Posts Tagged ‘novels’

New historical adventure novel highlights the age of cannibalism in New Zealand

Posted: March 7, 2025 in New Zealand: A Novel
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The following excerpt from the historical adventure New Zealand: A Novel describes a Maori raid on an East Coast pa (fortified village) and reveals the victors’ lust for the flesh of their enemies. It was the age of cannibalism…

Excerpt begins:

The Te Arawa flotilla’s appearance in the bay caused considerable panic on shore. Armed warriors took up defensive positions while others prepared to launch wakas [canoes] to intercept the enemy’s flotilla. They evidently had second thoughts when they saw the size of the fleet, retreating instead behind their fortifications to await the invaders’ arrival, which could now be measured in heartbeats.

As the leading waka caught a wave and surfed the last forty yards to the beach, Apera studied the pa’s defences. He was pleased to note the stockade was in a state of disrepair, and there was no sign of the trenches, lookout towers or other defences that were a hallmark of bigger, well-defended pas like the Te Arawa’s own one at Rotorua and their allies’ pa at Maketu.

The Te Arawa raiders were among the very first outsiders to have visited Tokomaru Bay in such numbers, so remote was it, and the villagers believed their isolation kept them safely removed from the conflicts that raged elsewhere – until today. The conflict that followed was as bloody as it was brief; resistance was weak and short-lived because the villagers had little experience of war.

Apera’s raiders killed almost every villager, sparing only the rangatira Rawiri, his two wives, thirty warriors and twenty-five nubile wahines. The warriors, all big men, were considered suitable candidates for slavery while the wahines would be used by the raiders for pleasure before being enslaved or killed.

As darkness fell, flames lit up the night sky after the raiders set fire to the whares [huts] and other structures. It wasn’t long before Rawiri’s whare was the only one left standing. Warriors wandered amongst the fallen, dispatching survivors with a savage thrust of a spear or blow from a club. The larger, meatier corpses – males and females – were stacked in a pile on the marae, a communal meeting place in the middle of the pa. These would be cooked, and the flesh and organs of many would be eaten before the night was over. Uneaten flesh would be cut into strips then smoked, packed and saved for eating in the days and weeks ahead.

The cries of the wounded faded. The only sounds were the crackling of flames and the triumphant shouts of the victorious Te Arawa warriors. Those same warriors then performed an impromptu haka to celebrate their triumph. Chanting, gyrating, leaping and stamping the ground in unison, the war dance was awesome, gut-wrenching and terrifying all at the same time. Between chants, the participants poked out their tongues, a chilling reminder that those vanquished would be eaten. Warriors needed no such reminding for all were aware, regardless of which iwi they belonged to, that that was the likely fate of those killed or enslaved. Maoris believed they inherited their enemies’ strength when they ate them.

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The print versions of New Zealand: A Novel are available via Waterstones UK & Europe bookstores, Mighty Ape NZ and Amazon. Global review rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars.

The novel’s Kindle ebook link is: 

https://www.amazon.com/New-Zealand-Novel-Lance-Morcan-ebook/dp/B0DPTJTDCQ

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Maoris’ ancestors depart Hawaiki for land far to the south in this excerpt from ‘New Zealand: A Novel’ – a new release, historical adventure

Posted: December 31, 2024 in New Zealand: A Novel
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It is generally agreed the Polynesian explorer Kupe discovered New Zealand between 750 AD and 950 AD, and the so-called Great Fleet of seven canoes landed around 1350 AD. Those canoes each had landing points and arrival dates that did not suit my story, hence my deviation from the popular historical account in my new release, historical adventure New Zealand: A Novel.

*** To clarify, in the following excerpt from the novel, the great Hawaikan voyaging canoes I named Ronui and Tautira never existed:

The morning after the big feast in Hotu’s village, Ronui led Tautira toward the narrow gap in the reef that separated them from the open sea. Around eighty people – passengers and crew – occupied almost every bit of available space on the decks of each canoe.

