Hi
Welcome to Morcan Books & Films, the blog devoted to providing a unique perspective and intelligent commentary on books and films. It includes commentary on our own books and films – i.e. novels and screenplays co-written by the Morcans, and feature films produced by, or in development with, Morcan Motion Pictures.
Lance & James
White Spirit…the latest historical adventure novel from Lance & James Morcan.
WHITE SPIRIT (A novel based on a true story) is exclusive to Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/White-Spirit-novel-based-story-ebook/dp/B01LWIRH9J/
************************************
Our new release book, WHITE SPIRIT (A novel based on a true story), was inspired by, arguably, the great Australian (true) story; it’s a sweeping tale that encapsulates all the nuances of the southern continent’s unique history, and it provides readers with detailed insights into the tribal life of First Australian (Aboriginal) peoples.
After escaping from the notorious Moreton Bay Penal Settlement, on Australia’s east coast, Irish convict John Graham finds refuge with the Kabi, a tribe of Aborigines who eventually accept him as one of their own.
Attempts to recapture Graham are orchestrated by a variety of contrasting characters working for the all-pervasive British Empire. They include Moreton Bay’s tyrannical, opium-addicted commandant Lord Cheetham, the dashing yet warlike Lieutenant Hogan, native tracker Barega and the penal settlement’s captain, Tom Marsden.
Marsden’s young daughter Helen, a progressive lady ahead of her time who is both an egalitarian and a feminist, boldly inserts herself into the clash between the Irish convict, her father and Moreton Bay’s other iron-fisted rulers. Helen complicates things further when she finds herself in a Pride and Prejudice-style love triangle with men on opposite sides of the conflict.
When Scottish woman Eliza Fraser is found shipwrecked and close to death in Kabi territory, Graham and his legion of pursuers, as well as the Irishman’s adopted Aboriginal family, are all forced to navigate a multi-faceted rescue mission. The precarious rendezvous is made all the more dangerous by Helen Marsden’s ethically-driven meddling that often outwits the men involved.
Eliza Fraser…a name forever linked with convict John Graham.
WHITE SPIRIT (A novel based on a true story) is exclusive to Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/White-Spirit-novel-based-story-ebook/dp/B01LWIRH9J/
************************************
Finding a worthy follow-up to our popular historical novel Into the Americas was always going to be a challenge, but we believe we’ve achieved that with our new release historical adventure WHITE SPIRIT (A novel based on a true story).
Set in 19th Century Australia, White Spirit is based on the adventures of Irish Convict John Graham who escaped the brutal Moreton Bay penal settlement in what was then New South Wales, and lived with a tribe of Aborigines who eventually came to accept him as one of their own.
This epic tale caters as much for lovers of romance novels as it does for action and adventure fans. A love triangle adds to the storyline’s tension.
It’s fair to say few have heard of John Graham. That’s surprising, to us at least, because John’s adventures in the wilds of an untamed Australia must surely rank with the most incredible true-life tales of survival. Not only Down Under, but anywhere in the world. Having both lived in Australia for many years, and having experienced first-hand the harshness of its climate and terrain, we, the authors, can only marvel at John’s bravery, endurance and fortitude.
Though White Spirit is first and foremost a novel and therefore a work of fiction, many of the adventures described therein happened – exactly as related in some cases, and with some embellishments for drama’s sake in others.
In reality, John Graham’s story was so unbelievably remarkable it needn’t have been dramatized. However, as novelists, we couldn’t resist expanding upon and adding characters to certain true-life events. The great challenge, of course, was the need to always stay true to the broad historical realities while subtly infusing “fiction”.
We sincerely hope we have also done justice to the Indigenous Australians in our writing. We strived for accuracy and balance in our portrayals of these unique Aboriginal people; we show the cruelty the Aborigines were capable of, and we show their love for family, their community-mindedness, their incredible hunting and tracking skills, and their ability to survive in the most unforgiving of environments.
WHITE SPIRIT (A novel based on a true story) is exclusive to Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/White-Spirit-novel-based-story-ebook/dp/B01LWIRH9J/
************************************
Following on from the success of Into the Americas comes our latest historical adventure WHITE SPIRIT (A novel based on a true story), an epic work released today on Amazon.
A true-life tale of adventure.
Spanning 1,000 pages and based on the remarkable tale of an Irish convict, White Spirit is an epic historical adventure set in 19th Century Australia. This novel is not only based on arguably the great Australian (true) story – a sweeping tale that encapsulates all the nuances of the southern continent’s unique history – it also provides readers with detailed insights into the tribal life of First Australian (Aboriginal) peoples.
