With so many World War II stories set in Europe or America, Seashells in My Pocket by Terri Wangard is a breath of fresh air—both figuratively and literally. The unique setting is Brazil. Several scenes take place on the Atlantic seashore by Recife or Natal—vivid enough to feel the wind, inhale the salty air, sink your feet into the sand, or hold a beautiful, intricate seashell. 

I appreciated learning more about how World War II impacted Brazil—something I never knew about before. In fact, never even considered! 

Another unique feature of Terri’s novels are her realistic scenes with pilots in flight. Be sure to check out the Friends & Enemies Q & A (listed below) to learn more about her airplane knowledge and experience. You’ll see it evidenced in Seashells in My Pocket, too.

Terri joined me on the blog twice before:

• May 17, 2022—The Storm Breaks Forth (World War I)
• Mary 24, 2022—Friends & Enemies and all three novels in the Promise of Tomorrow series

Blurb

German-Brazilian Isabel Neumann delights in creating seashell art, but it’s her mathematical ability that lands her a job at the American air base in Natal, northern Brazil during World War II. She doesn’t need a calculator to determine the correct weights and balances for the Air Transport Command’s cargo planes.

Daniel Lambert, an American transport pilot based at Natal, endures the taunts of combat pilots that he is “allergic to combat.” His flying skills win him respect, however, and his friendship with Isabel deepens, even as a new source of trouble looms.

Isabel is caught in the crosshairs of a German saboteur who is obsessed with her. He insists that she belongs with him, and demands that she help him sabotage the Allied base. Her growing relationship with Daniel angers the Nazi, who will do anything to get rid of him. What will happen to Isabel if the madman captures her?

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My thoughts:

The hero Daniel and heroine Isabella are easy to love. Daniel’s an American pilot based in Natal. Isabella grew up in Brazil and works at the same American base. They are both half German. The characterizations and dialogs are strong and enhance the plot.

Isabella’s difficulty understanding American idioms adds a sweet touch of humor. After all, how can store items be “on the house” when they’re in her hands? And of course “tough cookies” don’t cry . . . or crumble. 

Daniel’s a noble hero so it’s no surprise Isabella is attracted to him. Though accused of avoiding combat, Daniel doesn’t run from trouble. In fact, he does what he needs to do, whatever the risk. The risk increases as the evil man stalking Isabella gets closer to his target. 

The setting comes to life whether on the beach surrounded by seashells or in an airplane over the ocean. The intricacy of seashells is relayed in the same stark detail as the rigors and dangers of navigating a wounded aircraft miles from the base. You will feel like you’re there—experiencing both the serenity and the fright. 

Join me for some Q & A with author Terri Wangard.

Questions about Seashells in My Pocket

You’ve written many World War I and II novels with a variety of settings (Germany, Sweden, Milwaukee, etc.). How did you pick Brazil as a setting? What challenges did that present? Do you have a personal connection to Brazil?

Gail Halvorsen was famously known as the Candy Bomber of the Berlin Airlift. During WWII, he was based in Brazil as a cargo pilot with the Air Transport Command. Brazil? What was going on in Brazil?

Most WWII books are set in Europe. I like the idea of unusual settings. That’s what this series is all about. My connection to Brazil is having spent one day in Rio de Janeiro in 2008. The only other setting in any of my books where I’ve spent time is Stockholm, Sweden.

What kind of research was involved? Name one or two things you learned that intrigued or surprised you.

The problem with unusual settings is the dearth of research materials available. For my B-17 series, I had dozens of sources. For Brazil, I found one out-of-print book by a navy photographer. Without it, I would have had a hard time putting a face on Natal. 

I also found an obscure document that I was able to purchase through the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Other than that, I picked up clues here and there. Humphrey Bogart was there? When? What did he do? I spent a lot of time verifying and fleshing out those clues.

The US airbase in Natal was one of the busiest airports in the world during the war, yet who knows about it now?

How did the story develop? Did you start with characters, plot, themes, or something else—like seashells? What real life parameters were you working with?

Brazil came first, then an ATC pilot. A lot of German communities were located in South America and southern Brazil, so that offered lots of possibilities for the heroine and the plot. Since Isabel lived on the coast, seashells were a logical hobby. The racial mix in Brazil added another dimension.

What did you know about your characters Isabel and Daniel at the outset and what did you learn about them during the writing process?Do your characters hijack the story or do you have full rein?

The common denominator in the series is the friendship of three Milwaukee men who all became pilots in WWII. Daniel debuted in my WWI book The Storm Breaks Forth as the baby nephew of the heroine, so he came with a backstory. I gift my characters with talents I wish I had, so Isabel was fluent in languages and brilliant in math.

