Lance Morcan's Blog, page 11
January 6, 2025
Marie Lavender’s romance blog reveals how to incorporate a multiracial angle in a historical romance novel
Book blogger supremo Marie Lavender highlights the multiracial romance angle in my new release historical adventure New Zealand: A Novel in her popular I Love Romance Blog at https://iloveromanceblog.wordpress.com/
Incorporating a somewhat lusty multicultural angle in my novel was always going to be a challenge – and not because I’d never faced that challenge before. I had, several times, in previously published historical adventures. I usually co-author books (fiction and non-fiction) with my son James. Together, we’ve co-written some 35 published books, including at least eight novels that feature multicultural romance.
However, New Zealand: A Novel was my first solo-authored novel, and therein lay the challenge. Tackling the task of delivering to readers a poignant and credible romantic liaison between a 17-year-old teenage boy and a middle-aged Tahitian beauty was always going to be a challenge for this writer!
The teenager in this case is one Nicholas Young, a tall, handsome, English lad who was recruited as Surgeon’s Boy aboard Captain James Cook’s bark the Endeavour on a voyage of discovery to the South Pacific. The Tahitian beauty is Tahitian Queen Obadia who believes the blue-eyed, blond-haired Nicholas has been sent to her by the island’s gods to give her the child she has never had.
Tahiti, incidentally, was a scheduled stopover for the men aboard the Endeavour because Cook was tasked with recording the infamous Transit of Venus. For Nicholas, the lengthy stopover was a glorious introduction to manhood – thanks to the sensual Queen Obadia.
I’m pleased to see one Amazon reviewer (Kotuku) was impressed by my handling of the novel’s romantic subplots. He writes, “The sex scenes were tastefully done as well!!”
Marie Lavender’s highlighting of the novel’s romance themes in her exquisite I Love Romance Blog will appeal to lovers of historical romance… and to lovers full stop! Check it out at:
Readers & Bookworms can visit Marie’s other websites at:
marielavender.com/
and
writinginthemodernage.weebly.com/
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December 30, 2024
Maoris’ ancestors depart Hawaiki for land far to the south in this excerpt from ‘New Zealand: A Novel’ – a new release, historical adventure
It is generally agreed the Polynesian explorer Kupe discovered New Zealand between 750 AD and 950 AD, and the so-called Great Fleet of seven canoes landed around 1350 AD. Those canoes each had landing points and arrival dates that did not suit my story, hence my deviation from the popular historical account in my new release, historical adventure New Zealand: A Novel.
*** To clarify, in the following excerpt from the novel, the great Hawaikan voyaging canoes I named Ronui and Tautira never existed:
The morning after the big feast in Hotu’s village, Ronui led Tautira toward the narrow gap in the reef that separated them from the open sea. Around eighty people – passengers and crew – occupied almost every bit of available space on the decks of each canoe.
First places aboard the craft had been allocated to the rangatiras and their extended families. These included Hotu’s wives and their young children aboard Ronui, and Ra’s wives and even younger children aboard Tautira. Some of the children were only babies.
The rangatiras’ extended families accounted for about twenty people on each vessel. Other places had gone to a cross-section of villagers with special skills. High on the list were navigators, sailors, fishermen and boat-builders. Most were fighting men as well. Last but not least were their womenfolk. In some cases children had had to stay behind. They’d be looked after by grandparents and other close relatives.
Hotu hadn’t even considered taking his own ageing parents, so frail were they. Besides, they considered themselves too much a permanent part of Hawaiki to consider leaving. Saying goodbye to them proved an unbearable sadness for the rangatira.
Many of those departing wailed mournfully as they sailed away from their beautiful island. Men chanted to their island gods while their wahines cried out despairingly. Oblivious to their sadness, naked children scampered over the decks. Behind them, Hawaiki’s palm trees swayed in the balmy breeze and the jungle-covered peaks were framed by a tropical blue sky.
On the black sand beach, villagers looked on forlornly as their loved ones sailed away even though many of them were hoping to depart soon aboard the other seven canoes. Those vessels were now within ten days of completion.
Crewmembers aboard the departing craft were too busy to look back. They worked frantically adjusting the triangular sails in readiness for the open sea beyond the reef. The cries of those ashore faded amidst the constant boom of waves crashing on the reef. Ronui led Tautira through the small gap. In the space of a few heartbeats, they were into the open sea.
