The Star of Camp Greene
- Judith D Collins
- 14 hours ago
- 10 min read
A Novel of WWI
By: Joy Callaway
Narrator: Brittany Pressley
ISBN: 9781400244331
Publisher: HarperCollins Focus | Harper Muse
Publication Date: 05/06/2025
Format: Other
My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC)
Sometimes heroism is found in dreams deferred.
Charlotte, NC. 1918. Broadway darling Calla Connolly had it all: a rising career on the stage and a loving fiancé, a fellow stage actor. But after his tragic death early in the war, Calla is touring the American training camps, hoping to convince General Pershing to let her tour the French front to cheer the men and honor her fiancé's memory. But her hopes are dashed when she contracts Spanish flu while performing at Camp Greene.
While convalescing, Calla inadvertently overhears a sensitive Army secret and is ordered to remain at Camp Greene for the duration of the war while her former mentor and rival steals her tour out from under her. Having no choice but to stay at the camp, she becomes the resident performer and forms attachments to several musician soldiers.
When she falls in love with the man responsible for trapping her at camp, the mission she's sworn to keep secret threatens the men she's come to care for. Calla is forced to decide what her dreams are worth--and if the future she never expected might only be possible if she lets those dreams go.
About the Author
Joy Callaway is an international bestselling author of historical fiction and southern contemporary romance. She formerly served as a marketing director for a wealth management company. She holds a B.A. in Journalism and Public Relations from Marshall University and an M.M.C. in Mass Communication from the University of South Carolina. She resides in Charlotte, NC with her husband, John, and her children.
Connect with Joy:
COMING June 10, 2025
Exceptional Authors.
Standout Books. Elevator Talk.
Behind the Book & the Author
INTRIGUING QUESTIONS. INQUIRING READERS WANT TO KNOW.
Welcome to the first (of four) May 2025 #AuthorElevatorSeries! Notable guest author Joy Callaway (personal and fan favorite) joins us for the first time with her sixth novel, a gripping historical fiction, THE STAR OF CAMP GREENE, A novel of WWI.
Join us as Joy shares some fascinating behind-the-scenes exclusives from the book and up-close and personal fun moments from this talented author.
Welcome, Joy!
Behind the Book
Q. Give us your best ELEVATOR PITCH for THE STAR OF CAMP GREENE, your latest novel.
I fell in love with an elevator pitch my friend and fellow author, Jenni Walsh, wrote for this book:
Imagine if Taylor Swift was performing at a WW1 army training camp, overheard a war secret, then was forced to remain at the camp under false pretenses. That is this novel.
Q. DESCRIBE your novel in three words or less.
Historic, romantic, melodic.
Q. INSPIRATION: The spark that ignited the novel. Where were you when the idea came to you?
This novel has two inspiration points and I brought both together for this story!
I did a panel several years ago with fellow Charlotte authors Sarah Crosland and Tommy Tomlinson. At the time, Sarah was talking about her recent book Secret Charlotte and it sounded fascinating, so I bought it. Later, reading through it, I was struck by Camp Greene—one of 34 WW1 army training camps nationwide that doubled the size of Charlotte. I’m a native Charlottean and had never heard of it. The camp was massive—8,000 acres stretching from what is now uptown Charlotte near Wilkinson Boulevard west to the Catawba River into Gaston County.
Reading more about army training camp life, I was struck by the construction of Liberty Theaters at each camp and began looking into who performed at these. Often, resident soldiers performed, but in a newspaper clipping I came across a name I hadn’t heard before—Elsie Janis. Elsie was an American Broadway star who lost her British fiancé early in the war and to honor him—he was a performer as well—she determined to cheer the troops in his honor. At first, she’d asked General Pershing to send her to the front, but he declined and told her to tour the stateside army camps as a sort of test run before he’d allow her to go overseas. Elsie financed her tour herself and ultimately, her performances served as the inspiration for the formation of the USO in WW2.
Although my main character, Calla Connolly, isn’t Elsie Janis, they share a backstory and the same passions.
Q. RESEARCH: Joy, your research is extensive. Any fascinating research for the novel, or anything you learned along the way?
I loved learning more about the formation of the army while researching this novel. I had no clue going into this story that prior to WW1, the army was relatively small and had to actually be built for the war. When the United States declared war on Germany in 1917, we had a standing army of 127,500 and a National Guard of 181,620. There was no process in place to build a larger army, train it, transport it, etc, so those procedures had to be created at this time. One of the difficulties writing in this time period is that officer rank was different in WW1 than it is today, which may confuse some readers. By the end of WW1, over four million soldiers had served in the army with 800,000 in other military branches.