First places aboard the craft had been allocated to the rangatiras and their extended families. These included Hotu’s wives and their young children aboard Ronui, and Ra’s wives and even younger children aboard Tautira. Some of the children were only babies.

The rangatiras’ extended families accounted for about twenty people on each vessel. Other places had gone to a cross-section of villagers with special skills. High on the list were navigators, sailors, fishermen and boat-builders. Most were fighting men as well. Last but not least were their womenfolk. In some cases children had had to stay behind. They’d be looked after by grandparents and other close relatives.

Hotu hadn’t even considered taking his own ageing parents, so frail were they. Besides, they considered themselves too much a permanent part of Hawaiki to consider leaving. Saying goodbye to them proved an unbearable sadness for the rangatira.

Many of those departing wailed mournfully as they sailed away from their beautiful island. Men chanted to their island gods while their wahines cried out despairingly. Oblivious to their sadness, naked children scampered over the decks. Behind them, Hawaiki’s palm trees swayed in the balmy breeze and the jungle-covered peaks were framed by a tropical blue sky.

On the black sand beach, villagers looked on forlornly as their loved ones sailed away even though many of them were hoping to depart soon aboard the other seven canoes. Those vessels were now within ten days of completion.

Crewmembers aboard the departing craft were too busy to look back. They worked frantically adjusting the triangular sails in readiness for the open sea beyond the reef. The cries of those ashore faded amidst the constant boom of waves crashing on the reef. Ronui led Tautira through the small gap. In the space of a few heartbeats, they were into the open sea.

In the weeks ahead, the crews of the two craft would strive to maintain this formation through torrential rain and high winds and every other challenge the sea could throw at them.

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Spring gave way to summer and the voyagers found themselves at the point of no return – the point reached in every ocean voyage where to continue and not find land meant certain death. Hotu and Ra instinctively knew they had reached that point.

It had been four weeks since they’d set sail for Kupe’s land aboard Ronui and Tautira. In that time, the giant craft had been battered by almost everything except a tidal wave or full-blown cyclone. Still they’d never been more than fifty yards apart, secured to each other by a length of platted twine fashioned from strong jungle vines. Without it they would have been separated very early on in the voyage.

The canoes were barely recognisable as the proud craft they’d once been, such was the terrible hammering they’d received from the elements. Their crews and passengers looked even more pathetic. They were in the early stages of starvation; the signs of malnutrition could already be seen in the children. All on board were cold, wet and tired, and many had developed hacking coughs. The coughing sickness they called it.

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New Zealand: A Novel is available via Amazon as a hardcover, paperback and Kindle ebook.

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Upcoming historical adventure novel addresses the cannibalism that was rife within Maoridom

Posted: November 11, 2024 in New Zealand: A Novel
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Under ‘Historical Notes’ at the end of my soon-to-be-released historical adventure epic NEW ZEALAND: A NOVEL, I advise readers that cannibalism was widely practised by Maori and it continued until well into the 1800’s, especially during the Musket Wars of the early 1800’s when a quarter of the Maori race perished in inter-tribal warfare.

I also advise readers, my novel is a work of fiction, albeit inspired by true events, and in the interests of telling a good story I have deviated from Maori and European history in places.

Excerpts from my Historical Notes follow:

In the case of Maori history, it’s important to remember that New Zealand’s indigenous people had no written language before Europeans arrived. Theirs was an oral history, which by its very nature is inexact, and therefore many facts – such as the place of origin of the Maori people – are subject to conjecture. That place, according to Maori legend, is known as Hawaiki. I have opted for the South Pacific island nation of Marquesas as being that place even though many historians believe it more likely Maori originated from Tahiti. As an aside, I have met Cook Islanders who, to my eyes and ears, look and sound like Maoris. Then again, I’ve heard indigenous Hawaiians say they can understand much of Te Reo, the Maori language, when they hear it spoken. So, logic tells me it is quite possible Maoris originally came from any one of the aforementioned island nations.

