The Cross Genre Novel: Author M.C.V. Egan talks about The Bridge of Deaths

The Bridge of Deaths is a cross genre novel with a strong factual side. It is about a 1939 plane crash in Denmark. Five men were reported dead. Because the crash took place in between two jurisdictions the investigation involved a power play between the police from Vordingborg and Nykoping. The newly formed Danish Secret Police was also heavily involved.

My grandfather Cesar Agustin Castillo an executive for Standard Oil of New Jersey was one of the five men on board the plane, extreme curiosity about his life and death are what inspired me to write The Bridge of Deaths. There are American, British, German, Palestinian angles to the story.

The book was researched for almost two decades through archives, newspaper microfilms, history books and interviews. It was also researched through documented past-life regressions (not the authors) and the use of psychometry by 5 different psychics.

The Actual bridge in Denmark has been the center of much death, primarily during WW II and in modern day Denmark it became a popular bridge for people seeking to commit suicide. The Cover photo was taken by my Husband; I chose it to thank him for all his patience while I worked on the book.

The Bridge of Deaths is a cross genre and the readers vary widely; the history buffs find all the documented data interesting. The plane crash is an actual mystery and that has an appeal to those who like mystery or conspiracies. I added a love story with a couple seeking the historical data to resolve past life issues and that again seems to attract a different reader altogether.

Amongst the many good reviews it has received a common thread is that readers seem to feel like they become part of a small intimate group that researches the events. I have also gotten the fantastic “you made me like history” feedback which is a pretty cool feeling.

The Bridge of Deaths is a cross genre novel with a strong factual side. It is about a 1939 plane crash in Denmark. Five men were reported dead. Because the crash took place in between two jurisdictions the investigation involved a power play between the police from Vordingborg and Nykoping. The newly formed Danish Secret Police was also heavily involved.

My grandfather Cesar Agustin Castillo an executive for Standard Oil of New Jersey was one of the five men on board the plane, extreme curiosity about his life and death are what inspired me to write The Bridge of Deaths. There are American, British, German, Palestinian angles to the story.

The Midwest Book Review called The Bridge of Deaths “An Unusual yet much recommended read” and gave it FIVE stars.

 

The Bridge of Deaths

Synopsis

Cross the Bridge of Deaths into 1939. Uncover the secrets of the G-AESY in this well documented historical journey with a fictional twist and a touch of the paranormal.

With the Second World War a mere two weeks away, the crash of an English Passenger Plane in Danish waters; near a bridge called Storstroembroen, did not get the attention it would have had today or in times of peace. Amongst those who died the story explores how probable it is that they were not who they seemed to be and all knee-deep in espionage.

While Bill is looking for psychological answers to his recurring nightmares, he meets Maggie who is very familiar with the bridge in his dreams. She urges him to look for these answers through past life regression therapy. They join forces with Catalina whose grandfather also died in the same accident that haunts Bill’s dream.

Author Bio

M. C. V. Egan is the chosen pen name for Maria Catalina Egan, author of The Bridge of Deaths. Originally from Mexico City, Mexico; M.C.V. Egan has lived in various parts of the USA as well as France and Sweden. She is fluent in four languages; Spanish, French, Swedish and English.

Maria Catalina Egan is married and has one son, who together with their five pound Chihuahua make her feel like a fulltime mother.   Although she would not call herself an Astrologer she has taken many classes and taught a few beginner classes in Astrology. This is one of her many past times when she is not writing or researching. 

She is currently working with Jolie DeMarco on a novel called 4covert2overt in 33 Days.

Her links:

MCV EGAN
AUTHOR WEBPAGE
http://www.thebridgeofdeaths.com
AMAZON KINDLE
http://www.amazon.com/The-Bridge-of-Deaths-ebook/dp/B0057GG3T4/ref=tmm_kin_title_0
AMAZON Paperback
http://www.amazon.com/The-Bridge-Deaths-M-Egan/dp/1463410417
FACEBOOK
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Bridge-of-Deaths/130675087014521#!/pages/The-Bridge-of-Deaths/130675087014521
BLOG
http://thebridgeofdeaths.tumblr.com/

Spoiler Alert!!! My grandfather a Bio-Chemical engineer for Standard Oil of New Jersey had a New York City address and carried a Mexican passport. Although born in Mexico he was raised in Germany and his family had strong ties to the Krupp family (German Arms Dealers).
English Member of Parliament Anthony Crossley was known in international circles as the ‘sole voice for the Arab cause’ in regards to the Palestinian territories in the 1930. He was also affiliated with Anthony Blunt (ESPIONAGE).