In the weeks ahead, the crews of the two craft would strive to maintain this formation through torrential rain and high winds and every other challenge the sea could throw at them.
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Spring gave way to summer and the voyagers found themselves at the point of no return – the point reached in every ocean voyage where to continue and not find land meant certain death. Hotu and Ra instinctively knew they had reached that point.
It had been four weeks since they’d set sail for Kupe’s land aboard Ronui and Tautira. In that time, the giant craft had been battered by almost everything except a tidal wave or full-blown cyclone. Still they’d never been more than fifty yards apart, secured to each other by a length of platted twine fashioned from strong jungle vines. Without it they would have been separated very early on in the voyage.
The canoes were barely recognisable as the proud craft they’d once been, such was the terrible hammering they’d received from the elements. Their crews and passengers looked even more pathetic. They were in the early stages of starvation; the signs of malnutrition could already be seen in the children. All on board were cold, wet and tired, and many had developed hacking coughs. The coughing sickness they called it.
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New Zealand: A Novel is available via Amazon as a hardcover, paperback and Kindle ebook.
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Global nuclear threat could explain spike in sales of book about underground bases
A spike in the sale of underground bunkers could explain the spike in sales of Underground Bases, book 7 in The Underground Knowledge Series by James & Lance Morcan.
Global security leaders are warning nuclear threats are growing as weapons spending surged to $91.4 billion last year. At the same time, private bunker sales are on the rise globally, from small metal boxes to crawl inside of, to extravagant underground mansions.
So says Associated Press writer Martha Mendoza in an article published by AP on December 18.
Mendoza writes: “Critics warn these bunkers create a false perception that a nuclear war is survivable. They argue that people planning to live through an atomic blast aren’t focusing on the real and current dangers posed by nuclear threats, and the critical need to stop the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
“Meanwhile, government disaster experts say bunkers aren’t necessary. A Federal Emergency Management Agency 100-page guide on responding to a nuclear detonation focuses on having the public get inside and stay inside, ideally in a basement and away from outside walls for at least a day. Those existing spaces can provide protection from radioactive fallout, says FEMA.
“But increasingly, buyers say bunkers offer a sense of security. The market for U.S. bomb and fallout shelters is forecast to grow from $137 million last year to $175 million by 2030, according to a market research report from BlueWeave Consulting. The report says major growth factors include “the rising threat of nuclear or terrorist attacks or civil unrest.”
Mendoza reports that COVID lockdowns, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war have driven sales.
None of this surprises my co-writer and I. The blurb for our contentious book ‘Underground Bases’ reads as follows:
“(This book) details confirmed and rumored underground facilities in the United States and around the world. Containing rare photographic evidence throughout as well as little-known quotes from key government figures, it makes a compelling case for there being an enormous hidden world under the Earth’s surface.
“The Morcans speculate that the covert underground infrastructure may be far bigger than anyone has previously supposed and is likely used for the development of suppressed technologies. Their sources include declassified files, university reports, WikiLeaks’ documents and interviews with ex-military personnel turned whistleblowers who claim to have worked in ‘cities below ground.’”
UNDERGROUND BASES: Subterranean Military Facilities and the Cities Beneath Our Feet is available via Amazon.
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/UNDERGROUND-BASES-Subterranean-Facilities-Underground-ebook/dp/B0184KA4KS
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December 26, 2024
‘New Zealand: A Novel’ now available as a hardcover, paperback and Kindle ebook
The hardcover version of the new release historical adventure New Zealand: A Novel was launched on Amazon this week. Also available as a paperback and Kindle ebook, this epic spans almost 500 years and covers the respective discoveries of New Zealand by Maori and European. It’s a no-holds-barred tale of lust, betrayal and conflict.
First book reviews are in now. Check them out!
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December 23, 2024
Christmas dinner in 1769 surprisingly good aboard the Endeavour
Researching my new release, historical adventure New Zealand: A Novel, I discovered that Christmas dinner for the crew of the Endeavour on December 25th, 1769, was surprisingly good. That’s according to one logbook entry penned by English botanist Joseph Banks who also alluded to heavy drinking by fellow crewmembers that particular Christmas.
The Endeavour, helmed by Captain James Cook, had anchored off Three Kings Islands, in New Zealand’s Far North, during her circumnavigation of the country. What transpired is covered in the following excerpt from my novel…
The crew spent Christmas Day anchored off Three Kings Islands, a small island group that had been discovered by Abel Tasman. For Christmas dinner, the bark’s company enjoyed a meal that passed as goose pie thanks to the marksmanship of Banks who had shot a good number of gannets the previous day.
