Blog Archives
Poetry As A Literary Vehicle
Send Down the Master in Person: Reflections on Adolf Eichmann is a tribute to the generation of people who fought for the Allies against evil. Why was this an important book for you to write?
I wanted to write this eBook for several reasons. I wanted to dedicate this book to my parents, family, and their contemporaries who sacrificed so much by fighting and participating in the war effort of World War II. I was raised by this generation and believe that they were remarkable and exceptional people to have waged war victoriously against the evil and might of the Axis powers. I think it is critically and vitally important that their service to the nation and to the world be memorialized.
I wanted to chronicle the evil perpetrated by the Nazis and the subjugation of peoples Eichmann committed to further the aims of Aryan superiority and Hitler’s agenda of cleansing the world to establish the one thousand years Reich.
I also wanted to inform people about the Holocaust and the toll it has taken on humanity then and now. I wanted to use narrative poetry as a literary vehicle to tell the story of Eichmann’s capture by the Mossad as a pivot point in portraying what he savagely committed in the Final Solution.
What is one thing that people point out after reading your book that surprises you?
I am surprised by people saying that the poem is easy to read and understand. I am pleased to know that it has a decided impact on younger generations who have read the poem and end notes and who did not realize the extent of horror Eichmann wreaked through Europe.
Is there any moral or idea that you hope readers take away from the story?
The major moral understanding and/or idea I hope people take away from reading this work is to be aware of the dangers of meta-narratives that crush the human spirit and the human condition. It is important to be aware of our history so that it does not repeat itself, and to be empathetic to the suffering bigotry, intolerance, and hatred can cause to others.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I am hoping to launch the fourth book, the Pilgrim – Part I, in my series, The Immortality Wars, between this Thanksgiving and Christmas. I am writing a planned, nine-book science fiction, fantasy, and spiritual thriller that is based on Christian themes. The first trilogy, the Penitent, was published in August 2019.
Author Links: Amazon | GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
The perspective of the poem is from a fictitious Mossad agent who takes part in capturing Eichmann on 11 May 1960 in San Fernando, a suburb of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
It is ironic that the face of evil seems often clothed in plain sight. Send Down the Master in Person: Reflections on Adolf Eichmann is dedicated to all those who suffer from such wicked bigotry, hatred, and intolerance.
Send Down the Master in Person
Send Down the Master in Person: Reflections on Adolf Eichmann is a poem written by A. Keith Carreiro. The first pages contain the poem entitled “Send Down the Master.” This poem is a great read that describes the details of Nazi Germany, as well as the actions of Adolf Eichmann. It delves into the great sacrifice that was made by the Allies who were involved. It is told from the point of view of an agent who worked to capture Adolf Eichmann, a Nazi who played a large role in the Holocaust. The poem at the beginning of the book is one long annotated poem. It is accompanied by end notes that help reveal the terms and references made in the poem, as well as provide more information and background about the time, environment, and people portrayed in this reflection on Eichmann.
This is an engrossing read from start to finish. The poem is enjoyable and I appreciated the descriptions of Adolf Eichmann. Send Down the Master in Person is a thought-provoking work that explores the horrors of war, as well as the courageousness of the ‘good guys’.
I found this book to be captivating due to the descriptions of the actions of the characters. This poem reads just like a novel and is easy to understand. I point this out because some poetry can be abstract, and this book does a fantastic job of ensuring readers are fully engaged with what’s happening. It starts with a description of Adolf Eichmann, and how he looks just like a normal person as the agent looks for him. I found this compelling; such an evil man looking so pedestrian. It then shifts into the role he played in the horrors of Nazi Germany.
I enjoyed the unique way that this poem reads much like a story. This makes it simple for people who aren’t necessarily fans of poetry to read it. As a result, I think Send Down the Master in Person would be perfect for fans of war fiction, poetry or history.
Pages: 72 | ASIN: B0B5254RLV
The Devastation of War
Of All Faiths & None is a coming-of-age tale focusing on the relationships of the characters and how they fall victim to the tragedy of a needless war. What was the inspiration for the setup to your story?
