PUYB Author Talks: ⭐A Bookish Conversation with 'Erica Rosen MD Trilogy' Deven Greene & Giveaway!⭐ #EricaRosenMD #interview

 

Fiction writer Deven Greene lives in the San Francisco Bay area. Ever since childhood, Deven has been interested in science.  After receiving a doctorate in biochemistry, she went to medical school and trained as a pathologist. She worked for several decades in that field before starting to write fiction. Deven incorporates elements of medicine or science in most of her writing. She has published several short stories. Her debut novel, Unnatural, is the first book of the Erica Rosen MD Trilogy, and was released in January 2021. Unwitting, released in October 2021, is the second Erica Rosen MD novel. Unforeseen is the final book in the Trilogy.

Visit her website at www.devengreene.com or connect with her on Twitter and Instagram.

 

Before you started writing your book, what kind of research did you do to prepare yourself?

I want  to be accurate in writing my novels, so I prepare by reading about topics relevant to my stories. I enjoy learning new things and hope my readers do, too. I did quite a bit of research for the first and third books of my trilogy. My second book didn’t require as much preparation (see below).

My first book, Unnatural, deals with human embryonic gene editing and a good part of it takes place in China. As a physician and biochemist, I was already familiar with gene editing, but I still did a fair amount of reading on the subject before I began writing. I had been to China years earlier, so I recalled my impressions, but also read about current life in China (many things have changed since I was there). 

My second book, Unwitting, deals with young men with autism. The main autistic character, Zaron, is based on my own son, who has autism. Zaron’s abilities and personality closely parallel those of my son. That aspect of the book required no research on my part, just my personal experience. The technology used in the story required me to do some reading, and I consulted with law enforcement officers on police procedural aspects.

My third book, Unforeseen, involved the pharmaceutical industry. I read several books on the subject and consulted doctors I know who are involved in that field. My novel included an important minority population, so I read several books about that group (I’m being vague so as not to give away too much).

Did you pursue publishers or did you opt to self-pub?

I didn’t want to self-publish, so I sought out a publisher.

If published by a publisher, what was your deciding factor in going with them?

Frankly, I went with the first publisher to offer me a contract. I was going back and forth with another publisher at the time, but my current publisher sent me a contract, so I went with him. I had an attorney experienced in publishing contracts look at the contract before I signed it.

If published by a publisher, are you happy with the price they chose?

I believe the prices of my printed books are too high. I spoke to the publisher about that, but he feels the price is fair and competitive. The ebook price is, of course, lower, so I don’t have an issue with that.

Did you purposefully choose a distinct month to release your book? Why?

I would have preferred to release all of my books a month before Christmas, but my publisher didn’t give me a choice, and they were published at other times.

How did you choose your cover?

My publisher’s cover designer created all my covers. Working with the designer required a lot of back-and-forth emails.

Did you write your book, then revise or revise as you went?

I like to write as quickly as I can, then correct my mistakes and make changes later. My first drafts are very rough.

Did you come up with special swag for your book and how are you using it to help get the word out about your book?

I only recently ordered bookmarks that feature all three books of the trilogy. I haven’t begun to distribute them but will start with a bookstore presentation I have in several weeks.

What’s your opinion on giving your book away to sell other copies of your book?

I have done a few giveaways but am not convinced they helped book sales significantly.

What is one of the most important things you believe an author should do before their book is released?

I believe it is essential to send your book out for reviews.

What is one of the most important things you believe an author should do after their book is released?

It is essential to publicize your book as much as possible. Without publicity, only your close friends and relatives will know about it. It doesn’t matter if it’s the best book ever written—if people don’t know about it, they won’t buy it.

What kind of pre-promotion did you do before the book came out?

I announced the publication of my books on my website and via Twitter. I also had blurbs from reviewers posted on Amazon.

Do you have a long term plan with your book?

I would like to keep promoting the trilogy. Meanwhile, I am working on my next novel. I’ve finished the first draft and have started the editing process.

What would you like to say to your readers and fans about your book?

I hope you enjoy the trilogy and learn a few things while reading it. I always like hearing from my readers and welcome constructive feedback.

