More Than Best Friends – Anthology in aid of Guide Dogs For the Blind

Smorgasbord - Variety is the spice of life

I am delighted today to showcase an anthology of stories for dog lovers that is also released to support one of the most incredible charities. We all know that dogs are loving, loyal and intelligent but for millions around the world they are also a life-line. The Guide Dogs for the Blind http://www.guidedogs.org.uk/ has made a life changing difference to both those completely blind and those who are partially sighted. Not only do they train companion dogs but they also fund ophthalmic research and campaign for Equal Rights within our community for those who have impaired sight.

‘The Guide Dogs story started in 1931 with two amazing British pioneers, Muriel Crooke and Rosamund Bond. These remarkable women organised the training of the first four British guide dogs from a humble lock up garage in Wallasey, Merseyside.’

Today this charity, that does not receive any government funding, supports nearly 5,000 blind…

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“Triptychs (Mind’s Eye Series Book 3)”

There are three sides to every story. Take a mental image, Divide it three ways, You’ll read all the angles in… Triptychs * This collection includes 20 short stories, four poems, and eight original photographs. *

 

“Triptychs (Mind’s Eye Series Book 3)” is a wonderful and fascinating anthology. This one is based on a series of photographs that were randomly given to the authors as inspiration for their stories. One of the most rewarding parts of this experiment is for the reader to view the picture and have their own ideas what the stories might be, only to see how different we all view the world.
The stories range wide in scope and show great talent. Some of the authors I knew and appreciated already from their individual work, such as Eden Baylee and Maria Savva, while others look likely to become new favourites, such as Jason McIntyre and J Michael Radcliff.
I enjoyed all of the stories and will keep an eye out for the rest of the series. This is high quality reading.

The book on Amazon US , Amazon UK and Amazon Canada 

The Healer: “Very Unforgettable Read” – “Multi-layered, multifaceted, expertly credible psychological thriller”

I’m thrilled to share the news that my psychological/ medical thriller THE HEALER has reached the benchmark of 50 Reviews on Amazon yesterday, and even more so, that it did so with two smashing ones:

Very Unforgettable Read, March 29, 2015

By

Dean

Verified Purchase(What’s this?)

This review is from: The Healer (Kindle Edition)

Because I’m a fairly prolific reader I stumble across quite a few gems on an annual basis. The Healer is among those fortunate finds and is on my shortlist of favorite books read over the last few years. Granted I’m a sucker for a tale that interweaves the spiritual and metaphysical with the earthly and mundane, but even if I weren’t, the excellent writing on display here would have sucked me in. Our heroine, suffering from Stage 4 cancer, having exhausted all that traditional medicine can do for her, finds herself at the mercy of a faith healer, a practitioner of alternative medicine, energy medicine and Qi Gong, Reiki, and much more. But his unique abilities go far beyond his adeptness with esoteric practices; he has the gift as it were. He presents as a guru type who is a lot more than mere hype, going from the well documented success stories working with people who were never suckers for New Age medicine. Quite the opposite. They were inclined like our heroine to be entirely skeptical and to have marched their way in and out of his care with an army of scientists to demonstrate that their incurable cancer had indeed been cured. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, it kinda is.The mysterious figure who she entrusts her life to is a complex, not exactly trustworthy figure. He reminded me of the spiritual guide in the Carlos Castaneda books who can’t be taken at face value, and who may be willing to teach and heal as much through treachery, menace, misuse of power, and whatever other entirely Machiavellian measures he deems necessary. And he is a man of some ego, no shortage of moodiness. And if there is something larger than life about him, there’s also something all too painfully human about him, and not in a good way. In short, I wouldn’t want to have to trust my life to this guy. He’s quite scary. And his actual motivations for getting involved with her therapy are never entirely clear. Is he a noble ends-justifies-the-means kind of guy, capable of thus rationalizing his totally unsavory tactics? Or are his ends every bit as uninspiring as his means? Only through reading the book and taking the heroine’s journey with her can you come to truly know the answers to these questions. And as you do just that, you experience the terror along with her, the emotional doubts and insecurities, the ups and downs, the kaleidoscope of emotions on display that is dealing with death and dying in a truly self-transformative way; a way that forces self-transcendence to some degree, win, lose, or draw. You begin to wonder early on if her anxiety attacks, the parade of misgivings and paranoid ideation are part of the intense healing of mind, body and spirit that can only be accomplished with total surrender to a spiritual master—as legends tell us. Or if they’re simply entirely sane reactions to this bizarre healer and her fears are entirely justified.