I marched against the Iraq war and wanted to write a novel that showed the needlessness and brutality of war. The following year I visited Castle Drogo on Dartmoor. There is a room in the castle that is a shrine to the memory of Adrian Drewe, the eldest son of the tea baron who commissioned the castle in 1910. It seemed to me to be the perfect setting to tell a story about war. I wanted to introduce the reader to characters they would grow to like and then have each of these characters deal with the effects that war has on people’s lives. I therefore created a fictional story set around Castle Drogo that led up to the final tragedy of a lost generation.
Your characters are intriguing and well developed. What were some driving ideals behind your character’s development?
Thank you. I did not want to create stereotypes but rather rounded characters with flaws. I wanted to take ideals such as faith, duty, conscience and honour and see what would happen to characters when faced with the devastation of war. In many cases the ideals that the characters believed in are questioned or lost by the effects of the war on their lives.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The necessity of war and its consequences on those caught up by it. However, I also wanted to look at what drove people to enlist and how people dealt with tragedy.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
The book I am currently writing looks at the Mau Mau uprising in Kenya and considers whether it is ever right to use torture and oppression to stop an enemy who uses the bloodiest tactics imaginable. It has a working title of ‘The Nuremberg Paradigm’ and should be completed within the next two years
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
The novel moves to 1914, and the start of the Great War. Christian Drewe returns from Austria where he has been working as an artist. He has reservations about joining up, unconvinced that the war was either necessary or right. He meets a nurse, Rose Braithwaite, when he is stuck at a railway station by fog. They subsequently meet again when Rose invites Christian to a party she is having for her birthday. Despite them being of different classes, there is a mutual attraction and during the evening they kiss. However, Rose is engaged and a fight breaks out between Rose’s fiancé, who arrives much later, and Christian. Both Rose and Christian decide never to see each other again. Christian’s moral conflict about enlisting comes to a head when he is handed a white feather – the sign of a coward. Eighteen months later, during the war, Christian is injured and is treated by Rose at a hospital on the front line. Both realise their mistake of following their heads rather than their hearts. Christian is sent back to a rehabilitation hospital in England where Celia is now working.
Adrian, when on leave, visits Christian and again meets Celia. The relationship is now one of equals. Celia, a headstrong young woman, decides that she must try and develop the relationship or risk losing Adrian. Adrian is torn between his desire for Celia and his need to protect his family, who are now having financial problems. The story moves from the battlefields of Flanders to Castle Drogo, where the characters are reunited for brief periods. Faith and love are stretched to their limits as each character is affected by the relentless brutality of the war. Of All Faiths & None is the story of a lost generation. It is a novel that focuses on the relationships of the characters until those relationships are shattered. It is a coming-of-age tale and a social commentary on the tragedy of a needless war.
Wasn’t That a Time
Wasn’t That a Time by Chip Hannay is riveting military romance novel set during the Vietnam War that touches on many aspects of life and struggles, including duty, passion, love, and camaraderie. The heart of the story focuses on Gid Bubchek, a Marine chopper pilot, and Ginger Lee, an enigmatic feminist, and the complicated emotions they experience together, in their respective positions, and within their relationship. The author candidly covers many challenging aspects of preparing for war and living in dangerous conditions while exploring diverse characters, their storylines, and their sense of humor.
Author Chip Hanny, a war veteran himself, gives the reader an authentic and unique perspective into soldiers’ lives leading up to the war and how they support each other the most during uncertain and challenging experiences. The author provides vivid details of overhead military helicopters and combat scenes amid the intense humanity throughout the story, despite the battle’s unfortunate circumstances and horrors. The book focuses heavily on character development, which carries most of the plot, and allows readers to get a close-up and raw look into their lives.
This is an excellent romantic thriller that is perfect for readers looking for a military fiction novel with a heart. I especially enjoyed this story because of its particular view of the Vietnam War and the way the story shows how it had a lasting impact on the generations of people that followed. This thought-provoking story gives readers a lot to reflect on about war and its effect on society. I recommend Wasn’t That a Time for the author’s ability to relay his experiences as a veteran into an entertaining book that contains a personal reflection on the impact of war. It’s a raw and explicit but thoughtful story that delivers a powerful message on the importance of camaraderie.
