Blog Archives
A Promise I Made
Avoiding Muddy Foxholes: A Story of an American Bombardier recounts the life and military service of your father, Richard “Dick” Loveless, a young man from Washington, D.C., who joins the Army Air Corps during World War II to avoid the muddy foxholes of infantry life. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Like many boys growing up in the 1950s and ’60s, we were completely captivated by our fathers’ involvement in World War II. They were our heroes, and playing army was how we tried to be like them. As we got older, we began to understand that war wasn’t a game. Fighting and dying for your country was serious business. Like many veterans of that war, it was something they wanted to forget, but as kids who didn’t know any better, we pressed them for their stories.
My father didn’t talk much about the war, not because of any psychological issues. He just believed back then that he was doing his job, and that wasn’t something anyone would find interesting. Little did he know that, over time, I would come to see that this man, who was my father, was a true hero, and his story needed to be told. It became a promise I made to him on Father’s Day in 1972, and I vowed that his story would always be remembered.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
One main idea I wanted readers to understand was how my father overcame the many fears he had to face during his experiences in the war. He relied on his strong faith to get through everything and believed that if he could handle the things he knew he could control, God would take care of the things he couldn’t.
Also, it is important to know that the people of the town in France, Champigny, honor the five crew members who died on each anniversary of the day their plane was shot down over their town.
What was the most challenging part of writing your father’s story, and what was the most rewarding?
The most challenging part of writing my father’s story was that by the time I was able to write it, everyone who was a part of it had passed away. In many cases, I had to rely on my familiarity with those I knew to create the dialogue. Also, my knowledge of history and the many events that made up the story helped me with trying to piece everything together. What was most rewarding was that almost every incident I had to speculate on, hoping it was correct, turned out to be spot on. It was particularly rewarding that I was able to convey a nearly one-hundred-percent accurate account of his story.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your dad’s story?
My hope is that readers will gain an understanding through the story of one man what those of the Greatest Generation did to help preserve the freedoms we take for granted today.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Though neither really discussed it, marriage was undoubtedly on the horizon. Unfortunately, a war got in the way. He was forced to decide between being drafted into the Army or enlisting so he could choose what branch of the service he would serve. Dick enlisted. Regrettably, enlisting didn’t matter; he wound up in the coastal artillery. As luck would have it, an opportunity to join the Air Corps presented itself, and Dick took it.
Thus, the adventure began for Dick. From boot camp and flight school to flying bombing missions over Germany for the 388th Bombardment Group, things never got easier. But it was only in his sixth mission over Stuttgart, Germany, that his strength, courage, and faith were put to the ultimate test. No training could prepare him for what lay ahead.
Eighty years later, Dicks oldest son finally made good on a promise he made him. He vowed never to let his father’s remarkable story go untold, so “Avoiding Muddy Foxholes” is his story.
Guardians of the Latte Stones
Set against the backdrop of Sasebo’s economic struggles, Guardians of the Latte Stones, by M.K. Aleja, is a compelling historical fiction narrative interwoven with elements of folklore and the harsh realities of World War II. The story follows Yuki and Takeshi, siblings grappling with the loss of their parents and the cruelty of their guardians. Takeshi, seeking an escape, enlists in Japan’s Imperial Army, believing he’s secured a favorable position on a seemingly tranquil tropical island. However, the island harbors a dark secret, challenging Takeshi’s perceptions of warfare and morality.
Aleja masterfully merges fantasy and historical elements, weaving a narrative rich in suspense and tinged with a sense of foreboding. This novel skillfully intertwines authentic historical details with creative storytelling, immersing readers in the era’s cultural, social, and emotional contexts. Structured like a classic fairytale, it features a young protagonist navigating a world of sinister relatives and pivotal decisions. The story centers on Takeshi, whose initial dreams of glorified military service clash with the harsh realities of war, forming the story’s core. The characters are thoughtfully crafted, bringing their challenges and victories to life in a way that resonates with readers.