I’ve read quite a few books penned by spiritual masters, including an unusual Russian figure by the name of Gurdjieff, and P. D. Ouspensky, one of his disciples who wrote heavily about him. Students’ accounts of Gurdjieff and what it was like to deal with the man and the healer were quite similar to what our heroine undergoes with her faith healer. Does that mark him as the genuine article? Or just another nut case, to whom she’s just signed over all of her wealth and belongings? Once again, you just have to take the journey to find out, and very possibly, in taking it with her, you’ll be more than just fascinated, you’ll undergo some healing, some transformation, and some self-transcendence yourself. Which I think is very much the point in a novel of this sort.

One of the best-in-class books I’ve ever read in this sub-genre of spiritual fiction. That also goes for books on people dealing with cancer and or some other terminal illness, and struggling with the self-transformative process that implies. So, needless to say, highly recommended.

5 Stars Multi-layered, multifaceted, expertly credible psychological thriller

By Lesley Hayes on March 27, 2015

Format: Kindle Edition

I recently read a quote that said a great writer should deliberately move the reader between stages of frustration and satisfaction, of tension and release, and Christoph Fischer has perfected the art of this.

In a cleverly executed, well-written novel that relies on an apparently small canvas, he paints a startlingly multi-layered, multifaceted, expertly credible psychological portrait of both Erica and Arpan, and the strangely complex dance of trust, mistrust, and understanding that plays out between them. I loved this novel from start to finish, and it held me in its thrall without ever once letting me fall by the wayside into temporary disinterest. I thoroughly recommend it, and I’m heading for Christoph Fischer’s Author page on Amazon to choose another one right now.

I began Christoph Fischer’s book The Healer with a sigh of quiet joy, knowing almost immediately that this was going to be one I really enjoyed. I finally read the last few words with a sigh of regret that it was over, then immediately went to see what other books I could find by this outstanding author. Fortunately, there are quite a few. The story of The Healer is deceptively simple. A woman with end-stage pancreatic cancer and only weeks to live arrives at the secret Welsh hide-out of a mysterious discredited healer, once popular 20 years ago. He is a typical new age hippie on the face of it, who meditates most of the day and practises Qui Gong in the grounds outside his simple living dome. She is a high-powered business woman who expects to get her own way, and makes no secret of the selfish lifestyle she has pursued all her adult life. Her PA has recommended Arpan as her last hope. In spite of his initial resistance Erica negotiates with him to heal her, and reluctantly he agrees, warning that she must totally commit to the arduous process. She then succumbs to the bizarre, deeply affecting treatments and the overwhelming, often agonising aftermath of each one… And there, dear reader,

I am going to leave you hanging, because you must find out for yourself whether Erica gets healed, and whether all the secrets that this book presents you with are ultimately answered. Be warned – no one is quite who they seem to be in this novel… as a psychological mystery par excellence it keeps you wondering, speculating, and at times fretting… You want to shout: “Look out behind you!” a number of times, and then you are lulled again into an awed belief that there really is unconditional love and healing is possible. But is this the case, or is Erica a mere pawn in the greatest con trick ever?

