Night of Flames

NEW WEB SITE

2010-07-07T14:04:00.000-07:00

Continuing my excursion into the 21st century, I now have an actual website. Check it out at www.douglaswjacobson.com

THE KATYN STORY - NPR INTERVIEW

2010-04-17T13:14:00.000-07:00

I was interviewed on NPR radio - Milwaukee recently for background on the secret murders of thousands of Polish army officers in the Katyn Forest in 1940. You can hear the interview by clicking here on WUWM.

THE CURSE OF KATYN LIVES ON!

2010-04-11T08:35:00.000-07:00

Good news sometimes comes mixed with tragic news. I was just informed that my second historical novel, THE DARK AND SILENT, has been accepted for publication. The book focuses on the brutal murders of twenty thousand Polish officers at the hands of the Soviet NKVD in April, 1940, and the ensuing cover-up. Then, just a day later, the world was shocked to learn of the plane crash and tragic loss of Poland's government officials. The plane crashed near Smolensk, Russia and the Katyn forest, the same location where the Polish officers were murdered 70 years ago.

In 1940, The government of the Soviet Union secretly ordered the murders in an attempt to eradicate the elite of Polish society. The Soviets denied any involvement in the Katyn massacre for over fifty years, until the 1990's when then Soviet President Boris Yeltsin revealed the secret order signed by Joseph Stalin authorizing the murders. In yesterday's plane crash - 70 years later - more than eighty of Poland's top government officials and military leaders died in the exact same location.

HONORING OUR VETERANS

2009-11-11T08:06:00.000-08:00

In honor of veterans everywhere, one of the most memorable war poems ever written . . .

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders Fields

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hand we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders Fields

- Lt. Colonel John McCrae, MD
Canadian Army

To veterans everywhere - Thank you for your service.

Comet Line & Night of Flames featured in CHICAGO SUN-TIMES

2009-10-26T08:36:00.000-07:00

Due to the wonders of virtual book tours and the entuhiasm of one of the bloggers, the story of the Comet Line was recently published in the CHICAGO SUN TIMES. It's a great tribute to the brave people of the Comet Line who risked their lives for freedom and one of my greatest inspirations in writing. Check out the link.

NIGHT OF FLAMES Book Tour - Week 4

2009-09-25T05:09:00.000-07:00

Week 4 Book Tour Stops:

As the Pages Turn- interview & guest post
Diary of an Eccentric - review
Lit and Life - review
New York Book Cafe - review

NIGHT OF FLAMES BOOK TOUR - WEEK 3

2009-09-14T08:39:00.000-07:00

The NIGHT OF FLAMES book tour begins week three. here are the tour stopes for each day.

Monday 9/14, My Reading Room

Tuesday 9/15, Miss remmer's Review

Wednesday 9/16, You've GOTTA Read This

Thursday 9/17, Paperback Writer

Friday 0/18, The Book Connection

WATCH THE VIDEO

2009-09-10T18:51:00.000-07:00

Hey, a book trailer for NIGHT OF FLAMES. Its pretty cool stuff and I can say that because, of course, I didn't produce it. I did offer the text and a few pictures but Dorothy Thompson and her crew did the job. My dear friend, Jet said it made her cry so it must be good.

Click on "Night of Flames Trailer."

NEXT TOUR STOP

2009-09-10T08:15:00.000-07:00

The book tourt stop on Thursday, September 10 . . .

The Writers Life

NEXT TOUR STOP

2009-09-09T08:27:00.000-07:00

The next stop on the NIGHT OF FLAMES book tour is Wednesday, September 9 . . .

Libby's Library News

NIGHT OF FLAMES BOOK TOUR - NEXT STOP

2009-09-08T05:15:00.000-07:00

The NIGHT OF FLAMES book tour begins the 2nd week with on stop on Tuesday, September 8 at The American Chronicle.

