A Valley of Betrayal by Tricia Goyer
When Tricia Goyer writes, history come alive. I know I’m always in for an exciting adventure with dynamic characters when Tricia’s historical hit the book shelves. Valley of Betrayal, set during the Spanish Civil War is her latest novel and I’ve already started on this journey and can’t wait to fully emerge myself in the story which has already started
with a bang, literally and figuratively.
Here’s a brief synopsis of the book (courtesy of
Christianbook.com):
Brimming with thrilling scenes and historic details, Goyer’s new series is set in the Spanish Civil war of the 1930s–where Sophie finds herself hurled into escalating battles between fascist soldiers and national patriots. When every road out is blocked, she manages to take refuge with international compatriots–but how will she get her story out to the world
The Story Behind the Novel:
A few years ago when I was researching for my fourth World War II novel, Arms of Deliverance, I came across a unique autobiography. One B-17 crew member I read about claimed to make it out of German-occupied Belgium after a plane crash due, in part, to his skills he picked up as a veteran of The Spanish Civil War. Reading that bit of information, I had to scratch my head. First of all, I had never heard of the war. And second, what was an American doing fighting in Spain in the late 1930s? Before I knew it, I uncovered a fascinating time in history—one that I soon discovered many people know little about. This is what I learned:
Nazi tanks rolled across the hillsides and German bombers roared overhead, dropping bombs on helpless citizens. Italian troops fought alongside the Germans, and their opponents attempted to stand strong—Americans, British, Irishmen, and others—in unison with other volunteers from many countries. And their battleground? The beautiful Spanish countryside.
From July 17, 1936-April 1, 1939, well before America was involved in World War II, another battle was fought on the hillsides of Spain. On one side were the Spanish Republicans, joined by the Soviet Union and The International Brigade—men and women from all over the world who have volunteered to fight Fascism. Opposing them, Franco and his Fascist military leaders, supported with troops, machinery, and weapons from Hitler and Mussolini. The Spanish Civil War, considered the “training ground” for the war to come, boasted of thousands of American volunteers who joined to fight on the Republican side, half of which never returned home.
Unlike World War II, there is no clear line between white and black, good and evil. Both sides committed atrocities. Both sides had deep convictions they felt worth fighting and dying for.
Loyalists—also know as the Republicans were aided by the Soviet Union, the Communist movement, and the International Brigades. If not for the weapons and volunteers from these sources their fight would have ended in weeks rather than years. While many men fought side by side, their political views included that of liberal democracy, communism and socialism. The Catholic Basque Country also sided with the Republic, mainly because it sought independence from the central government and was promised this by Republican leaders in Madrid.
Nationalists—or Francoists were aided mainly by Germany and Italy. The Nationalist opposed an independent Basque state. Their main supporters were those who believed in a monarchist state and fascist interests. The Nationalist wished for Spain to continue on as it had for years, with rich landowners, the military, and the church running the country. Most of the Roman Catholic clergy supported the Nationalists, except those in the Basque region.
During the Spanish Civil war, terror tactics against civilians were common. And while history books discuss the estimated one million people who lost their lives during the conflict, we must not forget that each of those who fought, who died, had their own tales. From visitors to Spain who found themselves caught in the conflict, to the communist supporters, Basque priests, and Nazi airmen . . . each saw this war in a different light. These are the stories behind A Valley of Betrayal.
Interview:
Share anything else that you think is important about this book.
This book was very challenging because I knew nothing about The Spanish Civil War before I started. Yet, I felt sure that God was leading me to write these books, and God (again) taught me to trust Him. When He gives me an idea for a novel it is so BIG. I mean there is so much to pull together. Yet, God has shown me time and time again that He is faithful. He gives me ideas, leads me to the right research books, and even brings people into my life to help me!
One example with this book is that God brought someone also to help. A man named Norm Goyer contacted me because his was working on his family tree and he wanted to know if we were related. We weren’t related, but Norm ended up being a airplane expert and consultant for movies. Norm ended up helping me with research on my German pilot in Spain. I think it was an awesome gift from God! This again shows me that what ever God brings before me, He also has the power to help me succeed.
What themes exist in Valley of Betrayal that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren’t overt but developed as the story progressed?
“The main theme is one of God’s Providence. We think we’re doing someone for one reason, but then later we discover that God’s plan was even bigger! There are no coincidences with God. Also, the theme of discovered strength. I love the verse that talks about, In my weakness God’s strength is complete. Only when we are weak can God’s strength truly shine through us.
What were your most difficult parts to write? Your favorite?
The most difficult parts are those dealing with the political climates of that time. One of my characters, Deion, is part of the Communist party. Today’s reader has one view of what that means, but in the 1930s there was hope found there. In a country that was still segregated, the idea of equality of men was a huge draw, especially for African Americans.My favorite parts dealt with the Spanish culture, the bullfights and the flamenco dancing. The attitudes and the beliefs. Fascinating. Oh, and I love getting swept away with my characters. They always surprise me! In fact, at the beginning of the book I added a minor character because my girl, Sophie, needed a ride across the border. As it turns out her driver ends up being one of the major players in the book. Who knew?
When is your next book coming out and what is the story?
My next novel, A Shadow of Treason, picks off where A Valley of Betrayal leaves off. It starts THE DAY the first book ends. It continues on in “Spain in the lives of these characters, and … well, soon they discover that more is at stake than what any of them originally thought. It’s also published by Moody and it will hit store shelves September 1, 2007.
What aspects of your work ndo you enjoy the most?
I LOVE researching. In fact, next week I’ll start to research for my upcoming three book series on The Spanish Civil War. I can’t wait! I enjoy learning about a new time in history and weaving a plot amongst the true events. Of course, I love the “push” of seeing the story form on the page. I research, research, research, and then spend the last two months before deadline actually writing the story. In fact, I began to write when I’m “there” and most of the plot and characters are clear in my mind. There are always minor things that change as I write, but for the most part the nstory is already birthed in my mind and I just work to get it on the page.
What do you like to do when you aren’t writing or researching your next book?
I like to hang out with my family. We travel A LOT during high nschool basketball season–on the road nearly every weekend from November to Feb. We watch TV shows together, watch movies, play board games, and DDR (Dance,dance revolution). In between books I try to get up house organized and catch up on what fell behind during deadline, but it doesn’t work too well because I get lot of new ideas when I’m cleaning and organizing, and I end up back at the keyboard! I also go to lunch with friends and take my grandma shopping,
What aspects of your work do you enjoy the most?
I LOVE researching. In fact, next week I’ll start to research for my upcoming three book series on The Spanish Civil War. I can’t wait! I enjoy learning about a new time in history and weaving a plot amongst the true events. Of course, I love the “push” of seeing the story form on the page. I research, research, research, and then spend the last two months before deadline actually writing the story. In fact, I began to write when I’m “there” and most of the plot and characters are clear in my mind. There are always minor things that change as I write, but for the most part the story is already birthed in my mind and I just work to get it on the page.
What do you like to do when you aren’t writing or researching your next book? You can’t say reading. All writers say that one.
I like to hang out with my family. We travel A LOT during high school basketball season–on the road nearly every weekend from November to Feb. We watch TV shows together, watch movies, play board games, and DDR (Dance, dance revolution). In between books I try to get up house organized and catch up on what fell behind during deadline, but it doesn’t work too well because I get a lot of new ideas when I’m cleaning and organizing, and I end up back at the keyboard! I also go to lunch with friends and take my grandma shopping, which she loves.