This story was written a few years ago. (The draft of book three, coming in March 2026, is nearly complete.) I don’t recall any surprising twists. While I don’t outline, I have an idea going in on what will happen. New angles come from my ongoing research, like finding out Daniel and Isabel had a chance to meet Humphrey Bogart. 

Do you love seashells the way Isabel does? What would she have to say about you?

I love seashells and have created “masterpieces” with them. My favorite thing to do in Florida in shelling at dawn on the gulf coast. Isabel would say I’m an amateur. 

Do you prefer writing from the man’s or woman’s perspective? What are the challenges of each, particularly considering each of their roles in a WWII setting.

Writing the woman’s role is easier because who can understand what a man is thinking? My beta readers have sometimes asked, would he really say/do that? Smoking, drinking, and swearing were rampant on military bases. My heroes are squeaky clean and avoid the bad habits!

How would you compare Seashells in My Pocket to your other WWII novels? How would you compare Isabel to your other heroines?

I like to think all of my books are outside of the norm with their settings. Friends & Enemies is set in rural Germany without an emphasis on Jewish persecution or Gestapo tactics. No Neutral Ground is in Sweden and Rolf, the American airman, fled Germany because of Jewish ancestry. Soar Like Eagles features the Red Cross doughnut girls in England and France.

Isabel’s biggest difference is she’s not an American. She’d never been in the US. She’s fluent in English, but doesn’t always understand Americanisms. 

In this book and others, I’ve been amazed by your knowledge of planes and flying, though you’re not a pilot yourself. How do you make the flight scenes so real? (We discussed this a bit in a previous post.) 

Once I’m finished with this series, I am not going to feature another pilot! 

When I wrote Friends & Enemies, I dove into B-17 research and found so many sources, especially my favorite type: memoirs. Those authors lent their experiences to my characters. My dad and brother have flying experience (Cessna types, but still . . .). They can answer my questions about throttles or rudders or whatever. 

Living in Wisconsin, I’ve been able to attend the Experimental Aircraft Association shows in Oshkosh and other warbirds exhibits. I’ve boarded C-47s like Daniel flew, so I know how steeply the floor slopes when the plane is parked.

Can you share what you’re working on next?

Book two, coming in March of 2025, is set in Iceland. Daniel’s friend Stefan (mentioned in Seashells) is a PBY pilot. He meets a Red Cross worker who is French Canadian. 

Book three will be a little different. My original story idea fell apart before I even started writing. It was supposed to be set in Australia, but ended up in Hawaii and on an aircraft carrier and a hospital ship. It features Daniel’s friend John (also mentioned in Seashells) and Daniel’s cousin Gloria (also mentioned in The Storm Breaks Forth).

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Back to Laura . . . On a similar note . . . 

If you like historical fiction, you might enjoy my novel, A Hundred Magical Reasons. This story spotlights L. Frank Baum, author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, his friendship with a young girl, and his impact through the decades. Set in Holland, Michigan, this pre-published dual timeline novel alternates between 1980 and the early 1900s. Read more and watch the book trailer here. The story recently won Scrivenings Press novel contest and is currently under consideration at another publisher.

If you like historical Southern fiction or small town/rural stories about family dynamics and secrets, you might enjoy my re-launched novel All That Is Hidden. Set near North Carolina’s Smoky Mountains in 1968, the story spotlights the bond of family and the connections of a tight-knit community. Northern exploitation threatens as a father’s hidden past catches up to him and tests family ties. Learn more and watch the trailer here.

All That Is Hidden awards:

• Winner of the Artisan Book Reviews Book Excellence Award
• Semifinalist in Serious Writer’s Book of the Decade contest

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Terri Wangard bio

Terri Wangard grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, during the Lombardi Glory Years. Her first Girl Scout badge was the Writer. These days she writes historical fiction, and won the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) Woodland’s Chapter 2013 Writers on the Storm (WOTS) contest and the ACFW 2013 First Impressions, as well as being an ACFW 2012 Genesis finalist. Holder of a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in library science, her research included going for a ride in a WWII B-17 Flying Fortress bomber. Classic Boating Magazine, a family business since 1984, keeps her busy as an associate editor. Learn more on her website.

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Join me next time for a visit with author Kendra Broekhuis.

Meanwhile, have you read Seashells in My Pocket or any others by Terri Wangard? What are some of the World War II settings you’ve enjoyed reading about? Answer in the comments below.

Ever reading,

Laura

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