I’m so excited to let you know that Three Notch Safari has finally arrived, online and in local St. Mary’s County shops.
This book cover is my favorite out of the 14 books I’ve published. My cover designer, Kim Killion, really “gets” me. With only some minor direction from me, like telling her certain farm animals needed to be included and there should be a farmhouse on it, this cover was her first draft. My only change was a modification to the fighter jet in the upper right corner. When you read the book, I think you’ll agree that she knocked it out of the park.
Update on my Next Book!
I’ve now moved from plotting to writing my next book. I haven’t come up with a working title yet, which is always aggravating to me. I don’t know why, but I always feel more comfortable writing a book if I can refer to it by title as I’m doing so.
However, I’m done some fascinating research on World War II for this novel, a period I’ve never investigated before. For example, I have always heard the name “Captain Walter Francis Duke” here in my local area. There are both an elementary school and an airport named for him, plus Duke is a “county name,” but I didn’t know who he was.
Turns out Duke was a highly decorated fighter pilot during the war. He had received flight training, was assigned to the 89th fighter squadron of the 80th fighter group at Mitchell Field in Long Island and had become a second lieutenant…all by his 21st birthday in August 1942.
Duke was eventually shipped off to India. Between March and June 1944, he was credited with destroying 19 enemy planes and becoming the squadron’s—and Maryland’s—leading war ace.
On May 27, 1944, Duke received word that orders were being cut for his return home.
St. Mary’s County had planned a “Duke Day” celebration for the return of its favorite son. Alas, it was not to be.
On June 6, 1944, Duke flew what was to be his last mission. His squadron had divided into two groups and performed a sweep over Rangoon, Burma. Duke’s plane was shot down and lost.
During his short life and career, Capt. Duke earned the Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, the Purple Heart, the American Defense Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the Asia/Pacific Area Service Medal, the Canadian War Medal, and the British Burma Star.
Capt. Duke’s remains were finally located in Burma in 2012, 68 years after he was shot down a couple of months shy of his 23rd birthday.
The captain will have a small role in my book. Look for it next year.
And now…some fluffy cuteness!
Let’s wrap up this post with some adorableness. Here’s Cicero, who has never seen a space too small for him to crawl into and curl up for a nap. Isn’t he the snuggliest thing you’ve ever seen? He likes to crawl into tight spaces nearby while I’m writing.
If you’re local to St. Mary’s County, you can find Three Notch Safari (and, of course, St. Clements Bluff) at these featured Shop Local locations, click here to see the locations. And, of course, you can find them at all the usual online locations.
Don’t forget to visit the Appearances page for a complete listing of my upcoming book-signings and events. It would be a treat to meet you and say “hello.”