Forthcoming blog events

I am very excited to announce that there is going to be quite a bit of activity going on with this blog next month. March is always known to be a busy month, which makes the whole “March madness” label pretty darn accurate for me. There’s always something going on every March!

This year, that "something" will be blogging events. Yea!

One thing that will be taking place quite often next month are a series of guest posts from authors, both published by GMTA Publishing and their imprints as well as other authors who have been kind enough to feature me and my clients on their blogs. I will be returning the favor for them here, so watch for those posts!

And, actually, the first one is scheduled for February 27^th, but there’s going to be quite a few other ones in March.

The other thing that will be happening on this blog next month is a series of posts for Read an E-Book Week, which will run from March 3-8^th this year. I interviewed Rita Toews, co-founder of Read an E-Book Week, a while back on this blog, and you can read that interview here

The next thing taking place on this blog next month is something I am REALLY excited about! March is Youth Art Month, and I am privileged to be working for a publishing company that has published the work of some pretty talented young artists. GMTA Publishing’s young artists will be interviewed here on this blog in honor of Youth Art Month, so watch for those posts! The artists I will be interviewing are my daughter Jennifer Wilson; Rhianna Bullard, daughter of GMTA Publishing co-founder Kitty Bullard; Emily Vinson and Joely Casavant. We are all thrilled to be celebrating Youth Art Month with their work and I hope their interviews will inspire other young artists.

And, finally, GMTA Publishing will have some new releases next month, and you’ll be able to read all about it here on the blog!

March is definitely going to be a busy blogging month for me but I am excited about all of these things taking place. I hope you will join me in these events and perhaps leave a comment or check a book out. It will be your opportunity to meet new authors, read about new books, read excerpts of ebooks and learn about some talented young artists who are on their way to creating bigger and better things for their art!

The Muse was upon me!

Most of the time, when I sit down to write fiction, I will get into a "zone" where I’m totally absorbed in the story. The whole story just comes to life for me. This can happen to any writer of fiction, which is actually a good thing because it helps the writer to write their story so well. The story is so vivid, so realistic, that we write everything because it’s like we are really THERE watching everything happen.

This happens to me when I write fiction, yes, but never has it happened as strongly as it did today.

Today, when I sat down to work on the third draft of Book 3 in The GHOST Group series, I already had an idea of what happened in my head. I also had notes about what was supposed to happen in the first chapter. I just sat at the desk thinking, OK, time to give this manuscript another go!

But the minute my fingers touched the keys, something magical happened. Everything all around me suddenly faded away and I was THERE, in my story world, right among my characters.

The scene came to life! And all of a sudden, I was furiously typing at the keyboard, my fingers pounding away at the keys as I described the scene, wrote out my characters’ dialogue and narrated what happened.

It was like I was right in the middle of it all, and I … could not … pull myself … AWAY!

Even more than that, I couldn’t even SEE what I was typing! I just went nonstop at the keyboard as I “watched” the chapter unfold.

Then, after I finished typing that chapter, I looked at what was on the screen. There were actually a lot of typos and I cringed over how many words I misspelled or neglected to capitalize. But I was still able to read it. That was the important thing.

And after that euphoric writing episode, I still had pieces of the chapter playing out in my head. But I’ll never forget how I just lost myself when typing out that chapter. I really was in my story and, for that moment, everything had been so real.

Later, as I sat reflecting over this, I couldn’t help but think of what an amazing experience that was. It was the most amazing experience I have had while writing fiction. I had a huge smile on my face as I said to myself, “That was awesome!”

Guest post: Love Request by Tara Chevrestt

Dear readers: I am pleased to welcome my friend and fellow author, Tara Chevrestt, to my blog so that she can talk about her new book, Love Request. Check her post out for info about the book and a chance to win some goodies! 

Book Release, Kindle Freebie & Grand Giveaway! 

