Visit the Bermuda Triangle with Today’s Guest Author: Marilyn Baron

Reprinted from the original blog here: http://www.petitfoursandhottamales.com/2013/05/28/visit-the-bermuda-triangle-with-todays-guest-marilyn-baron/ And here: Mary Jean Adams Blog: http://maryjeanadams.blogspot.com/2013/05/visit-bermuda-triangle-with-todays.html

I’ve always loved stories with a whiff of mystery about them. When I was younger, I went mad for an old set of magazines called ‘The Unexplained’, which used to run pieces on spontaneous combustion, the Indian rope trick, the abomnible snowman, big cats in the UK – see my novel Paint this town Red – and other miscellaneous X-files. But I was obsessed with the Bermuda Triangle. Loved it.  Maybe why I liked the TV show ‘Lost’ so much… Anyway, so you can imagine what a pleasure it is to interview an author who actually writes stories about this enigmatic and fascinating place.

So pull up a pew and enjoy these fantastic insights from my guest blogger, and Paint this town Red regular, author Marilyn Baron.

Marilyn, what can you tell us about the time period and setting for your novels?

Under the Moon Gate, available now on Kindle and for full release on August 9, 2013, by The Wild Rose Press, is set in contemporary and World War II Bermuda and the prequel, Destiny: A Bermuda Love Story, now available on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Destiny-Bermuda-Love-Story-ebook/dp/B00D0RABAY/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1369698976&sr=1-1&keywords=destiny%3A+A+Bermuda+Love+Story , is set in the 1600s. For UK readers, these links will serve you better:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Destiny-Bermuda-Love-Story-ebook/dp/B00D0RABAY/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1369837753&sr=1-1&keywords=Destiny%3A+A+Bermuda+Love+Story

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Under-the-Moon-Gate-ebook/dp/B00CGDQ1S4/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1369837797&sr=1-1&keywords=Under+the+Moon+Gate

Do you have any special connection to the period? Family history?

I am obsessed with books set in World War II, especially spy novels. So is my husband. So, if I want him to read one of my books, I have to set it during that time period.

We just have this fascination with World War II, almost as if we had lived back then, although we were both born in the early 1950s right after the war was over. We prefer the music of the ’40s, too. As far as family history, my father was a top turret gunner in a B-17, based in England, and flew some 30+ missions over Europe. I had always been surrounded by icons of the war, his pressed and plastic-encased uniform and medals, books about the period, and his personal diary from his missions. Every year, until very late in his life, he and my mother attended his bomber reunions all over the country. So the war was a big part of his life. I was very proud of and intrigued by his service and I always thought I’d like to write a book about his experience as a tribute to him. He is no longer alive, but I like to think he would be proud of this book since he was the inspiration for it. My uncles also served in various branches of service during the war and my husband’s uncle, who he never met, was killed at the Battle of the Bulge.

What appeals to you about this period?

The excitement, the danger, the human pathos, the infinite variety of stories that are told about WW II. No matter how many there have been, original stories are surfacing all the time.

How much time did you spend researching each book?

I looked back at my computer files and found that I started on these books as early as 2004. The manuscript was originally called The Bermuda Triangle: A Love Story. It was initially set in three different time periods. But it was too ambitious a project and the three intersecting love stories were unwieldy. So I cut out one love story and edited it down to two time periods. I left the project alone for about five years. All in all, it was in process for almost 10 years. Now the story will be released in two separate books—Under The Moon Gate, a romantic thriller set in contemporary and WW II Bermuda and a prequel—Destiny: A Bermuda Love Story. Both are labeled as historicals. The prequel contains the earlier romance between the 17^th century ancestors of the main characters at the time Bermuda was founded. As far as actual research time, I’d say several months although I was researching as I wrote. The book has been through many iterations, but it’s apparently a story that wants to be told.

Do you tend to research before you write, or more as you write?

I’ve been steeped in WW II history and stories my whole life so the interest was always there. In the case of these books, I did do a lot of research about World War II Bermuda before I started writing.