The conflict in the early 1500’s between the Te Arawa and Ngati Porou tribes is pure fiction. However, it typifies the clashes that occurred between warring iwis, or tribes, of that time. And despite what some present-day historians might say, the descriptions of cannibalism have not been exaggerated – not if the early writings of European explorers, seafarers, adventurers, missionaries, settlers, army officers and others are to be believed. Cannibalism was widely practised by Maori.

I am aware some fans of historical fiction expect writers in this genre to stick to the facts. Some readers will be aware I have deviated, considerably in places, from what actually occurred during the respective discoveries of New Zealand, first by Pacific Islanders then by Europeans. In my defense, I would point out that prominent historical fiction authors, Bernard Cornwell included, often replace history with invention in their novels.

For a more historically accurate overview of the Endeavour’s expedition to, and circumnavigation of, New Zealand I highly recommend the Captain Cook Society’s informative website, which includes verbatim extracts from Cook’s journals; and for an intriguing insight into early New Zealand and Maoris’ ancient origins I recommend these books by two of New Zealand’s most respected historians: The Penguin History of New Zealand, by Michael King, and This Horrid Practice: the Myth and Reality of Traditional Maori Cannibalism, by Paul Moon.

Finally, while my novel may not convey exactly what happened during the discovery and settlement of New Zealand, I believe it accurately captures the spirit of those bygone days.

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The paperback and Kindle ebook versions of ‘New Zealand: A Novel’ will be published on Amazon before Christmas; the hardcover and audiobook versions will follow in the New Year.

Watch this space!

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Paperback Cover Reveal for my epic historical adventure-romance novel

Posted: November 10, 2024 in New Zealand: A Novel
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Coming soon!

My thanks to the talented designers at Book Publishers NZ for designing such an eye-catching cover for this soon-to-be released novel. 

‘New Zealand: A Novel’ spans almost 500 years and covers the respective discoveries of New Zealand by Maori and European.

The novel will be published on Amazon before Christmas; the hardcover and audiobook versions will follow in the New Year.

Watch this space!

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Kiwi authors’ soon-to-be-released novel captures the zeitgeist of a troubled era

Posted: May 8, 2024 in Uncategorized
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The New Zealand father-and-son writing team Lance and James Morcan, authors of some 35 published fiction and non-fiction books, today announced the likely release date for their next co-authored novel Anno 2021. 

Interim cover image for Anno 2021.

An international action-thriller, its planned pre-Christmas (early December) release follows James Morcan’s successful adaptation of his first solo-authored novel, Anno 2020, to a feature film screenplay and subsequent new-release movie. 

The younger Morcan, who is also an actor and director, acted in and directed the Australian-produced movie, which celebrated its world premiere at a red-carpet screening in Sydney last month.  

“Anno 2020 is a mystery-drama whereas this novel (Anno 2021) is more of an action-thriller,” said Sydney-based James.

“Their common theme is that both cover the dramas experienced by individuals around the world caught up in the COVID lockdowns of those two unforgettable years, and they capture the zeitgeist of this troubled era as society gets ever more fractured.

“They are both controversial as we, the writers, don’t shy away from covering the contentious issues that divided nations during those years.

“Like the earlier novel, which was set in 17 different destinations on four continents, Anno 2021 will be truly global with a vignette of storylines and characters based in America, England, South Africa, Tahiti and New Zealand.”

Papamoa-based novelist-screenwriter Lance Morcan, who is also Story Consultant and Associate Producer on Anno 2020 the movie, said he and son James were already thinking about the screenplay adaptation of Anno 2021 while they undertook final editing of the novel.

“We are no strangers to this process,” said Lance. “We’ve adapted several of our co-authored novels to feature film screenplays and these are in early development with known and mainly American actors attached in some cases.”