Aleja’s meticulous approach to narrative construction and his knack for intricate storytelling are noteworthy, offering an engaging and enlightening read. This book poignantly addresses the human toll of war, presenting a seldom-seen perspective on WWII. As the plot progresses, Takeshi and the readers encounter the ancestral spirits of Guam. These spirits, seeking retribution for past injustices, introduce a supernatural layer to the story. Their actions and subsequent developments prompted Takeshi to reevaluate the Japanese army’s role on the island, providing an insightful look at the effects of wartime occupation.
Guardians of the Latte Stones is a story that transcends its historical setting, weaving together elements of a ghost story and a poignant commentary on the futility of war. Aleja’s approach is both ambitious and nuanced, imbuing the novel with a rich emotional depth. This book is not just a historical account but a multifaceted exploration of war, cultural conflict, and moral ambiguity.
Pages: 377 | ASIN : B0CTS9KYR9
War is a Character
In One Year, One Night, readers follow a woman who revisits her experiences and a romance during WWII when she returns to her hometown and happens upon her long-forgotten diary. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
About 10 years ago the college where Sarah was teaching was involved in a ceremony to lay a stone on the resting place of a little evacuee boy that died in a bombing at the beginning of WW2. Sarah’s curiosity was tickled by the fact that he had laid there unacknowledged for so many years and that nobody had attended his funeral. She discussed the event with Laura and they set out to research the history of this boy and the circumstances of his death.
Is there anything from your own experiences in the lives of your characters?
In a way War is a character in our writing. Both of us grew up hearing the stories of how it strongly affected the lives of our parents.
Sarah parents were 11 and 10 in 1939 and they were Londoners. Sarah’s father Ron remembered delivering newspapers and looking up to see a dogfight between a German bomber and a British pilot. The issue of food was a very strong memory and Sarah grew up in a household where the idea of a sell-by date was a genuine puzzle.
Regarding going down to the Anderson shelter during bombings, like Annie and Remy do on their first romantic tryst, the most obvious memory was that Sarah’s parents were doing exams at school – to be interrupted by an air raid.
Ron’s mother worked in a military factory at night – he and his sister were sometimes left on their own. They would tune into the American Forces Radio for company.
Families gathered round the radio can be seen in One Year One Night by SL Roman when the Corbett family listen to the news before their father goes off to war.
Laura’s experience was very different as she grew up in Rome, in the Italian capital. That experience enables her to see the British from a removed viewpoint (she married a Londoner and settled in Britain).
The similarities between the UK and Italy lay in rationing, bombs, destruction and civilian casualties.
Laura’s father was a key member of the Italian Resistance and he had been trained by the Scots Guards. His talents included skilful use of explosives to blow up Nazi railway lines.
He had several different aliases and Laura remembers him having a bounty on his head by the German military. He was awarded a distinction for his contribution to the war by Field Marshall Alexander who was commander-in-chief of the allied army including the Americans.
Both Sarah and Laura were brought up in families where money was treated carefully, influenced by a long period of austerity both in Britain and Italy. Laura said that a number of families were so poor in Italy that they went to live in caves when their homes were destroyed by the bombs.
What draws you to the genre of historical fiction?
The original boy in One Year One Night was a wartime evacuee so the genre of historical fiction was the obvious route. We are both avid readers and attend the same book club where we’ve read historical fiction and analysed it in the group. Laura also has a long-standing interest in History and believes well-researched historical fiction is an excellent teaching tool.
Sarah thought it could be a factual story but Laura argued for it to be fictionalised as we would have more leeway and fun creating the characters, underpinned by plenty of accurate historical research.
Can readers expect to see more from you soon? What are you currently working on?
Yes, we’ve written 25 pages of the second novel using the same strong character of Annie who’s moved to wartime London. We’ve had lots of discussion between us about her character and how it evolves.