 

Inside the Series

Title: Unnatural
Author: Deven Greene
Publisher: Black Rose Writing
Pages: 289
Genre: Medical Thriller

Blurb:

Dr. Erica Rosen is perplexed when she sees a young Chinese girl with blue eyes in her San Francisco pediatrics clinic. The girl’s mother, Ting, is secretive, and Erica suspects she has entered the country illegally. Later, Erica encounters Ting’s son and discovers he has an unusual mutation. Erica learns that Ting’s children underwent embryonic stem cell gene editing as part of a secret Chinese government-run program.

The Chinese government wants to murder Ting’s son to prevent others from learning about his unusual mutation and the secret gene-editing program. At Ting’s urging, Erica heads to China to expose the program and rescue the infant Ting was forced to leave behind, all while attempting to evade the watchful eye of the Chinese government.

Book Information

Release Date: January 7, 2021

Publisher:  Black Rose Writing

Soft Cover: 289 pages; $4.53; eBook $4.65; Free with Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3wv8hlN  

Black Rose Writing: https://www.blackrosewriting.com/thrillers/unnatural?rq=deven%20green 

Title: Unwitting
Author: Deven Greene
Publisher: Black Rose Writing
Pages: 281
Genre: Medical Thriller

Blurb:

Dr. Erica Rosen’s world is turned upside down after a suicide bomber explodes amidst a large crowd entering Oracle Park baseball stadium, near her San Francisco home. Many are killed or injured, and police have no leads in solving the case.

Erica becomes involved after a teacher of young autistic men contacts her. The teacher believes her students are involved in the bombing but is afraid to contact law enforcement. She reaches out to Erica, who has experience with special needs children. 

Erica arrives at the school but finds the police already there and a young autistic man doing a jigsaw puzzle, oblivious to his murdered teacher on the floor. The young man has information about the mastermind behind the bombing but has limited ability to speak. Erica is determined to protect him, prevent further bombings, and find his missing classmates.

Book Information

Release Date: October 21, 2021

Publisher:  Black Rose Writing

Soft Cover: 281 pages; $17.38; eBook $4.99; FREE on Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3qe4zJP 

Black Rose Writing:

https://www.blackrosewriting.com/thrillers/unwitting?rq=deven%20greene

Title: Unforeseen
Author: Deven Greene
Publisher: Black Rose Writing
Pages: 332
Genre: Medical Thriller

Blurb:

Pediatrician Erica Rosen is stymied when two of her patients don’t respond to medicine as expected. When other patients later develop strange, unexpected illnesses, she is determined to get to the bottom of it.

Meanwhile, the department’s newest pediatrician, Dr. Nilsen, appears to be trying to steal her patients. Erica suspects he is after her job as the clinic director. She also discovers Dr. Nilsen has become romantically involved with her trusted assistant, Martha. One evening, while looking for patient information on Martha’s desk, Erica comes across a list with the names of some of her patients. A boy who recently became ill with a mysterious malady is on the list and has an asterisk by his name. What does that mean?

Erica is convinced something nefarious is underfoot, and Dr. Nilsen, rather than simply being after her job, is engaged in a dangerous scheme involving her patients. Unable to recruit the help of law enforcement in a timely manner, she realizes she must take matters into her own hands. As she proceeds with her investigation, she is unaware of the dangers she is about to encounter.

Book Information

Release Date: August 18, 2022

Publisher:  Black Rose Writing

Soft Cover: 329 pages; $21.95; eBook $6.99; FREE on Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Tp8u3J 

Black Rose Writing:

https://www.blackrosewriting.com/thrillers/unforeseen?rq=deven%20greene

· ┈┈┈┈┈┈ · ꕥ · ┈┈┈┈┈┈ ·

GIVEAWAY!

Deven Greene is giving away autographed copies of the whole Erica Rosen MD Trilogy to one lucky person!

Terms & Conditions:

• By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
• One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive the set of books
• This giveaway ends midnight December 30.
• Winner will be contacted via email on December 31.
• Winner has 48 hours to reply.

Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

PUYB Author Talks: ⭐A Bookish Conversation with 'Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex' Carole P. Roman⭐ #GradyWhill #interview @caroleproman

 

Carole P. Roman is the award-winning author of over fifty children’s books. Whether it’s pirates, princesses, spies, or discovering the world around us, her books have enchanted educators, parents, and her diverse audience of children of all ages.