As novelists, the Morcans are best known for their bestselling thrillers The Ninth Orphan and Silent Fear, and for their historical adventure novels White Spirit, Into the Americas and Fiji; their non-fiction books include Genius Intelligence, The Catcher in the Rye Enigma and Debunking Holocaust Denial Theories, which have all been regular visitors to Amazon’s bestseller lists.

Their books all appear under the banner of New Zealand publisher Sterling Gate Books and are currently exclusive to Amazon.

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Link to Morcan film projects: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1909596/

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Versatile Australian actress Erin Connor felt she “had” to be part of the film Anno 2020

Posted: April 20, 2024 in ANNO 2020
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News release April 20, 2024:

Australian actress Erin Connor has emerged as one of the standout stars of Anno 2020, the mystery-drama feature film which celebrated its world premiere at a red-carpet screening in Sydney this month.

Erin Connor…drawn to Anno 2020.

The engaging actress, best known for her screen roles in Occupation: Rainfall, When Love Springs, Dino King 3D and The Suicide Theory, plays a depressed and highly stressed wife separated from her onscreen husband Greg Poppleton, the Sydney-based actor known for Backtrack and Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

Connor has a reputation for versatility, but to call her versatile is almost doing her a disservice. Once a champion golfer, she changed careers to film and television, making her mark in feature-length films, short films, commercials, and other projects.

Those other projects include strong advocacy for animal protection and preservation – a throwback no doubt to a childhood spent growing up on a tropical fruit farm near Byron Bay, in New South Wales, surrounded by nature and having a menagerie of animals to look after.

“My mother was the daughter of one Captain Neptune Blood,” she said. “He was a prolific explorer who discovered and studied many animal and plant species, notably in the highlands of Papua New Guinea where my mother and my older sister were both born.”

Connor said she had to be part of the Anno 2020 production when the film’s Sydney-based director James Morcan and lead producer Gil Ben-Moshe, of MoneyShot Productions, approached her.

Billed as a global kaleidoscope of interconnected characters seeking redemption, forgiveness, and answers amidst the chaos of 2020, the movie was shot on a micro budget of US$6,000.

“Anno 2020 drew me in like a magnet,” Connor recalled. “The sheer scope of the project, combined with its unique approach, had me hooked from the get-go. That and the opportunity to collaborate during such a challenging time was simply irresistible.”

She referred to the strict COVID-related lockdowns of 2020 and the fact that the actors were usually physically isolated from each other while the movie was shot in 17 cities on four continents during that most difficult of times.

“Coping with those challenges required a lot of patience and a good dash of creativity, but the warmth and support from everyone involved made it feel like we were all right there together, on set, rather than being separated by oceans in some cases,” said Connor.

“Despite the difficulties, I loved my involvement with Anno 2020. It was such fun I don’t even know where to begin. The bonds formed, the challenges overcome, and the sheer joy of bringing my character to life combined to make it an experience I’ll treasure forever.”

Connor said the highlight for her was the incredible sense of camaraderie that was achieved on set along with the joy of collaborating with such a talented cast and crew. That said, she admitted that slapping her screen husband Poppleton in one dramatic scene was certainly a memorable moment.

As for coping with the challenges of 2020, she said she had to navigate her way, along with many others, through the ups and downs of lockdowns.

“That year (2020) was quite a rollercoaster, wasn’t it? In my case I couldn’t use my Visa to work overseas, and I found it hard not being able to see my aging parents or my siblings and close friends all the while surrounded by the fear of the unknown in such a unique time in the world.

“It really was a test of resilience, but it also brought moments of unexpected beauty and connection in the ‘small stuff’ that happened if you know what I mean.”

Connor’s commitment to Anno 2020, the movie, impressed everyone associated with it – in particular lead producer Ben-Moshe.

“Shooting remotely for the majority of her scenes was a challenge by any measure, but Erin made it look easy,” he said. “She brought much-needed energy to the role she played and the chemistry between her and her co-stars is a highlight for audiences.”