Pages: 253 | ASIN: B0B5HMFVHQ
Of All Faiths & None
Of All Faiths & None by Andrew Tweeddale is a historical fiction novel set during the Great War between 1910 and 1918. This compelling novel begins with Julius Drewe, who hires a famous architect, Edwin Luytens, to design a castle. Drewe’s goal is to establish and preserve his legacy with the construction of Castle Drogo, which later symbolizes the nature of the war, and how the younger generation of the Drewes and Luytens become entangled in the war, which breaks out in 1914. The plot quickly develops when the setting shifts from the families’ residence in London to the various battlefields and their connections to each other and Castle Drogo.
The author explores many essential topics during the early 1900s, including the age of enlightenment, the suffragette movement, and the impact of war. It’s an emotional rendition of the history of western society and how significant changes in the world challenge different religions and belief systems. Tweeddale does a great job developing each character and evolving them throughout the book in well-structured chapters and well-written descriptions of their individual experiences.
Throughout the book, Tweeddale explores the themes of duty, vanity, romance, and spirituality and how they evolve during the war. Readers get a glimpse into the political system of this era, and the consequences of war on all levels of society, from the ordinary people to the elites. The author brilliantly showcases the horrors of war and how it capitalizes on the arrogance and vanity of humans while humanizing war casualties so that they are not merely seen as numbers or statistics but as soldiers who are also brothers, sons, and spouses.
I profoundly enjoyed Of All Faiths & None by Andrew Tweeddale. I recommend this impassioned historical romance novel for the author’s ability to highlight the tragedies of war and how it is the ultimate equalizer, impacting everyone regardless of faith or lack of it. It is a well-told tale of love, faith, and war, and is perfect for fans of historical fiction.
Pages: 352 | ASIN: 1739612205
A War That Will End War
Over the Breadth of the Earth is the second book in your Saga of Fallen Leaves series. What were some new ideas you wanted to explore in this book that were different from book one?
Volume II sees the conflict between Heaven and Hell move into the modern era. I wanted to explore the interconnectedness of the past century and the changes that accompanied the world becoming ever smaller. In continuing the existential theme of the series, I wanted to explore if modernity is more or less isolating for the individual, as compared to previous eras of history. I also wanted to consider the desire for a “war that will end war” and the notion that a lasting conflict-free world could be established. This is the goal of humanity at the outbreak of the Great War and both sides of Celestial characters throughout the saga. In this volume, I really wanted to examine the compromises and sacrifices one is willing to make toward reaching such an end.
Did you plan your character’s development or did they grow organically as you wrote the story?
I started with a loose outline of how I wanted the characters to develop. However, I also left room for the situations they endured and their shifting motivations to guide them. In some instances, I was surprised by the growth of the characters. Many of the big decisions Schitz and Zinc made were not set in stone until I got to the critical point in their story.
What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?
I really enjoyed writing the scene set to the folk song High Germany. The song has such contrasting emotions. In one stanza it mentions drinking in ale houses and getting married. In the next, it curses the “cruel wars” for sending England’s sons far from home. It felt like a perfect fit for the scenes of battle juxtaposed with the medical advancements associated with the outcomes of the battles. It was also very enjoyable because the song fits so well with the saga,which stretches over many eras. I love tying together different ages. High Germany was written either about the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714) or the Seven Years War (1756-1763), but it fits perfectly for the scene set during the Second World War. It was a lot of fun to incorporate the song into the story.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I’m currently editing And They Marched Up, Volume III of The Saga of Fallen Leaves and writing Volume IV. These volumes fit together with I & II like pieces of a puzzle. They’ll give insight into some of the minor characters from Volume I & II and expound upon many of the subjects from the series. And They Marched Up, Volume III should both be available in January 2023.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Twitter
Lord Zinc II and Schizophrenia “Schitz” Incenderos Nervosa continue balancing their intricate existence while battling the enemy, coping with duplicitous elements within their own ranks, and trying to ensure their survival. Their rivalry stretches across the vast globe from the killing fields at Gettysburg to the barren steppe of Kursk and even into the treacherous streets of Fallujah.