We don’t want to give the whole plot away but we have two ‘lively characters’ who make for compelling reading set against a brutal time-frame when London underwent 57 continuous nights of Nazi bombing through the winter of 1940.
We’re also inserting the stories of orphaned kids in London in WW2 and how they managed to survive.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website | Blog
When Annie returns to her home village after a long absence, she rediscovers the diary she kept the year she turned 16, the year that changed her life. We follow Annie as she navigates a blossoming love story with a handsome soldier and her growing affection for an evacuee child. With tender and amusing moments, this story―set in a small English village during World War II―explores love, resilience, and loss with a fresh new voice.
One Year, One Night
S.L. Roman’s One Year, One Night is a captivating novel that transports readers to England in 1960. The story centers around Annie, who returns to her hometown for a commemoration event in remembrance of World War II. The event, which features popular actress Suzie Bell, is meant to honor young Ben, one of the evacuees who stayed with Annie’s family during the war.
As Annie navigates through Millside, her hometown that was bombed 20 years prior, she is haunted by memories of the war. While visiting her old room at Mrs. Bassett’s home, where she had sought shelter after her family’s house was bombed, Annie stumbles upon her diary, a gift from her father. As she reads through the pages, she relives her experiences during the war, including her aunt Betty’s unexpected stay at their home, the customers at their hardware shop, her best friend Peg, and her love for Remy.
Through Annie’s character, readers are exposed to a strong-willed and humorous protagonist. Annie’s diary entries reveal her outspoken nature, endearing her to readers. Furthermore, the well-developed characters provide readers with an insight into life during the war, exploring themes such as scarcity of food, families displaced from their homes, propaganda, and the government’s control of the media.
Despite the book’s discussion of serious themes, it is an easy and entertaining read with a subtle touch of humor. The characterization is top-notch, and the storyline is amazing, straight to the point, and kept me engaged throughout without being overwhelming. I highly recommend One Year, One Night to young adults looking for a short and interesting fictional story.
Pages: 152 | ISBN : 978-1947159815
The Road to Moresco
Mark Jamilkowski’s inaugural novel, The Road to Moresco, presents a sweeping narrative that spans over 150 years, intricately weaving the threads of global historical events with the intimate saga of an Italian family. The novel’s canvas stretches from the mid-1800s in Sicily to contemporary Italy, tracing the Moresco family’s odyssey across continents and generations. Jamilkowski blends historical fact with fiction, creating a richly detailed world where readers can vividly experience both the grandeur and the turmoil of the times.
The novel’s strength lies in its complex and dynamic characters. It features a diverse ensemble, each navigating the turbulent waters of their personal and political realities. Particularly noteworthy are the novel’s female characters. They are portrayed as formidable and resilient, actively shaping their destinies against the backdrop of societal constraints.
Jamilkowski’s prose is evocative, painting each scene with such vivid imagery that readers feel transported into the heart of the story, experiencing its highs and lows alongside the characters. At the core of The Road to Moresco are themes of fascism, Nazism, and the ramifications of the Second World War. The narrative delves into the intricate dynamics of a mother-daughter relationship set against this tumultuous historical backdrop.
The story primarily focuses on Maria-Luisa Moresco, a determined pianist, as she juggles her career ambitions with the demands of family and motherhood, and her daughter, Chiara, who navigates her own complex path of love and duty. Their relationship, marked by love and conflict, mirrors the larger historical and cultural shifts of the era.
Jamilkowski’s debut novel blends music, war, love, and family life. It all comes together in a resonant and powerful narrative. This book is an engaging read for those interested in the interplay of history, culture, politics, and personal stories within the grand tapestry of a family saga. Jamilkowski’s work leaves an indelible mark, making The Road to Moresco a commendable addition to the genre.
