Welcome to The Saturday Spotlight, a weekly feature showcasing debut, Indie, self-published and authors who specialize in Ebook publishing. This week I have the pleasure introducing readers to:
GERARD de Marigny ~Author of The Watchman of Ephraim~Website~Facebook~Twitter~
~Q&A~
Hi Gerard and welcome to the blog, to start please tell us about yourself.
Thank you for the opportunity to sit down with you Tina. My name is Gerard de Marigny and my occupation is Storyteller. I’ve written two novels – both part of the CRIS DE NIRO thriller series. BOOK I THE WATCHMAN OF EPHRAIM and BOOK II – SIGNS OF WAR. I live in the foothills of Las Vegas, Nevada with my wife and four sons.
What inspired you to write THE WATCHMAN OF EPHRAIM?
I’ve always wanted to write novels. I’ve tried my hand at writing mysteries and adventure series, mostly unpublished short stories as I honed my craft. Finally, the tragedy that was September 11th inspired me to write and publish my first full-length thriller, _TWOE_. My wife and I lost a dear friend in the North Tower of the World Trade Center that day. I originally started writing the story as a way for me to vent so much of the frustration and helplessness I felt that day.
Did you have to travel or do any big research for your novel?
I didn’t have to travel. I grew up virtually in the shadows of the Twin Towers. I watched them being built from my apartment window when I was a little boy. I did conduct extensive research though into the specific events that transpired on 9/11 at the WTC. I gained most of my insight from a documentary that two French brothers shot. It’s called, 9/11 - The Filmmakers' Commemorative Edition (2002). These two brothers just happened to be filming a documentary of a local firehouse when the planes hit the towers. They responded along with the firefighters and actually shot footage inside the North Tower before it collapsed … and as it collapsed. I spent an entire month ‘living in’ that documentary. It was an awful, heart-wrenching experience for me, especially considering that our friend perished in the North Tower and picturing his widow, my wife’s best friend, over and over in my mind. I did that though, so that I would be in the proper mindset. I wanted, above all, to be respectful to the families and friends of victims … so I wanted to get the details right.
Since your book revolves around 9/11, can you share what that day was like for you?
That day brings up so many emotions … it was actually a beautiful day in New York. I owned and operated a transportation (trucking) agency at the time, from my home in New Jersey. Just before 9 a.m. my brother Peter called me. It was odd for him to call me so early, especially since he lived in Las Vegas. He told me he was on a plane at McCarran International (the airport in Las Vegas) and that the Captain just announced that they were grounded because a plane apparently crashed into the World Trade Center. He asked me to turn on the news. I did and was horrified at what I saw … the North Tower was ablaze … the tower in which our friend Danny Afflitto worked!
I ran across the street to his home, without thinking, leaving my brother still on the line. When I got to the door, his wife Stacey, my wife’s dear friend had just gotten off the phone with Danny. He called her to tell her that he thought a bomb went off somewhere in the tower but that someone told him they thought a plane crashed into the building. He told Stacey that there was smoke and fire everywhere … his last words to her were, “… kiss the baby, I love you.” Those words will haunt me for the rest of my days. I was the only one standing with Stacey when she heard those words. That experience will forever bond us. I made the mistake of assuming that since Danny survived the initial impact of the plane into the tower that he would be okay. I told Stacey that I’d use my transportation agency’s operations to locate Danny. My heart sank when I ran home and while on the phone with my operations people, I saw the North Tower collapse … taking Danny with it. I have never felt so helpless in my life. I couldn't do a thing to help Danny or Stacey … or anyone else there. Terrible …
{Insert Pause- how sad for Stacey and for you Mr.de Marigny- I sincerely apologize for your loss}
What books or authors have inspired your work?
The authors that most inspired me are W.E.B. Griffin and Tom Clancy. Their attention to detail and accuracy captivated me. Although I write in the same genres/sub-genres as Mr. Clancy, I think my writing style is more closely fashioned after Web Griffin. I keep a novel from both legendary authors on my desk as inspiration and as my objective models.
Do you plan to write more in the future?