Ben-Moshe said audiences will be moved by her failed marriage to her onscreen husband Greg (Poppleton) as well as her decision to move away from his onscreen niece played by up-and-coming Australian child actress Audrey Nitschke (Wolf Like Me).

“Erin’s performance was always authentic and audiences will be riding every emotion with her as she takes them on an emotional rollercoaster. I really do look forward to working with her again.”

New Zealand-born director James Morcan, who also adapted the film’s screenplay from his published novel Anno 2020, described Connor as a very empathetic, heart-based person.

“That’s part of the reason why she’s such a brilliant actress,” he said. “Whatever scene or whatever role she plays, Erin lives it in the moment. I find her to be one of the most genuine actors in the world and was honoured to work with her.”

Morcan said Connor is not only ultra-professional but is very down to earth and a fun personality to have on a film set.

Connor said she wouldn’t hesitate to work with Anno 2020’s filmmakers again.

“James’s directing was truly something special,” she said. “To see him step into his directorial debut with such confidence and vision was inspiring. He brought out the best in all of us and created an environment where creativity could truly flourish. He is a beautiful person with a sense of calm in his leadership which I believe is the best traits for a director.”

Connor…at home on the red carpet.

In Anno 2020, Erin Connor was surrounded by an award-winning ensemble of international actors. Other cast members include American veteran actors Kevin Scott Allen (Alias, Prison Break and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine), Sheila Ball (A Prince and Pauper Christmas, Assault On VA-33 and By Deception), and Chinese American Crystal J. Huang (Dark Feathers) as well as Jessica Castello (Oildale).

Connor has two upcoming movies, Piggy and Pinball, both to be shot in Melbourne. In Piggy, she will star alongside Robert Morgan (Babylon, Hacksaw Ridge) and Vince Colosimo (Underbelly, The Second); Pinball, which is still under wraps, will be helmed by award-winning writer-director Matt Holcomb.

A Melbourne cinematic screening of Anno 2020 will be held on May 6, and a Brisbane screening on June 4. Beyond these red-carpet events, the longer-term target includes online distribution on major streaming platforms.

Video highlights from the recent World Premiere red-carpet screening of Anno 2020 in Sydney can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_sXNibPrHw&t  

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Actor Greg Poppleton believes Anno 2020 authentically captures mood of the lockdowns

Posted: April 5, 2024 in ANNO 2020
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News release: April 5, 2024:

Australian actor Greg Poppleton plays a husband and brother grappling with tragic family issues exacerbated by the COVID-19 lockdowns in the mystery-drama movie Anno 2020, which celebrates its world premiere in Sydney on April 7.

Actor Greg Poppleton.

Sydney-based Poppleton, whose credits include the upcoming Last Days of the Space Age (2024), Backtrack (2015) and Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010), plays a highly-strung, disillusioned character, estranged from his American-based, onscreen brother Kevin Scott Allen (Star Trek, Alias, Prison Break) and separated from his onscreen wife Erin Connor (Occupation: Rainfall, Dino King 3D).

Anno 2020’s New Zealand-born director James Morcan describes Poppleton as an actor who prepares for roles meticulously.

“I can also safely say he’s the most unpredictable performer I’ve ever worked with,” Morcan says. “Which was brilliant not only for me but also for the other cast members. I would love to work with him again.”

Those comments are echoed by Anno 2020’s lead producer Gil Ben-Moshe, of MoneyShot Productions, who lauded the amount of preparation Poppleton did leading up to his scenes.

“Every single word spoken was considered in detail and delivered perfectly,” he says.

Ben-Moshe says apart from making the script come to life, the actor’s improvisation was something else altogether.

“Some of the movie’s best dialogue was improvised by Greg and his co-star Kevin (Scott Allen). It was authentic and heartfelt, and it elevated his character to another level. Audiences will be captivated by his believable and charismatic style of acting.”