NIGHT OF FLAMES - Next Tour Stop

2009-09-04T07:31:00.000-07:00

The NIGHT OF FLAMES book tour's next stop on Friday, September 4 . . .

www.fantasy-pages.blogspot.com

NIGHT OF FLAMES - Next Tour Stop

2009-09-02T14:34:00.000-07:00

NIGHT OF FLAMES Book Tour
Tour stop for Thursday, September 3

Book Marketing Buzz

70th Anniversary of the beginning of WW2

2009-09-02T09:22:00.000-07:00

On September 1st, 1939 the first shots of WW2 were fired from a German warship at a Polish military outpost on a wind-swept peninsula near what is now Gdansk, Poland. It was the opening salvo of the greatest conflict in human history. Before it ended the storm of war would touch every continent on earth and claim more than fifty million lives.

Poland, of course, was the first to be swept up, attacked by the Germans on September 1st then, sixteen days later, in a sneak attack by the Russians. Unknown to the rest of the world, Germany and Russia had signed a secret non-aggression treaty in mid-August, 1939 which included protocols for the division of eastern Europe between them. Of course, the two great criminals, Hitler and Stalin, would be at each others throats less than two years later.

Yesterday, leaders from Europe, Russia and the United States gathered at Gdansk to commemorate the 70th anniversary, vowing to never let it happen again. "Remembering the cruelty, the extermination of peoples and nations, is perhaps the most important and effective shield against another war," said Polish Prime Minister, Donald Tusk. German Prime Minister, Angela Merkel said, "Remembering the war and its victims was Germany's everlasting historical responsibility." Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister of Russia said that all of the nations responsible "need to admit such mistakes."

President Barack Obama sent a message reminding the world that today Poland is a member of NATO and protected by the treaty that treats an attack on one as an attack on all.

We all pray that treaty will never have to be acted upon.

For more information see World At War

NIGHT OF FLAMES - NEXT TOUR STOP

2009-09-01T07:10:00.000-07:00

The NIGHT OF FLAMES book tour moves on. The next stop is . . .

Wednesday, September 2
Beyond The Books

NIGHT OF FLAMES Book Tour Starts Tomorrow!!

2009-08-31T10:43:00.000-07:00

The NIGHT OF FLAMES book tour starts tomorrow, September 1st and runs through October with one tour stop each day.
Tour stops will be posted here every day for the following day's stop.

Tour Stop for Tuesday, September 1st . . .

Between the Covers

I'll look forward to your comments and feedback!

Night of Flames Going on Tour!!

2009-08-24T08:02:00.001-07:00

NIGHT OF FLAMES : A novel of World War Two is going on tour - a virtual blog tour, that is, which I have come to learn is the 21st century mode of book promotions. At the most recent HNS (Historical Novel Society) conference in Chicago, dozens of accomplished authors were talking about their success in on-line book promotions through virtual blog tours. One of the organizations most frequently mentioned was Pump up your Book Promtion. So I contacted the organization's founder, Dorothy Thompson and we were off and rolling. The tour will run through Setember and October with a different book blog featuring NIGHT OF FLAMES each day. Dorothy has kept me busy for the last few weeks writing guest posts and filling out author interviews but it should be great fun when it gets rolling and will hopefully bring Anna and Jan's story of courage and determination to many more readers of historical fiction. Keep watching this blog for updates.
world war two historical fiction

Back from HNS

2009-06-16T15:18:00.000-07:00

Janie and I just returned from the bi-annual conference of the Historical Novel Society in Schaumburg, IL. I participated on two panel discussions - Historical Accuracy vs Plot, and Historical Boys, A Panel about Testosterone. That last one had me wondering what I was thinking about when I agreed to sign up, but it didn't turn out to be what I thought it might (thankfully). Besides, after five other authors did their traditional reading of sex scenes the night before, there wasn't much we could talk about to top that. It was another great conference and, as always, we met some very nice and interesting folks.

