The Stars in April releases worldwide - News and Updates

My novel, The Stars in April, is based on the true story of twelve-year-old Titanic survivor Ruth Becker. Released on March 30, 2021 by IlluminateYA, the book has already garnered five-star reviews on Amazon and Goodreads, as well as a Starred Review from School Library Journal. Readers of middle school age to adults are discovering Ruth’s story and sharing it in their book clubs and on social media.

One aspect of all the buzz that I’m enjoying the most is hearing from readers! If you’ve read the book, I’d love to hear what you think of it. If you haven’t read it yet, but you love historical fiction and an exciting and heartfelt story, I hope you’ll check it out!

Two quick updates:

Beginning Saturday, May 1st and running through Monday, May 10th, The Stars in April will be featured on the Florida Writers Book Expo, a virtual book extravaganza of excellent books by Florida writers! Plus, I’ll be doing an author interview there on May 4th at 8:00 pm EST, discussing the book and my writing process.

Peggy Wirgau | Florida Writers Book Expo (floridawritersbooks.com)

Two Titanic museums, one in Branson, Missouri and one in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, are carrying The Stars in April in their bookstores, and I have been invited to give a presentation on Ruth Becker at Pigeon Forge in August at the annual Titanic Conference, TitaniCon 21. The three-day conference will feature several speakers on all things Titanic, a tour of the museum and it’s excellent collection of artifacts from the ship, a special dinner, and more. If you love Titanic, you will love this conference!

(13) TitanicCon 21 - Titanic Conference 2021 | Facebook

Thank you for reading, sharing, and commenting on The Stars in April and on my blog/website! Please follow me on my new Facebook page dedicated to The Stars in April:

(13) The Stars in April | Facebook

And/or on Peggy Wirgau Historical Fiction:

(13) Peggy Wirgau Historical Fiction | Facebook

Good news about my Titanic novel

I have some happy news to share!

I’ve signed a publishing contract for my first novel with IlluminateYA (an imprint of LPC books/Iron Stream Media). Based on the true story of 12-year-old Titanic passenger Ruth Becker, The Stars in April will be released in March 2021. I can’t wait to finally be able to introduce Ruth’s story to the world.

A short synopsis:

The year is 1912. When doctors are unable to treat her baby brother’s illness, Ruth’s parents decide there is one solution: move her mother and the children back to Michigan. But India is the only home Ruth has ever known. In a matter of days, she must leave her world behind and face the unknown, beginning with a long, eye-opening journey to England, and culminating in the voyage to New York aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Three new friends—a twelve-year-old circus acrobat, a young Irish immigrant, and the orchestra leader aboard the “unsinkable” ship—teach Ruth the meaning of true courage and generosity on a night she will never forget.

Thanks to all those who have read my blog over the years. I love Titanic stories too, and I’m so excited to bring Ruth’s story to light. As I embark on the publishing process, I’ll keep you posted with any updates, including a cover reveal, giveaways, and pre-orders for the book!

Their Last Song

Most of us have heard about the orchestra that continued to play aboard the Titanic as she sank on April 15, 1912. Rather than abandon their instruments and try to save themselves, each member of the 8-piece orchestra chose to stay and play for the passengers as long as they were able. The youngest, a Frenchman named Roger Bricoux, was 20 years old. The oldest, 33-year-old Wallace Hartley, served as the leader of the group.

Titanic’s White Star Line did not employ the orchestra directly. They worked for a firm from Liverpool called C.W. and F.N. Black, which placed orchestras on all the British ocean liners. During the Titanic’s voyage, the eight musicians were usually divided into a quintet and a trio, playing for first and second class passengers in various rooms of the ship. After the ship hit the iceberg and the order came for the lifeboats to be filled, the orchestra members joined together. They hoped to calm the passengers by playing popular dance tunes.

As the last lifeboat was lowered to the water and the ship continued to sink, the orchestra played on. Many survivors recalled hearing the music, even from the lifeboats. Some were certain the orchestra’s last song was Nearer My God to Thee. Others recalled hearing the song Autumn before the ship’s stern rose out of the water and plunged beneath the Atlantic. Regardless, the fact remains that all eight members of the orchestra died at their posts. Only two of their bodies were recovered, including Wallace Hartley’s. He is buried in Colne, Lancashire, England, where he was born.

Ruth Becker, the main character in my yet-to-be-published novel, is a budding violinist who happens to meet Wallace Hartley and the rest of the orchestra during the voyage. Their friendship and courage in the end have a profound affect on Ruth. I hope to be able to share her story soon.