Her best-selling book, The Big Book of Silly Jokes for Kids: 800+ Jokes! has reached number one on Amazon in March of 2020 and has remained in the top 200 books since then.

She published Mindfulness for Kids with J. Robin Albertson-Wren.

Carole has co-authored two self-help books. Navigating Indieworld: A Beginners Guide to Self-Publishing and Marketing with Julie A. Gerber, and Marketing Indieworld with both Julie A. Gerber and Angela Hausman.

Roman is the CEO of a global transportation company, as well as a practicing medium.

She also writes adult fiction under the name Brit Lunden and has created an anthology of the mythical town of Bulwark, Georgia with a group of indie authors.

Writing is her passion and one of her favorite pastimes. Roman reinvents herself frequently, and her family calls her the ‘mother of reinvention.’ She resides on Long Island, near her children and grandchildren.

Her series includes:

Captain No Beard

If You Were Me and Lived in- Cultural

If You Were Me and Lived in- Historical

Nursery series

Oh Susannah- Early Reader and coloring book

Grady Whilland the Templeton Codex

Giggles Galore- Coming in December 2022

Mindfulness for Kids with co-author J. Robin Albertson-Wren

The Big Book of Silly Jokes for Kids; 800 plus Jokes! 1 and 2

Spies, Code Talkers, and Secret Agents A World War 2 Book for Kids

Navigating Indieworld- with co-author Julie A. Gerber

Marketing Indieworld- with co-authors Angela Hausman and Julie A. Gerber

Adult Fiction under the pen name Brit Lunden

Bulwark

The Knowing- Book 1- A Bulwark Anthology

The Devil and Dayna Dalton- Book 9-A Bulwark Anthology

Her latest book is the YA Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex.

Visit Carole’s website at www.CarolePRoman.com or connect with her on Twitter and Facebook.

Before you started writing your book, what kind of research did you do to prepare yourself? 

I have two sons. I had a front-row seat to bullying and learning challenges. No research needed.

Did you pursue publishers or did you opt to self-pub? 

I left it with a literary agent for two years. When nothing happened, I decided to pursue the indie route.

If self-published, did you hire someone to format the ebook version for you or did you do it yourself?  Can you tell us what that was like? 

I work with Chrissy Hobbs at Indie Publishing. She is patient, wise and a wonderful person to work with. https://www.indiepublishinggroup.com/ She is smart and will take time to answer questions.

If self-published, how did you determine the price? 

I looked at other books, compared prices and looked at my profit margin.

Did you purposefully choose a distinct month to release your book?  Why? 

I wanted a soft opening through the summer so that I could gather editorial reviews. The hard push came in September when kids go back to school.

How did you choose your cover? 

My son does the cover work. He plans it and then finds an artist to create it. He has done all of my covers.

Did you write your book, then revise or revise as you went? 

Yes, I am constantly starting over and developing the story.

Did you come up with special swag for your book and how are you using it to help get the word out about your book?

 I used to do that. Covid changed a lot of that. Funds for marketing are much more limited right now.

Did you consider making or hiring someone to make a book trailer for your book?  If so, what’s the link? 

I have two people working on that right now.

What’s your opinion on giving your book away to sell other copies of your book? 

I'm fine with anything that gets word of the book out.

What are three of the most important things you believe an author should do before their book is released? 

I like to see what Kirkus, Foreword, readers Favorite, Blue Ink, Feathered Quill and a host of others have to say about the book. If they aren't impressed, then maybe you have to rethink.

What are three of the most important things you believe an author should do after their book is released? 

Put up posts on Facebook, book tours, do as many interviews as you can.

What kind of pre-promotion did you do before the book came out?  

Not much, except for some posts to Facebook.

Do you have a long term plan with your book? 

Hoping it makes it as a series.

What would you like to say to your readers and fans about your book? 

This book is a coming-of-age story that uses fantasy as the vehicle. It's about building confidence, believing in yourself, and learning that nothing should hold you back. It's appealing to all genders and ages, and I hope people relate to the challenges and victories of the characters. .

Inside the Book

Templeton Academy- the superhero high school is finally open!

