Monday, 3 August 2009
Changing with time
Very soon my blog will have a new title and hopefully a new location that will keep it within my new website michaeljparker.com. THE THIRD SECRET may have run its course within a few weeks and my attention will turn to my next book, A COVERT WAR. I have no idea when it will be published, but expect it to be out in about ten months. My son, Terry is working on my website and together we hope to get my name further out into the public domain than it is now. I have had good reports from people about my work, but precious little from the professionals who seem so difficult to involve. I have signed up with the International Thriller Writers as a contributing editor and hopefully that will put my name into the American heartlands. So for now it's a case of 'wish me luck'. Perhaps I'll hear from some of my 'followers' with tips and suggestions.
Friday, 3 July 2009
Reviews.
It's always nice to get good reviews. Here is one from Nik Morton, a prolific writer, editor and illustrator. You can learn more about Nik at www.freewebs.com/nikmorton.
Nik's review:
THE THIRD SECRET
Michael Parker
Spanning the period 1941 to 1970, this sixth book by Parker is a relentless page-turning adventure that should appeal to fans of Frederick Forsyth.
It opens in the Vatican in 1941 and a Cardinal is substituting an important document in the Secret Archives. He is fearful for the original’s safety, as it, together with Vatican gold, was being shipped abroad before either the Nazis or the Russians might plunder Rome. While passing through Chad, the secret Italian convoy transporting the Vatican gold is attacked by British troops led by Captain Miles Roselli. The transport truck is hidden away…
Some 22 years later, one of the Vatican gold ingots is located and the hunt is on to find the hiding place. In truth, the document is more valuable than the gold, as if it is revealed to the world as a fake it could discredit the Roman Catholic Church. Those involved in the search are Roselli, the Vatican’s special agent Cellini, the Mafia family Galliano, a French Foreign Legion commandant and Roselli’s children Angelina and Bruno.
Until her stepbrother arrived on the scene, Angelina’s life had been pretty ordinary. Once she decided to take the chance ‘to change from a kind of quiescence that characterized her life into something that promised the unknown’, she found herself fighting for dear life in dark wet caves and dodging bullets.
Parker has peppered the story with telling description, notably of the inhospitable mountains, and nuggets of information whether about bullion dealing or the Vatican Institute for Religious Works. Also, there are plenty of great phrases, for example: ‘… once he stopped trying, he would start dying.’ Another: ‘… began to think of other things rather than the footprints of a memory that he didn’t know he possessed.’
If you like your adventure tales with pace, intriguing characters, believable heroes and exotic locations, then this is definitely for you.
Nik Morton
Here is another review by Thomas Duffbert, a top reviewer with Amazon.com
I received a pretty good recreational read the other day in the mail... The Third Secret by Michael Parker. It had a bit of everything... intrigue, conspiracy, buried treasure, and a number of people all after a single item, but most all for different reasons.
There are two driving forces in the story. One is the third secret of Fatima from the Catholic Church. During World War II, it was thought that perhaps the German soldiers might overrun the Vatican and loot a number of treasures. A priest, acting on his own, decided to take the unrevealed third secret document, substitute a fake document, and send the real document out of country for safekeeping. The other force is a shipment of Vatican gold being sent out for the same reason. It just so happens that the document is also with the gold. While the Italians are transporting the gold shipment, it's attacked by an Allied patrol in the middle of the desert. They decide to hide the shipment in an unmarked cave until they can figure out how to divvy up the spoils. Of course, human greed takes over, a gun fight ensues, and only one(?) person is left alive that knows about the hiding spot. The rest of the story revolves around his plans to head back, recover the gold for himself, and potentially figure out exactly what that strange piece of paper was that was also with the gold. The main problem is that he's not the only one who gets wind of the recovery, and there are some very powerful people who are willing to do just about anything to make sure they are the winners in the search.
I've grown a bit tired of the Catholic conspiracy genre, as it's been done over and over. But in this case, the story line didn't seem to go overboard on the topic. There were enough competing interests so that the story stayed fresh. And even when I thought most everything was settled and I knew who was on what side, I found out I didn't. The Third Secret was an entertaining novel, and one that I'm glad I had the chance to read.