I have been to most of the locations where the book is set or locations that are referred to in the book, just not in the historical time period. For example, I’ve been to Bermuda about 10 times on family vacations; Berlin; London, to The Churchill War Rooms/Imperial War Museum; to Berchtesgaden, Hitler’s retreat in the German Bavarian Alps; and Jamestown. I did not go to Dresden, but we passed it on our way to Prague. Visiting these locations gave me feel for the story.

Do you tend to use secondary or primary research sources?

Other than my father’s stories, since the action takes place in WW II, it would primarily be secondary research. I couldn’t find any books about Bermuda during the war, so I went to the library in Decatur, Georgia, and spent a number of weeks looking up old newspapers either on microfiche or actual physical copies (The New York Times and The Royal Gazette) from the World War II time period. I took notes, steeping myself in the times, reading ads, articles, etc. and read timelines about the war from a German perspective. Of course, I couldn’t use all the research I found, but it provided a good basis. I was always warned about the danger of including too much research in your book and originally, I may have done that, but I eventually edited a lot of it out. As far as contemporary Bermuda, I relied on the many times I’d visited Bermuda. But I started the book after my last visit, so I didn’t actually do any on-site research there specifically for the book.

Any favorite sources?

I’d have to say all the WW II books I’d read throughout my life, fiction and nonfiction. And of course, the Internet is great for research.

Have you ever found out after a book was published that you made an error with a historical fact?

I hope that doesn’t happen, but of course, I have to be prepared for that. And facts change. When I calculated the value of gold in the book, gold was hovering at nearly $2,000 an ounce. Once the book was approved, the price of gold had already plummeted.

Which authors in this time period do you enjoy? Who inspires you?

The authors and their works that stand out are Herman Wouk’s Winds of War and War and Remembrance, books by Leon Uris, Ken Follett, James Michener, Alan Furst, and my favorite WW II movies, like Casablanca. Books by Hannah Arendt and other books about the Holocaust made an impression on me. And being Jewish, I couldn’t read enough books about the Nazis and what Jews had to endure through during those dark times. My husband loved to watch The World at War, a 1973–74 26-episode British television documentary series chronicling the events of the Second World War, which was a good indoctrination to the times.

What else have you published?

My books and short stories are listed on my Web site at www.marilynbaron.com.

Your story ideas seem very unique. What can you tell us about how you get your ideas?

As I said, I’ve always been fascinated by World War II and Bermuda is one my favorite places to vacation, so I decided to combine those two loves. The result was these two books. When I started doing research for the book, I came across this passage, which sparked the idea for the plot:

After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Bermuda was surrounded by German U-boats. Although the move cut off vital supplies, the islands were never invaded.

Why did the Germans stop short of capturing that tiny speck in the ocean, when the value of controlling such a strategic possession could have altered the course of the war? Under the Moon Gate is my fictional account of why Bermuda was spared.

The title was inspired by the beautiful Bermuda moon gates – circular openings in garden walls that act as passageways – all over the island, which figure prominently in the story.

What genre do your books fall under?

Historical romance. I wrote Under The Moon Gate as a romantic suspense, but The Wild Rose Press bought it as a historical and is calling it a romantic thriller. Destiny is purely a historical. My editor at The Wild Rose Press said it has the flavor of a Jack Higgins book, especially his books set in World War II. I take that as a great compliment.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

The parallels drawn between the multi-generational characters in the two love stories; the excitement of the war; and the blurred lines between good and evil. The contemporary story is also very humorous and that’s one of my favorite things about the book.

How can readers reach out to you if they want to learn more?

My blog http://www.petitfoursandhottamales.com/
E-mail: Marilyn@marilynbaron.com
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads
LinkedIn

This week’s ebook freebie: ‘Bed Peace’ by AJ Kirby

My novelette, ‘Bed Peace’ is available for free on Amazon on 30th and 31st May. You can get your hands on your very own free copy by following this link.