The prestigious academy is recruiting the best of the best to enroll in its student body.

The school is as mysterious as it is exclusive.

Grady Whill thinks there is nothing special about him to make the grade.

However, his best friend, Aarush Patel has been selected and thinks Grady has the right stuff.

Even school bully, Elwood Bledsoe is attending.

If Grady is fortunate enough to be picked, his guardian has forbidden him to attend.

Will a family secret prevent Grady from becoming the superhero he was destined to be?

“Roman’s writing is excellent: portraying wonderful, complex characters. Narrated by Grady, the story reveals his kindness and humor. (“Aarush lived in a smart home as opposed to my stupid home,” he tells readers). It also illustrates the lovely symbiotic friendship between Grady and Aarush, who protect each other from trouble and ridicule…With the book’s many touching, funny, and edge-of-your-seat moments, readers will be cheering to hear more from Grady.” Blue Ink Review

“With a page-turning plot and exciting twists and turns, this book is sure to become a treasured favorite.”- Review by Book Excellence

“If I were to give a book to every young adult in this world, I would give them Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex by Carole P. Roman without blinking. I absolutely loved every moment of this uplifting and fascinating story. It’s filled with valuable life lessons, adventure, peril, and highly relatable and lovable characters.” Reviewed by Emma Megan for Readers’ Favorite

“Harry Potter meets Sky High. If you’re a fan of young adult stories where protagonists go to mysterious schools to train their superhuman abilities, don’t miss out on Grady Whill and The Templeton Codex.” Reviewed by Pikasho Deka for Reader’s Favorite

“With a detailed descriptive narrative, great character development, and compelling dialogue, the author has created a story that will have young readers engaged to the very end.” Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Reader’s Favorite

Book Information

Release Date: July 18, 2022

Publisher:  Chelshire, Inc.

Soft Cover: ISBN:  978-1950080434; 286 pages; $10.99; eBook $8.99; FREE on Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Qvn3kv

PUYB Author Talks: ⭐A Bookish Conversation with 'Dangerous Waters' Mike Martin⭐ @mike54martin #DangerousWaters #interview

 

Mike Martin was born in St. John’s, NL on the east coast of Canada and now lives and works in Ottawa, Ontario. He is a long-time freelance writer and his articles and essays have appeared in newspapers, magazines and online across Canada as well as in the United States and New Zealand.

He is the author of the award-winning Sgt. Windflower Mystery series set in beautiful Grand Bank. There are now 12 books in this light mystery series with the publication of Dangerous Waters. A Tangled Web was shortlisted in 2017 for the best light mystery of the year, and Darkest Before the Dawn won the 2019 Bony Blithe Light Mystery Award. Mike has also published Christmas in Newfoundland: Memories and Mysteries, a Sgt. Windflower Book of Christmas past and present.

Some Sgt. Windflower Mysteries are now available as audiobooks and the latest A Long Ways from Home was released as an audiobook in 2022. All audiobooks are available from Audible in Canada and around the world.

Mike is Past Chair of the Board of Crime Writers of Canada, a national organization promoting Canadian crime and mystery writers and a member of the Newfoundland Writers’ Guild and Ottawa Independent Writers and Capital Crime Writers.

His latest book is the mystery, Dangerous Waters.

You can visit his website at https://SgtWindflowerMysteries.com/  or connect with him on Twitter and Facebook.

Before you started writing your book, what kind of research did you do to prepare yourself?

Quite a lot actually. I had to research weather patterns for the Grand Bank area where the book is located, some ideas I had about the ability of insulin as a poison and if it was indeed deadly. And what are the most popular brands of single-malt Scotch whiskey that Windflower and his friend Doctor Sanjay have never tasted before. That was fun!

Did you pursue publishers or did you opt to self-pub?

I pursued publishers a little but they are such elusive creatures that I quickly gave up. I was in too much of a hurry to wait on their schedule. I still am.

If self-published, did you hire someone to format the ebook version for you or did you do it yourself?  Can you tell us what that was like?

I always got somebody else to format the ebook version. I never wanted to learn how to do it and I wanted a professional job. It worked out great and didn’t cost nearly as much as I thought.

If self-published, how did you determine the price?

