My Inspiration for Writing…
Come aboard with me into the life of Anna St. James, the beautiful heroine in the soon to be released novel, Exposure to a Billionaire. Extravagance abounds each month adventuring into her world.
Writing Anna’s story has been a journey after a career as a corporate flight attendant. I have been privileged seeing the world and experiencing some of the most incredible destinations and luxury imaginable. First though, before we can dive into Anna St. James story I should explain why I wrote Exposure to a Billionaire.
A Courageous Woman, My Mother in Law…
This week as we celebrate Thanksgiving and in light of the tragic events in Paris, a city I know and love, I want to share a story about an amazing French woman. Genevieve Marie Josephe de Saint Pern Menke, my mother in law. She not only encouraged me, but is one of the bravest women I have ever met.
If I didn’t know better, I would think that Genevieve had led an easy life afforded an aristocrat, growing up in the lovely medieval Chateau d’Agneaux in Normandy, France. Her smile could light up the world–each line on her beloved face falling perfectly into place, and her eyes–a brilliant blue, I see burning brightly in my grandson, Tristan. The moments in her company are precious memories well treasured.
From the beginning of my career I wrote letter after letter to Genevieve. Yes, in those days you hand wrote communications. I would tell her about where I was and who my passengers were. I would write on anything I could get my hands on from notebooks, to napkins, to scratch paper–anything. Every summer our family enjoyed time together at our beloved home in Normandy, called the Manoir de Gonneville.
Before the sun would rise each morning, Genevieve would sit at the farm style table in the kitchen with a fire crackling in the enormous fireplace, the family coat of arms peaking out from behind the flames engulfing me in the warmth instilled in the hundreds of years protecting those inside the manoir’s two foot thick stone walls. I would find her each morning with her well-worn Bible opened. It was there she would ask me to read my stories. Often, she would close her eyes imagining my work as a smile spread across her face in pure enjoyment.
Genevieve was a petite woman who had the French style of making everything look elegant. Through her I fell in love with all things French. As we sat together sharing story after story from my recent travels, those brilliant blue eyes lite up begging me to read more. At the end of each story she would say in her beautiful strong French accent practically singing the words, “Ah mon Cherie, you must write a book and share it. What a gift you have of writing stories that make me feel like I am there with you in all the beautiful places.”
Thus began my writing career. In celebration of Thanksgiving, I would like to express my thankfulness to a woman who encouraged and inspired me. Below is part of the story of this remarkable woman. I hope you fall in love with her, too. If you would like to know more about Genevieve, please read the inspiring novel by my lovely friend, Melanie Dobson called, Chateau of Secrets (http://melaniedobson.com) based loosely on the life of Genevieve.
Genevieve’s Bravery and Courage…
I think it is only fitting to tell a little about her story. Genevieve was born in Ernes, Calvados, France in 1922. Her father was the Viscount Bertrand Marie Josephe de Saint Pern. Her mother was the Viscountesse Jeanne Marie Paule Denis de Girand de las Chaise de Saint Pern. Genevieve’s father instilled in her a passion for horses, a love of life, as well as people. She inherited her mother’s courage and discipline preparing her well for what lay ahead in life.
Genevieve went to the University of Caen before the German’s occupied France. When the Germans invaded France, Genevieve enlisted in the French Red Cross as an ambulance driver/medic.
Genevieve was a highly decorated participant in World War II from her service in the French Red Cross. She received the Croix de Guerre (a French War military medal awarded for bravery in war) with a Bronze Star in June, 1945 for her heroics on January 7, 1944. She distinguished herself in Dijon, on the front during the liberation battle. With disdain for her safety, courage and conviction, she successfully negotiated directly with the German officer in charge for the release of the population of the village of Germolles from execution by firing squad. She was awarded the French Red-Cross Medal of Honor for bravery in treating wounded soldiers and citizens on the battlefront under fire.
The town of Mellecey paid homage and erected a monument, in part, in appreciation for the courage and gallantry Genevieve displayed when she saved the populace of this town when they were threatened by the Germans during a funeral proceeding regarding the victims of the battle at the woods of Marloux in August, 1944.