Another round of Speaking in "God's Country"

2009-06-16T15:12:00.000-07:00

Door County is our favorite place on earth (Longboat Key could be close second) and it's great to have so many supporters of NIGHT OF FLAMES. Last week I was privledged to speak at the monthly meeting of the Door County Historical Society, a great group of nice people who even got me to sign up in the Sons of Norway! Then a few days later I gave a presentation to the Door County Library during their "World War Two Week" commorating the 65th anniversary of D-Day. That last gig was set up by my pal Nick Friemuth of the Door County Daily News when Janie and I happened to stop in for lunch at Stone Harbor where he was doing his weekly radio broadcast. You have to love Door County!!!

Check out 'Reader's Circle"

2009-03-17T14:40:00.000-07:00

If you're looking to connect with a book club in your area, or if you wish to start a book club, "Reader's Circle" is the place to go. They have a great website that lists hundreds of book clubs throughout the country. It's very user friendly, you can do searches by zip code and find out who's reading mysteries, chick lit, historical fiction, whatever your tastes are. Check it out!

"FLAMES" to be nominated for Wisconsin Book Festival

2009-03-17T14:25:00.000-07:00

I got a bit of good news last week. I received an e-mail from the Polish Heritage Club of Madison, WI informing me that they wished to nominate me as a presenter to discuss NIGHT OF FLAMES at the Wisconsin Book festival in October. We hadn't corresponded in almost a year and they were kind enough to remember me and the book. Aren't people great! So, I'm hoping their application will be accepted and for the ooprtunity to talk with folks about NIGHT OF FLAMES in October.

The COMET LINE story goes "on-line"

2009-02-09T14:11:00.000-08:00

As most of you know, the story of the COMET LINE is an important part of NIGHT OF FLAMES and getting to know the surviving agents of this remarkable WW2 orgaization has been one of my greatest thrills. Through meeting these brave ladies and the people in Belgium who keep their memory alive I have gained an appreciation for courage that I could never before have imagined.

So, when I had the opportunity to tell their story to a whole new audience I, of course, jumped at the chance. This opportuinty came through the on-line reading challenge sponsored by War Through the Generations. If you click on the highlighted link, you can read the three-part series I wrote for them about the heroic deeds of the COMET LINE.

These are very special people and their story deserves to be shared. A new generation of tomorrow's heroes could be inspired by what they accomplished through grit and a desire for freedom during Europe's darkest hours.

New Reviews of NIGHT OF FLAMES

2009-02-09T14:01:00.000-08:00

NIGHT OF FLAMES has been recently reviewed on two on-line book review blogs. They're both available by clicking on War Through Generations

You'll notice that one of the reviewers had a grandfather who spent much of his time during WW2 in Antwerp. I love it when this stuff comes up.

WW2 READING CHALLENGE FOR 2009

2008-12-17T13:01:00.000-08:00

A great new reading challenge is being launched for 2009 which will be of interest all World War Two enthusiasts. It's being sponsored by the folks at "War Through the Generations" and will be a great chance for all of us to read and learm more about the most significant event of the 20th century. I'm diving in and I invite all of you to do the same. It will be a lot of fun and prizes will be awarded, including two signed copies of NIGHT OF FLAMES. Check out the details at War Through the Generations.

Start thinking about the books you want to read and get crackin'!!

Now Playing - "Author Chat"

2008-11-21T14:25:00.000-08:00

I'm currently participating in "Author Chat" on the Library Thing website. Check it out and this is your chance to ask embarrasing questions.

Back from Poland!

2008-11-01T04:59:00.000-07:00

I've just returned from a four day trip to Poland with my daughter, Kerri. We had a grand time, the first father-daughter trip since I accompanied the Girl Scouts to Chicago when she was 10 years old. Long overdue I'd say. We flew from Brussels to Warsaw on WIZZ Air (that alone is an intersting experience, but for $95 round trip I'll elbow my way for a seat any day). Our mission was some final research for my second book which is set largely in Warsaw and Krakow with a final bit up in the Tatra Mountains near the border with Slovakia. Kerri, as those of you who know her will attest, is a determined investigator and we trudged the streets of Warsaw and Krakow checking out resarch details such as, "can you really see Krasinski Sqaure from the windows of the old palace on Dluga Street?" It turns out you can't. So, edit and move on. But we did spot my new "heroine" on the train from Warsaw to Krakow. When the girl operating the refreshment cart poked her head into our compartment Kerri nudged my shoulder and said, "Dad, there's 'Natalia".