I’m pleased to share with you my latest release, Love Request. This one is special to me because it’s not only the first romance I penned, but it features a “hearing-impaired” heroine, like myself.

I say “hearing –impaired” because really, there’s nothing wrong with Ciara. She’s not damaged or in need of repair. She just can’t hear as well as others.

As a reader, I grew tired of all the women in romance novels being perfect. In real life, many of us have disabilities—and they are disabilities others can’t see. And worse, they are disabilities others can’t understand, and a lot of times what people don’t understand becomes something they fear…and belittle.

This is where the bullying comes in. You see, this is more than just a romance novel. Open its pages, hit that Kindle “next page” button, and find out for yourself. Learn. Be enlightened. Relate.

Want to sample it first? No problem. Available on Kindle and FREE for the next five days, is a humorous Valentine short story, Mating Instinct.

You’ll find the first chapter of Love Request at the end.

Thank you, readers, for celebrating this special time with me. Happy Valentine’s Day! In honor of you, I’m giving away a print copy of Love Request, a plush dog, a lipstick for that special date, and 5 pheromone-soaked chocolate incense sticks! WARNING: Be careful if dogs are in the vicinity.

Blurb:

When Ciara Littleton finally joins Facebook to socialize without the limits her hearing impairment gives her, she looks up a childhood friend on a whim. In sending him that first message, she ignites the memories of a crush from twenty years ago. Can a simple friend request fix all that stands between them and maybe even lead to something more?

Hunter's plate is full. A recent divorce, a pregnant sister, and now, he realizes he's in love with a woman who lives states away. Can he overcome the boundaries of Internet romance to make this desire turn into something real, or will adversity and distance be their undoing?

This book was formerly titled A Facebook Affair and has been revised with a new ending.

Love Request has been named a LASR Best Book and is now up for vote on Best Book of 2012 Poll. You can cast a vote here. I’m so excited and so grateful!

Blurb for Mating Instinct:

This is exactly what you need!

It’s Valentine’s Day and when Ariel receives a package of incense in the mail from her Pagan friend and mentor, she isn’t sure what to make of the enclosed note. Sure, she has some issues, but who doesn’t?

When the smoke releases its magic, Ariel gets an evening of surprise humor and romance, and it is indeed exactly what she needs.

Links:

Love Request on Amazon

Mating Instinct FREE

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About Tara:

Tara Chevrestt is a deaf woman, former aviation mechanic, writer, and an editor. She is most passionate about planes, motorcycles, dogs, and above all, reading. That led to her love of writing. Between her writing and her editing, which allows her to be home with her little canine kids, she believes she has the greatest job in the world. She is very happily married. Her theme is Strong is Sexy. She shares a website with her naughty pen name and they have a Facebook page.

Release dates

What a lot of people don’t understand is that, for the most part, a publication schedule for books is never set in stone. As it is, I was supposed to have my haunted cities book published in 2010 – but the contract was canceled. Things have taken longer with other books I previously mentioned had a publication date, for some reason or another, but that’s just the way it is.

All the same, everybody involved in book publishing DOES try to schedule the release date for a book. We all do hope to get everything done and taken care of by a certain date. This is especially true if the book in question is timely or ties into a special event.

That said, one of my publishers recently put together a schedule of when she’ll be releasing new books this year. I am thrilled to announce that I have two books on this list.

One of these books is a children’s book about upcycling. I got the idea for this story when I was writing craft articles and I was doing projects with the kids. I thought, With a little imagination, a kid sure could have a lot of fun with these upcycled projects. I also decided to include a very simplified explanation in the story of how upcycling was different from recycling. I did not see many books for kids on upcycling on the market, so I thought maybe this book had a chance of attracting young readers who want to give such a thing a try. My publisher, GMTA Publishing, will be publishing this children’s story on September 17th. Hooray! It is the first book illustrated by my daughter, Jennifer Wilson.

The other one of my books which GMTA will publish this year is my poetry book, Wandering Soul. It is dedicated to the memory of my grandmothers and my mother, since a lot of the poems were inspired by them. This book will see print on October 8th. I am so excited about the pending release of this poetry book!

Many thanks to Kitty Bullard of GMTA Publishing for accepting these books for publication. I am very excited about them and can’t wait until they come out!

