Space Coast Author Jill Wallace To Host Book Launch Party March 23 For ‘War Serenade’

By  //  March 17, 2018

Inspired by a true story, War Serenade is compelling, heart-wrenching, sometimes funny and always dramatic

Author Jill Wallace has spent the last two years writing an epic World War II novel, War Serenade – Divided by War. United by Music. Endangered by Passion. Inspired by a true story, War Serenade is compelling, heart-wrenching, sometimes funny and always dramatic as it celebrates the endurance of the human spirit, the evolution of rich friendships, and love’s triumph against impossible odds.

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Brevard County Realtor Jill Wallace will host a book launch party Friday, March 23 at Re/Max Elite, located at 6022 Farcenda Place, Ste. 101, in Melbourne.

Wallace has spent the last two years writing an epic World War II novel, War Serenade – Divided by War. United by Music. Endangered by Passion.

Inspired by a true story, War Serenade is compelling, heart-wrenching, sometimes funny and always dramatic as it celebrates the endurance of the human spirit, the evolution of rich friendships, and love’s triumph against impossible odds.

The story begins when bon vivant Italian opera star-turned-pilot Pietro is shot down during World War II, he nearly loses his life. Worse, he’s lost his passion for music and is close to losing his sanity in a soul-crushing prisoner-of-war camp in South Africa when he meets Iris.

He has a vision of a love worth dying for-worth living for-and realizes he must find his voice if he ever hopes to find her again.

Iris’s dreams are at stake when she meets Pietro. All she wants is for her brother to come home alive from the war and to fulfill her destiny as a costume designer in Hollywood.

But this spirited redhead’s life turns upside down as her eyes meet Pietro’s through the cage of his prison. The world may be at stake, but so is her heart.

Their secretive and daring courtship raises the suspicions of the bully who runs the camp, a scarred and damaged tyrant who once dated Iris. Consummating the couple’s almost mystical connection will mean crossing the barbed wire, risking the deadly charge of treason and confronting their worst fears.

Brevard County Realtor Jill Wallace will host a book launch and signing party Friday, March 23 at Re/Max Elite, located at 6022 Farcenda Place, Ste. 101, in Melbourne. To RSVP call 321-223-7356 or e-mail JillWallaceAuthor@gmail.com

PAYING TRIBUTE TO UNIQUE ROMANCE

War Serenade author Wallace was born and bred in South Africa.

“I have lived half of my life in South Africa and half in America and I thrive on being ambicultural,” said Wallace.

“I remember at 19 being hungry for life and all it could throw at me. I dramatically spread my arms ‘a la seconde’, threw back my head and said, “Give me all the living I need to make me interesting.”

Wallace said the idea for War Serenade started during the “afternoon-quiet-time” instilled by her mother, herself a true product of Colonial South Africa.

“She would tell me a story so I had ‘something to think about’ whilst next to me, she slept off her post-tennis gin and tonic, shared with other housewives over lunch,” said Wallace.

“My favorite of all the true stories she imparted, was that of lovers on the opposite side of World War II. Their story was so vivid to me and their love story so poignant. It far exceeded the glitz of a boring one hundred year sleep and a prince.

“Aunty May and Uncle Greg’s unusual romance became my afternoon staple, and I begged for it to be served up at least four afternoons a week.”

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Enjoy Space Coast Daily, Brevard County’s Best and Most Read Magazine

For decades Wallace saw their unique romance in her head until it morphed into a dramatic moving picture.

“I was compelled to spend years learning the craft of screenwriting in an attempt to bring their beautiful story to life,” said Wallace.

But when she marketed her script, Wallace found that the story was “far too happy” to entice the masses.

Critics from Los Angeles said her story needed more conflict and suggested making the main female character Irish or a black South African.

“After years of angst, I thought to hell with them all and decided to tell the story my way,” said Wallace.

“I found once I changed their names, I no longer owed my revered aunty and uncle their truth, and with the freedom of fiction, I enjoyed the liberation of free storytelling. I only hope in some way I’ve paid tribute to the dynamic couple who’ve entertained me all of my life.”

To RSVP for the book signing party call 321-223-7356 or e-mail JillWallaceAuthor@gmail.com

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