Dawn's Reading Nook: Guest author day with Anne Barwell

Thanks for hosting me today.

I’m in the middle of my final read through of Comes a Horseman, the last book in my WWII Echoes Rising series, so figured I’d blog about the series today rather than focus on one book.

The first book, Shadowboxing, is set in Berlin in late 1943, Winter Duet takes place in Germany in 1944, and the third, Comes a Horseman, will be set in France in 1944.

I love writing series as it gives me more ‘room’ to tell a story and explore characterisation. Echoes Rising—which is set in WWII—is really a story in three parts. I’ve written each book so readers can come in at any book without a problem but will have a richer reading experience reading them in order, as each book builds on the events of the previous one(s).

The title Echoes Rising refers to how the past affects the present and future. Whether it is nationality, family background and experiences, all of the characters are a product of where they come from. These echoes of their past shape who they are, especially at the beginning of the story, but by the end of it, it’s not all they are. They have to acknowledge it, yes, but also be their own person and do what feels right.

Although the series has more of an ensemble feel to it, it’s really Kristopher’s story. At the beginning of Shadowboxing, the first book in the series, he’s a scientist who has retreated into his work, but by the end of the third book Comes a Horseman, he will need to—oops, sorry, almost gave away a spoiler there. But although it is his story—his and Michel’s really—the other characters still have their own arcs and growth. None of them are unchanged by what happens to them.

I’d worry about them if they were.

Why WWII? I’ve always been interested in the time period, and I think wars have the potential to force people find the strength within themselves they never thought they possessed. Sadly, on the flip side, it can also bring out the worst in people. The characters in Echoes Rising come from different backgrounds, and are a mix of nationalities. Under normal circumstances this group would never have met, let alone forged an alliance leading to friendship and found family.

I’ve also included two M/M couples in this story, in a time when homosexual relationships needed to be kept hidden in order to survive. Such relationships were illegal and being found to be in one led to being arrested and worst. Each of these men in Echoes Rising have a different approach to their sexuality, whether it be ignoring it and hoping it goes away, being self-aware and careful, or trying to live as someone they are not. They all get to the point where they have to change in order to move forward and reach their potential. Finding the person they want to be with happens in different ways, as does the strength to admit their feelings and sexuality to themselves as well as the one they love.

Shadowboxing

Echoes Rising Book 1

Complete their mission or lose everything.

Berlin, 1943

An encounter with an old friend leaves German physicist Dr Kristopher Lehrer with doubts about his work. But when he confronts his superior, everything goes horribly wrong. Suddenly Kristopher and Michel, a member of the Resistance, are on the run, hunted for treason and a murder they did not commit. If they’re caught, Kristopher’s knowledge could be used to build a terrible weapon that could win the war.

For the team sent by the Allies—led by Captain Bryant, Sergeant Lowe, and Dr Zhou—a simple mission escalates into a deadly game against the Gestapo, with Dr Lehrer as the ultimate prize. But in enemy territory, surviving and completing their mission will test their strengths and loyalties and prove more complex than they ever imagined.

Author’s note: This is the third edition of Shadowboxing. The first and second editions were released by another publishing house. This story has been re-edited, and uses UK spelling to reflect its setting.

Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08LCRT1ZZ

Universal Link: https://books2read.com/ShadowboxingAB

Winter Duet

Echoes Rising Book 2

Who do you trust when no one is who they seem?

Germany 1944

Fleeing German physicist Dr Kristopher Lehrer and his lover, Resistance fighter Michel, are caught up in an Allied bombing campaign. Separated from Michel after discovering an injured RAF pilot in the Black Forest, and pursued by the SS for the information he carries, Kristopher is frantic to reunite, unaware that Michel has been recruited by the Allies for a rescue mission.

Time is running out. The Gestapo is closing in. How can they decide who to trust, when the dagger pointed at Kristopher’s back could be wielded by a friend?

Author’s note: This is the third edition of Winter Duet. The first and second editions were released by another publishing house. This story has been re-edited, and uses UK spelling to reflect its setting.

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VL2LQNB

Universal Link: https://books2read.com/WinterDuetAB

Comes a Horseman – coming soon

Echoes Rising Book 3

What if those who stand by you are the ones who betray you?

France, 1944

Sometimes the most desperate struggles take place far from the battlefield, and what happens in secret can change the course of history.

