Book Spotlight, Historical Perspective, Author Interview and Giveaway–> The Bridge of Deaths by M.C.V Egan
~About The Bridge of Deaths~
“M.C.V. Egan twists truth
and fiction until you question your perceptions…it is a story of real love,
triumph and search for self.”– Beckah Boyd @ The Truthful Tarot
and fiction until you question your perceptions…it is a story of real love,
triumph and search for self.”– Beckah Boyd @ The Truthful Tarot
5 out of 5 stars:”An unusual
yet much recommended read.”– Midwest Book Review
yet much recommended read.”– Midwest Book Review
On
August 15th, 1939, an English passenger plane from British Airways Ltd. crashed
in Danish waters between the towns of Nykøbing Falster and Vordingborg. There
were five casualties reported and one survivor. Just two weeks before, Hitler
invaded Poland.
August 15th, 1939, an English passenger plane from British Airways Ltd. crashed
in Danish waters between the towns of Nykøbing Falster and Vordingborg. There
were five casualties reported and one survivor. Just two weeks before, Hitler
invaded Poland.
With the
world at the brink of war, the manner in which this incident was investigated
left much open to doubt. The jurisdiction battle between the two towns and the
newly formed Danish secret police created an atmosphere
of intrigue and distrust.
world at the brink of war, the manner in which this incident was investigated
left much open to doubt. The jurisdiction battle between the two towns and the
newly formed Danish secret police created an atmosphere
of intrigue and distrust.
The Bridge of Deaths is a love story and a mystery.
Fictional characters travel through the world of past life regressions and
information acquired from psychics as well as archives and historical sources
to solve “one of those mysteries that never get solved.” Based on
true events and real people, The Bridge
of Deaths is the culmination of 18 years of sifting through conventional
and unconventional sources in Denmark, England, Mexico and the United States.
The story finds a way to help the reader feel that s/he is also sifting through
data and forming their own conclusions.
Fictional characters travel through the world of past life regressions and
information acquired from psychics as well as archives and historical sources
to solve “one of those mysteries that never get solved.” Based on
true events and real people, The Bridge
of Deaths is the culmination of 18 years of sifting through conventional
and unconventional sources in Denmark, England, Mexico and the United States.
The story finds a way to help the reader feel that s/he is also sifting through
data and forming their own conclusions.
Cross The Bridge of Deaths into 1939, and dive
into cold Danish waters to uncover the secrets of the G-AESY.
into cold Danish waters to uncover the secrets of the G-AESY.
Get the revised 75th
anniversary of The Bridge of Deaths on
Amazon!
anniversary of The Bridge of Deaths on
Amazon!
~Buying Links~
Amazon: Kindle Ebook| Paperback
Amazon IN: Kindle Ebook
The Bridge of Deaths: Historical Perspective
The
Bridge of Deaths is, above all, a book based on history. Because the events of
the book took place just a mere two weeks before the start of World War II,
this year marks the 75th anniversary of both the crash of the G-AESY
(the central event in The Bridge of Deaths) and the start of WWII. M.C.V. Egan
has chosen to commemorate both of these events with a 75th
anniversary remembrance—a part of which are a series of historical retrospectives
recounting the events that led to the start of WWII, as well as a discussion of
how these events were often linked to the real-life characters of the book.
Bridge of Deaths is, above all, a book based on history. Because the events of
the book took place just a mere two weeks before the start of World War II,
this year marks the 75th anniversary of both the crash of the G-AESY
(the central event in The Bridge of Deaths) and the start of WWII. M.C.V. Egan
has chosen to commemorate both of these events with a 75th
anniversary remembrance—a part of which are a series of historical retrospectives
recounting the events that led to the start of WWII, as well as a discussion of
how these events were often linked to the real-life characters of the book.
This day in history marks the end of the bloody
three-year conflict between the Nationalists and Republicans in Spain. The
Nationalists, led by Francisco Franco, finally claimed victory on March 28,
1939, triumphantly entering Madrid and taking over the Spanish government.
three-year conflict between the Nationalists and Republicans in Spain. The
Nationalists, led by Francisco Franco, finally claimed victory on March 28,
1939, triumphantly entering Madrid and taking over the Spanish government.
