Showing posts with label Russia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Russia. Show all posts

Monday, March 9, 2020

The Girl With the Crystal Soul by Barbara Dargan

Welcome, Barbara Dargan, author of
Historical fiction with a hint of romance
and mystery.
She’s here to share a little about herself
and her first novel.


            1. What was your hardest scene to write?

It would have to be the scene/chapter where Olga described her and her family’s murder to May. It was gruesome, horrible and sad and made me feel as though I was in the room too when they were all killed.

          2.   What makes you run screaming?

I really don’t like earwigs or wasps. 
    3.   You’re about to be dropped in a remote spot for a three-week survival test. Where would you go? What three tools would you take?

I would go to a remote island in Fiji, on a beautiful beach and would take my sunscreen (of course), a box of matches and a cooking pot.

           4.   What behind-the-scenes tidbit in your life would probably surprise your readers the most?

I got a tattoo of an elephant on my ankle done for my 40th birthday. Back then it was a shocking thing to do, and close friends and family were amazed that I had done it! Some still are, mind you!

                     5. If you had the opportunity to live anywhere in the world for a year while writing a book that took place in that same setting, where would you choose?

Adelaide, Australia, where my great, great grandfather lived.

          6. If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?

Don’t doubt yourself. If you want to write a book, then write it! Find the time and stop procrastinating. You know that you are good enough!

7.    What does literary success look like to you?

Having people like my books and enjoying reading them. I’d love to have a following who looks forward to my next release. I’d like to make a living from writing, but to me, that is secondary to having a following.

8.    Tell us about the book you’re working on now.

This is a novel (I am 7 chapters in), about a real event that took place in Adelaide Australia. My great, great grandfather was involved in an incident where a man died in a boardinghouse. Was it suicide or murder? Years later, the daughters of both men look to try to unravel the mystery and, in the process, uncover a murderer as well as discovering who their fathers really were. It’s called ‘Fathers of Hindley Street’ and I hope to have it out before Christmas.




The Girl With The Crystal Soul
by Barbara Dargan

This is a novel based on Olga Romanov, her last few months of life, her death and burial. It is also the story of May Dawson, a forensic scientist who assists in the examination and identification of Olga and her family's remains in 1991. May feels a connection with Olga and a desire to tell her story, and to solve the mystery of the two missing children; Maria and Alexey and will not rest until Olga and her family are all reunited.

           Read my Review HERE!

*****



I have always wanted to tell Olga’s story. I have been fascinated with her for many years, ever since reading ‘The Summer Day is Done’ by Robert Tyler Stevens. It remains one of my all-time favorite books.



I spent years procrastinating and doing nothing because I didn’t think I could write before my health deteriorated and my lifestyle changed. I enrolled in a creative writing diploma course with the NZ Institute of Business Studies and doing that has given me the confidence to finally start writing.

The Girl With The Crystal Soul is my first novel and I have started my second.

I enjoy genealogy and am finding lots of inspiration for plots amongst the deeds of my ancestors.

I was born in New Zealand and have lived here all of my life. I have two grown children and two gorgeous grandchildren. I live in Opunake, a seaside town in South Taranaki and have a wonderful view of Mt Taranaki out of my front window. My best mate is my little dog Indie, who is turning 14 this week.

I enjoy gardening and raising monarch butterflies.

Find Barbara Dargan HERE!

***

Congratulations, Barbara, on your first novel!

Wishing you all success and many sales!


So readers, have you ever used a place or time in history to set your novel?








Thursday, April 21, 2016

R - RESEARCH

R IS FOR RESEARCH



Research Resource for Writers


No matter the type of book you're writing, some type of research needs to be done, whether it's trying to find a name, a point of law, or a question of forensics for a crime novel.

HERE, and all in one place is an item that may help you. Usually, I just type the title of my research question into Google and get a list of items. But I came across this wonderful site and thought I'd share.




Click the HERE for access!


For Murder & Obsession I did quite a lot of research and one subject involved flying to Russia.



Murder & Obsession

Excerpt:

“It’s not easy getting into Russia. You have to file a request for flight authorization with Moscow. He’d also have to file flight plans twenty-four hours in advance. What did his paperwork show?” Steven asked.
“I’m assuming from your knowledge of the procedures you had considered this a possibility?” Agent Lopez said.
“Of course, with his heritage,” Steven said.
“Good, good.” Lopez seemed to relax with Steven’s acceptance of his theory. “Paperwork is pending; we’re still waiting to hear from Moscow, but I did get a few details from an officer at the Provideniya airport.”
“Did they pass through customs? Does he have connections in Russia?” Steven asked.
“That I don’t know yet. The paperwork will give us those details. I do know he landed at noon on October 21st. His associates we’re still investigating.”
“October 21st, but he was spotted in Nome on October 18th. Where was he before the flight to Russia?” Steven rubbed his chin and began to pace.
           “Again, it’s early in the investigation. There are hundreds of landing strips in Alaska, but we are assuming he came here to Anchorage since his home is here, and it’s where the flight to Russia originated. We’re checking all cameras at the airport, and the FBI will be doing another sweep of his home for possible evidence.”



