II.
3--How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
Setting is always an important part of my novels. Living in France, I was able to visit Sisteron, the city where much of the novel takes place. But my first inspiration (unbeknownst to me at the time) started way back in 1983 when my teammates and I, newly arrived in France, took a group of college-aged Americans to a village near Sisteron called Entrepierres where we spent two weeks lifting stones and digging ditches to help build back this dilapidated village.
Heading up the work project was a visionary British missionary who lifted his hands to the sky and challenged us in our thoughts about faith, work, and love. His vision, which became a reality, was to create a retreat center for full-time French pastors and missionaries. God has mightily used Entrepierres, the real name of what I call ‘The Camp Between the Hills’ in the novel. The fictional Camp Between the Hills is used for other covert reasons in the novel.
A few years ago, I ventured to Entrepierres for a week-long debrief. While there, I learned of the bombing of Sisteron on August 15, 1944. That piqued my interest since I like to include little-known parts of history in my novels. Although I’ve lived in France for over 35 years, I had heard very little about Operation Dragoon and the Allied invasion of Provence during World War II. I knew I had my setting and my time frame for the novel.
4--Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?
Absolutely! I would love to sit on my chaise lounge in the backyard of my home in France and listen to Isabelle share how she had the strength and courage to rescue Jewish orphans, especially at great personal sacrifice. But we’d also talk about all things French as we sip on a glass of rosé wine and eat pistachios. And then I’d invite her to come with me to my native Atlanta for a crash course in Southern hospitality.
5--What are three words that describe your protagonist?
reserved, kind, courageous
6--What’s something you learned while writing this book?
Although I’ve lived in France for over 35 years, the details of Operation Dragoon, the Allied invasion of Provence, were unfamiliar to me. As I spent hours and days in research, I learned about both the heroic and cowardly acts of so many French citizens. I wanted to explore the themes of fear and courage, betrayal and redemption, especially in war when ordinary people are thrown into impossible situations and forced to make decisions.
7--Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
I edit as I go along. To begin with, I just write down my scenes in a very unpolished way, but as I get to know my characters better, they often surprise me, so often I need to go back and tweak earlier scenes. My characters keep me on my toes!
8--What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
I’m not a foodie, but when I’m writing, I have a cup of tea (English Breakfast, Chai, Lady Grey—three during the day) and a big square of dark chocolate with almonds nearby. In France, I enjoy a glass of red wine, with Comté cheese and a crunchy-on-the-outside-soft-on-the-inside baguette. In America, you’ll occasionally find me with a bag of the original crunchy Cheetos. As a girl, all my Nancy Drew mystery stories had orange stains on the pages as I munched on Cheetos while reading in bed.
9--Describe your writing space/office!
My bio states that I write ‘entertainment with a soul’ from my writing chalet outside Lyon, France. Doesn’t that sound charming? The ‘writing chalet’ is an adorable little tool shed that was on the property when we bought our house. After cleaning out the rusted tools and spider webs, my husband insulated the shed and put in flooring. I walk about fifty steps from our front door down to the chalet every day where I happily share the space with friendly granddaddy-long-legs, although occasionally I chase them out.
My husband made me a long desk from where I look out onto our front yard. My desk has bookshelves with my research books on one side and files with all my notes for my current WIP (work-in-progress) on the other side. I have a bookshelf with all my novels in English and in other languages, and I have framed covers of most of my novels hanging on the wall.
During the pandemic, we built open shelving where I keep my favorite classics, my anthologies of English Literature, family photos, and stacks of my journals written in spiral notebooks, plus plenty of photos and memorabilia from my kids, grandkids, and readers. I’m a very sentimental soul.
The chalet is truly a cozy space that I’m blessed to have.
10--Who is an author you admire?
Oh, dear! That’s impossible to choose, but here are some of my contemporary favorites: Lynn Austin, Sharon Garlough Brown, Susan Meissner, Deborah Raney, Charles Martin, Amanda Dykes, Patti Callahan Henry, Amanda Cox, Amanda Dykes, Louise Penny. Please don’t ask me to pick just one!
11--Is there a book that changed your life?
As a Jesus follower, the Bible is the one book that has changed my life and continues to do so every day. But many other books have been influential. When I was a girl, reading The Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett inspired me to write stories with multiple characters and wonderful plots twists. As a teen and young woman, Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities spurred me on even further. Now, I am indebted to many authors past and present.
12--Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)/Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.
