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Selfless Sacrifice
A Place More Dark follows a Lance Corporal in WWII who is forced to join the march across Central Europe, where he risks his life to save someone from the SS. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
With a grandfather who was a POW in World War Two, I have a natural interest in the subject. When researching the topic, two things struck me: firstly, how ill-prepared the British army was at the start of the war and how, in the debacle leading to the famous evacuation at Dunkirk, many of the less well-trained troops were sacrificed to allow others to escape; and secondly, those same men, held in captivity for the war’s duration, were often considered to have ‘sat out’ the conflict, avoiding the dirty but heroic business of fighting and earning victory. This double body-blow to their reputation is inherently unfair and so I was inspired to present them in a more heroic light and do justice to their memory. Beyond the escape story, POWs have had limit representation in fiction. With my Jock Mitchell series, I want to show other aspects but also demonstrate they were still in the war, fighting battles of a different kind and winning by surviving.
I enjoyed the depth of the main character, Jock Mitchell. What was your process to bring that character to life?
Jock is an everyman, leading an unassuming life before the war, but he now finds himself in a dramatic, complex world of conflict where simple survival shapes his every action. He clings to the nostalgic, balanced world he recalls in better times with his family, drawing strength from those memories to do the right and heroic thing when chaos and cruelty threatens. But equally, he finds anger, pain, or self-preservation driving him in other situations. He has little control, dragged and thrown by the currents and crashing waves in this tempest. Emotions, risks, and friendships are intensified by the war: stoic determination mixing with fragility and despair, laughter blending with tears. It is trauma played out in a world with no time or opportunity to succumb to it.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
A Place More Dark is literally about a journey across Europe from one hell into another, but at its heart is the journey into the human spirit. From cruelty to selfless sacrifice, the spectrum of basic human behaviours is explored using the stage of a war. I was keen not to present conflict one-dimensionally: of just good against bad. Each character is stripped raw and shown to be flawed, being extraordinary as monsters or saints, sometimes both, because order has collapsed, and survival is the name of the game. In this primitive landscape, it is light that leads them out of the darkness: the camaraderie, acts of kindness, sacrifice, and humanity.
Where does the story go in the next book and where do you see it going in the future?
Book one in the series, Triumphant Where it Dares Defy, left a few threads dangling that need tying up and so I intend to bring Jock back in a post-war world, exploring the impact of five years of captivity on a man in peace-time. Did the war ever truly end for them? There was also a new world order taking shape and so that will provide a perfect stage for a new adventure. At some point I will return to the start of the war, a prelude to Jock’s captivity, and find out his story in those confused and terrifying weeks as the British and French armies collapsed, and the free world hung in the balance.
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Already half-starved, disease-stricken and brutalised, the last thing the prisoners of Stalag XXa need is an order to pack their meagre belongings and begin marching through the harsh winter of early 1945. Under the watchful eye of their guards and the SS, they walk into the unknown, facing the bitter cold across hundreds of miles of Central Europe, while the dangerous frontline between the Wehrmacht and Red Army followings close on their heels.
Lance Corporal Jock Mitchell, a POW of five long years, leaves Stalag XXa with a hole in his boot and a sledge converted from his old bunk. It doesn’t take long for Jock to realise fighting nature, as well as the Nazis, will be his greatest challenge ever. With blizzards and an empty stomach, just placing one foot in front of the other is hard enough, but when Jock steps in to save someone from the barbarity of the SS, his march westward takes on a greater importance and far more danger. From the hell of the prison camp, Jock finds himself in a place more dark.
Book Two in the Jock Mitchell Adventures continues the thrilling story of survival and danger for those whose war continued in captivity but who never stopped fighting.
A Place More Dark
Nathaniel M. Wrey’s A Place More Dark plunges readers into the grim and unforgiving world of Stalag XXa, a Nazi prisoner-of-war camp that serves as a brutal stage for the horrors of World War II. For Lance Corporal Jock Mitchell, survival is already an immense challenge, but his ordeal intensifies when he is forced to join the grueling march across the frozen plains of Central Europe. With the Red Army and Wehrmacht clashing close behind, Jock faces unimaginable trials. Yet, his journey gains significance when he risks everything to save another life from the merciless hands of the SS.
Wrey crafts a historical war story that spares no detail, confronting the barbarity of war with unflinching realism. His narrative recalls the raw intensity of Hemingway’s wartime prose and the methodical precision of Tom Clancy’s storytelling. Though this is the second novel in the series, newcomers will find it accessible, as the author deftly weaves essential backstory into the tale without slowing its momentum.
At its heart is Jock Mitchell, a stoic yet layered character whose resilience and humanity anchor the story. Initially hardened by his environment, Jock reveals unexpected depths of compassion and moral courage as the story unfolds. The novel’s tone is appropriately stark, yet Wrey’s prose has a way of shifting gears during pivotal moments. His descriptions become vivid and visceral when portraying the heinous acts of the SS, forcing readers to confront the raw brutality of these events. This deliberate contrast highlights the extremes of human cruelty and the fragile sparks of kindness and heroism that endure despite it.
Wrey’s careful attention to historical detail enriches the story, creating a backdrop that feels authentic and immersive. A Place More Dark is not a light or easy read. Its unflinching portrayal of war’s atrocities makes it a tough and sometimes harrowing experience. But for those willing to endure its darker passages, the book offers immense rewards. The character development is fantastic, the narrative is gripping, and the ending is satisfying. This is a story about the resilience of the human spirit in even the bleakest circumstances.
Fans of historical fiction, particularly those who appreciate stories steeped in wartime realism and moral complexity, will find much to admire. A Place More Dark is a powerful and unforgettable journey into the depths of humanity and the enduring light of courage.