The Healer

When advertising executive Erica Whittaker is diagnosed with terminal cancer, western medicine fails her. The only hope left for her to survive is controversial healer Arpan. She locates the man whose touch could heal her but finds he has retired from the limelight and refuses to treat her.  Erica, consumed by stage four pancreatic cancer, is desperate and desperate people are no longer logical nor are they willing to take no for an answer. Arpan has retired for good reasons, casting more than the shadow of a doubt over his abilities. So begins a journey that will challenge them both as the past threatens to catch up with him as much as with her.  Can he really heal her? Can she trust him with her life? And will they both achieve what they set out to do before running out of time?

Amazon: http://smarturl.it/thehealerthriller 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheHealerNovelbyChristophFischer?ref=hl

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23662030-the-healer

Book-likes: http://booklikes.com/the-healer-christoph-fischer/book,12975746

Rifflebooks: https://read.rifflebooks.com/books/388235

Short Biography:

Christoph Fischer was born in Germany, near the Austrian border, as the son of a Sudeten-German father and a Bavarian mother. Not a full local in the eyes and ears of his peers he developed an ambiguous sense of belonging and home in Bavaria. He moved to Hamburg in pursuit of his studies and to lead a life of literary indulgence. After a few years he moved on to the UK where he now lives in a small hamlet, not far from Bath.  He and his partner have three Labradoodles to complete their family.

Christoph worked for the British Film Institute, in Libraries, Museums and for an airline. ‘The Luck of The Weissensteiners’ was published in November 2012; ‘Sebastian’ in May 2013 and The Black Eagle Inn in October 2013. “Time To Let Go” , his first contemporary work was published in May 2014, and “Conditions” in October 2014. His medical thriller “The Healer” was released in January 2015.

He has written several other novels which are in the later stages of editing and finalisation.

Website: http://www.christophfischerbooks.com/

Blog: https://writerchristophfischer.wordpress.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6590171.Christoph_Fischer

Amazon: http://ow.ly/BtveY

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CFFBooks

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/christophffisch/

Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/106213860775307052243

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=241333846

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WriterChristophFischer?ref=hl

“At Hell’s Gates 2: Origins of Evil” -a charitable horror anthology

Welcome back to Hell’s Gates! The palpable sense of dread may seem familiar, but this time things are a bit…different. Fresher. Newer. As though just recently born…

See that squealing baby over there? He could grow up to be a lifesaving doctor (or perhaps the antichrist.) What about that scientist burning the midnight oil? He could be working on a bug zapper (or a doomsday device.) Did you catch that comet out of the corner of your eye? It might bring good luck (or an apocalyptic plague.)

Yes, every darkness has a source, every monster has a birthplace, and every evil has an origin. In the second volume of the #1 Bestselling AT HELL’S GATES series, twenty-three of the finest dark fiction authors working today will force you to witness the ORIGINS OF EVIL. Each unique tale of terror traces an unspeakable horror back to its very beginning.

All proceeds from this horror anthology series go to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, a charity benefiting military veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury. The authors and editors of this series are pleased to donate their time and effort to a truly worthy cause.

So sit back, relax, support a fine charity, and enjoy twenty-three tales of dawning calamity from some of horror fiction’s leading lights.

My review:
“At Hell’s Gates 2: Origins of Evil” is one hell of a rollercoaster ride. Not a solid fan of horror I purchased the anthology because of some very talented writers who contributed to the second edition and because the proceeds go to The Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund. Knowing that there was a humanitarian cause behind the book made it certainly easier to connect with the terror within.
23 stories, all different yet powerful and showcasing diverse talent: The subjects range from a mousetrap to a starship, from personal to universal terrors, with heroes that include scientists, truck drivers, actresses, junkies and drug dealers. Some stories are more supernatural, others sci-fi, thriller and some plain horror.
If horror is your thing, or you want to support a good cause, this anthology is for you. Highly recommended.

