St. Ansgar, Iowa, author Gail Kittleson will soon release her newest novel, “A Purpose True,”  again set against the backdrop of war.

“A Purpose True” is the sequel to “With Each New Dawn,” the third entry into Kittleson’s “Women of the Heartland” series. It will be released on Dec. 7.

Kittleson’s books examine how her characters face hardship and tragedy during the World War II years. “A Purpose True” follows Secret Operations Executive (SOE) agent Kate Isaacs, who is tasked with providing essential radio communications with the Allies, while her guide, Domingo Ibarra, a Basque shepherd-turned-Resistance fighter, dedicates himself to avenging the destruction of his home and family. They risk their lives in the French Resistance efforts to stymie the Nazi advance to Normandy in 1944.

The novel combines the elements of history, suspense and, ultimately, romance. Kittleson’s love of history and the the Greatest Generation began with “In This Together,” in 2015, followed by the debut of her first entry into the “Women of the Heartland” series with “In Times Like These,” released in 2016, and “With Each New Dawn,” released earlier this year.

Kittleson, who grew up on an Iowa farm, is a college English instructor-turned-author whose first book, “Catching Up With Daylight,” was published in 2013. She continues to conduct writing workshops. She taught a memoir writing class for Austin Community Education this fall.

In a recent Goodreads interview, she said, “My characters and the history they lived through inspire me. I stand in awe of strong women and men who put principle above all else. Sometimes a character’s strengths may be well hidden behind a facade they learned to use for protection during childhood, and tearing away that false identity based in fear really challenges me.”

Kittleson’s books are available at Sweet Reads Bookstore in Austin, as well as online stores, such as Amazon and Barnes and Noble. For more, go to: http://www.gailkittleson.com