After escaping from the notorious Moreton Bay Penal Settlement, on Australia’s east coast, Irish convict John Graham finds refuge with the Kabi, a tribe of Aborigines who eventually accept him as one of their own.
Attempts to recapture Graham are orchestrated by a variety of contrasting characters working for the all-pervasive British Empire. They include Moreton Bay’s tyrannical, opium-addicted commandant Lord Cheetham, the dashing yet warlike Lieutenant Hogan, native tracker Barega and the penal settlement’s captain, Tom Marsden.
Marsden’s young daughter Helen, a progressive lady ahead of her time who is both an egalitarian and a feminist, boldly inserts herself into the clash between the Irish convict, her father and Moreton Bay’s other iron-fisted rulers. Helen complicates things further when she finds herself in a Pride and Prejudice-style love triangle with men on opposite sides of the conflict.
When Scottish woman Eliza Fraser is found shipwrecked and close to death in Kabi territory, Graham and his legion of pursuers, as well as the Irishman’s adopted Aboriginal family, are all forced to navigate a multi-faceted rescue mission. The precarious rendezvous is made all the more dangerous by Helen Marsden’s ethically-driven meddling that often outwits the men involved.
*
WHITE SPIRIT (A novel based on a true story) is exclusive to Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/White-Spirit-novel-based-story-ebook/dp/B01LWIRH9J/
************************************
Our historical adventure Into the Americas (A novel based on a true story) has just secured its 100th review and its 65th five-star review on Amazon.
Novel resonates with reviewers.
Reviewer number 100, who headed their review “Housework Crusher,” says: “Yes, I said ‘housework crusher’. Instead of working on things I needed to have done, I wanted to sit and read the book. It has been some time since I have been so involved in a book. This was such an interesting book. At times I wondered what else could happen. Don’t forget to read the author’s note at the end. That was interesting as well.”
The review’s five-star rating gives the novel an average review rating of 4.5 stars, making it one of the more popular historical fiction novels on Amazon.
One of history’s greatest and yet least known true-life wilderness survival stories, Into the Americas was inspired by the diary entries of young English blacksmith John Jewitt during his time aboard the brigantine The Boston and also during his sojourn at Nootka Sound, on North America’s western seaboard, from 1802 to 1805. It will appeal to lovers of First Nations and Native American history.
To view all the reviews of this novel go to: http://www.amazon.com/Into-Americas-novel-based-story-ebook/dp/B00YJKM51E/
Available via Amazon as a paperback and Kindle ebook.
***************************************
A free copy of our new release paperback WORLD ODYSSEY (The World Duology, #1) goes to the winner of a giveaway competition now running on the literary site Goodreads.com.
Be in to win…a free copy.
Set in the Nineteenth Century, World Odyssey follows the fortunes of three young travelers as each embarks on an epic journey. Their dramatic adventures span sixteen years and see them engage with Native American Indians, Barbary Coast pirates, Aborigines, Maoris and Pacific Islanders as they travel around the world – from America to Africa, from England to the Canary Islands, to Australia, New Zealand and Samoa.
Ambitious American adventurer Nathan Johnson’s journey begins when he runs away to sea to escape a violent father. After surviving a shipwreck and enslavement by one of the indigenous tribes of America’s northwest, his stocks rise and he becomes a successful trader. When Nathan decides to visit Fiji to trade muskets to the natives, he doesn’t know it but his fortunes are about to change again.
Sheltered English missionary Susannah Drake’s journey begins after she agrees to accompany her clergyman father to Fiji to help him run a mission station there. They endure a nightmare voyage they’re lucky to survive. When Susannah finds herself sexually attracted to a young crewmember, she is forced to choose between her forbidden desires and the life her father has mapped out for her.
Irrepressible Cockney Jack Halliday’s journey begins when he steals hemp from an unscrupulous employer who owes him outstanding wages. For this he’s sentenced to seven years’ hard labor in the British penal colony of New South Wales. Jack escapes to Fiji only to be tracked down by a bounty hunter employed by the British Government to round up escaped convicts.
After traveling thousands of miles and experiencing the best and worst that life can offer, these three disparate individuals eventually end up in the remote archipelago of Fiji, in the South Pacific, where their lives intersect.
The intrepid trio’s adventures continue in Fiji: A Novel (The Word Duology, #2).
To win a copy of World Odyssey paperback go to the Goodreads page at: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20300866-world-odyssey
*************************************
Our historical adventure novel WORLD ODYSSEY (The World Duology, #1) is now available as a paperback – a move prompted by the popularity of the Kindle ebook version on Amazon. After 30 reviews the book has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.