“During 1937, Franco unified the Nationalist forces
under the command of the Falange, Spain’s fascist party, while the Republicans
fell under the sway of the communists. Germany and Italy aided Franco with an
abundance of planes, tanks, and arms, while the Soviet Union aided the
Republican side.” (Source)
This Franco-German connection would later be reciprocated with Spain providing
significant military, economic, and material assistance to the Axis Powers
during World War 2 (despite the fact that Spain was considered to be
“non-belligerent” during the conflict).
under the command of the Falange, Spain’s fascist party, while the Republicans
fell under the sway of the communists. Germany and Italy aided Franco with an
abundance of planes, tanks, and arms, while the Soviet Union aided the
Republican side.” (Source)
This Franco-German connection would later be reciprocated with Spain providing
significant military, economic, and material assistance to the Axis Powers
during World War 2 (despite the fact that Spain was considered to be
“non-belligerent” during the conflict).
A
link to The Bridge of Deaths:The
Spanish civil war began in July of 1936. In December of that year, Anthony
Crossley was part of a group of British Government officials who visited Spain.
He had very pro-Franco views and, in 1937, is adamant that there should be a
British non-intervention policy in regards to Spain. Crossley’s opinions
carried with them visibility, due to his appointment as private secretary to
the Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Transport, British Parliament
Member Sir Austin Hudson, 1st Baronet. This is likely to have given
Crossley access to some of the trips and governmental committees, as well as a
stronger voice in Parliament.
link to The Bridge of Deaths:The
Spanish civil war began in July of 1936. In December of that year, Anthony
Crossley was part of a group of British Government officials who visited Spain.
He had very pro-Franco views and, in 1937, is adamant that there should be a
British non-intervention policy in regards to Spain. Crossley’s opinions
carried with them visibility, due to his appointment as private secretary to
the Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Transport, British Parliament
Member Sir Austin Hudson, 1st Baronet. This is likely to have given
Crossley access to some of the trips and governmental committees, as well as a
stronger voice in Parliament.
~About the author~
M.C.V.Egan is the pen name chosen by Maria Catalina Vergara Egan. Catalina was born
in Mexico City, Mexico in 1959, the sixth of eight children, in a traditional
Catholic family.
From a
very young age, she became obsessed with the story of her maternal grandfather,
Cesar Agustin Castillo–mostly the story of how he died.
very young age, she became obsessed with the story of her maternal grandfather,
Cesar Agustin Castillo–mostly the story of how he died.
She
spent her childhood in Mexico. When her father became an employee of The World
Bank in Washington D.C. in the early 1970s, she moved with her entire family to
the United States. Catalina was already fluent in English, as she had spent one
school year in the town of Pineville, Louisiana with her grandparents. There
she won the English award, despite being the only one who had English as a
second language in her class.
spent her childhood in Mexico. When her father became an employee of The World
Bank in Washington D.C. in the early 1970s, she moved with her entire family to
the United States. Catalina was already fluent in English, as she had spent one
school year in the town of Pineville, Louisiana with her grandparents. There
she won the English award, despite being the only one who had English as a
second language in her class.
In the D.C.
suburbs she attended various private Catholic schools and graduated from
Winston Churchill High School in Potomac, Maryland in 1977. She attended
Montgomery Community College, where she changed majors every semester. She also
studied in Lyons, France, at the Catholic University for two years. In 1981,
due to an impulsive young marriage to a Viking (the Swedish kind, not the
football player kind), Catalina moved to Sweden where she resided for five
years and taught at a language school for Swedish, Danish, and Finnish
businesspeople. She then returned to the USA, where she has lived ever since.
She is fluent in Spanish, English, French and Swedish.
suburbs she attended various private Catholic schools and graduated from
Winston Churchill High School in Potomac, Maryland in 1977. She attended
Montgomery Community College, where she changed majors every semester. She also
studied in Lyons, France, at the Catholic University for two years. In 1981,
due to an impulsive young marriage to a Viking (the Swedish kind, not the
football player kind), Catalina moved to Sweden where she resided for five
years and taught at a language school for Swedish, Danish, and Finnish
businesspeople. She then returned to the USA, where she has lived ever since.
She is fluent in Spanish, English, French and Swedish.
Maria
Catalina Vergara Egan is married and has one son who, together with their
five-pound Chihuahua, makes her feel like a full-time mother. Although she
would not call herself an astrologer she has taken many classes and taught a
few beginner classes in the subject.
Catalina Vergara Egan is married and has one son who, together with their
five-pound Chihuahua, makes her feel like a full-time mother. Although she
would not call herself an astrologer she has taken many classes and taught a
few beginner classes in the subject.