Contributors: Devan Sagliani (Author), Shana Festa (Author), Mark Tufo (Author), C.T. Phipps (Author), Evin Ager (Author), Frank Tayell(Author), Stevie Kopas (Author), Stephen Kozeniewski (Author), Paul Mannering (Author), James Crawford (Author), TM Caldwell (Author), Sean T. Smith (Author), Curran Geist (Author), J Rudolph (Author), Ian McClellan (Author), David Mickolas(Author), S.G Lee (Author), Sharon Stevenson (Author), Lesa Kinney Anders (Author), Kit Power (Author), C.Claire Riley (Author),Matthew Baugh (Author), S.Kay Nash (Editor), Terri King (Editor), Sheila Shedd (Editor)

The Book on Amazon US, Amazon Uk and Amazon Canada

https://www.fallenheroesfund.org/

NEW RELEASE: “BEHIND THE BAR” by P.C. Zick

Behind the Bar is Book Two in the Behind the Love Trilogy. Behind the Bar picks up right where Behind the Altar ended–at the wedding of Dean and Leah. This time it’s Susie and Reggie who must struggle to find out if their love can endure a separation and rivals trying to drive them further apart. Reggie’s gambling and Susie’s struggle with her past push them further apart. Join the crew at the Victory Tavern, including Sally Jean, Charlie, and of course, the cheerleaders and best friends of Reggie and Susie–Dean and Leah.

Click below for purchase links

Amazon Kindle

Paperback

Barnes & Noble Nook

Kobo

Apple iBook

A storming start for IN SEARCH OF A REVOLUTION

IN SEARCH OF A REVOLUTION has had a great start. Thanks to everyone who has tweeted, shared, ordered the book and even reviewed it in time for the release.  

Here are the first reviews for the book: 

5.0 out of 5 stars In Search of a Revolution! March 26, 2015

By Brenda

Format:Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase 

“For a real communist, countries don’t exist – there are only people.”In Search of A Revolution by Christoph Fischer is another great book that captivated my attention right away. I have read several of this author’s books and all have resonated with me in their own way. He writes with great passion and authority. They are mind-blowing reads that are all well-written, precise and more than anything effortless to get into. This latest book is no exception. This takes you to another place and time but feels familiar and comfy. A book that is not easy to put down once you have started. I was so immersed in the life of Zacharias, Ansgar and Raisa.

From the start I was totally hooked. There is so much heart that I was caught up with emotion as I read with great vigor and interest. This story is filled with lies, deceit, and big drama. The suspense had me holding on, quickening my pace, reading is a fury! Loved the mystery that was In Search of A Revolution!

Quote ~ 

“Just imagine what the world will be like in a few years if we succeed? There won’t be any class differences and no divide between rich and poor. You’ll look at a man and you won’t have to worry how to address him and how to pay him the respect that society demands for his status. Everyone will get respect and address in the same fair manner, nobody will have more than their neighbour and there won’t be any more need for crimes. Nobody will look down on a farmer like you. How is that not worth fighting for?”

*****

5.0 out of 5 stars Idealogogy put to the test by real life March 26, 2015

By Cynthia J. Smith

Format:Kindle Edition|Verified Purchase

Christoph is amazing! I am glad he has decided to do another historical novel! In this book, we meet Zacharias, a young man from a wealthy family, and his best friend, Angsar who is the son of a pig farmer. The story takes place between Denmark and Finland at the time of WWII. These two unlikely friends both want the best for their people. Zacharias believes everyone is equal and is quickly enchanted with the ideals of communism by his charismatic teacher Beck. Angsar wants the monarchy to continue and bring peace. Zacharias goes to Finland to help the Red Guard fight to create a communistic state in Finland. The White Guard wants to return to the monarchy and has asked Germany to aid them to defeat the Red Guard. We meet Raisa, a Finnish nurse, when Zacharias is injured during the Red Guard’s defeat. She just wants to live in peace and have a home. She tries to seduce Zacharias and he tells her that he will never love her. Angsar comes to Finland because of a scandal he is involved in after he joins the army in Denmark. He finds Raisa and moves in while Zacharias has returned home to Denmark to find his way. The story unfolds as each man faces the truth of their convictions and realizes there is no right answer. Amazing detail about the times and the pitfalls of blindly following any ideology.