This is the story of when I received my first “call”, over 30 years ago. My husband and I have worked with a non-profit in France for 40 years. During a summer furlough in America in 1994, I attended my first writer’s conference. There I met a book editor who, years earlier, had worked with our non-profit in France, and I knew him! We were quite surprised to find each other at this conference. I had a fifteen-minute interview with this editor, Dave, in which I said, “I’d like to write a women’s devotional.” To which Dave, ever the gentleman, said, “Well, we don’t need that…But we are looking for a woman novelist.”
“I can do that too,” I replied.
I knew that a publishing house ‘needing a woman novelist’ was not an everyday occurrence. In my heart, I thought, “Lord, you’ve put me at the right place at the right time!” Dave explained to me how to write a professional book proposal. Four months later, I sent him the proposal (by snail mail, of course. This was 1994). He liked it and presented it to the committee which decides on book contracts. Two weeks later, Dave called me long distance in France, and said, “How would you like to write a book?” I had my first contract for a novel. It was indeed a dream come true—but a dream proceeded by 20 years of writing and prayer! I was ecstatic.
13--What’s your favorite genre to read?
Historical Fiction. I also enjoy Mystery, Suspense, Southern Fiction and Women’s Fiction.
14--What’s your favorite movie?
Impossible to choose a favorite but here are a few: Notting Hill, The Shawshank Redemption, A Beautiful Mind, and the BBC series for Anne of Green Gables.
15--What is your favorite season?
Each season holds a special delight for me. This spring I have enjoyed watching my yard come to life, soaking in the fragrances of honeysuckle and roses, listening to the birds chattering, and taking long walks in nature.
16--How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
Being with loved ones, sharing a meal with my husband, kids and grandkids, opening hand-made cards, and eating yummy chocolate cake and ice cream fill me up! And receiving roses from my husband. I also appreciate one-on-one times with my girlfriends. I love surprises and am often planning surprises for others, but I’m hard to surprise. But this year, on my birthday, one of my best friends from forever drove two hours to kidnap me and take me to lunch. That was a wonderful gift.
17--What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
Recently my husband and I have enjoyed watching the first four seasons of the TV series The Chosen, depicting the life of Jesus from His disciples’ point of view. I am also slightly obsessed with Louise Penny’s series of suspense/crime novels featuring Chief Inspector Armand Gamache. They are beautifully written with humor, warmth, wisdom, depth of character, and of course, murder!
18--What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
French—not just the cuisine but the way we eat. Meals are enjoyed slowly, with several courses, smaller portions, and plenty of time for conversation.
19--What do you do when you have free time?
Read a good book, journal, take long walks alone or with others, make intricate scrapbooks, take photos of nature and people I love.
20-What can readers expect from you next?
My next novel is a dual-time story which takes readers to Atlanta, Georgia during and after the Winecoff Hotel Fire in 1946 and in the preparations for and during the Olympics in Atlanta in 1996.
A Fictional Historical Novel with Triple POV Amidst WWII in France
Loyalty during Peril
In the heart of war-torn France, Isabelle Seauve's resolve is tested after her father sacrifices his life to protect her involvement in the French Resistance. Heartbroken, Isabelle becomes more dedicated to hiding Jewish children in and near the village of Sisteron despite the growing danger when she discovers a traitor within the Resistance ranks.
Truth amid Deception
As the shadow of betrayal looms, Isabelle's world collides with that of US Army Chaplain Peter Christensen, who carries emotional scars from his first position in Kentucky and his service in North Africa. Together, they face the brutal reality of war as the second D-Day—the Allied invasion of Provence—unfolds.
Bravery through Trial
Fifteen-year-old René Amblard narrowly escapes a devastating German attack that claims the lives of his mother and their fellow Maquis fighters. With a Jewish orphan girl at his side, René seeks out his cousin, Isabelle, for refuge while he contemplates revenge.
When the bombs of Operation Dragoon begin to fall, this unlikely group of heroes must find freedom in their souls before they can rebuild what has been destroyed.
Christian Historical | Christian Romance [Baker Publishing Group, On Sale: June 3, 2025, Paperback / e-Book , ISBN: 9780764243493 / eISBN: 9781493450855]
Elizabeth Musser is the highly acclaimed, bestselling author of The Swan House. Her Secrets of the Cross Trilogy is already a European bestseller. A native of Atlanta, Georgia, she now lives in Lyon, France, where she and her husband serve as missionaries with International Teams.
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