Win a FREE copy of NIGHT OF FLAMES

2008-10-22T06:44:00.000-07:00

Welome book bloggers! Feel free to cruise around this site to get a feel for what NIGHT OF FLAMES is all about and why I´m so passionate about the courage and heroism of ordinary people during WW2.

Then post a comment about why you think you might enjoy reading and reviewing NIGHT OF FLAMES. You may be the winner of a copy signed by the author (that would be me).

Thanks for stopping by!

The Latest Author Interview

2008-10-02T14:50:00.000-07:00

I just completed an interview on the book blog "Literarily". Isn't technology great? You can check out the interview by clicking on the Literarily Blog Site. And, you might win a free copy of NIGHT OF FLAMES.

The Paperback is out!!

2008-09-09T17:56:00.000-07:00

The paperback edition of NIGHT OF FLAMES has just been released. A box of them showed up at my front door this morning. It should be on Amazon within the next few days and in the bookstores shortly after that. We are very pleased that so many people have enjoyed the story of Jan and Anna, and the courageous people of World War Two!

Night of Flames receives "Outstanding Achievement" Award

2008-07-02T08:42:00.000-07:00

I was quite surprised, and very pleased, to open the mail a few days ago and read the letter from the Wisconsin Library Association. They selected Night of Flames for a 2008 "Outstanding Achievement Award." It was among 10 books selected out of 250 published by Wisconsin authors during 2007.

A Fantastic Time in Philly

2008-06-27T15:36:00.000-07:00

We had more than just a great cheese steak during our recent weekend in Philadelphia. Janie and I attended the annual PIASA convention (Polish Institute of Arts and Sciences of America) where my friend Tom Napierkowski and I made a presentation about NIGHT OF FLAMES. Tom is is an English professor at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs and has been a great fan and booster of the book. Together we told the story of Poland's courage and resistance during WW2. It was very well received, a lot of great questions and comments and the book sold extremely well. But the best part of the weekend was the chance to meet many gracious and interesting people, including Poland's Ambassador to NATO and the head of Cultural and Public Affairs for the Embassy of Poland in Washington D.C. We had some great Polish food, a gala reception and fine dinner in the center of Philadelphia's Historic Center. My thanks to Tom for suggesting the idea, to Dr. Thad Gromada for putting us on the agenda and to all the people who treated us so warmly. We hope to be back again sometime soon.

Night of Flames in Second Printing

2008-06-11T20:05:00.000-07:00

We achieved a great milestone recently when the publisher authorized a second printing of the hardcover version of Night of Flames. They have scheduled the paperback edition to come out in October of this year but it seems we've also sold out the 1st hardcover run. I'm very grateful and appreciative for all the support of my friends and family in helping to make this a very successful venture. It has really been a pretty nifty ride. THANKS!!! The second book is on the way! Tomorrow we're off to Philadelphia and the annual meeting of the Polish Institute of Arts and Sciences. Stay tuned and thanks again.

In Memory of "Harry"

2008-05-11T12:39:00.000-07:00

One of the most interesting historical figures I discovered while researching NIGHT OF FLAMES, was the WW2 Belgian Resistance Leader, Colonel Eugene Colson, code name, "Harry". Colson was a merchant seaman and leader of one of Belgium's many Resistance organizations. For several months in mid-1944, leading up to the liberation of Belgium, Colson secretly brought together other covert Resistance groups in Antwerp forming a team of several hundred dockworkers, seamen, and naval officers that surprised the German garrison in Antwerp and seized the port. They held it until the British and Canadians arrived, thus preserving for Allied use, this vital sea-port.