The fourth of five children to bus driver Bert and shop worker Aileen (Stapleton), a young Greg Poppleton grew up in working class Sydney. He was discovered in a cattle call for a kids’ programme and made his movie debut in a scene with Nicole Kidman in Moulin Rouge in 2001.

Since that impressive introduction, he has appeared in one-on-one movie scenes with Adrien Brody and John Goodman, and on TV he has appeared in the series Barons (ABC), The Last Days of the Space Age (Disney +), and Year Of (Stan) among many other series.

Speaking from his home in Sydney this week, Poppleton, who is married with two sons, says he was drawn to participating in Anno 2020 because of the hugeness of the undertaking.

“Connecting the world at a time when the world was being fragmented and isolated was both the aim and the message of this production,” he says.

“Anno 2020 is an authentic artefact of the lockdowns. It was created during the lockdowns and is infused with the spirit of the times. Something that can never be replicated by future productions looking back. Paradoxically, in the age of isolation, Anno 2020 brought people together from across the globe whose paths, if not for the pandemic, would probably have never crossed.”

As for the cataclysmic year that was 2020, Greg marvels at the ingenuity people everywhere showed in remaining connected one way or another.

“There’s no doubt it (the year) presented new ways to do things and new ways to see things. The ingenuity individuals displayed in remaining social amazed me.”

Poppleton says his lasting memory of his involvement in Anno 2020, the movie, was how well director James Morcan and producer Gil Ben Moshe worked, together and with their cast.

“Their primary concern was in creating believable relationships between characters, and we talked a lot about character and relationships before the shoot.

“Getting to improvise the characters online weeks before the shoot with my onscreen brother, Elijah, played by the smart, generous and playful, Kevin Scott Allen, made the relationship between us genuinely brotherly. We say things to each other only brothers can get away with.

 “In rehearsal we developed a detailed history together, not on a dry intellectual level, but on a connected and emotional one based solely on the script and encouraged by James. We rehearsed the story on its feet straight away, which as (the acting teacher Michael) Chekhov famously said, ‘is the actors’ way.’ It meant we could talk in character about anything in the story with spontaneity when the cameras rolled, whether at a train station, in a park or walking through city streets. Nothing threw us.

“That same process also created believable, spontaneous relationships between my character’s niece, played by the wonderful, up-and-coming Audrey Nitschke, and my estranged onscreen wife, the generous Erin Connor.”

Poppleton describes Morcan’s direction as textbook and says he’d be delighted to work with him and with Ben-Moshe again in future.

“All the preparation with actors concerning their ideas, character and relationships was done thoroughly before the shoot. When the camera rolled everyone knew what to do and were at ease with each other, and that’s a reflection of James’s directing style.”

Outside of acting, Poppleton has the unique distinction of being Australia’s only authentic 1920s-30s singer. He has over 1.3 million YouTube hits, released eight albums, played Sydney Festival twice, and produces and hosts the networked jazz show, The Phantom Dancer, on Australian radio.

Greg Poppleton…the jazz singer.

Poppleton will attend Anno 2020’s world premiere red-carpet event at Randwick’s The Ritz Cinema, in Sydney, on April 7. Beyond that, a Melbourne screening will take place at the Lido Cinema on May 6, and a Brisbane screening at the New Farm Cinema on June 4. The longer-term target includes online distribution on major streaming platforms.

The Anno 2020 trailer can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/@ANNO2020TheMovie

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George Shaddock: our Author of the Month

Posted: August 18, 2019 in Morcan Books & Films
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Our Author of the Month this month is American writer George Shaddock, author of a number of published titles including the acclaimed Georgie: An Unexpected Life, The Interpreter and An Interim Assignment.

 

George Shaddock

George Shaddock…Author of the Month

 

A former salesman and company troubleshooter, George founded London Circle Publishing, one of the first eBook publishing firms. Now retired, he spends his time writing.

