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Thursday 16 June 2016

If I had a trumpet I'd blow it....


I never was very good at taking photographs (see below) - or at saying thank you.  But today I'm doing both at the news that my new historical  novel Occupying Love, released for pre-order yesterday, is  steadily climbing  the Amazon rankings.

Set in  Guernsey in World War Two, Occupying Love is the story of Lydia le Page, a feisty student who returns to her Guernsey home in 1940 on the day the harbour is bombed by the Nazis. Within hours she is trapped on the island as the five-year Occupation begins. Two men enter Lydia’s life: Martin Martell, the handsome but mysterious rector and Major Otto Kruger, the ruthless German Kommandant who falls under her spell. When Martin disappears Lydia discovers a secret from her past that changes everything and leaves her with  an impossible choice.  Should she choose  the man she loves or try to save the island?

I was born in Guernsey and spent many hours listening to my grandparents' stories of  life under German rule and the bravery of those whose passive resistance lifted the morale of the islanders.  What stayed in my mind was the  underground news agency which distributed news of Allies successes all over Guernsey and, more than 70 years later, has still not been fully recognised.
Though the book is a work of fiction, it's  a tribute to all the brave people who lost their lives on Guernsey whilst trying to bring hope to others.
Occupying Love is dedicated to David Richard Brown, the uncle I never met, who died at the age of 13 in 1940. David was one of many evacuees from the Channel Islands who moved with their schools, and without their parents, to Britain in 1940.  David's story was told to me by my grandparents who lived through the  five-year-long Occupation that changed so many lives.



Occupying Love is available to download from June 24, 2016 and to pre order at:

Amazon.co.uk here
Amazon.com here
Fuzzy but it's true


6 comments:

Elaineyross said...

It's a good job you are so much better at writing fiction than you are at taking photos Marilyn! Good luck with the new venture. I know you've put your heart and sole into getting the story exactly right. X

Guernsey Girl said...

It's a good job I can take a joke! Thanks for the comment and for your support - it's really appreciated!

Another Guernseyman said...

I've ordered my copy!

Guernsey Girl said...

That makes two of us, Another Guernseyman!

Barbara said...

I so want to read this Marilyn, but I'm going to hang on until the paperback comes out. That way, I can put it on my bookshelf and boast about how well I know you! I’m developing a nice little corner filled with books written by friends and there is a place ready and waiting for Occupying Love (once I’ve read it of course!)
Thanks for coming over to see me today. I’m at home at the moment so I’m still visiting my favourite blogs. I will be away for a while soon though but will catch up with your posts when I return.

Guernsey Girl said...

I can't think of anything better than being on one of your book shelves, Barbara! I love reading about your vintage collection on here.