We’ve never seemed further away from world peace. This fragile dream has been shattered, buried underneath games controllers, reduced to a hastily thumbed text message, converted into an emoticon. Dreamers, hippies, those who desire change are forgotten, laughed at, or shunned…

From the award-winning author AJ Kirby comes this tragi-comic novelette which mourns the idealism of the 1960s. Written in the spirit of John Lennon, this story beds in and tries to translate the swinging sixties translate into our cynical modern world. It asks salient questions: What’s happened to the belief we can really change the world? Why has flower-power become little more than a cartoon? And can we really find our way back?

 

LS13: A Generation of New Leeds Writers

With a nod to Granta magazine, who famously and often presciently name their 20 most promising British novelists under 40 every 10 years in a year ending with a 3 (in 1983, the list contained such names as Martin Amis, Ian McEwan, Pat Barker and Rose Tremain; in 1993 Jeanette Winterson and Alan Hollinghurst took their bows; in 2003, the list included Sarah Waters, Monica Ali and Zadie Smith; and in 2013, the names included David Szalay, Taiye Selasi, Sunjeev Sahota, Sarah Hall, Zadie Smith, Adam Fouldsand Adam Thirwell – for more information go here) the city of Leeds has now taken it upon itself to follow suit, and the 20 candidates for the most promising Leeds writers under 40 will be introduced to the public on Friday 7th June, as a part of the Leeds Big Bookend festival.

The Leeds competition is called ‘LS13‘, and is about uncovering a new generation of Leeds Writers. As a whole, the 20 will provide a snapshot of the writers at work in the city, and will posit answers to these key questions:

Where is Leeds 25 years after Tony Harrison’s V?
Who are its new voices?
Who is telling the stories and speaking the poetry of Leeds today?

The launch event for LS13 will take place on Friday 7th June, 7pm at the Customer Services Lounge, Trinity Leeds. Work from all 20 of the nominated novelists will be gathered in an anthology which will be published in print by Valley Press and in E-Book by the Arts Council supported by Leeds-based Dead Ink Publications.

And you should watch this space for exciting news about the winning authors.

An interesting subplot to this. John Freeman, the editor of Granta, “had never read a novel until he was 18 – until he bought Midnight’s Children at Heathrow. He studied maths, he works in marketing and finance; he lives in Leeds, completely out of the literary world.”

The Leeds Big Bookend Festival, and LS13 aim to place Leeds firmly back on the literary map.

ABOUT THE LEEDS BIG BOOKEND FESTIVAL

“Why has there never been a Leeds book festival?” Was the question asked by Leeds author Anthony Clavane at one of his events in 2011, and echoed by many others.

Several of the now Big Bookend team were at that event and were inspired to take up the challenge and try to bring such a festival to Leeds. In 2012 we did just that. Over 400 people came to see 15 authors talk about their lives, experiences and passion for the written and spoken word.   The Leeds Big Bookend Festival is a reality!

Here we are again in 2013, ready to have another go at our Rock Festival for Words.

Our aim is to celebrate Leeds’ rich literary heritage and to inspire the next generation. We want to make words fun and accessible for all. Whether you are a small kid or a big kid, we’d love you to come and join us on our adventure again.

I’m a Citizen of the Republik of Mancunia: My blog on ‘Fergie’s Finest’ live today…

I’m guesting on the Republik of Mancunia website today. The Republik of Mancunia is a blog targeted at proper United fans, who know what the club is all about and follow it passionately. The website receives over 800,000 unique users every month / 1.7 million pageviews per month. It’s also bloody brilliant for all your United news…

Here’s the link for my article on Dimitar Berbatov.

And here’s a snippet:

Flipping Fantastic ‘Fergie’s Finest’ Reviews Continue to Flow In

Excellent reviews of ‘Fergie’s Finest’ continue to be posted on Amazon. Here’s a selection:

Michael Hopkins posted a 5-star review entitled ‘What a Bargain!’ and here’s what he says:

“I bought this book on recommendation from a friend. I particularly enjoyed reading about the merits of the players from Fergies early years at the club and would be interested in reading a digest of players from this era, I mean I don’t think I could bring myself to read a full biography of Russel Beardsmore, Neil Webb et al but a few stories on some of the more interesting characters would be a good read, especially if they are as well researched and written as Fergie’s Finest.

