Q&A with Mirta Ines Trupp

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Q: Can you tell me a bit about yourself and how you became an author?

​A: I was born in Buenos Aires although my roots are from Imperial Russia. My grandparents immigrated as children, along with their parents and siblings, escaping persecution and the pogroms so common in the Pale of Settlement. In the early 1960s, my father decided it was time to leave Argentina due to political and economic reasons, and we were fortunate enough to immigrate to the United States of America. For the most part, I was raised in California—although I traveled back and forth to my native country constantly due to my father’s employment with Pan American Airlines. My husband and I were blessed with three children; and for the better part of their youth, I was a stay-at-home-mom. I began writing late in life as an empty-nester, although I have always had a penchant for the craft. There is never enough time for all my little projects, what with a full-time job and being a wife and mother; but my books have been well received, having earned positive reviews and ratings and several “indie-author” awards along the way. I look forward to retiring soon and being able to read and write to my heart’s desire!

 
 

Q: Can you tell me how the book/series came about?

A: ​ It is almost impossible to pick up a novel focused on the Regency era and not find something related to the Napoleonic wars. It was a part of Austen’s life; it impacted all of Europe! But while Napoleon was causing havoc and marching across the Continent, there were others concentrating on the New World. The idea for this book took me down the proverbial rabbit’s hole and I landed at the feet of Lord Duff, the Fourth Earl of Fife. I learned of Lord Fife’s patronage of José de San Martín, Argentina’s famed liberator. I discovered the connections between the English and the Viceroyalty of Río de la Plata. What with all the stories of naval officers, banished monarchs, and ladies in Regency dress, I immediately began formulating an idea. The pieces were there on the table, waiting to be assembled like a great puzzle. And it was Captain Wentworth who put it all together for me.

 

Because the Viceroyalty’s struggle for independence occurred in the same timeframe as the above mentioned ongoing conflict, I was able to weave a story around my protagonist, Abigail Isaacs—a young woman who finds herself in dire straits—and the good captain of the HMS Laconia. Much like Austen’s work, a portion of the story is epistolary in nature. The correspondence between Abigail and Captain Wentworth would have been rather scandalous under normal circumstances. However, the narrative necessitates their communication; and by the end of my novel, the stage is set for Anne Elliot and the captain to begin their journey—just as Jane Austen envisioned.

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Lastly, I wanted to represent Abigail Isaacs and Raphael Gabay’s Judaism much like Austen’s Anglican characters. Their faith forms a part of who they are; it’s just there—in the background. It simply adds another dimension. Writing about Jewish characters and themes is important to me, because what readers have been given by authors such as Chaucer, Shakespeare, Dickens, and even Heyer has left me wanting. Their caricatures of greedy, evil, big-nosed Jews is a travesty and must be addressed. On the other side of the coin, there is a multitude of reading material dealing with the horrific history of the Holocaust. This is as it should be. We should know, and never forget, what happened during that reign of terror; but Judaism is a religion that cherishes life. There is much more to our history than tragedy and sorrow. And that’s why I write Jewish historical fiction set in the Regency and Victorian eras.

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Q: What was the most challenging part of writing this book?

​A: My challenge was to marry my two passions: Historical Romance and Judaica. For example, if you do an Internet search for Jewish Historical Fiction, you will find a plethora of titles. However, these—for the most part—will deal with the Holocaust or possibly the Spanish Inquisition. I think the one novel that stands out is Daniel Deronda by George Eliot; otherwise, a reader is left wanting in a sea of dark, heavy, or academic themes. I wanted to present an entertaining story that would highlight the Jewish community during the Regency era. And yes! Both England and the Viceroyalty of Rio de la Plata (today’s Argentina) experienced a Regency era! 

 

I felt strongly about showcasing a different sort of Jew, someone other than the stereotypical character usually provided by the likes of Dickens or Heyer. There are difficulties in writing such stories, but they are not insurmountable. I didn’t want to come across as “preachy” or alienate the audience. Happily, most of my readers find the themes in this book to be universal and relatable. 

 

Q: What Authors or other Books have inspired you to write this book?

​A: Jane Austen’s Persuasion is probably my favorite among her novels. The growth we see in Anne and Captain Wentworth is powerful; the constancy of their love is poignant. I loved Anne’s determination and kindness and quiet strength. I loved that Captain Wentworth, as much as he felt betrayed and misused, never loved another woman. In fact, Austen’s Realism has been a tremendous inspiration. Her eagerness to show life as she saw it inspired me. Austen, as we know, wrote of her world and her surroundings. Though she used wit and sarcasm, she brought us some heady subjects to consider. Of course, there were love stories; but in essence, Austen allowed us to look into a different world, a different culture, if you will. With my cultural heritage and ethnic background, following in Jane Austen’s footsteps gives me a platform to share my passion for combining Judaica with historical romance. I certainly do not claim to have her genius; her style is legendary. I just feel that she opened the door for the rest of us who have stories to tell—in a style all our own.

      

 

Q: What is your favorite passage from this book?

​A: This is a difficult question to answer. I don’t want to spoil the read for your audience! I will only say my favorite scene was very satisfying to write. I felt that Abigail’s voice came through stronger and beyond anything I had originally imagined. I was moved by the scene, as if I was observing it as an outsider. I hope it’s a reader’s favorite too!

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Another favorite scene involved the inclusion of a Guarani legend. I needed inspiration for some dialogue between Lieutenant Gabay and Yasitata, a Guarani servant girl. I thought I’d have to spend hours researching the Internet about this indigenous culture, but I was lucky. Or perhaps, I was touched by a guardian angel who watches over authors with writer’s block—I’m not altogether sure! I’ll just say this: I was over the moon as I wove this fable into the storyline. The discovery of this material felt like a gift, and I was truly grateful (moon is the key word here, hint hint).

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Q: If you could meet any of your characters, who would it be and what would you say to them?

​A: I would love to meet Abigail and Raphael, years after they found their Happily Ever After. I would say, “Thank you!” They, of course, are fictional characters; but if not for people like them—people with their vision and spirit—my ancestors most likely would not have made it out of Imperial Russia. I owe my freedom—my very existence—to people who had the courage to face evil and say: No more!

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