The price is pretty standard by now. For ebooks, readers expect them to be no more than the $2.99-$4.99 range. Some want them free but that’s another story. It requires a library card and a six month wait.

Did you purposefully choose a distinct month to release your book?  Why?

I publish in the spring to catch the summer readers and the fall for Christmas buyers. Both work well.

How did you choose your cover?

I choose a photo that I would like to use and then work with the cover designer to bring in shading and colours. 

Did you write your book, then revise or revise as you went?

I always write first and revise later. I find it’s much easier and more productive. I try and get a good chunk of writing done, maybe 10,000 words and then I see if it makes sense. My beta readers and editor will fix things up at the end.

Did you come up with special swag for your book and how are you using it to help get the word out about your book? 

I have done bookmarks etc and quite honestly while they look nice, I don’t believe they sell a single book. Just my opinion…

Did you consider making or hiring someone to make a book trailer for your book?  If so, what’s the link?

Dorothy from Pump up Your Book does excellent trailers.

What’s your opinion on giving your book away to sell other copies of your book?

This works only if you have a series. I would give away an earlier book in the hopes that people would buy the others in the series. I also heavily promote and give away a ton of books for every new book that is released. It is building up my brand and the market for all my books.

What are three of the most important things you believe an author should do before their book is released?

Get it professionally edited. Get it proofread. Establish a social media presence and follow every other author you find.

What are three of the most important things you believe an author should do after their book is released?

Keep your social media feeds alive but don’t spam people. Offer to help new authors. Write your next book.

What kind of pre-promotion did you do before the book came out? 

I used a service that offered Facebook advertising, Twitter posting and a review service called NetGalley that got me early reviews. Then I booked a virtual blog tour with Pump up Your Books.

Do you have a long term plan with your book?

My plan for every book is to create the best book I can and work as hard as I can to help it reach as many readers as possible.

What would you like to say to your readers and fans about your book?

If you like a book that will inform you and keep you entertained all the way through, then buy and read my book, Dangerous Waters. If you want a book that makes you feel good at the end, this book may just the right one for you.

 

Inside the Book

Title: Dangerous Waters
Author: Mike Martin
Publisher: Ottawa Press and Publishing
Pages: 288
Genre: Mystery

Book Blurb

Old habits die hard…

Sgt. Windflower tries his best to ease away from life as a Mountie, but the lure of an investigation is too hard to resist.

After a missing man turns up dead, Sgt. Windflower is pulled in to investigate. Meanwhile, the arrival of a group of unique foreign visitors during a snowstorm in Grand Bank offers up another mystery. Even with so much going on, Windflower can’t resist the enticement of a good meal and a trip to the island of Saint Pierre off the coast of Newfoundland.

But when things get rough, Windflower can always rely on Eddie Tizzard and the gang to have his back.

As always, Windflower’s wife Sheila and their daughters are beacons of love and support as he navigates dangerous waters.

Grand Bank beckons you to another great story in the Sgt. Windflower Mystery Series.

Book Information

Release Date: April 30, 2022

Publisher:  Ottawa Press and Publishing

Soft Cover: ISBN: 978-1988437828; 288 pages; $16.95; eBook $4.99: FREE Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3RczNNA 

~WATCH THE TRAILER~

PUYB Author Talks: ⭐A Bookish Conversation with 'S'Mores Siren Song' Virginia Barlow⭐ #SmoresSirenSong #interview

 

Virginia Barlow has a great zest for life and loves her family. She likes to crochet, knit and quilt, and likes to make blankets for her grandchildren. She bakes a little and cooks when she has to. Roses are her passion and at one time she had over a hundred rose plants in her yard of various colors.

Virginia has always been an avid reader and loves being an author. Seeing her stories in print are one of the finest things in her life, next to her family and friends.

Her latest book is the paranormal romance fantasy, S’mores Siren Song.

You can visit Virginia’s website at https://www.virginia-barlow.com or connect with her on Twitter, Goodreads and Facebook.

 

Before you started writing your book, what kind of research did you do to prepare yourself? 

I do a story outline and a character worksheet. If it is a historical, I research the time, inventions, phrases, names etc.

Did you pursue publishers or did you opt to self-pub? 

I publish with The Wild Rose Press

If published by a publisher, what was your deciding factor in going with them? 