Even if they end up coming out on a date completely different than the one originally planned.

Capturing the Castle: Guest post by Alan S. Blood

Capturing the Castle (How “Once Upon a Castle” was born)

On a bitterly cold, November afternoon, I found myself stranded near Bamburgh Castle on the wild Northumberland coast whilst the local, old fashioned garage, with tall petrol pumps, repaired my broken-down car.

The delicate, somewhat bright, late autumn sunlight created an eerie, pastel coloured scene, albeit tempered by a biting breeze, yet quite magical, certainly ancient, and almost ethereal.

Vikings have landed here,’ I told myself scanning the unique white beaches below the hazy castle ramparts. It was one of those strange experiences that triggered the imagination and I could see a Scandinavian longship coming ashore, disgorging horned-helmeted warriors seizing the beach before storming inland to ravage the sparse Saxon populace. I could feel that there was a tale to be told.

With the genesis of a story in my mind, I conducted research into Northumbrian castles and was intrigued to discover there was another ruined castle along the coast. This gave me a plot basis involving two castles, one of which was real and the other a phantom! Ideas built as I thought this was an area to where children were evacuated during World War II.

Things shaped towards an exciting novel for young adolescents involving twelve-year-old twins, Tom and Mary (to appeal to both sexes) who dread being sent from southern England to Aunt Victoria’s Northumberland farm. Yet she proves to be young, and fun, until lessons are arranged with a terrible private tutor, Miss Urquart. Their London Uncle Toby had said: “There will be castles to explore with ghosts and things.”

Teenage rebelliousness ensues as the twins escape and riotous, scary adventures involving castles, Vikings and even the Royal Navy begin.


Once Upon a Castle is republished by USA publisher GMTA Publishing under their imprint, Mythos Press.

BLURB:

Uncle Toby had said that there would be castles to explore, with ghosts and things. This helps to cheer up the glum twelve-year old Lovell twins, Tom and Mary, leaving their schools and loving parents to be evacuated to wild Northumbria during World War II. Then the adventure begins.

They live with their Aunt Victoria and Uncle Leslie, meet the loveable ‘Mrs M’, a strange dog called ‘Scamp’ and, worst, the terrible private tutor, Miss Urquart, from whom they run away to find a mysterious castle seen through an old telescope.

Now they are drawn into bizarre supernatural events of a time-warp between the war itself and ancient warfare. They encounter dark forces, as the story twists and turns, and are even rescued by the Royal Navy. Yet, this is only the beginning of more unexpected tragedies before the twins begin to escape from it all.



ABOUT ALAN:

Alan S. Blood worked in the British Civil Service, Advertising and journalism (edited three publications) before qualifying as a Teacher from the University of Reading, England. He enjoyed a long, distinguished career in the Teaching Profession, in both Primary and Secondary levels of education, in several parts of the UK - which eventually led to Senior Management. His main subject area was English and, at one time, he was Head of English and Drama. Throughout, he gained considerable knowledge of literature that children and adolescents enjoy.

Alan now devotes his time to writing novels, plays, screenplays and poetry. He won top award in the ‘Hastings International Poetry Festival’ (2003) with his controversial ‘litter’ poem ‘CONTRITE CAN CANNOT’. The paranormal genre features in much of his prose work.
 
'ONCE UPON A CASTLE' is a ghost story written for young people (but also enjoyed by adults) set in World War II. It concerns both a real and a phantom castle based upon Alan’s experience of strange castles on the wild Northumbrian coast of England on cold, dark wintry afternoon.

Alan Blood has widely travelled the world and undertook research in Chile where some of his supernatural crime thriller ‘CRY OF THE MACHI A Suffolk Murder Mystery’ is set. He was previously a Cotswold Morris Dancer and the novel is a conflict between the forces of good and evil linking a Chilean ‘Machi’ and ‘organised crime’ to murders in a Suffolk Morris Men side.

Alan enjoys wildlife photography in the Welsh countryside, painting and scraperboard engraving. He lives in a Victorian (1873) house below the Cambrian Mountains of Mid-Wales.

Connect With Alan:

Website

Goodreads
 
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Facebook Like Page
 
Twitter

 
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