In January, 1945, Genevieve was awarded a second Croix de Guerre (War Medal) with a Bronze Star relating to her actions on November 20, 1944 during a battle that occurred in the region of the towns of Morvillars and Brebotte when she courageously provided first aid medic assistance to wounded soldiers on the front, carrying them to her ambulance in the midst of battle while under live fire from automatic weapons and mortars.
A seriers of documents called “Courrier de Saonne-et-Loire” (August 21, and 25, 1947) entitled “The Killings of Marloux” (August 20, 22 and 26, 1944), “The Tragedy De Germolles” (August 29, 1944) and “The Inauguration of the Memorial” (August 24, 1947) was published under the auspices of the Chalonnaise section of the buried and deported, resistance fighters and patriots: “…two nurses of the Red Cross, Misses de Saint-Pern and Assignies, were staying at the village of Germolles as a guest of M. Pinette, a local official. They were sent to Germolles to camouflage their ambulances to avoid confiscation by the Germans. Alerted by the sound of shooting, they carried their Red Cross medic identifications and treatment kits to a place where the Germans had just executed and wounded, by firing squad many hostages. After much discussion with the Commander of the Germans, they were allowed to treat the wounded. Meanwhile, the Germans had rounded up hundreds of other hostages and took them into the village of Germolles. The Commander was enraged by the informants who had warned of the German’s approach, ordering, “I want to make an example here, I am going to execute by firing squad all of these hostages.” Misses de Saint-Pern and Assignies had finished treating the injured victims of the first firing squad and went to the center of Germolles where the Germans had lined up all other hostages for execution. Both nurses walked into and amongst the frightened hostages confronting the Commander, proceeding to have a discussion. The Commander turned to Miss de Saint-Pern and said with anger, “But finally Mademoiselle, if you were in my place what would you do?” Miss de Saint-Pern told him, “An honorable man would not kill innocent people. If I were in your position Commander, I would say to all these innocent people that they are free to go.” After a good quarter of an hour reflection the Commander angrily told both nurses, “Come with me.” He proceeded to lead them in front on the hostages and said, “All of you are free!” By their courage, these two nurses saved hundreds of people from an atrocious, and most certain death. Both nurses received a war medal for bravery being told, “Our citizens will be forever grateful for their lives.”
As a decorated war hero of France, Genevieve was authorized by the French government to wear the Croix de Combatant (War Medal and Cross of Combatant) at all civil and military activities, celebrations, funerals and other government functions. It was rare that a woman was awarded such a privilege.
Her family saved many people through the French Underground at the family Chateau d’ Agneaux just outside the city of St. Lo. Sadly Genevieve’s only brother, Antoine was in a tragic accident on the last day of the war. Her older brother was her shining light and friend growing up.
The Years After the War…
Genevieve married a United States Officer, Herman Menke and they married in Paris in 1946. They moved to Davis, California, eventually settling in the Yakima Valley of Washington where they raised five boys and she continued her love of horses, raising Arabians and other breeds. She established a horse club for young people called the “Dust Raisers” in the Parker Heights of the region. She taught both English and western riding as well as dressage and horse jumping.
In 1988, The Menke’s permanently moved back to Genevieve’s beloved Normandy; to a home that had been in her family for centuries. They dedicated their lives in France to restoring their home, the Manoir de Gonneville and its chapelle to its former beauty while keeping its ancient character.
Genevieve’s favorite quotation was: “Beyond love, there is kindness, the recalling of all memories we have felt together, thousands of intimate and sad things, all of which make up life.” (By Guy de Maupassant)
Genevieve was a woman who lived her life in service to others. Her smile, her spirit and her soul illuminated all those she touched and met. My hope and prayer is that through Exposure to a Billionaire I will do justice to a woman who inspired me beyond words. May her light continue to shine brightly in the legacy she has left behind–and may the light continue to shine in all of France and around the world.
In Thankfulness…
Ann