Please add my books to your Goodreads Account.
Murder, Madness & Love
Memories of Murder
Murder & Obsession


And try for a free copy of 
Murder & Obsession on Amazon.
(just click the links)


Please support my Thunderclap!


Remember every comment during the A to Z will be an entry to win a 
paperback copy of the trilogy!
(signed if I can send by mail)


Friday, April 15, 2016

M - MURDER

M IS FOR MURDER


What makes a murderer? Is it nature or nurture? In a recent documentary "Making a Murderer" the producers failed to answer that question, but they made us consider the issue. On what side of the coin did you place your bet?

In Murder & Obsession, there are several killers with differing motives. Jake Martin is an assassin that comes from a good family that's very popular in his home town of Nome. Outside of Nome, though, he's known for his criminal activity. Just call Jake with a request, deposit the money into his account, and he's on the job.

So what motivates Jake? Ego? Money? Or need?

In my story, it's all three just as in reality where murder happens for several reasons. If you're considering a novel that features a serial killer and you need to know more for accuracy try googling FBI sites - they are loaded with valuable information!

5 Myths about Serial Killers and Why They Persist [Excerpt]


Photo Copyright

Murder & Obsession

Excerpt:


Losing patience, Steven took out his own knife, a nine-and-a-half-inch Bowie. “I have a collection of knives too. This is my favorite. I used this knife to slit a bear’s throat. Would you like a demonstration?”
“Depends, Detective.” Martin smiled. “You’re looking mighty weak, you sure you can handle a knife that big?”
Steven exploded out of his chair and knocked Martin out of his. He’d removed his arm from the sling, so he’d have access to his hand. “Why does everyone think I don’t have the energy to take them straight to Hell?” Steven sat on Martin’s back, his knife against Martin’s throat, cutting the skin. He pressed Martin’s face into the floor with his broken left arm. The action broke away some of the plaster cast, but despite the pain he held Jake in place. “Would you like me to show you what my real intentions are?”

Martin didn’t move. He barely took a breath. “I’ll talk,” he croaked.

*****



Please add my books to your Goodreads Account.
Murder, Madness & Love
Memories of Murder
Murder & Obsession


And try for a free copy of 
Murder & Obsession on Amazon.
(just click the links)


Please support my Thunderclap!

Remember every comment during the A to Z will be an entry to win a 
paperback copy of the trilogy!
(signed if I can send by mail)



Thursday, April 14, 2016

L - LITTLE DIOMEDE

L is for LITTLE DIOMEDE



LittleDiomede is a city located on Little Diomede Island, which belongs to Alaska and is the smaller of the two Diomede Islands, located in the Bering Straits. The population, approximately 115 inhabitants, lies on the west side of Little Diomede Island.

Big Diomede, less than 2.4 miles away, belongs to Russia. There is a weather station on Big Diomede, but otherwise it isn't populated.

I use Little Diomede in Murder & Obsession as a way for Detective Quaid to venture into Russia looking for evidence.


Photo Copyright


Murder & Obsession
Excerpt:

On the plane ride to Little Diomede Island, Steven fell into a dream filled sleep.
                                           *****
Seagulls squawked loudly and dived at the trawler in search of fish and scraps as the captain brought his ship to the dock. Steven watched as the old skipper guided what seemed to him an unwieldy behemoth gently dockside. Brent jumped to the dock with the bowline and tied off. The ship secured, the men made ready to explore.
. . . forged documents were something Quinn had had in the works since the Russians first became suspects. He arranged for his friend, Captain Can’irraq, a Russian Yupik, to pick them up on Little Diomede Island, the closest Alaskan community to Russia. The Captain's travels to Little Diomede were a regular occurrence, and his trips to Provideniya were part of his regular routine to buy parts. As a traveling mechanic, he helped fishing trawlers on the sea and in dry dock.

*****



Please add my books to your Goodreads Account.
Murder, Madness & Love
Memories of Murder
Murder & Obsession

And try for a free copy of 
Murder & Obsession on Amazon.
(just click the links)


Please support my Thunderclap!

Remember every comment during the A to Z will be an entry to win a 
paperback copy of the trilogy!
(signed if I can send by mail)