Great book!

*****

5.0 out of 5 stars A compelling read! March 26, 2015

By Peter Martin

Format:Kindle Edition

In Search of A Revolution
Christoph Fischer In Search of A Revolution is a superb work from a great writer of historical fiction.

The creative genius of Fischer always excels with each book as fans of his other works will only know too well. The dynamics involved with the author’s writing are exceptional.

Zacharias and Angsar are extremely well written characters and readers of WWII, the Red Guard, Communists, Fascists and political issues will be captivated by the wonderful story-telling.

A compelling read!

IN SEARCH OF A REVOLUTION 

http://smarturl.it/SearchofRevolution

In 1918 young Zacharias Nielsen boards a ship in Copenhagen to join the Red Guards in the Finnish Civil War.Encouraged by an idolised teacher with communist leanings, he follows the call for help from his Nordic Comrades, despite his privileged background.

His best friend, Ansgar, has opposing political ideals to Zacharias but, for his own personal reasons, finds himself soon stuck in the Scandinavian North with Zacharias and Raisa, a Finnish nurse who helps them in their new life.

Through the years that follow the brotherly war the trio see the political landscape in Finland and Europe change as Communists and Fascists try to make their mark and attempt to change the world order.

Our heroes must find their own personal and ideological place in these turbulent times as friendship, honour, idealism and love triangles bring out some personal truths.

The book spans almost thirty years of history and the various Finnish conflicts: Civil War, Winter War, Continuation War and the Lapland War. Watch the political and personal self discovery of characters in search of their own revolution.

http://smarturl.it/SearchofRevolution

https://www.facebook.com/InSearchOfaRevolution?ref=hl

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25113498-in-search-of-a-revolution

https://read.rifflebooks.com/books/416436

 

CHRISTOPH FISCHER 

Short Biography:

Christoph Fischer was born in Germany, near the Austrian border, as the son of a Sudeten-German father and a Bavarian mother. Not a full local in the eyes and ears of his peers he developed an ambiguous sense of belonging and home in Bavaria. He moved to Hamburg in pursuit of his studies and to lead a life of literary indulgence. After a few years he moved on to the UK where he now lives in a small hamlet, not far from Bath.  He and his partner have three Labradoodles to complete their family.

Christoph worked for the British Film Institute, in Libraries, Museums and for an airline. ‘The Luck of The Weissensteiners’ was published in November 2012; ‘Sebastian’ in May 2013 and The Black Eagle Inn in October 2013. “Time To Let Go” , his first contemporary work was published in May 2014, and “Conditions” in October 2014. His medical thriller “The Healer” was released in January 2015.

He has written several other novels which are in the later stages of editing and finalisation.

Website: http://www.christophfischerbooks.com/

Blog: https://writerchristophfischer.wordpress.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6590171.Christoph_Fischer

Amazon: http://ow.ly/BtveY

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CFFBooks

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/christophffisch/

Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/106213860775307052243

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=241333846

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WriterChristophFischer?ref=hl

The Magical Mythical Tour…

historywithatwist

When it comes to telling stories, there’s an abundance of formats on offer, from crime and romance to horror and mystery, and everything else in between.

History is just another form of storytelling, and myths a more elaborate and creative form of history… stories of events that have been twisted and coloured over time as they pass from one mouth to the next.

Myths are important because they help shape how we view the world, through our belief in them or our dismissal of their message.

I got involved in a project a few months back, which had a little to do with myths, and which is finally coming to fruition. A group of very talented authors (and I do mean that) got together to write an anthology of short stories on the subject of trolls.