Just two weeks ago I received an e-mail from the editor of the Gazette van Detroit informing me that an aquaintance of hers who was searching for a war-time friend sent her a copy of Colonel Colson's memorial card. It turns out that they both served under him during the war. "Harry", who passed away in January, 2000, a true hero of the war, wrote these words which were included in his memorial . . . " I am not far off, just on another ship"

New Articles Published

2008-05-09T12:45:00.001-07:00

In a respite from working on "Book 2" (as yet untitled) I submitted a couple of articles that have recently been published. The GAZETTE VAN DETROIT ran my article entitled "Saving the Port" about the liberation of the port of Antwerp in September, 1944 and, specifically, the crucial role played by the Belgian Resistance. THE POLISH AMERICAN JOURNAL just ran the first of a three-part series on "The Polish 1st Armored Division in WW2". This is an account of the heroic efforts of the Polish soldiers fighting alongside the British, Americans and Canadians through France, Belgium, Holland and on into Germany.

Night of Flames reviewed in London

2008-04-02T16:34:00.000-07:00

The Belgian Embassy of London included a review of NIGHT OF FLAMES in their most recent newsletter. It was the same issue in which they ran the story of the passing of the brilliant Belgian author, Hugo Claus. His extraordinary book, THE SORROW OF BELGIUM, is important reading for anyone who wants to truly grasp what was going on in Belgium during WW2. I am honored to be mentioned in the same publication.

Night of Flames on TV (At last)

2008-03-07T14:15:00.000-08:00

We finally outlasted the snowstorms and Brett Favre's retirement announcements that had pre-empted the show three times. On Tuesday, March 25, Night of Flames was featured on on WTMJ-TV's popular show, "The Morning Blend". The show's hosts, Molly and Alison were terrific, producing a very creative introduction featuring Andree de Jongh and the Comet Line, which all of you know I'm quite passionate about, and is one of my inspirations for the book. They've even got a great photo of me with the Comete Kinship group and "Nadine" holding a copy of the book. If Night of Flames helps keep alive the story of these heroic young women during WW2 it will all be worth it. If you missed the broadcast you can see it on-line at The Morning Blend website.

Belgian Hospitality at its Best

2008-02-22T03:52:00.000-08:00

Last night was one of the highlights of my journey with NIGHT OF FLAMES. The American Club of Brussels sponsored a "Meet the Author" event at the Brussels Renaissance Hotel. It was indeed a classy event - true Belgian hospitality, complete with a bar, passed hors d'oeuvres,and the warm comaradarie of about sixty ACB members and guests. We were particularly honored to have as our special guests several members of Comete Kinship Belgium, including Nadine Dumon, Jeanine de Greef, and Monique Hannotte, veterans of this extraordinary WW2 escape organization. Waterstone's Bookstore of Brussels was on hand with a supply of books which kept me busy signing copies during sips of Leffe. A lively question & answer session followed the presentation with everyone participating, including our veteran Comet Line agents. Janie and I extend our sincere thanks to Cobb and Lana Rogers, our hosts for the evening; to Brigitte, Martine, Edouard and Philippe of Comete Kinship fror their continuing support; to the members of ACB for their warm hospitality; and to the Vermeylens, our dear friends and extended family here in Belgium.

Night of Flames on Milwaukee Public Radio

2008-02-05T14:42:00.000-08:00

I was very pleased to be interviewd recently by Dan Harmon of WUWM-FM, Milwaukee's public radio station. The segment aired today (February 5th) on the station's popular "Lake Effect" show. You can hear the interview by clicking on Lake Effect.
world war two,

"TODAY'S AUTHOR" features NIGHT OF FLAMES

2008-01-16T08:17:00.000-08:00

Maybe it's a sign of age but I'm continually amazed by the technology that surrounds us. The latest revelation I discovered (perhaps old news to those of you more up to date) is Blog Talk Radio. I have to thank my friend and fellow author, Stacey Kannenberg, for putting me on to this. She was actually the first person ever interviewed on the program. At any rate, I was interviewed by David Ewen, host of the "Today's Author" program on Monday, January 14th. We discussed the book, the task of writing, finding a publisher, all in about fifteen minutes. It was a very unique experience and a lot of fun to do. The end product is quite impressive, especially since I didn't have to do anything except talk. What's next? To listen to the interview (complete with images) click onto Play Interview