Throughout, these bold cavaliers interact with some of the modern era’s fiercest fighting units (the Waffen-SS, the Viet Cong, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and more). Utilizing a myriad of ever evolving weaponry and coordination, Zinc and Schitz attempt to stay one step ahead of friend and foe alike.
Confederacy Of Fenians
The Confederacy of Fenians by James D. Nealon is a compelling historical fiction novel set in the 1800’s that offers an alternate take on the American civil war. This engaging book presents itself through a series of perspectives and narratives, each chapter from the view of one of the main characters. It explores what would have happened had the British intervened on the side of the Confederacy. The Confederacy is ready to break up the north but do Lincoln and the Union army have what it takes to stop them?
The well-conceived stories and lives of each of these characters overlap and interlock, creating twists at every corner. The author’s ability to connect the character’s accounts into a cohesive storyline is well done. Nealon does a great job illustrating the true complexity of the American Civil War and simultaneously allowing for an intricate fictional journey.
This elaborate story is written from a different point of view in each chapter. It may be a little bit difficult to track who each of the characters is at first, but as readers get further along, they are able to build the complete picture. I felt this made it hard to keep up with the development of the plot at times. However, the consistency with which the characters told their versions of the stories allowed readers a better understanding of the plot and how each story connects.
I loved how this novel gave the physical perspectives of the characters as well as metaphorical perspectives that stemmed from their actions. Being privy to each character’s thoughts and narrative gave this novel strength. There are also three strong female characters in this novel, showcasing how despite living in a time when women were seen and not heard, they fought for what they believed in and strived to make a difference.
Confederacy of Fenians is an alternate reality historical fiction novel with mixed science fiction elements. This is a solid novel with exciting and shocking twists and page-turning chapters that perfectly enraptures a war within a war and what one will do for the survival of their people.
Pages: 320 | ASIN : B09MR86R58
Rosemary for Remembrance
Rosemary for Remembrance, an alluring book by Nikki Broadwell, is a fictionalized account of a war-torn love story. The author tells readers the story of a couple who has to face many troubles due to the World War. The conditions soldiers are forced to live in and how the soldier wives lived back home are shown. In this story, our protagonists, Rosemary and Dylan, wade through the waters of war, trauma, and distance between themselves to conquer their fears and insecurities.
The writing style of this book is fast-paced and captivating. Readers are drawn into this story from the beginning. I could finish this in a single day because the storyline was engaging, and each chapter left the reader wanting to know more. The natural and supernatural events filled the narrative with suspense and anticipation of what thrilling event will come next.
The mental exploration of the Prisoners of War and their post-war trauma has been explained in detail. From Rosemary’s point of view, we can witness the struggles and problems of the soldier’s family left behind without any contact with their loved ones. This book also explores the impact of soldiers’ traumas on their families and relationships. Fallouts and Divorces were common, but no one was to blame.
The journal entries by Dylan from the Prisoner of War camps made me feel the pain and anguish which coursed through those soldiers. The helplessness and cruelty of the war are being laid bare through those journals. As the author has mentioned, those journal entries were the actual journals of their grandfather. This makes them more realistic and horrific to read.
There is a parallel plot running in this book. In that story, the eighteenth-century dilemma and struggle for love are shown. The condition of women at that time has been described in a way that left me uncomfortable and angry. The story of Rebecca and Edgar reflects the story of Rosemary and Dylan, yet they are drastically different.
This book took me into the midst of the horror that was felt by the soldiers as well as their families. The simple and captivating writing style paired with a headstrong female protagonist makes this book a brilliant read. Some mature topics are presented in this storyline due to the brutal nature of the time and war. I recommend this book to people who want to read about the conditions of war and a love that’s being tested by time and troubles.
Pages: 286 | ASIN : B0711FL8T8
LITERARY TITAN 