 

Books by George Shaddock:

Georgie: An Unexpected Life by [Shaddock, George]

Georgie: An Unexpected Life

The story of a beautiful and brilliant young woman, Georgianna, who has been raised from birth by an adoptive mother, Ann Fallon. Ann groomed her to take over her successful fashion design business. She saw that Georgianna was well educated and mentored to handle the business. However, at no time during her upbringing did Ann share any part of her life with her adopted daughter. When Ann suddenly passed, Georgianna discovered that Ann had been her true birth mother. Through clues lift by Ann, she is about to find the family life she has longed for. What she finds is totally unexpected, and a life she could never have imagined.                          https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01I7I1OGU/ 

 

The Interpreter by [Shaddock, George]

The Interpreter  

A story of love between two women who meet by accident in front of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City. One woman is an instantaneous interpreter at the UN. The other is an aspiring and talented singer, looking for stardom in a Broadway musical. Both women appear to be in their early 30’s. They fill a mutual need for company and support and begin to share an apartment in SoHo, Manhattan. The Interpreter has an exotic background and is entirely familiar with twenty-to-thirty languages. She is on a personal mission that could threaten their lives. Both attend weekend gatherings held at the estate of a wealthy widow in Southampton, Long Island. One woman desires only to become the star of a Broadway musical. The Interpreter wants a child sired by the most intelligent man she can find.                https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071W38C1M/  

 

An Interim Assignment by [Shaddock, George]

An Interim Assignment

The old SNJ Navy trainer made a perfect wheels-up, dead-stick landing in Lake Winnebago. As it came to a halt 25 yards from the beach, the pilot’s desperate effort to open the canopy proved useless. The canopy is locked. A moment later, he watched a woman with a rock in her hand, smashing the canopy to bits. She continued to pound the Plexiglass and throw the shards away while shouting for him to remove all restraint straps. The moment the opening in the canopy was large enough, she pulled him out of the plane just as it began to sink to a watery grave. She then had to help him swim to shore.                                               

The pilot is Captain Josh Wiley, the best Navy fighter pilot the Navy has ever produced. Captain Wiley has recently been given complete control of the Top Gun School in Fallon NV. The woman who saved him is Sidney Davies, a retired commander of a Marine ground-support helicopter squadron.

Captain Wiley’s assignment has been to check F-15 fighter jets for compliance with a sales contract…a contract signed by the President with the Saudis. The Captain has uncovered a serious problem.

Captain Wiley’s survival from the crash make him a target for assassination and, by assisting him, Sidney has also become a target. Their struggle to remain alive and stop delivery of the aircraft is finally brought to the attention of Admiral James Fenimore, Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, DC.    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GXKXLZN/  

 

To view George Shaddock’s Amazon Author Page go to: https://www.amazon.com/George-Shaddock/e/B01D25QWZ6/

 

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Movie adaptation of new release novel Silent Fear receives boost

Posted: November 23, 2017 in Morcan films, SILENT FEAR novel
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News Release: November 23, 2017 — New Zealand-based film production company Morcan Motion Pictures announced this week production of one of the films on its development slate received a boost with the successful international release of the crime-thriller Silent Fear (A novel inspired by true crimes).

 

Silent Fear (A novel inspired by true crimes)

Book’s launch a success.

 

Co-authored by father-and-son writing team Lance and James Morcan, Silent Fear  has attracted critical acclaim since its launch as a paperback and Kindle ebook on Amazon.

Amazon Top 500 reviewer Susan Elliot describes it as “A riveting crime novel.” Elliot writes, “There is so much to like about this book: the plot, the pace and the characters all came together in the most riveting crime novel that I’ve read in a long time.” She warns readers, “Do not read it on a train. You may just miss your station.”