In Bastogne with the BAND OF BROTHERS

2007-12-23T12:29:00.000-08:00

Last weekend I was privileged to join several WW2 veterans of the 101st Airborne Division - Easy Company at the annual festival in Bastogne, Belgium commerating the Battle of the Bulge. These were the extraordinary men featured in the Stephen Ambrose book and the HBO series, "Band of Brothers". And this was the location where the 101st Division earned its place in the lore of military history by holding out for over a month during December of 1944 defending the strategically crucial city of Bastogne against the German onslaught. The 101st was surrounded by several Wehrmacht divisions, yet, periously low on ammunition, food and medical supplies, hunkered down in foxholes during Europe's coldest winter in a hundred years and defended the city until reinforcements made their way in. It marked the end of Germany's last major effort to win the war. On this weekend, 63 years later, I was honored to spend time with Ed Shames, Herb Suerth, Frank Sobeleski and other veterans of this storied unit. And among all the other exciting events of the weekend perhaps my most vivid memories are the displays of emotion and gratitude on the part of the hundreds of Belgian and Dutch people who were in Bastogne to pay tribute to these brave heroes of World War Two.

Meeting a "Comet Line" Agent

2007-12-07T08:20:00.000-08:00

She is petite with grayish-blond hair, a ready smile and a sparkle in her eye. She is soft-spoken in her Flemish accented English but remembers every detail of those days over sixty years ago when she was an agent for the "Comet Line." Andree Dumon (code name, "Nadine")was recruited at age seventeen by a local school teacher into Belgium's covert escape line for Allied aviators. We met for a luncheon along with another of her fellow agents from the war years, Denise Claycomb, and Comete Kinship Belgium at Maison des Ailes (the House of Wings)in Brussels. Operating out of her parents' home in Brussels from 1941-43, Nadine escorted more than twenty Allied airman shot down over Belgium to a safehouse in Paris. Traveling by trains at night she would lead the aviators, all of them older and a lot taller than she was, through checkpoints, advising them to keep quiet whenever German soldiers demanded to see their falsified identification cards. In Paris she would hand them over to another agent, known to her only by a number or codename. This agent would in turn lead them on another route and the clandestine action was repeated over and over until the aviator was safely across the Pyrenees mountains into Spain and on his way to safety in England. Eventually, like most agents of the Comet Line, Nadine's luck ran out and she was arrested by the Gestapo along with her mother and father. During more than two years in three different German concentration camps, suffering from typhus, Nadine managed to survive until liberation by Allied armies in 1945. As she was telling me her story, her smile broadened as she remarked how, in the years after the war, she has been reunited with all of the young American, British, Canadian and Australian aviators she managed to help escape certain death by the Nazi occupiers.

Running around Belgium

2007-11-29T01:25:00.000-08:00

We arrived in Belgium yesterday and in between grandparent stuff a lot is happening for NIGHT OF FLAMES. On Friday I'm meeting with Cobb Rogers of The American Club of Brussels to plan a presentation & book signing for February. Later that day, I'll be meeting with the US Embassy in Brussels who are interested in the WW2 Belgian Resistance groups I wrote about in the book. They're planning an exhibition in February/March on US-Belgian relations. Monday is the meeting with Comete Kinship Belgium, the organization of WW2 heroine, Andree de Jongh and the Comet Line escape organization. And...an unexpected adventure in Bastogne. I was contacted by an old friend who will be in Belgium next week along with several WW2 veterans of the 101st Airborne Division - Easy Company - that fought in the Battle of the Bulge. They'll be attending a festival commemorating the epic battle and the opening of a new museum in Bastogne. I'll be joining the group in Bastogne next week Friday.

Polish-American publications review NIGHT OF FLAMES

2007-11-09T17:26:00.000-08:00

Night of Flames received two recent reviews in Polish-American publications. POLISH HERITAGE, the quarterly newsletter of the American Council for Polish Culture, in their fall, 2007 edition said, "...the story is a great reminder of the courage and fortitude of those who lived through those times...a lesson in history with a love story - love of country and family". The AM-POL EAGLE, the weekly Polish-American newspaper in New York state, described the story in great detail (the reviewer being quite well informed about WW2 history) and concluded that the book was, "...released just in time for Christmas and all Polish-Americans should buy it and learn about our heroic and tragic past". I couldn't have said it better myself.