But I digress, I definitely recommend this to any body interested in football in general and Manchester United in particular. Buy it now!! Stop reading this and buy it!!!”

And on the Amazon US Site, Marilyn Baron also posted a 5-star review, entitled: ‘Fergie’s Finest: Exploring the Mystique of a Legend‘. Here’s what she said:

The best sports writing transcends its ‘genre’ and becomes literature in its own right. Here in America, we have a tradition of excellent sports writing, particularly in baseball.

“When I first heard the title of this book, “Fergie’s Finest,” I wondered if it was about Fergie, the Singer or Fergie, the Duchess of York, until I discovered it was about Sir Alex Ferguson, the greatest football manager of all time. But I picked it up with some degree of interest as I have friends in the UK who love to talk about soccer, and especially Manchester United. My knowledge about sports is limited, but I’ve read most of Andrew Kirby’s fiction and I’m a big fan. As a matter of fact, in my book, Andrew Kirby is a literary rock star. So I thought I’d give it a try. And I have to admit the book blew me away. Though some sections were for the more knowledgeable football fan, I found most of the book to be an engaging read. It was like a guide book to one of the most famous sports teams in the world, and it explained the reasons why certain players, certain names, have entered folklore. It was clearly excellently researched, passionately written, and was at times amusing (particularly in the explanations of the fan songs). It explored the history and culture of this great institution from a variety of angles – and not always the expected ones. There were great quotes from the film director Ken Loach, and from authors and poets alike. I enjoyed comments from ex-Manchester United players and from supporters throughout the world and the writer’s description of the “Where were you when?” phenomenon surrounding Fergie’s recent retirement announcement. But it was the point of view of the author I particularly enjoyed. Andrew J Kirby writes in a very accessible way, but at times, when he describes a famous goal, or why fans love a certain player, it becomes poetry.

When you support a sports team, their history intertwines with your history, and in this book, Kirby approaches the aspect of why sports matter so much to people very well. In my book, Fergie’s finest is writing at its finest.”

4-starred reviews in the UK next. Umbumbraye in his review entitled ‘A Great Man’ writes:

“Sir Alex Ferguson has had an amazing career and this ebook looks at some the best players he has coached over the years. I can see Andrew Kirby’s point when he says that often you have to discount certain players for individual positions because they were often great in partnership with other players or due to the strong team at the time, but there were a couple of instances where I would have picked the runner up instead of his final choice (I won’t spoil it by saying who!). Overall this is a great tribute to a great man.”

And Chubbagrubb, in his review states: “Fergie’s Finest picks Fergie’s all time greatest 11 by choosing the best player for each position. Some decisions are obvious and have little or no competition but other decisions are a lot harder to make. He backs up his choices with match analyses and interviews, but often it seems like there is hardly anything in it. So many great players have played at Old Trafford under Fergie’s reign that it is nearly impossible to whittle it down to the finalists. So sad to see such a fantastic manager leave.”

 

Bank Holiday Bankbuster Promo – ‘Shouting into an Empty Cave’ FREE this weekend on Amazon

Readers, my novelette, ‘Shouting into an Empty Cave’, is FREE on Amazon for the whole of this weekend (25th and 26th May). You can get your hands on a copy here.

Our heroine is a call-vetters on a local radio talk show. It is her job to weed out the ‘loonies’ in order that the Davie Kutch show is fit for air. Only, one day, she receives a call which shatters all of her illusions about her life, her family and her identity. ‘Shouting into an Empty Cave’ is a story of communication gone awry. It’s a story which considers how secrets and lies within a family can have such wide-reaching effects.

New Release: ‘Wild Wolf’s Twisted Tails’

Wild Wolf’s Twisted Tails is an Anthology of dark tales from the acclaimed Wild Wolf stable of writers.