Why trolls were chosen, I don’t know, but it was a good choice, because…

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Excerpt 3 from IN SEARCH OF A REVOLUTION

My new novel IN SEARCH OF A REVOLUTION will be released today, on March 26th. Below is the blurb and an excerpt to whet your appetite (FInd the book on Amazon) In 1918 young Zacharias Nielsen boards a ship in Copenhagen to join the Red Guards in the Finnish Civil War. Encouraged by an idolised teacher with communist leanings, he follows the call for help from his Nordic Comrades, despite his privileged background. His best friend, Ansgar, has opposing political ideals to Zacharias but, for his own personal reasons, finds himself soon stuck in the Scandinavian North with Zacharias and Raisa, a Finnish nurse who helps them in their new life. Through the years that follow the brotherly war the trio see the political landscape in Finland and Europe change as Communists and Fascists try to make their mark and attempt to change the world order. Our heroes must find their own personal and ideological place in these turbulent times as friendship, honour, idealism and love triangles bring out some personal truths. The book spans almost thirty years of history and the various Finnish conflicts: Civil War, Winter War, Continuation War and the Lapland War. Watch the political and personal self discovery of characters in search of their own revolution.

Here is another short excerpt from the book:

“You remind me of one of my childhood friends,” Baroness von Falckens told Line on her sick bed in the servant quarters. The lady of the house had not been to those parts of the building in years, and her visit earned Line a lot of jealousy from the other employees. “You’re so full of drama, as if life needed such extreme responses to our mundane little problems. I can see why you got carried away but you must know that your life should never depend on the love of a man, especially not someone so unworthy and shallow.”  “You don’t understand,” Line said, still weak from the journey and unsure how much she could argue with a woman who had shown her such unexpected generosity. “Oh I do understand, my dear. You love him but he won’t return your feelings. It’s the same sad old story since mankind has begun. There’s nothing unique about it – don’t fool yourself – really it should bore you just as much as it bores me. Maybe if you had attempted to kill yourself because an aristocrat or wealthy industrialist had abandoned you, now that would have made at least a little bit more sense. The man that you bemoan has been a selfish wastrel, a little and meaningless man, who had nothing to give to you and was hardly worth looking at. Why you even thought him worth your time is beyond me. Why any woman would, even. When you reach my age you look back on your life and regret that you let men have the say over your life for so long. I think about all the happy moments they gave me and I realise those were very few and they were hardly worth the price I paid for them. One day you’ll see it like me and then you’ll be thanking your lucky stars that someone found and saved you.”   “It was him that saved me!” she said in his defence. “That was the least he could do after putting you in that awkward position in the first place,” the Baroness said angrily. “He should have thought about you and your feelings before leading you on. After all you’ve done for him, he should be ashamed.” “You don’t know him,” Line insisted. “He’s a very good man with high ideals. He fights for a society that you would approve of and that comes before everything, even his friends, his family and his own life. Isn’t it heroic to risk everything for your beliefs?” “Heroic as that may be,” the old woman disagreed, “It shows you have no place in his life. Where is he now? When is the last time you‘ve even seen him? And there is your answer! He’s not deserving of you!” “I know he’s very busy with a new scheme,” Line said, but with lessening conviction. “How come you’re so sure he’s not making this up to have you believe he is a hero?” the Baroness asked. “We can be so gullible when we are blinded by love. This man does not strike me as reliable and trustworthy.” “You’ll have to trust me,” Line said shyly.  “I might be persuaded to trust you in anything else but not where that man is concerned.” The Baroness laughed and threw her head back. “I doubt that there is anything commendable about that man and someone has to prove it before you are going to try something stupid again.” The book on Amazon: http://smarturl.it/SearchofRevolution and on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25113498-in-search-of-a-revolution Meanwhile “The Luck of the Weissensteiners”, my first historical novel about Slovakia during WW2 is part of a multi-author $.099 10 book box set: “At Odds with Destiny” Bestselling, critically acclaimed, and notoriously creative authors from across the book continuum join forces to bring you At Odds with Destiny, everything you’ve wanted in a boxed set but thought you’d never find: full-length novels brimming with myth, fantasy, mystery, history, romance, drama, originality, heroism, and suspense. Finding themselves at odds with destiny, the characters in these stories fight to shape their future and define who they are. Come follow them in their amazing journeys. ✿ Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SHYGG7C/ ✿ Nook: http://tinyurl.com/at-odds4nook ✿ iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id959421650 ✿ Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/at-odds-with-destiny ✿ Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/511673 CHRISTOPH FISCHER  Short Biography: Christoph Fischer was born in Germany, near the Austrian border, as the son of a Sudeten-German father and a Bavarian mother. Not a full local in the eyes and ears of his peers he developed an ambiguous sense of belonging and home in Bavaria. He moved to Hamburg in pursuit of his studies and to lead a life of literary indulgence. After a few years he moved on to the UK where he now lives in a small hamlet, not far from Bath.  He and his partner have three Labradoodles to complete their family. Christoph worked for the British Film Institute, in Libraries, Museums and for an airline. ‘The Luck of The Weissensteiners’ was published in November 2012; ‘Sebastian’ in May 2013 and The Black Eagle Inn in October 2013. “Time To Let Go” , his first contemporary work was published in May 2014, and “Conditions” in October 2014. His medical thriller “The Healer” was released in January 2015. He has written several other novels which are in the later stages of editing and finalisation. Website: http://www.christophfischerbooks.com/ Blog: https://writerchristophfischer.wordpress.com/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6590171.Christoph_Fischer Amazon: http://ow.ly/BtveY Twitter: https://twitter.com/CFFBooks Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/christophffisch/ Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/106213860775307052243 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=241333846 Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WriterChristophFischer?ref=hl