Pages: 310 | ASIN : B0CCK7DMPJ
Faces Of Evil
Faces of Evil- a memoir by Edwin J Kitchen, is a powerful recollection of Berta Eisfeld Kitchen, who lived in a brutal world ruled by Hitler and Stalin. In this riveting historical memoir, the author narrates their mother Berta’s remarkable life, and how she sets out on a tumultuous journey to find freedom from the terror of World War II.
Representing a normal woman from the most oppressive era, Berta is one of those unsung heroes who suffered a great deal, but never shied away from helping others in the face of adversity. Kitchen gives chronological details of Berta’s childhood and lays a strong foundation to the events that took place in her life.
As a reader, it is easy to navigate through Berta’s life – her war stricken tragedies, and ultimately her quest to conquer misery to pursue a free life in the U.S. As a writer, Kitchen is impeccable with words in describing Berta’s free spirited life, and offers readers fascinating details on human courage and resilience. For someone who loves to read historical memoirs based on a true wartime story, I was happy to become a witness to Berta’s extraordinary life, with Kitchen’s straightforward writing.
Faces of Evil is simple, yet grand, and celebrates life, death and every human emotion. There are many occasions when readers can admire Kitchen’s attempt to provide meaning of foreign words, and clarify several scenarios in a simple manner. Berta Eisfeld is brave and her story gave me a hint of Anne Frank in the Diary of a Young Girl. Though Berta’s outcome was completely different than that of Anne, they both suffered insurmountably. One important feature of Faces of Evil is the short length of each chapter. Berta’s life events are well presented in those chapters, and it does not feel any stones are left unturned.
Faces of Evil is Kitchen’s way of giving Berta a voice. This memoir gives readers a bird’s eye view of Berta’s life in an enthralling and engaging manner. A superb recollection of a brave woman, Berta Eisfeld Kitchen, whose life was turned upside down during the reign of Hitler and Stalin; and how she took hold of her life in spite of all the sufferings, to pursue a life that gives her freedom to live peacefully.
Page: 76 | ASIN : B09FJ7CSY1
They Had a Common Enemy
Kathryn Gauci Author Interview
The Poseidon Network follows SOE agent Hadley who must root out a traitor in the network before their cover is blown. What was the inspiration for the setup to this exciting novel?
I wanted to show that for SOE agents working on behalf of the Allies, the situation in Greece was not easy. The political situation in Europe prior to and during WWII was very much one of division, and nowhere more so than Greece which had experienced great upheavals in their country in the early 20th century. However the Greek Resistance did pull together while they had a common enemy and their part in defeating first the Italians and then the Germans was to be admired. Women also played an important role too, as they had done in every war since The Greek War of Independence in 1821.
I also wanted to write the novel that was more a thriller in the style of Film Noir and the old classics, rather than another resistance story. The melting pot that Cairo was at that time was an ideal starting point. Characters in Rick’s Bar in “Casablanca” along with Harry Lime and his Viennese Nazi sympathizers in “The Third Man” were an inspiration too.
Larry is an interesting and well developed character. What were some driving ideals behind his character development?
Again taking inspiration from Film Noir I wanted Larry to be a larger than life figure; a man’s man who loved women, yet was caught off-guard when he met Alexis. I tried to imagine the physiology behind such a man. He was, first and foremost, an adventurer, but all of us have a vulnerable human side – a soft spot. Alexis was his. I also wanted to show how he respected the men he worked with. The classic thriller writers and such authors as Steinbeck were a great influence for developing his character.
I enjoyed the historic details used throughout the book. What kind of research did you undertake to get things right?
I always try to get to know the places I write about. In this case, I lived in Greece for six years and heard stories from those who experienced the war firsthand. I have also visited Turkey and Egypt several time. I think this is vital as the atmosphere of a place gets into your blood. It is the sights, sounds and smells that touch the senses and give the novel light and shade.
What is the next novel that you are working on and when will it be available?