Amazon Australia Top 50 reviewer Todd Simpson describes Silent Fear  as “Simply Splendid.” Simpson writes, “There is so much to love about this entertaining and well written murder mystery…Hands down this is a wonderful book, and well worth a read.”

The Morcans, who are adapting their novel to a feature film screenplay, added Silent Fear  to their production company’s development slate several years ago.

A spokesperson for the company says development of the planned feature film was delayed to accommodate the release of the novel. “That proved to be a wise decision,” he says, “given the interest the book is now generating for the movie.”

Set in a university in London, Silent Fear  was inspired by the true-life murders of students at Gallaudet University, one of the world’s premiere learning institutions for the deaf and hard of hearing, in Washington, D.C. It was written under the guidance of Brent Macpherson, one of the world’s leading deaf storytellers working in film, television and other creative mediums. Macpherson is also co-producer on the film adaptation.

The premise of Silent Fear  sees Scotland Yard detective Valerie Crowther being assigned to investigate the murder of a student at a university for the deaf in the upmarket Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. The investigation coincides with a deadly flu virus outbreak, resulting in the university being quarantined from the outside world. When more Deaf students are murdered, it becomes clear there is a serial killer operating within the sealed-off university. A chilling cat-and-mouse game evolves as the unknown killer targets Valerie and the virus claims more lives.

A sequel is planned with more books in the series a possibility.

James Morcan says interest in the planned movie has already been received from film industry contacts. Speaking from Sydney, Australia, where he is based, he says the novel was crying out to be adapted because the storyline is very suited to the big screen.

“Silent Fear is a multi-genre story that has proven appeal to fans of the crime, mystery, thriller, horror, romance and sci-fi genres,” he says. “It’s exactly what movie-goers are looking for. However, we are under no illusions how difficult it is to greenlight movies so we will be aligning ourselves with a major producer to get it across the line.”

The Morcans invite expressions of interest from experienced producers.

Meanwhile, they have posted a trailer to promote the book and film on YouTube. It can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8bv1vbQxYo

Silent Fear  is the Morcans’ eighth novel to be published under the Sterling Gate Books banner. Their other books include the international thriller series The Orphan Trilogy, and the historical adventures Into the Americas  and White Spirit – both based on true stories – and Fiji.

The Amazon.com link for Silent Fear  is: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075HRYTVC/

The Amazon UK link is: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B075HRYTVC/

 

Media enquires: Email the publisher at – SterlingGateBooks@gmail.com

 

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THE NINTH ORPHAN amongst critically acclaimed ebooks available this week at 99cents

Posted: October 20, 2014 in Books in general, Morcan Books & Films
Tags: , , , , , , , ,
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The top rating conspiracy thriller THE NINTH ORPHAN (The Orphan Trilogy, #1) is amongst five of our critically acclaimed ebooks reduced to sell at 99cents on Kindle this week only.

The Ninth Orphan, a controversial, high-octane thriller that merges fact with fiction, currently dominates several Kindle bestseller lists on Amazon.

Our other books currently on special are The Orphan Factory and The Orphan Uprising (books two and three in The Orphan Trilogy), World Odyssey and Fiji: A Novel (books one and two in our historical adventure series The World Duology), and our non-fiction book THE ORPHAN CONSPIRACIES: 29 Conspiracy Theories from The Orphan Trilogy.

All these books have been extremely well reviewed and several have been regular visitors to Amazon’s bestseller lists in their respective categories.

 

Book covers and Kindle links to each book follow:

 

Product Details http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0056I4FKC

 

Product Details http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008M9WWKW/

 

Product Details http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BFC66DM/

 

Product Details  http://www.amazon.com/World-Odyssey-Duology-1-ebook/dp/B00HHVOMO0/

 

Product Detailshttp://www.amazon.com/dp/B0057YCZM0/

 

Product Details http://www.amazon.com/The-Orphan-Conspiracies-Conspiracy-Theories-ebook/dp/B00J4MPFT6/

 

Happy reading! -Lance & James

 

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