The meal was so well received that Banks made mention of it in his diary entry that evening. It read:
“Our goose pye was eaten with great approbation and in the evening all hands were as drunk as our forefathers used to be on such an occasion.”
Cook, who was never one for frivolity, didn’t mention the dinner in his logbook. Nor did he make mention of the sorry state of his men the following day. Banks did mention it, however, stating: “All heads ached with yesterday’s debauchery.”
New Zealand: A Novel was launched last week as a Kindle ebook and paperback. First reviews are in! https://www.amazon.com/New-Zealand-Novel-Lance-Morcan-ebook/dp/B0DPTJTDCQ
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December 19, 2024
Acclaimed U.S. book reviewer asks, “Could this be the Great New Zealand novel?”
First reviews are in for the new-release historical adventure New Zealand: A Novel, and acclaimed American book reviewer Grady Harp asks, “Could this be the Great New Zealand novel?”
Harp, who is also an artist representative, gallery owner and published author of note, says, “This is a fine novel that invites understanding of New Zealand’s fascinating history!” He describes it as “Fascinating!”
Excerpts from the other 5 ★★★★★ reviews follow:
“What a fantastic story! This is a story of the beginnings of New Zealand, warts and all and very well researched and written. A good insight into the early settlers in NZ, both Māori and Pakeha but told with a flair for the story and information and facts laid out with clarity, that both New Zealanders as well as those who have never been here would find factual and interesting. “The sex scenes were tastefully done as well!!” –Kotuku
“Riveting. I could not put the book down. Historical facts were woven with some well-crafted narratives into a story of how the nation of New Zealand came to be. The knowledge of the author about native beliefs, customs, and the way of life in the tribal communities of the south Pacific coupled with Captain Cook, the explorer of legend, made this a compelling and exciting story to read. And now I am just waiting for the movie!” –Stephen Heartland
“Wow, what a fantastic novel. Lance Morcan has that special talent of being able to pull you into the story, so you can vividly picture everything that’s going on. The struggles of the indigenous people are not something one can possibly imagine, and courage it must have taken to leave their home in search of a better place. I always enjoy reading about Captain Cook, and this has been incorporated really well into this story. I’m amazed at how much has been packed into this wonderful book. It’s well worth a read and easily worth the 5/5 Star Rating.” –Todd Simpson
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New Zealand: A Novel is currently exclusive to Amazon as a paperback and Kindle ebook @ https://www.amazon.com.au/New-Zealand-Novel-Lance-Morcan-ebook/dp/B0DPTJTDCQ
The paperback will soon be available in public libraries, and the hardcover and audiobook versions will be published early in 2025.
Happy reading!
Lance Morcan (Author)
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December 17, 2024
SCOOP Independent News: 18 Dec. 2024: NEW ZEALAND AUTHOR BRACES FOR “BACKLASH” FOLLOWING BOOK LAUNCH
Papamoa author Lance Morcan said today he was bracing for a likely backlash from some Maoris and from academics following this week’s official launch of his historical adventure epic New Zealand: A Novel.
The novel, published by Sterling Gate Books, spans almost 500 years and covers the respective discoveries of New Zealand by Maori and European.
It starts in the 1300’s with the departure of Pacific Islanders from Hawaiki in search of land far to the south and ends in the 1700’s with Captain James Cook’s historic circumnavigation of New Zealand.
“From the outset the two stories are interposed so readers are taken back and forth in time,” Morcan said.
“The adventures of the descendants of the earliest Maoris are followed down through the centuries, culminating in their often-violent interactions, initially between tribes and later with Europeans.”
Morcan described his novel as a no-holds-barred historical adventure that reflects the betrayal, lust and conflict of the times with passages highlighting the savagery of Maori juxtaposed with true accounts of the brutality of the British Empire.
“It includes passages relating to slavery and cannibalism, and I predict criticism from some Maoris as I suspect they’d prefer those unsavoury practices weren’t mentioned.
“Under Historical Notes at the end of the novel, I advise readers that cannibalism was widely practised by Maori and it continued until well into the 1800’s, especially during the Musket Wars of the 1800’s when a quarter of the Maori race perished in inter-tribal warfare.”