The
celebrated her 52nd birthday on July 2nd, 2011, and gave herself
self-publishing The Bridge of Deaths as a gift.
celebrated her 52nd birthday on July 2nd, 2011, and gave herself
self-publishing The Bridge of Deaths as a gift.
~Interview with MCV Egan~
I was very fortunate to have MCV Egan answer some of my questions and was just wowed by her answers. Read my interview with her below.
How would you describe your book in 20 words or less without
using the blurb?
using the blurb?
Interesting
Unusual
Documented
Curious
Diverse
Accurate
Sad
Happy
Insightful
Past lives
Psychometry
Traditional
Untraditional
Conspiracy
Cover-up
Romantic
Hopeful
Realistic
Detailed
Verbose
Is The Bridge of
Deaths really a culmination of 2 decades of research? Why are you so interested
in WW II History?
Deaths really a culmination of 2 decades of research? Why are you so interested
in WW II History?
Yes,
at least a good eighteen years of research. I was so clueless when I began to
dig around the plane crash that killed my grandfather in 1939 so I guess
someone with a better historical background would have never taken that long.
at least a good eighteen years of research. I was so clueless when I began to
dig around the plane crash that killed my grandfather in 1939 so I guess
someone with a better historical background would have never taken that long.
I
am embarrassed to admit that I had to look up almost every incident I came
across even something as common knowledge as The Munich Pact.
am embarrassed to admit that I had to look up almost every incident I came
across even something as common knowledge as The Munich Pact.
I
know I had to have studied it at some point in school or university but to be
honest I know I did fail history at least once.
know I had to have studied it at some point in school or university but to be
honest I know I did fail history at least once.
Why are you
releasing a revised edition and what is different from the original?
releasing a revised edition and what is different from the original?
When
I released the original in 2011I was so afraid that people would dispute some
of the files I used that I carefully and meticulously added footnotes for
EVERYTHING, over 200.
I released the original in 2011I was so afraid that people would dispute some
of the files I used that I carefully and meticulously added footnotes for
EVERYTHING, over 200.
To
my surprise some people loved that, mainly lawyers! But it felt like awkward
reading for some, and it was understandable, especially in the e-book format as
the footnotes can be distracting. In the revised version I added the necessary
footnotes to the narrative and got rid of all of them. I also summarized two
parts that were loaded with information and detail and added them to the back
as appendices for the more curious readers.
my surprise some people loved that, mainly lawyers! But it felt like awkward
reading for some, and it was understandable, especially in the e-book format as
the footnotes can be distracting. In the revised version I added the necessary
footnotes to the narrative and got rid of all of them. I also summarized two
parts that were loaded with information and detail and added them to the back
as appendices for the more curious readers.
The
book is formatted in a very user friendly way so the reader can go from one
chapter to the other or to the appendices.
book is formatted in a very user friendly way so the reader can go from one
chapter to the other or to the appendices.
To
give it a more up to date touch, as the book takes place in 2010. I added an
epilogue in the summer of 2012.
give it a more up to date touch, as the book takes place in 2010. I added an
epilogue in the summer of 2012.
The
new cover has the image of my grandfather’s watch which is part of the story.
new cover has the image of my grandfather’s watch which is part of the story.
Over 200 footnotes? So this is
not a novel, or is it?
not a novel, or is it?
Oh
yes it is a novel. It has fictional elements so it must be categorized as such.
The characters that sift through the data are fictional even if two are
strongly based on real people; one of whom is me!
yes it is a novel. It has fictional elements so it must be categorized as such.
The characters that sift through the data are fictional even if two are
strongly based on real people; one of whom is me!
I
also used very “unorthodox” ways to research such as psychics and past life
regressions; not my own, and that to many is fiction.
also used very “unorthodox” ways to research such as psychics and past life
regressions; not my own, and that to many is fiction.
I
have two watches, one that was my grandfather’s and another sent to us by
British Airways LTD. The use of psychometry is not that scoffed at, I mean the
FBI has used it, so I thought, Why not? It was just amazing, with no photos or
previous knowledge a psychic started describing the bridge and another the
lettering on the wing of the plane.
have two watches, one that was my grandfather’s and another sent to us by
British Airways LTD. The use of psychometry is not that scoffed at, I mean the
FBI has used it, so I thought, Why not? It was just amazing, with no photos or
previous knowledge a psychic started describing the bridge and another the
lettering on the wing of the plane.