Holger Beck, the pied piper in the #historical novel IN SEARCH OF A REVOLUTION

My last character portrait from In Search of A Revolution is that of Holger Beck, a young and charismatic teacher with communist leanings.

When he arrives at the school with his red scarf and goatee he has the entire class hang on his every word. Handsome, engaging and good with words he soon has a steady following amongst his students.

He sets up clandestine meetings for his best students and teaches them about Communism and the hopes for a better world.

Zacharias is one of many that get caught in his sphere of influence but he’s the only one who decides to follow the call of the pied piper and travel to Finland to fight for the cause.

I think we all have fallen for charlatans, manipulators and big speakers at some point in our lives, for people who were all talk but didn’t do much themselves.

Beck in my view is a slightly narcistic teacher who fancies himself as leader and a figure of importance and who needs the admiration from others more than he needs his principles. He finds it easy to impress some.  

In a film I would quite like Alexander Skarsgaard to take the role, or maybe Willem Dafoe. Charismatic actors with an innate ambiguity that is seductive, yet shows that there is a dangerous or dark side to them, too.

The Book is out tomorrow. You can pre-order it on Amazon already.

 Link to an excerpt from the book 

IN SEARCH OF A REVOLUTION 

In 1918 young Zacharias Nielsen boards a ship in Copenhagen to join the Red Guards in the Finnish Civil War.Encouraged by an idolised teacher with communist leanings, he follows the call for help from his Nordic Comrades, despite his privileged background.

His best friend, Ansgar, has opposing political ideals to Zacharias but, for his own personal reasons, finds himself soon stuck in the Scandinavian North with Zacharias and Raisa, a Finnish nurse who helps them in their new life.

Through the years that follow the brotherly war the trio see the political landscape in Finland and Europe change as Communists and Fascists try to make their mark and attempt to change the world order. 

Our heroes must find their own personal and ideological place in these turbulent times as friendship, honour, idealism and love triangles bring out some personal truths.

The book spans almost thirty years of history and the various Finnish conflicts: Civil War, Winter War, Continuation War and the Lapland War. Watch the political and personal self discovery of characters in search of their own revolution.

CHRISTOPH FISCHER 

Short Biography:

Christoph Fischer was born in Germany, near the Austrian border, as the son of a Sudeten-German father and a Bavarian mother. Not a full local in the eyes and ears of his peers he developed an ambiguous sense of belonging and home in Bavaria. He moved to Hamburg in pursuit of his studies and to lead a life of literary indulgence. After a few years he moved on to the UK where he now lives in a small hamlet, not far from Bath.  He and his partner have three Labradoodles to complete their family.