--
Thomas Duff (aka "Duffbert")
Duffbert's Random Musings: //www.duffbert.com
Top 25 Amazon Book Reviewer: http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A3R19YKNL641X3/
Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/duffbert
Nik's review:
THE THIRD SECRET
Michael Parker
Spanning the period 1941 to 1970, this sixth book by Parker is a relentless page-turning adventure that should appeal to fans of Frederick Forsyth.
It opens in the Vatican in 1941 and a Cardinal is substituting an important document in the Secret Archives. He is fearful for the original’s safety, as it, together with Vatican gold, was being shipped abroad before either the Nazis or the Russians might plunder Rome. While passing through Chad, the secret Italian convoy transporting the Vatican gold is attacked by British troops led by Captain Miles Roselli. The transport truck is hidden away…
Some 22 years later, one of the Vatican gold ingots is located and the hunt is on to find the hiding place. In truth, the document is more valuable than the gold, as if it is revealed to the world as a fake it could discredit the Roman Catholic Church. Those involved in the search are Roselli, the Vatican’s special agent Cellini, the Mafia family Galliano, a French Foreign Legion commandant and Roselli’s children Angelina and Bruno.
Until her stepbrother arrived on the scene, Angelina’s life had been pretty ordinary. Once she decided to take the chance ‘to change from a kind of quiescence that characterized her life into something that promised the unknown’, she found herself fighting for dear life in dark wet caves and dodging bullets.
Parker has peppered the story with telling description, notably of the inhospitable mountains, and nuggets of information whether about bullion dealing or the Vatican Institute for Religious Works. Also, there are plenty of great phrases, for example: ‘… once he stopped trying, he would start dying.’ Another: ‘… began to think of other things rather than the footprints of a memory that he didn’t know he possessed.’
If you like your adventure tales with pace, intriguing characters, believable heroes and exotic locations, then this is definitely for you.
Nik Morton
Here is another review by Thomas Duffbert, a top reviewer with Amazon.com
I received a pretty good recreational read the other day in the mail... The Third Secret by Michael Parker. It had a bit of everything... intrigue, conspiracy, buried treasure, and a number of people all after a single item, but most all for different reasons.
There are two driving forces in the story. One is the third secret of Fatima from the Catholic Church. During World War II, it was thought that perhaps the German soldiers might overrun the Vatican and loot a number of treasures. A priest, acting on his own, decided to take the unrevealed third secret document, substitute a fake document, and send the real document out of country for safekeeping. The other force is a shipment of Vatican gold being sent out for the same reason. It just so happens that the document is also with the gold. While the Italians are transporting the gold shipment, it's attacked by an Allied patrol in the middle of the desert. They decide to hide the shipment in an unmarked cave until they can figure out how to divvy up the spoils. Of course, human greed takes over, a gun fight ensues, and only one(?) person is left alive that knows about the hiding spot. The rest of the story revolves around his plans to head back, recover the gold for himself, and potentially figure out exactly what that strange piece of paper was that was also with the gold. The main problem is that he's not the only one who gets wind of the recovery, and there are some very powerful people who are willing to do just about anything to make sure they are the winners in the search.
I've grown a bit tired of the Catholic conspiracy genre, as it's been done over and over. But in this case, the story line didn't seem to go overboard on the topic. There were enough competing interests so that the story stayed fresh. And even when I thought most everything was settled and I knew who was on what side, I found out I didn't. The Third Secret was an entertaining novel, and one that I'm glad I had the chance to read.
--
Thomas Duff (aka "Duffbert")
Duffbert's Random Musings: //www.duffbert.com
Top 25 Amazon Book Reviewer: http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/A3R19YKNL641X3/
Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/duffbert
Monday, 22 June 2009
Any movement?
MONDAY JUNE 22nd.