Juicy chunks of fiction marinated in a piquant sauce of darkness and despair, just as you like it … bloody in the middle.

23 short stories of murder, revenge and the supernatural. Lunatics and fanatics, wicked curses and monstrous creations, supernatural entities and demonic playthings. Savour every morsel.

Best-selling and acclaimed authors include, Rod Glenn, Ricki Thomas, Poppet, I S Paton, C W Lovatt, Jo Reed, A J Kirby, Mark Sinclair, Tony Wright and Kirsty Neary.

Get your claws on it from Amazon here.

I’m Guest Blogging on Stretty News site again, this time on new United boss, David Moyes

I’m guest-blogging on the Manchester United fans’ blog site Stretty News again today, with a piece on the Red Devils’ new boss David Moyes. The piece is called ‘David Moyes and the Luck of the Draw’, and in it, I get rather stat-happy.

You can read the full article, and comment, here.

And you can buy my United book here.

And you can join my ‘Fergie’s Finest’ Facebook group here.

And here’s a snippet of the Moyes article:

“You can make stats do whatever it is you want them to do, but under Moyes, Everton lost only once at Goodison Park all campaign. (United, by contrast, lost three). I’d be quite happy for him to maintain a home record like that at OT.

Another one: Everton had exactly the same number of defeats (7) as United in the past 46 league games. In that time, Chelsea’s rent boys lost 10.

But those stats disguise the fact Everton made a hell of a lot of draws: 21 in all, throughout the 2012-13 season. United have made it a habit over the past few seasons never to draw. Or hardly ever, anyway. We didn’t draw a single game at OT this season, and drew 5 away, one of which was the ridiculous, testimonial-style 5-5 against West Brom on that emotional final day. Another was against Arsenal, in the week we finally secured the title. The players seemed half-cut for the first half hour of that game – too much partying – and Arsenal battered us. Still, despite all that, United should have won the game, based on chances created.

You see, under Ferg, we’ve excelled at turning draws into wins. We’ve found that extra drive, desire, and determination to go on and win the game. Often we score late winners. In Fergie Time. We know draws are no good. A team can complete the season ‘invincible’, but, if they draw every game, they’ll go down.”

 

I’m Guest-Blogging on the Morgen Bailey Writing Blog on the shift from fiction to non-fiction…

Continuing my frenzy of marketing activity to promote my book, ‘Fergie’s Finest’, today I’m guest blogging over at the Morgen Bailey Writing Blog on ‘the shift from fiction to non-fiction’ (for the purposes of this book, not forever.)

You can read my blog post here.

And you can buy a copy of the book here.

And here’s an excerpt from the piece:

“I loved the process of writing the book. It was a far more ‘community-based’ way of writing. It was far removed from my usual lonely tapping away at a keyboard. During March, April, and May, I conducted interviews, polls of fellow fans across the world, and compiled my team of Manchester United greats. Then, on a crest of a wave, and with some brilliant quotes to hand, I wrote the book. And, when Manchester United secured their record twentieth league championship, I thought the book would be released at an ideal time. The book was to be called ‘Fergie’s Finest: Sir Alex Ferguson’s Greatest Manchester United x11’.
But then came another object lesson in the pitfalls of non-fiction, especially when you choose to write about a ‘newsy’ subject. Because unlike archeologically ‘uncovering’ the imaginative stories from inside your head, in the case of non-fiction, and in this case sport, the narrative continues. It pays no heed to what you’ve already written, and the nice conclusions you’ve drawn.
Overnight, everything changed. From out of the blue, Sir Alex Ferguson, the man in question, retired. And suddenly, my manuscript had to be revised. It needed to be changed quickly, too, in order to strike while the iron was hot; while Sir Alex Ferguson was still the name on the nation’s lips.”

‘Fergie’s Finest’ paperback climbing the Amazon charts

The paperback version of ‘Fergie’s Finest’ is currently climbing the Amazon charts. As we speak, it’s up to number 82 in the football books chart, having only been made available a couple of days ago. Help it reach that little bit higher by getting your hands on your own copy here.