Christoph worked for the British Film Institute, in Libraries, Museums and for an airline. ‘The Luck of The Weissensteiners’ was published in November 2012; ‘Sebastian’ in May 2013 and The Black Eagle Inn in October 2013. “Time To Let Go” , his first contemporary work was published in May 2014, and “Conditions” in October 2014. His medical thriller “The Healer” was released in January 2015.

He has written several other novels which are in the later stages of editing and finalisation.

Website: http://www.christophfischerbooks.com/

Blog: https://writerchristophfischer.wordpress.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6590171.Christoph_Fischer

Amazon: http://ow.ly/BtveY

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CFFBooks

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/christophffisch/

Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/106213860775307052243

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=241333846

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WriterChristophFischer?ref=hl

Line, a character from my #historical #novel IN SEARCH OF A REVOLUTION

Line Holm, nee Nielsen, is another key character in my novel IN SEARCH OF A REVOLUTION.

She appears late in the book and in time to unhinge the dynamics of the trio once again. 

A cousin of Zacharias from Copenhagen and a tough and judgemental woman she is less of an idealist in her political convictions.

Beautiful and strong headed she has a different agenda and has her own perspective on the wars and politics in Europe.

Trophy wife to a famous lawyer in Denmark and accustomed to a life of prestige and privilege, her arrival in Finland marks the most radical transformation and represents a huge challenge.

How will she fit into the group dynamics? What is her story and agenda? Will she be a good or a bad influence? Will she change for better or for worse?

Although Line may come off as bad character at times, I feel for her and love her resourcefulness and determination.

Whether she can redeem herself will remain to be seen.

As writer, I enjoyed her very much, though.

In a film version Kristin Scott Thomas could be a good choice.

IN SEARCH OF A REVOLUTION 

In 1918 young Zacharias Nielsen boards a ship in Copenhagen to join the Red Guards in the Finnish Civil War.Encouraged by an idolised teacher with communist leanings, he follows the call for help from his Nordic Comrades, despite his privileged background.

His best friend, Ansgar, has opposing political ideals to Zacharias but, for his own personal reasons, finds himself soon stuck in the Scandinavian North with Zacharias and Raisa, a Finnish nurse who helps them in their new life.

Through the years that follow the brotherly war the trio see the political landscape in Finland and Europe change as Communists and Fascists try to make their mark and attempt to change the world order. 

Our heroes must find their own personal and ideological place in these turbulent times as friendship, honour, idealism and love triangles bring out some personal truths.

The book spans almost thirty years of history and the various Finnish conflicts: Civil War, Winter War, Continuation War and the Lapland War. Watch the political and personal self discovery of characters in search of their own revolution.

CHRISTOPH FISCHER 

Short Biography:

Christoph Fischer was born in Germany, near the Austrian border, as the son of a Sudeten-German father and a Bavarian mother. Not a full local in the eyes and ears of his peers he developed an ambiguous sense of belonging and home in Bavaria. He moved to Hamburg in pursuit of his studies and to lead a life of literary indulgence. After a few years he moved on to the UK where he now lives in a small hamlet, not far from Bath.  He and his partner have three Labradoodles to complete their family.

Christoph worked for the British Film Institute, in Libraries, Museums and for an airline. ‘The Luck of The Weissensteiners’ was published in November 2012; ‘Sebastian’ in May 2013 and The Black Eagle Inn in October 2013. “Time To Let Go” , his first contemporary work was published in May 2014, and “Conditions” in October 2014. His medical thriller “The Healer” was released in January 2015.

He has written several other novels which are in the later stages of editing and finalisation.

Website: http://www.christophfischerbooks.com/

Blog: https://writerchristophfischer.wordpress.com/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6590171.Christoph_Fischer

Amazon: http://ow.ly/BtveY

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CFFBooks

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/christophffisch/

Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/106213860775307052243

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=241333846

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WriterChristophFischer?ref=hl