A Brief Pause…
There will be a brief hiatus on posting since I will be traveling this week for a graduation and a private gathering to sign novels. I will try to post when I can and I will be uploading pics of the event.Stay tuned…
Inspiration for Cover of the Novel
Some people may be curious about the cover of the novel. It partially displays a bracelet with coins, a cameo, and an onyx marble.The bracelet, actually, is my mother’s, handed down from my grandmother, and I took the picture for the cover.It was a very popular jewelry piece in Cuba that has now become an … Read more
Novel Reviews
Got my fifth review in Amazon. Click on the page “Novel Reviews” on left-hand side of blog and see what people are saying about my novel. 🙂
A Little Trivia…
In the novel, Richard asks Gabriela where she found the coin. She replies:“…At the summit, there is a stone table with an orientation map indicating all the interesting spot visible–on good days, mind you.”The mountainous areas of France, full of intersecting hiking trails, have many of these orientation tables peppering their peaks. The views, on … Read more
The Map
In the novel, Gabriela needs to show Richard the area where she found the coin. I am attaching a picture of the map we were always using for trips (weekend, vacation, or business). I have another one that is much more detailed–to the point where specific houses, elevation, and hiking trails are shown–but I have … Read more
Just for Fun (Every Writer’s Dream)
Dear All: Several friends have already commented that, when they were reading the novel, they were visualizing who could play the characters on film. Well, since I am up to a challenge, and thought it would be fun, I believe I will take them up on their suggestions. I am posting here my picks for … Read more
La Route Napoleon
On the second chase scene, Richard and Gabriela are in what is known as the Route Napoleon, between Grasse and St. Vallier de Thiey.The Route Napoleon is called such because, after Napoleon left Elba, he landed near Nice and marched, supposedly triumphant, via this road in 1815. He, of course, was then defeated at Waterloo … Read more
In Memoriam
Thinking and praying for all those who have fallen and who have fought for our freedom. Thinking about the sacrifices of their families and their pain. It takes a rare human being to willingly place himself in the path of danger for others. Thank you, all who have served with honor and those who are … Read more
N’est-ce pas
In the novel, Maurice, the French intelligence officer, speaks a few idiomatic French phrases. Some are in argot, or slang, the others are regular everyday speech.This expression literally means “isn’t that so” and is used at the end of a phrase or sentence. In idiomatic English, we would usually say “right.” For example, in French, the expression … Read more
More setting on the novel — Cagnes-sur-Mer
In the novel, Gabriela is driven home by Richard after learning something critical that will affect her life. On her way there, she observes: “… they zoomed by the walled city of Cagnes-sur-Mer, perched on the hill like an eagle’s nest on a telephone pole.”The city of Cagnes-sur-Mer looks like a eagle’s eyrie when traveling … Read more