Q. WRITING: Do you have a favorite chapter or scene in the novel you enjoyed writing the most?
There’s a fun scene where Calla, my main character, and Jesse, an army colonel, get stuck on a roller coaster. That scene definitely made me smile.
Q. TAKEAWAY: What important message, theme, or takeaway would you like readers to be left with when reading?
Sometimes your best laid plans are rerouted for a reason.
Q. UPCOMING: Joy, you have another novel coming out next month. Wow! Different than Camp Greene—Southern fiction, feel-good, witty, romantic comedy. Share with us the inspiration and more about, SING ME HOME TO CAROLINA (June 10, 2025).
I got the idea for SING ME HOME TO CAROLINA when I was on book tour for THE GRAND DESIGN several years ago. I was visiting a darling bookstore, WordPlay, in a cute town, Wardensville, WV, and was told after my event that a big barn party was going on. My mom was with me on tour and we immediately decided that we were going to find the party. We drove down a dark two-lane road flanked by farms and followed the light until we found a farm crushed with parked cars. An amazing bluegrass band was playing in a big barn and hundreds of people were dancing and singing and truly enjoying themselves. It was a perfect night.
A few weeks later, I thought of a story idea about an event planner living in a small quirky town who inadvertently turns her parents’ old barn into a sort of Bluebird café—all while navigating the competing affections of her first love, a former MLB standout who has just returned to town, and the mysterious hardware store owner.
Continue reading below for more up close and personal with Joy!
Behind the Author
BIRTH STATE? or (Country)
I was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but moved to Charlotte, NC when I was two.
CURRENT STATE?
North Carolina
ZODIAC SIGN?
Cancer, but I’m right on the line with Leo.
FAVORITE FLOWER?
This is a tough one, but probably heirloom roses.
FAVORITE COLOR?
Green!
FAVORITE FOOD/DRINK?
Does coffee count for food and drink? Ha! If I could get a coffee IV I would. I basically drink it all day.
As for food, I have celiac disease, so any gluten free baked good that doesn’t taste like its gluten free is my favorite.
DOG/CAT LOVER?
I have two rescue dogs and they make my days so much fun! I have Batman—a chihuahua/Australian shepherd mix who is either frightening or super cute depending on the day—and Honey—a beagle/coonhound mix who enjoys jumping on my countertops like a cat and hunting various wild animals in our yard.
FAVORITE SPORT?
I love to run! In fact, I run every morning with my mom. I played softball and basketball when I was younger, and nowadays, I love watching my daughter swim and my son play baseball/basketball/football.
YOUR FAVORITE LIFE LESSON QUOTE?
I think this was on a greeting card, but this one always makes me laugh—“If your neighbors aren’t wondering, you’re not trying.”
Seriously, though, I love this quote from C.S. Lewis – “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.”
THE BEST THING ABOUT BEING A SOUTHERNER?
The weather, the food, the people!
FAVORITE TV SERIES? (Or Movie/Video) binge-watch, series, etc.?
The Middle, Schitt’s Creek, Hart of Dixie
YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO WRITE?
As long as it’s not absolutely freezing or raining, I write outside on my back porch. Something about being outside inspires me!
THANK YOU, Joy, for spending time with us today!
Praise
'In THE STAR OF CAMP GREENE, beloved historical fiction author Joy Callaway takes up the topic of a lesser known yet highly significant and fascinating locale of the stateside war efforts of World War I. With assiduous research and beautiful language, Callaway writes with obvious love for her subjects and delivers a tale of both tragedy and triumph. Readers will be swept into leading lady Calla Connolly's world from the very first page.'
-- Allison Pataki, New York Times bestselling author of FINDING MARGARET FULLER
'THE STAR OF CAMP GREENE is a compelling read that had me putting other things off in order to keep turning the pages. Meticulously researched and full of heart, it illuminates a stateside training camp during WWI and is full of secrets, hope, jealousy, friendship, danger, and love. Readers will be eager to visit Callaway's backlist if they aren't already a fan.' -
- Camille Di Maio, bestselling author of COME FLY WITH ME
My Review
Southern master storyteller Joy Callaway returns following What the Mountains Remember: A Novel with her latest masterpiece, THE STAR OF CAMP GREENE—a beautifully written story inspired by Elsie Janis, a Broadway star, and the bravery of women and men who served our country in many ways while standing up for their beliefs.
Immerse yourself in the often overlooked WWI Camp Greene, NC, the unique backdrop for this gripping tale of a Broadway star's unexpected journey during WWI. This setting, rich in historical significance, adds a layer of authenticity and depth to the narrative, making it a must-read for fans of historical fiction.
Sometimes heroism is found in dreams deferred.
About...
