Horrors of War #AtoZChallenge

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The 26 eclectic-genre short stories for my #AtoZChallenge are excerpts from travelogue notes by
novel character Gahlen, who first appeared in SHARDS OF MEMORY – Oral History in a Heartbeat.

Each A-to-Z daily post is a stand-alone tale - partly true, partly fiction.

Albert Reich [Public domain]

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:AlbertReich_(1881–1942)_–_Sanitäter_(WW_I).JPG

HORRORS of WAR – PROVINCE OF PRUSSIA

Genre: European Conflict

(326 words)

“When Austria decided the June, 1914 assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife required political retaliation,” Georg continued, “it opened the gates of hell. By July they had a lengthy list of intentionally unacceptable demands. They presented them on 23^rd July and succeeded to provoke war. Countries drew up sides, some decisions based on results of past wars. Along with so many of my countrymen, I was conscripted into the battle at age eighteen.”

He paused a moment before continuing.

“The deaths I witnessed were many. Destruction of property and forests was unimaginable. So many of us were young farm boys suddenly conditioned to become fighting soldiers. Even after lengthy field training, we remained mostly inexperienced. Some considered their new role romantic; others glorified the expected outcome. But none of us were prepared for what came.

“The personal discomfort I experienced occurred when both sides started to use poison gas. Our unit was exposed to the sulfur mustard spray multiple times. It smelled like rancid horseradish but burned like white-hot fire. Those unlucky enough to get caught unaware with their arms and necks exposed immediately showed signs of blistering. Medics were unable to keep up with the injuries, unprepared for the instant devastation, and several men were hospitalized.”

“I managed to stay fairly well covered all the time.” He rolled up one sleeve of his shirt, drawing attention to a faded patch of scaring. “That’s how I avoided the worst effects. My caution only served to keep me on the front lines of the war longer, drawing the poisonous air deep into my lungs.

“Shortness of breath from inhaling the gas became a problem that haunted me later. Eventually, my lungs would not work properly. That is why I could no longer work in the local coal mines. Maybe there was more moisture in the Bavarian salt mines, allowing me to continue working below ground. Mere speculation, and small comfort from the memories of war.”

*****

My #Goodreads Read and Review Challenge Week-45

Many of my goals are carved in stone. When I decided to read and review 71 books between October 2015 and October 2016, it wasn't "more of a guideline" like some pirates' codes we've heard about. If I didn't read and review 71 books, I would have to walk the plank! With that in mind, and 46 books already read and reviewed by the end of August, I compiled a list of titles that would take me over the finish line.

It's nice to have a list of suspenseful reading material planned ahead of time.

Maybe my next reading goal will actually begin with a list!

CITY OF DREAMS by Harriet Steel

The story advances a bit slowly in the beginning, with a predictable romance that takes the reader from Russia to Parisian high society during the middle 1800s. Once CITY OF DREAMS began its rollercoaster descent, however, the author's assiduous research and knowledge shine through.

Harriet Steel's historical novel unfolds at a leisurely pace, meandering through equally tragic and pleasant scenes with characters that feel authentic in their environment. The pain and sacrifices of war bleed onto the page. My impression is that the protagonist has more than a touch of Scarlett O'Hara in her, suffering and then moving along to the next shoulder to lean on.

*****     *****     *****

 

  

SKELETONS IN THE ATTIC (A Marketville Mystery Book 1) by Judy Penz Sheluk 

The opening scenes of SKELETONS IN THE ATTIC set the stage for an intriguing mystery. I was hooked, immediately wanting to learn what, when, where, why, and, eventually, whodunit. The story is set in the small community town of Marketville situated north of Toronto. The plot, featuring protagonist Callie Barnstable, unfolds around a sketchy history of a mother who left her husband and then six-year-old daughter, Callie. Decades later, with her father now deceased, Callie is tasked with learning why her mother disappeared without explanation or warning.

The cast of characters is colorful. All tackle their roles with spirit and aid in moving the plot forward at a comfortable pace. They also fulfill reader expectation to entertain, some adding a touch of humor, others frustration or suspense. The author’s descriptions of setting and action kept me reading non-stop, along with my desire to learn “who dun what” along the way.

 

*****     *****     *****



E is for EASTERN EUROPEAN ANCESTORS #IWSG #AtoZChallenge

For this year's challenge, my theme is The Fun in Writing. Each of my 26 posts for April is aimed at illustrating fun parts of an author's day. A writer doesn't only write.
Creating a story or an essay requires research, revision, editing, and lots of coffee and chocolate.

This is also Insecure Writer's Support Group Day. #IWSG

What I have learned over the years from the A to Z Challenge is that composing 26 blog posts with a theme each April has done wonders for reducing my insecurity about having the ability to produce coherent sentences. (Apparently, it has done nothing to help me reduce my rambling sentences!)

E is for Eastern European Ancestors

This is the first of four Wednesday A-to-Z posts related to my research for a novel based on my ancestors: sixteen great-great grandparents who shared the experience of emigrating from (out of) Eastern Europe (and ultimately immigrating (in)to the United States.)

Those of you who have researched any of your family history know the exciting experience of discovering a new relative or a "lost" ancestor. Since the advent of internet ancestry sites, such as Ancestry.com, finding elusive elements of your family tree is exceptionally easier than when I first began my research.

The detective work involved, though, was possibly more fun back when the search involved greater effort than typing in a name and clicking on a "search" key.

Some of branches of my family tree originated in the Eastern European countries of Bohemia, Prussia, and Bavaria. Accomplishing my research in those areas required heavy dependence on library books and the internet. Closer to home, my sister and I took a "cemetery" tour I had mapped out, traveling around the Wisconsin countryside to all of the known locations where relatives were reportedly interred.

Every encounter of successfully discovering another ancestor's cemetery tombstone is an energizing event.

But writing stories about life in Eastern Europe during the early 1800s,

based on my earlier research, is equally exhilarating!

 

Here is a page from my cemetery research files:

Maternal Great-Great Grandparents, Caroline Heider & Gustave Maigatter
In 1866, Gustave immigrated with his parents from Magdeburg, an important Prussian fortress until 1912:
most of the city was destroyed in World War II (1939-1945).

A VISIBLE DARKNESS by Michael Gregorio A Baltic #Thriller

A Visible Darkness by Michael Gregorio is likely to remain one of my favorite reads in 2015-2016.

Described as a “gothic historical thriller,” this novel offers interesting insight into the history of Prussia’s Baltic coast. I read it as part of my research for a genealogical novel I’m writing (and worked on during 2015 NaNoWriMo.) I discovered the title while searching for fact-based material on Prussia. Although I chose the book as an addition to the bibliography of source material for my project, its entertainment value was an added and pleasantly surprising bonus.

In the vein of a Hercule Poiret-type detective, Hanno Stiffenias is like a dog with a marrow-rich bone. He won’t let go until every last clue is sucked out of the murder case he is investigating. The colorful background information woven throughout enhances but doesn't distract from the story 

The plot includes an occupying French Army and a young woman’s mutilated body found near the Baltic seashore; and a subplot about Baltic amber. Murder, intrigue, and a luscious color keep the story moving forward at a fast pace, dragging the reader quite willingly to a final solution.

 

Next up for review:

 

Damned In Paradise-A Nathan Heller Novel by Max Allan Collins

and

The Massie Case by Peter Packer and Bob Thomas