I love the atmosphere starting with Rhona and RJ to every author. It is a beautiful place to work.

If published by a publisher, are you happy with the price they chose? 

I am happy with everything they do for me.

Did you purposefully choose a distinct month to release your book?  

Why? I don’t decide the release date. It is dependent on final author approval and the marketing department.

How did you choose your cover? 

The Wild Rose Press has the best artists in the business on staff and they do my artwork.

Did you write your book, then revise or revise as you went? 

I write my book and then yes, I revise and revise. Sometimes when it is finished an idea comes to me and then I change to implement the new idea.

Did you come up with special swag for your book and how are you using it to help get the word out about your book?   

I use The Wild Rose Press’ swag. 

Did you consider making or hiring someone to make a book trailer for your book?  If so, what’s the link? 

I pay Jody Vitek for my book trailers. www.jodyvitek.com

What’s your opinion on giving your book away to sell other copies of your book? 

I do give a copy of my book away to sell a new release on occasion. You just have to watch for it.

What are three of the most important things you believe an author should do before their book is released? 

I believe that an author should have a marketing plan, go on a blog tour, and get a book trailer.

What are three of the most important things you believe an author should do after their book is released? 

I believe it is all about exposure. Book reviews, influencers, and book signings are good tools.

What kind of pre-promotion did you do before the book came out?

I sign up for blog tours, I pay for a book trailer, I post on social media, and I offer my books on Net Galley.

Do you have a long term plan with your book? 

Long term I plan to sell books and more books. It really is an enjoyable way to spend my time.

What would you like to say to your readers and fans about your book?

S’mores Siren Song is a paranormal adventure I enjoyed writing very much. The characters came to life on their own and I had the time of my life keeping up. I hope my readers enjoy the story as much as I do.

 

Inside the Book

Addy Townsend runs an ice cream parlor in Mystic Cove, Maine. Cursed to spend her days human and her nights as a siren, she has until her twenty-fifth birthday to make her decision. Fighting against as corporate fishing company to preserve the lifestyle and well being of the locals, she asks for help and Commander Benjamin Yeates of the Coast Guard arrives to investigate her allegations. As a marine biologist, he is very interested in the rumors of a mermaid in the cove and wants to collect DNA for study. He falls hard and fast for Addy before he discovers there’s more to her than meets the eye.

Book Information

Release Date: July 6, 2022

Publisher:  Wild Rose Press

Kindle eBook: 86 pages; $3.99

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3cASLNS

 

 

PUYB Author Talks: ⭐A Bookish Conversation with 'The Portuguese Immigrant' Devin Meireles⭐ #The Portuguese Immigrant #interview

Devin Meireles is a healthcare administrative worker from Toronto that moonlights as a freelance writer. Apart from creative writing, Devin enjoys films, history, genealogy, and stamps in his passport. He wrote a narrative nonfiction book about his grandfather’s immigration story and has published many articles in literary journals and cultural magazines.

His latest book is the narrative nonfiction, The Portuguese Immigrant: Atlantic Heritage Story.

You can connect with him at Instagram at www.instagram.com/lusoloonie. 

 

How did you  come up with the idea to write your book?

Devin: Thanks for having me! The idea came after years of collecting genealogical data. My intent was to learn more about my family and why my grandfather came to Canada. I wanted to understand his experience of immigrating here. My discoveries were profound and it was poetic for me to know that history. There were things I learned about that I never knew before. It helped me to appreciate where I am today. It’s a great privilege to be Canadian-born with so many opportunities at my doorstep. When the pandemic hit, I started to write all that ancestry information into a narrative nonfiction story and it evolved from there. Many months later, the project morphed into a biography manuscript that I wanted to share with my relatives and other immigrants alike that could benefit or be inspired from what I did.

Can you give us a short excerpt?

Devin: “Sloshing over a damp, unpaved road through the village, each step in the mud brought her closer to him. She was donned in a black, hooded cape that covered her wholly from the misty rain. Her bright eyes glowed like a cat, reflecting off the sun that peaked through the overcast. Birds scattered for shelter, but the shifty weather could not deter her feelings. Flying parallel with the eagles that flew above the clouds, her heart soared just as high while her attentive gaze was focused ahead.