NIGHT OF FLAMES....On The Radio

2007-10-26T15:25:00.000-07:00

The last 24 hours has been an exciting time for me and for NIGHT OF FLAMES. The day after doing a reading and book signing at Harry W. Schwartz Bookstore in Brookfield, WI, Janie & I drove up to Sturgeon Bay where I spoke at the Sturgeon Bay Rotary Club. It was a great group of people--as are all Rotarians--who were very warm and welcoming and truly interested in the book and my story in writing it. One of the Rotarians turned out to be Nick Freimuth, News & Sports Director for the Door County Daily News. Nick also does a show three days a week on arts & entertainment. The next thing I knew, I was being intervied on the radio the following day from the beautiful Stone Harbor Resort in Sturgeon Bay. It goes without saying it was a very unique experience for me and great exposure for NIGHT OF FLAMES. Thanks to today's modern technology, you can tune in and hear the podcast of the interview by clicking on Door County Daily News.

Night of Flames Launched with a Party

2007-10-16T12:38:00.000-07:00

Janie and I were joined last night by our closest friends and relatives for the "launching" of NIGHT OF FLAMES. It was a once in a lifetime experience to be able to share the moment with all those who have been so close to us and so supportive over the years. Friendship is what makes everything else worth doing.

Founder of "Comet Line" dies in Belgium

2007-10-16T12:27:00.000-07:00

Andree de Jongh, who founded the Comet Line in 1941 at age 24 passed away yesterday. She was 90. During the war years, operatives of the Comet Line risked their lives escorting almost a thousand downed Allied aviators out of occupied Belgium and France and back to England so they could carry on the fight. It was the largest and most successful covert resue operation in Europe. Ms de Jongh was arrested by the Germans in 1943 and subjected to torture and imprisonment. She survived the war, was made a Countess of Belgium and was awarded the US Medal of Freedom. Andree de Jongh was an inspiration to me in writing NIGHT OF FLAMES and the Comet Line is an integral part of the story.

Author addresses Polish and Belgian Groups

2007-09-21T14:00:00.000-07:00

This was a fun but whirlwind week. On wednesday September 19th I was the guest speaker at the Chicago Society of the Polish National Alliance. My hosts, T. Ron Jasinski-Herbert and Conrad Miczko and all the Chicago Society members were great a great audience, a lot of fun to be with, and very interested in Poland's contributions to the war effort during WW2. A couple of the older vets were able to share some of their own experineces as well - always the best part of these meetings. Mira Puacz, owner of the Polonia Bookstore in Chicago was on hand as well to lend her support and help out.

Then, the next day, it was on to Namur, in Door County, Wisconsin, home to the largest concentration of Belgian Americans in the U.S. where I spoke to the Penisula Begian-American Club. It was a marvelous evening with our hosts Al Alexanader, Jim Lampereur and their family and friends from the area. My wife Janie and I were warmly received as we talked about the perseverance and courage of the Belgian people during the war. Again, some of the best moments came when people shared their own stories or those of their parents and relatives who lived through the occupation.

LIBRARY JOURNAL PRAISES NIGHT OF FLAMES

2007-08-02T14:36:00.000-07:00

The Library Journal will publish a review of Night of Flames in its August, 2007 edition. Reviewer, Ron Terpening, best selling author and professor at the University of Arizona, describes the book as, "suspenseful, rich in convincingly detailed incidents, and impeccably researched." Read more under the Reviews section below.

Chance Meeting at HNS Conference

2007-06-27T13:28:00.000-07:00

While having breakfast on Sunday morning at HNS the couple sitting next to us asked about Night of Flames. I handed them the advance proof and, as the woman read the synopsis on the back of the book, her eyes became very wide. "My father served in the Polish cavalry," she said, breathlessly. What a treat!