Yes indeed. As of this interview, I have just completed work on the sequel to THE WATCHMAN OF EPHRAIM. It’s called SIGNS OF WAR and its Book II of the Cris De Niro series. It’ll be published in a few weeks. I’m about to start work on Book III of the series with the objective to have it released by December-January.
What are you reading right now?
I don’t read novels when I write and nowadays I’m writing all of the time. Most of my reading has been blogs and articles, both in order to keep up with my industry, world news and for research for my books.
Gerard, thank you so much for stopping by today and being on the spotlight. Goodluck with book three and to much success. Again from me and many others reading this today, your loss on 9/11 is not forgotten.
GIVEAWAY
Today Gerard is offering one lucky winner paperback books one and two of The Cris De Niro Series. To enter please leave a comment and link to profile. Winner will be drawn October 22, 2011
Thanks and Goodluck!
The Watchman of Ephraim
Cris De Niro worked his way up to the top of the hedge fund world. Yet, all of his money couldn't protect him from losing his wife on 9/11. 10 years passed since the tragedy. De Niro and his sons relocated to a sprawling ranch near Las Vegas. Turning to his faith to overcome his anguish, De Niro now lives for a higher purpose. From a biblical passage, he reads about the "Watchman of Ephraim," a defender who kept watch over the land. De Niro decides to acquire a lackluster counter-terrorism agency in order to transform it into a modern-day version of The Watchman for the United States but there's not a moment to lose.
Aref Sami Zamani is planning a terrorist attack on American soil - codenamed "Antioch," a plot to detonate a nuke over the city of Las Vegas. The Watchman uncovers a connection between Zamani and a Mexican drug cartel but their agent goes missing before they can learn more. That's because Zamani has a spy working for The Watchman. Strange events start to unfold near the Nogales border crossing. References are discovered to something the Mexicans are calling "Noche Del Espantada" ...Fright Night," but can it mean something else? September 11, 2011 and the sun hasn't risen yet in Las Vegas or Nogales. Antioch is in motion! At the border, Noche Del Espantada has begun and there are intruders at De Niro's ranch. De Niro has to protect his sons and someone new in his life, Dr. Moriah Stevens. She too, lost her spouse on 9/11. Moriah finds herself in love with De Niro but his devotion to his wife is proving too powerful for him, even after 10 years.
Really heart-wrenching interview. I was there on 9/11, in building 5 when the first plane hit and made it outside to see the second plane crash and the buildings fall. It's a day I'll never be able to forget, and still have nightmares over.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate Gerard wanting to portray all sides and stories coming out of that day. Don't think I'll be able to read this one myself, but I wish him best of luck with his books.
Smiles!
Lori
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThat is so sad. I can't imagine how horrible it felt to hear those last words and not be able to do anything to help.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview Tina. I'd love to get a chance to read this book. Thanks!
crystalgmz18(at)gmail(dot)com
So you aren't reading any books right now? I just can't even fathom that! Even if i was a writer I would still feel the overwhelming need to read stories other than my own!
ReplyDeletetlabunski **((gmail))**
Pabkins @ Mission to Read
I know what you mean, Pabkins. I've been reading books my whole life. I do miss it at times, but I want to be able to write without being influenced by other writers - this way my voice, prose, storylines etc. are truly my own.
ReplyDeleteI don't intend on never reading another novel. I just refrain while I'm writing my own. I'll take a break at some point and I already have a stack of novels next to my bed to read.
I'll admit that my desire to write (create) has grown stronger than my need to read. That's how I knew it was time I did.
Hi Lori, I completely understand. For those who've been personally affected by 9/11, emotions would run much higher, but I wanted to let you know that only the first two chapters of _The Watchman of Ephraim_ describe what happened at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. The rest of the book and series picks up 10 years later. If you can deal with your strong emotions through those first two chapters, the rest of the series is sure to entertain you.
Blessings and I hope everyone gives _The Watchman of Ephraim_ and _Signs of War_ a read!
c",)
g
This is a great interview!
ReplyDelete[email protected]