Long time since my last entry, I know, but without followers asking questions or adding comments, there isn't much I need to add myself that often. My book has been out a little over three weeks now, and I am still waiting to hear the sound of heavy footsteps beating a path to my door because the world wants to buy my book. But to put things into perspective, I went into our local Card & Gift shop where I had placed five, signed copies of THE THIRD SECRET together with a small, A4 display poster. They told me they had sold four copies. It brought a big smile to my face. It means I may get a run on the book! I might have to put another five copies in! So, Dan Brown, watch your back! It's funny, isn't it, how lttle things please little minds? But I jest; I really want to see my book up there on the bookshelves with all the other top authors. I have had some good comments about the book from friends and strangers alike, but they don't translate themselves into sales. I'll keep trying though. My first publisher once told me that I would need about five books in print before I could establish a readership. Although I have six books to my credit, only four are in print. Next month I will be sending my next manuscript, A COVERT WAR to my publisher. God willing it will mean I will eventually have five books out there. Wish me luck!
Long time since my last entry, I know, but without followers asking questions or adding comments, there isn't much I need to add myself that often. My book has been out a little over three weeks now, and I am still waiting to hear the sound of heavy footsteps beating a path to my door because the world wants to buy my book. But to put things into perspective, I went into our local Card & Gift shop where I had placed five, signed copies of THE THIRD SECRET together with a small, A4 display poster. They told me they had sold four copies. It brought a big smile to my face. It means I may get a run on the book! I might have to put another five copies in! So, Dan Brown, watch your back! It's funny, isn't it, how lttle things please little minds? But I jest; I really want to see my book up there on the bookshelves with all the other top authors. I have had some good comments about the book from friends and strangers alike, but they don't translate themselves into sales. I'll keep trying though. My first publisher once told me that I would need about five books in print before I could establish a readership. Although I have six books to my credit, only four are in print. Next month I will be sending my next manuscript, A COVERT WAR to my publisher. God willing it will mean I will eventually have five books out there. Wish me luck!
Monday, 1 June 2009
What now?
Last week saw the official publication of my novel. All I can do now is wait and see if any of my efforts at promotion will be rewarded. I have had a review posted on Amazon.com by Thomas Duff, an Amazon reviewer (top 50). He gave THE THIRD SECRET a four star rating and a good review. Check it out. A friend of mine was almost ecstatic about the book and got annoyed because my publisher wasn't rushing out hundreds, ney - thousands of copies. But in the end it's down to the agents to sell the book, and for the buying public to get out there and buy it. Wish me luck!
Wednesday, 13 May 2009
They're out there somehwere!
Two of the books I ordered from the Book Depository for onward posting to America are on their way, which means my book must have reached the distribution warehouse. Now I am patiently waiting for my copies to arrive here in Spain from Robert Hale, and I can get on with the business of promoting and admiring my work. This is the time now when I learn if all the extra work I put in pushing my novel in as many places as I could, attaching myself to blogs and on-line writer groups will have had any affect. My publsiher told me that a book should promoted in advance of its publcation date rather than after. The reason for this is because new books, apart from the top authors, have a short shelf life. The important thing for me, apart from being well received by the reading public, is to try and break through Hale's rather short print run. If my efforts have pushed my book beyond that point, I will be able to count myself as only the second author (I think) to have done that. Wish me luck!
Friday, 1 May 2009
This is the month!
At last the month has arrived and I can look forward to seeing my novel in print. Official release date is the 29th. I always like handling my books. As soon as I receive my copies from the publisher, I read them. I'm just like a reader rather than an author, and always enjoy what I'm reading. I also try to put myself into the frame of mind that I would expect others to be in when they are reading a novel of mine.
Monday, 27 April 2009
Filling in time
Because the only person using this blog is me, it seems silly to keep writing to myself. But living in the hope that someone will pop in and say hallo, I feel I must add something more. In about four weeks time, my book will hit the shops. Sounds like I'm getting ready for a blast, eh? Chances are it will disappear from sight despite the fact that it is a very good read. But how do you classify a 'good read'? Depends on the reader as much as the author. I can't trust book reviewers too much, particularly those who review for the mainstream Press, but they are a necessary evil. Trouble is, none of them want to review my book. So, how about you the reader (are you there?), why not let me know once you've read the novel what you think? I should be receiving my copies within a couple of weeks, and it never gets less exciting than before; always just as good. I'm like a kid. Roll on May 29th.
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