World Odyssey paperback is available via Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/World-Odyssey-Duology-1/dp/0473363739
Historical Novel Reviews calls the book “A totally engaging epic!” / “Recommended for globe-trotting adventure fans,” according to Jason Letts, author of The Inevitable Trilogy. / Historian Remy Benoit, author of Peace, Now, suggest readers “Get ready to sail the high seas.” / And J.B. DiNizo, author of Comings and Goings, calls it “Highly readable and thoroughly enjoyable.”
Set in the Nineteenth Century, World Odyssey follows the fortunes of three young travelers as each embarks on an epic journey.
Ambitious American adventurer Nathan Johnson’s journey begins when he runs away to sea to escape a violent father. After surviving a shipwreck and enslavement by one of the indigenous tribes of America’s northwest, his stocks rise and he becomes a successful trader. When Nathan decides to visit Fiji to trade muskets to the natives, he doesn’t know it but his fortunes are about to change again.
Sheltered English missionary Susannah Drake’s journey begins after she agrees to accompany her clergyman father to Fiji to help him run a mission station there. They endure a nightmare voyage they’re lucky to survive. When Susannah finds herself sexually attracted to a young crewmember, she is forced to choose between her forbidden desires and the life her father has mapped out for her.
Irrepressible Cockney Jack Halliday’s journey begins when he steals hemp from an unscrupulous employer who owes him outstanding wages. For this he’s sentenced to seven years’ hard labor in the British penal colony of New South Wales. Jack escapes to Fiji only to be tracked down by a bounty hunter employed by the British Government to round up escaped convicts.
After traveling thousands of miles and experiencing the best and worst that life can offer, these three disparate individuals eventually end up in the remote archipelago of Fiji, in the South Pacific, where their lives intersect.
The intrepid trio’s adventures continue in Fiji: A Novel, book two in The World Duology.
*************************************
The historical adventure Into the Americas (A novel based on a true story), by New Zealand father-and-son writing team Lance & James Morcan, has been launched as a paperback – a natural progression from the Kindle ebook version, which is proving a popular title in Amazon’s Native American and Historical Fiction categories.
Into the Americas paperback is available via Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/Into-Americas-novel-based-story/dp/0473361280
In Into the Americas, nineteen year-old blacksmith John Jewitt is one of only two survivors after his crewmates clash with the fierce Mowachaht tribe in the Pacific Northwest. A life of slavery awaits John and his fellow survivor, a belligerent American sailmaker, in a village ruled by the iron fist of Maquina, the all-powerful chief. Desperate to taste freedom again, they make several doomed escape attempts over mountains and sea. Only their value to the tribe and John’s relationship with Maquina prevents their captors from killing them.
As the seasons pass, John ‘goes Indian’ after falling in love with Eu-stochee, a beautiful maiden. This further alienates him from his fellow captive whose defiance leads to violent consequences. In the bloodshed that follows, John discovers another side to himself – a side he never knew existed and a side he detests. His desire to be reunited with the family and friends he left behind returns even stronger than before.
The stakes rise when John learns Eu-stochee is pregnant. When a final opportunity to escape arises, he must choose between returning to civilization or staying with Eu-stochee and their newborn son.
***************************************
Our bestselling, epic, historical adventure Into the Americas (A novel based on a true story) is on special at 99cents (on Amazon Kindle) until March 3.
Into the Americas is available exclusively via Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Into-Americas-novel-based-story-ebook/dp/B00YJKM51E/
*****************************
INTO THE AMERICAS (A novel based on a true story) has entered Amazon’s bestseller lists in three categories this week – namely Action & Adventure (two) and Historical Fiction (one).
Book reviewers are resonating with the novel, giving it a 4.7 (out of 5 stars) rating on Amazon.
Examples of what reviewers are saying follow:
★★★★★ “I absolutely loved this book.”
★★★★ “Really good informative historical fiction”
★★★★★ “A fantastic story. One of the best historical novels i’ve read.”
★★★★★ “I thought it was something special.”
★★★★ “Before anyone visits Vancouver they should read this book!”
★★★★★ “Loved this book Very thought provoking.”
★★★★★ “Want a great historical fiction read? Here it is!”
★★★★★ “Must Read for Fans of this Genre.”
★★★★★ “Five Stars. A real page-turner.”
★★★★★ “I could not put the book down.”
★★★★★ “Of all the Morcan novels, this is by far my favourite.”
A gritty, real-life adventure based on one of history’s greatest survival stories. It was inspired by the diary entries of young English blacksmith John Jewitt during his time aboard the brigantine The Boston and also during his sojourn at Nootka Sound, on North America’s western seaboard, from 1802 to 1805.
INTO THE AMERICAS (A novel based on a true story) is available exclusively via Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Into-Americas-novel-based-story-ebook/dp/B00YJKM51E/
*****************************
Morcan Books & Films 