The
most shocking was that all described to a T another of the men who died for the
second watch, no spoiler! I won’t tell you which but it was uncanny. There were
five people gifted in psychometry who did this for me.
most shocking was that all described to a T another of the men who died for the
second watch, no spoiler! I won’t tell you which but it was uncanny. There were
five people gifted in psychometry who did this for me.
The
individual who had the long past life regressions, five in total has asked to
remain anonymous, but I was allowed to sit in and take notes, they were also
recorded but the quality is horrible which is a shame because just like Maggie
in the book, I did ‘go under’ and slept through one of them!
individual who had the long past life regressions, five in total has asked to
remain anonymous, but I was allowed to sit in and take notes, they were also
recorded but the quality is horrible which is a shame because just like Maggie
in the book, I did ‘go under’ and slept through one of them!
Do you have any advice for unpublished authors?
Take a piece of paper
and write down a list of what you want, do not limit that list Dream dare to be
as demanding as can be with that list. Let it be for a few days and then go back
to it. Take another paper, do not erase anything but make a new list with
realistic limitations, from that or add.
and write down a list of what you want, do not limit that list Dream dare to be
as demanding as can be with that list. Let it be for a few days and then go back
to it. Take another paper, do not erase anything but make a new list with
realistic limitations, from that or add.
Use them both to set
your goals and create your dreams and of course WRITE as much as possible.
your goals and create your dreams and of course WRITE as much as possible.
What steps do you follow while writing a book?
I have a few I have
not yet put out there. I get a composition notebook, because the pages are not
going to come off, hard to tear.
not yet put out there. I get a composition notebook, because the pages are not
going to come off, hard to tear.
I write the overview
the premise I want to cover first as short as possible; young boy loses parents in a tragic accident and moves to foreign
country with distant relatives. Then I ask myself questions, how do they die? Do they suffer? Does that
haunt the boy throughout the story? How different is the culture, family he
moves into?
the premise I want to cover first as short as possible; young boy loses parents in a tragic accident and moves to foreign
country with distant relatives. Then I ask myself questions, how do they die? Do they suffer? Does that
haunt the boy throughout the story? How different is the culture, family he
moves into?
Well surely by now you
get the gist of it, and no that is not one of my plots. Then I write lists with
the facts I want to cover, the lists can have a paragraph, the details grow. I
then device an order, do I want to backlash? Is he an adult looking back at the pivotal moment that changed his
life?
get the gist of it, and no that is not one of my plots. Then I write lists with
the facts I want to cover, the lists can have a paragraph, the details grow. I
then device an order, do I want to backlash? Is he an adult looking back at the pivotal moment that changed his
life?
Then I toy with a
catchy first sentence to grab the reader, here I liked all my examples too much
and I am keeping those secret!
catchy first sentence to grab the reader, here I liked all my examples too much
and I am keeping those secret!
Then write, revise,
re-write and write! Find someone willing to edit/ proofread and Voila!
re-write and write! Find someone willing to edit/ proofread and Voila!
If you could ask your readers one question, what would it be?
I have had the
fantastic fortune to interact a lot with my readers so I have asked and gotten
a lot of answers but with any work I guess my standard question would be, who
is your favorite character and why?
fantastic fortune to interact a lot with my readers so I have asked and gotten
a lot of answers but with any work I guess my standard question would be, who
is your favorite character and why?
What are your thoughts on self-publishing vs traditional
publishing?
publishing?
I am only familiar
with vanity self-publishing and now Create Space and KDP. I think traditional
publishing is in shock many books did not have an e-book clause and authors,
famous ones are having a blast publishing those and getting most of their
money! It will be interesting to see how
much of the traditional industry is able to survive in a decade or so.
Thanks for talking with me and sharing your thoughts. Njkinny’s World of Books & Stuff wishes you the very best.
Amazon: Kindle Ebook| Paperback
with vanity self-publishing and now Create Space and KDP. I think traditional
publishing is in shock many books did not have an e-book clause and authors,
famous ones are having a blast publishing those and getting most of their
money! It will be interesting to see how
much of the traditional industry is able to survive in a decade or so.
Thanks for talking with me and sharing your thoughts. Njkinny’s World of Books & Stuff wishes you the very best.
~Buying Links~
Amazon: Kindle Ebook| Paperback
Amazon IN: Kindle Ebook
~Giveaway~
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