Victory is close at hand, but freedom remains frustratingly just beyond the grasp of German physicist Dr Kristopher Lehrer, Resistance fighter Michel, and the remaining members of the team sent by the Allies—Captain Matt Bryant, Sergeant Ken Lowe, and Dr Zhou Liang—as they fight to keep the atomic plans from the Nazis. The team reaches France and connects with members of Michel’s French Resistance cell in Normandy. Allied troops are poised to liberate France, and rescue is supposedly at hand. However, Kristopher is no longer sure the information he carries in his memory is safe with either side.

When Standartenführer Holm and his men finally catch up with their prey, the team is left with few options as they fight to keep atomic plans from the Nazis. With a traitor in their midst, who can they trust? Kristopher must become something he is not in order to save the man he loves. Death is biding his time, and sacrifices must be made for any of them to have the futures they want.

Excerpt from Winter Duet:

Michel parted the bushes cautiously and peered through. One glance at who had provoked the response from the soldiers and he closed his peek hole quickly and stayed as still as he could.

“Heil Hitler!” Reiniger returned the greeting. “Stay attentive!” he snapped at them. “Now is not the time for idle conversation. Anyone caught doing so will be disciplined accordingly. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, Herr Obersturmführer,” both men chorused.

If Reiniger had heard any of their discussion, they were lucky to get off with a warning. Someone in their unit at the institute had been caught shirking his duties. Michel shuddered, not wanting to dwell on the details. The man’s punishment had been harsh, without mercy, and far in excess of what was required for his so-called crime.

“Our enemy is close by. We’ve already caught one, and I suspect his companions will not readily abandon him.” Reiniger snorted. “That weakness can be used to our advantage, so it is important we are prepared. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, Herr Obersturmführer.”

Caught one?

Michel took a sharp breath. Surely Reiniger hadn’t found Kit? Kit was with Leo. If two men had been discovered, Reiniger would have said so. Wouldn’t he? Unless Kit had left Leo and been caught a distance from him.

No. Kit wouldn’t… Michel mentally groaned. Of course he would, if he thought it necessary, and especially if he’d decided Michel might be walking into some kind of trap. He’d try to warn him and to hell with the consequences.

Reiniger turned, his eyes narrowing as he glanced in Michel’s direction. Michel held his breath, praying, hoping his hiding place hadn’t been compromised. “What are you standing here for?” Reiniger snapped at the two soldiers. “They’re somewhere close, and I want them found.” He gestured in the direction from which Michel had come. “Get on with it.”

“Yes, Herr Obersturmführer.”

The soldiers saluted and moved off. Reiniger stood for a moment, as though thinking, his face creasing into a frown, and then he headed in the opposite direction. He muttered something under his breath, but Michel couldn’t make out the words.

He heard breathing behind him. Close behind him.

Merde! He reached for his weapon, but before he could draw it, he felt the barrel of a gun pressed against his back.

Author bio:

Anne Barwell lives in Wellington, New Zealand. She shares her home with Kaylee: a cat with “tortitude” who is convinced that the house is run to suit her; this is an ongoing “discussion,” and to date, it appears as though Kaylee may be winning.

In 2008, Anne completed her conjoint BA in English Literature and Music/Bachelor of Teaching. She has worked as a music teacher, a primary school teacher, and now works in a library. She is a member of the Upper Hutt Science Fiction Club and plays violin for Hutt Valley Orchestra.

She is an avid reader across a wide range of genres and a watcher of far too many TV series and movies, although it can be argued that there is no such thing as “too many.” These, of course, are best enjoyed with a decent cup of tea and further the continuing argument that the concept of “spare time” is really just a myth. She also hosts and reviews for other authors, and writes monthly blog posts for Love Bytes. She is the co-founder of the New Zealand Rainbow Romance writers, and a member of RWNZ.

Anne’s books have received honourable mentions five times, reached the finals four times—one of which was for best gay book—and been a runner up in the Rainbow Awards. She has also been nominated three times in the Goodreads M/M Romance Reader’s Choice Awards—twice for Best Fantasy, once for Best Historical, and once for All-Time Favourite M/M Author.

Links:
Website & Blog—Drops of Ink: http://annebarwell.wordpress.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/anne.barwell.1

Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/annesbooksandbrews/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/annebarwell

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4862410.Anne_Barwell

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/anne-barwell

Queeromance Ink Author Page:

https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/anne-barwell/