When grieving Broadway star, Calla Connolly, collapses on stage at Camp Greene in Charlotte, NC, and inadvertently overhears a classified secret, her life takes an unexpected turn. Forced to stay at Camp Greene for the remainder of the war, she embarks on a journey filled with unforeseen twists and turns. The question remains, what will she do?
As Calla's journey unfolds, the question looms large- will she crumble under the weight of her circumstances, or will she find the strength to triumph? Is the camp a prison or her salvation? Will Calla realize that this detour was meant for her all along? These are the questions that will keep you turning the pages.
Meet the Characters...
Calla: Broadway Star stuck at Camp Greene
Jesse: Colonel and interim Commander of Camp Greene
Goldie: Nurse service Camp Greene
Guy: Soldier and Musician (Goldie's fiancé )
Sidney: Guy's best friend (Soldier & musician)
Juliet: Lyricist & poet (Sidney's wife)
Lenor: Calla's former mentor and (now enemy)
Charlotte, NC. 1918.
The story's backdrop is WWI's tumultuous period of great upheaval and change. This setting plays a crucial role in shaping the experiences and decisions of the characters.
Calla, once having it all with a loving fiancé, a fellow stage actor. Her fiancé's death in the war leads her to tour the American training camps, hoping to tour the French front to cheer the men and while honoring her fiancé's memory. This poignant exploration of her emotional journey, filled with love, loss, and resilience, will surely resonate with readers.
But then she contracts the Spanish flu while performing at Camp Greene, overhears a sensitive Army secret, and is ordered to remain for the duration of the war, while her former mentor and rival steals her tour.
She becomes the resident performer and is close to the musician soldiers and others. Calla falls in love with the man responsible for keeping her at the camp— the mission she's sworn to keep secret threatens the men she's come to care for.
What will she do?
My thoughts...
THE STAR OF CAMP GREENE is utterly captivating, meticulously researched and rich in history and charm. You will fall in love with Calla as you follow her journey, talent, dreams, losses, hope, newfound friends, and love. Sometimes, what we need is right in front of us.
The men serving did not need her as much as she needed them. The historical inspiration will leave you feeling informed and enlightened.
Readers will be captivated by the well-developed characters, the prose, the rich historical context, the drama, and the performances. As Camp Green comes to life, the unexpected twists, filled with mystery and romance, will keep readers on the edge of their seats, eager to know what happens next.
THE STAR OF CAMP GREENE is not just a historical novel, but a thought-provoking exploration of how we are at our best when we offer encouragement and help to others. This message of unity and collaboration is particularly relevant today, making the book a compelling read for all. It will make you reflect on the importance of supporting each other, especially in challenging times.
Joy is a prolific writer and her ability to bring historical events to life through her characters and their experiences is genuinely remarkable. Her storytelling, filled with secrets, jealousy, friendship, romance, self-discovery, and the pivotal roles of women during wartime, is truly admirable. You will be in awe of her skill and dedication to her craft.
As a Charlotte, NC native (as in the author), I found all this fascinating, but I was unaware of the training camp in the area and its impact on the community. Hard to believe this was in my backyard. Joy is my go-to author for Southern historical fiction! You always come away learning something and inspired.
I also enjoyed learning more about Elsie Janis (born Elsie Bierbower, 1889– 1956), an American actress of stage and screen, singer, songwriter, screenwriter, and radio announcer. Entertaining the troops during WWI immortalized her as "the sweetheart of the AEF" (American Expeditionary Force). The USO was started in WWII primarily because of the WWI wartime tour of Broadway star, Elsie Janis, and financing her own tour in America and Europe.
Camp Greene was a US Army facility in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States, during the early 20th century. In 1917, both the 3rd Infantry Division and the 4th Infantry Division were first organized and assembled at this camp.
Author's note...
Read the author's impressive, extensive notes for inspiration, additional reading, and resources. Ideal for book clubs and further discussions. I look forward to listening to the audiobook performed by a favorite narrator, Brittany Pressley.
Interview...
I am honored to host Joy for an upcoming May #AuthorElevatorSeries QA ride as we go behind the book's scenes and up close and personal with this talented Southern storyteller. (sign up for my newsletter on my blog to have it delivered to your inbox on pub day, 5/6).
Recs...
This stunning novel is for fans of the author and those who enjoy works by Mary Ellen Taylor, Patti Callahan Henry, Kristy Woodson Harvey, Kimberly Brock, Karen White, Mary Alice Monroe, Lynda Cohen Loigman, Meagan Church, and Ariel Lawhon.
Thanks to Harper Muse and NetGalley for a gifted advanced reading copy for my honest thoughts.
Sing Me Home to Carolina
Check out Joy's next Southern novel, Sing Me Home to Carolina coming (June 10, 2025)! Also a 5 STAR. (so much fun)
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: May 6, 2025