She was driven towards his warmth and kindness; he was the apple in her glittering eyes. When inhibition stood between, they denied their adoration for each other, fearing judgment from the townspeople. However, unbridled love saw no bounds and could not be withstood. Maria Angelina de Conceição Cabral, my bisavó (great-grandmother), defied taboo after falling in love with an older man. She encapsulated the earliest demonstration of nonconformity that I had uncovered. 

Situated in the North Atlantic Ocean, on a remote utopia, her freguesia (village) was of a few hundred people that typically adopted conventional lifestyles of the time. On São Miguel Island, the islanders seldomly challenged the status quo. Their homeland is one of nine volcanic islands that make up the Azores archipelago, west of mainland Portugal. At one time or another, it was speculated to be the site of the mythical Atlantis, the lost city where buried treasures lie underwater. In whatever way, I had brought to light the legacy of my bisavó while searching for my family heritage.

She grew up hearing jarring tales of folklore and overseas conquests that contributed to the mystique of island history. Walking the storied coastline, haunted by generations passed, her journey’s end was approaching. She headed for the local variety store that sold everyday goods, where he ran day-to-day operations. As proprietor of the business, he was an influential member of the community whom she adored. As she came of age after the turn of the century, her heart was set on the middle-aged man, Manuel de Lima Meireles, my bisavô (great-grandfather). He was more than twenty years her senior.”

What part of the book was the most fun to write?

Devin: Diving into my father’s birth was the most fun. When I took a deeper dive into that date, November 8, I was amazed with what my grandmother overcame to get to that point. She came from a place with far less resources and opportunities. She was accustomed to solving things for herself. When she gave birth to my father, she took herself to the hospital while my grandfather was out working. At the same time, the American election happened south of the border. By the time my father was born, JFK had been elected and it was symbolic of a new beginning, both internationally and at my grandparents’ home. It was the beginning of a new era. My father was their greatest achievement after so many years of hardship in the Azores.

What’s one fact about your book that would surprise people?

Devin: I wrote this story without breaking the bank. I invested in some DNA research and ancestry websites however the majority of my information came from interviews with family members. With what they told me, I was able to expand on the storytelling to incorporate historical events. Researching the typical environment for the time was one of the biggest contributions. Learning about the environmental factors and political landscape surrounding the time was important to look at. As I understood more about those external factors, I was able to draw out a dialogue surrounding life events as I knew how things were going to pan out.

What other books are you working on and when will they be published?

Devin: I am developing a story from my personal experience of visiting the Portuguese islands. My Atlantic heritage really inspires me. Hopefully I can get something out next year. 

Do you have any final words?

Devin: Stay curious. Write it down. And as time passes, you will be amazed with how much you have collected. Thanks for your interest in my story and I hope that you will be inspired to do the same!

 

Inside the Book

The Portuguese Immigrant: Atlantic Heritage Story is a narrative non-fiction book about the author’s family history—particularly the lives of their paternal ancestors from Sao Miguel Island in Portugal. The story begins with their great-grandparents before shifting focus to their paternal grandparents and their unconditional love for each other. Their relationship overcame many obstacles of the time and they were physically separated for nearly three years after leaving the homeland. They became immigrants in Canada—a place where the author found themselves born and raised, being something that they are grateful for yet fascinated to reflect on the history of how it happened.

Weaving a wonderful tale of the struggles and triumphs as well as the rich Portuguese culture of their ancestry, the book follows their grandfather, Vovô, who was the impetus for life in the New World. Embarking on the journey of lifetime, they carried out a mission guided by true love to carve out a fighting chance for the future of his family.

The author speaks on various characteristics embodied and behavioural traits that have shaped their sense of self today while forging a deep connection with their ancestors. Understanding more about themselves than anticipated along the way to show that it really is all in the family. The history that behooves us has been set out for those with the privilege to continue down the path—a sentiment that the author draws out with great detail. Their descriptions of events set the scene to take the reader back in time.

Book Information

Release Date: January 18, 2022

Publisher:  Independent

Soft Cover: ISBN:  978-1777996611; 197 pages; $18.99; eBook $4.99; FREE on Kindle Unlimited

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3IsJSSC 

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3NUhMAB