The General’s Wife blog tour is through Rachel’s Random Resources and includes a giveaway and a guest post. Enter, share, comment, follow.
Book Details
The General’s Wife
Some secrets don’t stay buried, even beneath military honors
Margaret Stone appears to be the perfect military spouse—supportive, resilient, and respected as the wife of Brigadier General George “Rocky” Stone. But beneath her carefully composed exterior lies a past shadowed by tragedy and one fateful night that could destroy everything she’s built.
When a blackmail letter signed “Swimbuddy1980” arrives, Margaret is forced to confront the truth about what really happened during a late-night swim at Coronado Beach nearly thirty years ago. As the threats escalate and her husband faces a career-defining deployment to Afghanistan, Margaret must navigate the complex loyalties of military life while fighting to protect the life she’s crafted from the ashes of her troubled youth.
From a San Diego tattoo parlor to the formality of Marine Corps ceremonies, Margaret’s journey reveals the resilience of the human spirit and the unique bonds forged through shared sacrifice in the military community.
In this compelling narrative of love, betrayal, and redemption, one woman discovers that while the past shapes us, it need not define us—and that true strength comes from facing the most painful truths of all.
Purchase Links
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Generals-Wife-Suzanne-Dana/dp/B0FYK4WGFS
https://amzn.to/4kSLcRP
Author Bio
Suzanne Dana is both a general’s daughter and a general’s wife. She graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in journalism and a secondary education credential in English. As a general’s wife, she moved nineteen times and supported her husband through eight deployments, including those to Iraq and Afghanistan. She currently sits on the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation board as an Adjunct Director. She enjoys photography, travel, water sports, and volunteering at a local women’s shelter. She resides in Arizona with her husband.
The General’s Wife is her debut novel.
Social Media Links –
http://suzannemdana.com/
https://www.facebook.com/suzannemdana/
https://www.instagram.com/authorsuzannedana/
Guest Post
The General’s Wife Playlist
One of my favorite parts of writing The General’s Wife was immersing myself in the soundtrack of Margaret’s life.
So I made a playlist.
These are the songs that shaped Margaret’s story—some she might have listened to, some that captured the era, and some that just feel like specific moments in her journey. I’ve organized them chronologically, following the book’s chapters.
Let me walk you through it. (Available on Spotify and my website: suzannemdana.com.)
- “Stars and Stripes Forever” – John Phillip Sousa (1896)
Who doesn’t like a good march? Who better than America’s “March King” to start the playlist? This song brings me back to all the ceremonies I attended while living at Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C.
- “More Than a Feeling” – Boston (1976)
Classic Rock. An anthem that triggers emotions of past loves and lost relationships.
- “Can’t Take My Eyes off You” – Frankie Valli (1967)
I grew up in an Irish/Italian family listening to vinyl albums by classic crooners – Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Bobby Darin & Sammy Davis Jr. This was my wedding song.
- “Watermark” – Enya (1988)
Enya’s voice is stunning and pure. I love listening to the gorgeous piano and string passages, along with traditional Irish Pipes. Perfect for the Irish funeral in the book.
- “Photographs & Memories – Jim Croce (1972)
Oh boy…this one gets me every time. When someone dies, and all you have left are photographs and memories…
- “Sugar Magnolia” – Grateful Dead (1970)
The counterculture phenomenon band is supported by fiercely loyal fans known as deadheads. You’ll recognize Levi as one in the book.
- “My Maria” – B.W. Stevenson (1973)
When I was writing a scene at McP’s Pub with Navy SEALS, I wanted a fun bar song like “ You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling”, the one Tom Cruise sings to Kelly McGillis in Top Gun. Did I hit the mark?
- “Ventura Highway” – America (1972)
As a young teenager, I would crank this song while driving along the California coast on Highway 101.
- “Surfin’ U.S.A.” The Beach Boys (1963)
A fun, classic beach song. It plays well with Maggie, learning how to surf in Southern California.
- “Pinball Wizard” – The Who (1969)
This is the perfect song to play when Maggie introduces Ian to The Star Bar.
- “Brick House” – The Commodores (1977)
“She’s mighty-mighty, just lettin’ it all hang out.” You know something nasty is about to go down with this song.
- “American Girl” – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (1977)
What better girl anthem for a road trip from Yuma, Arizona, to Coronado, California
- “Y.M.C.A” – The Village People ( 1978)
The iconic Indian, Cowboy, Construction Worker, Police Officer, Leatherman, and Sailor. Do you know the dance moves? A party favorite at the Marine Corps Ball.
- “Fracture” – Stephan Moccio (2020)
This beautiful piano ballad says so much more than words. You can truly feel the depth of human emotion.
- “Hello It’s Me” – Todd Rundgren (1972)
I did not pick this song because of the Sex & the City scene right before Mr. Big dies, but that does come to mind every time I hear it. It’s the perfect ballad to frame the scene where Maggie reunites with Ian and explores their complicated relationship.
- “Carolina in My Mind” – James Taylor (1968)
James Taylor’s classic song speaks to where we are, where we’ve been, and where we want to be. I love the Carolinas and the fond memories I have of being stationed there.
- “That’s The Way Love Goes” – Janet Jackson (1993)
This song screams SEX! Margaux (Maggie’s French Maid alter ego) enjoys a sultry dance to this tune.
- “Here We Are” – Gloria Estefan (1989)
I picked this song because a dear friend of mine loves it. She was also the inspiration for one of my characters.
- “La Vie en Rose” – Edith Piaf (1947)
This song worked perfectly for George’s return from Afghanistan. Can’t you hear the vinyl cracking while Maggie transforms into Margaux? You’ll be surprised how this night ends.
- “Turn! Turn! Turn!” – The Byrds (1965)
The philosophical lyrics state that change is inevitable, that history is a cycle, that strife is temporary, and that to everything there is a season. Maggie and George know this fully well and by the end of the book have lived it.
Giveaway
Win 10 x signed copies of The General’s Wife (Open INT)
*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome. Please enter using the Gleam box below. The winner will be selected at random via Gleam from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.