Pages: 195 | ASIN : B0DJ7N9VT2
El éxodo de los cátaros
El éxodo de los cátaros is a riveting historical fiction novel set in the early 13th century during the Albigensian Crusade. The story follows Ermessenda de Castellbó, a noblewoman with ties to the Cathar community, as she navigates the tumultuous political and religious landscape of medieval Languedoc. Her journey is fraught with danger, alliances, and the quest for survival amid the crusade’s brutality. The narrative seamlessly blends historical facts with creative liberties to fill in the gaps, offering a vivid portrayal of a time marked by conflict and faith.
One of the best things about this book is its exploration of the characters’ inner lives and motivations. Ermessenda is portrayed as a strong and compassionate woman, deeply committed to her people and faith. Her relationship with Robi is tenderly depicted, providing emotional depth to the narrative. The author skillfully illustrates the conflicts between personal loyalties and the harsh realities of war. For instance, Robi’s torment over the fate of Carcassonne and his desperate attempts to protect his loved ones highlight the human cost of the crusade.
Mariana Vernieri’s writing is both engaging and evocative, bringing the medieval setting to life with rich descriptions and intricate details. The opening scene in the camp of Toulouse, where soldiers rest uneasy with the threat of the Crusaders looming, sets a compelling tone. Vernieri captures the atmosphere perfectly, from the camaraderie among the soldiers to the palpable tension and the personal struggles of characters like Robi, Ermessenda’s beloved. The dialogue is natural and period-appropriate, which enhances the immersion into this historical era.
El éxodo de los cátaros is a compelling read that offers a nuanced view of a complex historical period. Mariana Vernieri’s meticulous research and vivid imagination bring the past to life, making it an enjoyable read for fans of historical fiction. This book is particularly suited for readers interested in medieval history, religious conflicts, and strong, character-driven narratives.
Pages: 798 | ASIN : B0D8H92D8L
Sunrise in Saigon
Sunrise in Saigon by Patrick Greenwood is a fiction story based on real events that happened in Vietnam during and after the war. Jack Kendall is an eleven-year-old boy at the time of the fall of Saigon in 1975. Still, many of his questions about the war are not answered until more than thirty-five years later when he makes a trip to Vietnam as an adult after health issues cause him to reexamine his current life. There he meets a woman who he had been communicating with online, and spending time with her takes his mind off his unhappy marriage. But is their relationship worth the risk? And is there any chance that they can be together forever?
I liked how this story spanned several decades of Jack’s life, starting in his childhood and into adulthood, giving the reader more insight into his character and his continuing interest in what happened to the Vietnamese people after the war when the American armed forces left the country. The author included many historical details and vivid descriptions of life in Vietnam and how the people there were still affected four decades after the war. I enjoyed reading about how Jack stepped in to help fix problems at a water plant during his trip to Vietnam. It was admirable that he wanted to take steps in his life to improve his health and mindset, and I liked that he took up cycling. The ending of this book surprised me, and I liked that it was unexpected.
Some of the decisions Jack made in the pursuit of so-called happiness and love were not exceptionally honorable and had detrimental effects on his family life. Jack and Linh’s infidelity is a vital part of this story, and how they are both looking for a connection that is lacking in their current relationships. Finding the answers to his long-held questions about Vietnam seemed secondary to his affair with Linh, especially during his first trip, giving readers a deeper look at his emotional state and his desire for deep emotional connections.
Overall, Sunrise in Saigon is a captivating read that will take the reader on an emotional journey alongside Jack and his quest for happiness. Some relationships are meant to last forever, some just for a moment. This novel shows readers that those moments are no less meaningful and impactful in our lives than the relationships that last for years.
Pages: 325 | ASIN : B0BMNGVK4Z
Dogs Don’t Cook
In Dogs Don’t Cook by author Catherine Alexander, Thomas ‘Hatch’ Hatchfield was an artist. It was all he dreamed of being from the time he picked up a crayon. Then came the Vietnam war. Returning from the war as a veteran, he was scarred by his experiences and struggled with homelessness and alcohol addiction. Judged by society and all but abandoned by what’s left of his family, Hatch’s only real friend is his dog, Bud. Dog lovers won’t be surprised to know that Bud is a loyal straight-talker and doesn’t shy away from telling Hatch honest truths about things even when it is painful.
With no family that wants to help him, Hatch eventually stumbles into meeting the practical and kind-hearted Rosa, who becomes his real family. She gives him a place to live and work and inspires him to get back on his feet and start to create art again. The relationship between Hatch and Rosa is beautiful and shows that kindness is still out there in the world.
Hatch is a very clearly drawn character with a distinctive voice written from a first-person perspective. You are immediately drawn into his world and can’t help but find yourself firmly on his side right from the beginning. The Vietnam war period sets the backdrop for Hatch’s journey, and it provides a timely and poignant commentary on the war in general. I felt that in a couple of instances, elements of the story seemed to be dropped in for convenience without being fully developed or resolved, like the handling of Hatch’s brief love interest. There is a stark contrast in the portrayal of Hatch as a hopeless drunk vs. him sober, without a lot of transition between the two stages. Watching Hatch emerge from his drunken fog and reclaim parts of his former self is heartwarming.
Dogs Don’t Cook is a moving story of love, loss, family, and triumph over considerable adversity. This historical war fiction novel captures the emotions many returning vets felt and shows some of the challenges they endured once returning to America. Hatch is the character who stays with you long after you finish the book.
Pages: 266 | ASIN : B09NCZJ4Q6
LITERARY TITAN 