My current WIP is another WWII story set in the Jura/Franche-Comté region of France in 1944. I was there for two and a half months 2019-2020, researching the Maquis, Resistance, and smuggler routes into Switzerland. It is a beautiful area of lakes, forests and mountains, and rich with stories of heroes and heroines in almost every village. Unfortunately, the Germans – particularly the Gestapo – could not have infiltrated the area so successfully had not been for the many collaborators, who were paid a huge sum of money for denouncing someone, particularly the head of a network. This time the protagonist is a woman. I expect to have it out by September this year.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Facebook | Website
![The Poseidon Network by [Kathryn Gauci]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/510ptS+p9BL.jpg)
1943. SOE agent Larry Hadley leaves Cairo for German and Italian occupied Greece. His mission is to liaise with the Poseidon network under the leadership of the White Rose.
It’s not long before he finds himself involved with a beautiful and intriguing woman whose past is shrouded in mystery.
In a country where hardship, destruction and political instability threaten to split the Resistance, and terror and moral ambiguity live side by side, Larry’s instincts tell him something is wrong.
After the devastating massacre in a small mountain village by the Wehrmacht, combined with new intelligence concerning the escape networks, he is forced to confront the likelihood of a traitor in their midst. But who is it?
Time is running out and he must act before the network is blown. The stakes are high.
From the shadowy souks and cocktail parties of Cairo’s elite to the mountains of Greece, Athens, the Aegean Islands, and Turkey, The Poseidon Network, is an unforgettable cat-and-mouse portrait of wartime that you will not want to put down.
Black Dragons Attack: A Nick Grant Adventure
Black Dragons Attack, the fourth installment in the Nick Grant Adventures series outdoes the high bar set by the previous adventures. This enthralling pre-World War II story features a superb cameo by American aviation hero Howard Hughes! Readers are transported to the nostalgic war era with the mind-blowing narrative by author Jamie Dodson. Nick Grant starts afresh as a Naval Aviation Cadet that leads to a chance encounter with Howard Hughes that changes the course of his life. Join Nick as he thwarts the Japanese plot to steal the famous Hughes H-1 racer along with his friends Nancy Tanaka and Leilani Porta for some edge of your seat entertainment.
Jamie Dodson has always delivered riveting story lines, perfect character development, amazing locales, and ultimately an exceptional climax – in short, each of Nick Grant’s adventures, be it Flying Boats & Spies, China Clipper, or Mission Shanghai or the latest offering Black Dragons Attack never fail to impress readers.
Set in 1936, Black Dragons Attack continues the Nick Grant saga as he believes his arch nemesis Toshio Miyazaki, is dead and starts afresh as a Cadet in the Naval Aviation Academy. It takes no less than a chance run in with the genius billionaire aviator and movie producer, Howard Hughes to lure Nick back into another deadly spy game.
The Black Dragons, working for the Japanese Intelligence Service, turn out to be secretly active and conspiring with a new partner, the Third Reich in California! As the Japanese hatch an elaborate plan to steal the Hughes H-1 racer to reverse engineer and build something even more advanced, US Naval Counterintelligence uncovers their activities. Nick is tasked with foiling the plans of the Japanese with the help of Nancy Tanaka and Leilani Porta.
As much as Nick impresses with his heroic show of patriotism and daredevilry, the Hughes H-1 steals the show with its sheer technological prowess and revolutionary functionalities that are years ahead of anything that existed in that era, precisely why the fascist regimes of Imperial Japanese and Nazis were so obsessed with it.
The setting of pre-world war II provides a poignant background wherein Jamie Dodson successfully manages to capture the mindset of people in a war torn country. Howard Hughes, albeit in a sort of guest appearance, manages to shine and awe the reader with his larger than life personality. The character sketches of Nancy, Leilani and Toshio are spot on and do justice to their role in the plot.
Overall, Black Dragons Attack, the fourth book in the Nick Grant adventure series is a pleasure to read.
Pages: 244 | ASIN: 1938667549
LITERARY TITAN 