The author refers readers to acclaimed New Zealand historian Paul Moon’s contentious book This Horrid Practice: the Myth and Reality of Traditional Maori Cannibalism.
“Moon leaves no doubt in his book that cannibalism was widespread in early Maori society. He quotes none other than Captain Cook as stating, ‘Though stronger evidence of this horrid practice prevailing among the inhabitants of this coast will scarcely be required, we have still stronger to give.’”
Morcan said he was also bracing for a backlash from historians, history teachers and other academics who were likely to take issue with the fact he has fictionalised many historic events.
“In the interests of telling a good story I have deviated from Maori and European history in places. However, while my novel may not convey exactly what happened during the discovery and settlement of New Zealand, I believe it accurately captures the spirit of those bygone days.
“I would remind critics I’m a novelist not a historian, and I’d point out that prominent historical fiction authors, Bernard Cornwell (The Last Kingdom) included, often replace history with invention in their novels.”
Morcan said he had severe misgivings regarding what young Kiwis today are learning about New Zealand’s history in schools, universities and other learning institutions, but was heartened that some prominent individuals were airing their concerns.
He referred to an article by Paul Moon that The Post published (on May 2 this year) headed ‘The new history curriculum is failing our students’ in which the historian described the new history curriculum in schools as ‘Narrowly written, clumsily implemented, and sorely lacking in diversity and inclusion.’
“Moon refers to ‘an attempt to smuggle elements of now largely debunked critical race theory into the curriculum, with history being depicted primarily as a story of the exercise and abuse of power (and) at its crudest, people are reduced to either villains or victims.’
“I have a fair idea the ‘villains’ he refers to in this case are the dreaded Colonialists. My forefathers in other words.”
Morcan said he hoped New Zealand: A Novel might spark wider debate on the subject of New Zealand’s history curriculum while providing readers young and old with insights into the country’s colourful history albeit via a work of fiction.
For the Papamoa author, this is his first solo-authored novel. He usually writes in collaboration with his Sydney-based son James, and together they have co-authored 35 published books, both fiction and non-fiction. Several of their historical fiction novels including Into the Americas, White Spirit and Fiji: A Novel, have been regular visitors to Amazon’s bestseller lists.
Lance Morcan said his novel had been a labour of love for half a century. “I wrote a one-paragraph logline for it 50 years ago and added to it, a few paras at a time, right up until its publication.”
New Zealand: A Novel is available via Amazon as a paperback and Kindle ebook. Hardcover and audiobook versions will be available early 2025.
Amazon link: [image error] https://www.amazon.com/New-Zealand-Novel-Lance-Morcan-ebook/dp/B0DPTJTDCQ
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SCOOP Independent News: 18 Dec. 2024: NEW ZEALAND AUTHOR BRACES FOR “BACKLASH FROM SOME MAORIS” FOLLOWING BOOK LAUNCH
Papamoa author Lance Morcan said today he was bracing for a likely backlash from some Maoris and from academics following this week’s official launch of his historical adventure epic New Zealand: A Novel.
The novel, published by Sterling Gate Books, spans almost 500 years and covers the respective discoveries of New Zealand by Maori and European.
It starts in the 1300’s with the departure of Pacific Islanders from Hawaiki in search of land far to the south and ends in the 1700’s with Captain James Cook’s historic circumnavigation of New Zealand.
“From the outset the two stories are interposed so readers are taken back and forth in time,” Morcan said.
“The adventures of the descendants of the earliest Maoris are followed down through the centuries, culminating in their often-violent interactions, initially between tribes and later with Europeans.”
Morcan described his novel as a no-holds-barred historical adventure that reflects the betrayal, lust and conflict of the times with passages highlighting the savagery of Maori juxtaposed with true accounts of the brutality of the British Empire.
“It includes passages relating to slavery and cannibalism, and I predict criticism from some Maoris as I suspect they’d prefer those unsavoury practices weren’t mentioned.
“Under Historical Notes at the end of the novel, I advise readers that cannibalism was widely practised by Maori and it continued until well into the 1800’s, especially during the Musket Wars of the 1800’s when a quarter of the Maori race perished in inter-tribal warfare.”
The author refers readers to acclaimed New Zealand historian Paul Moon’s contentious book This Horrid Practice: the Myth and Reality of Traditional Maori Cannibalism.
“Moon leaves no doubt in his book that cannibalism was widespread in early Maori society. He quotes none other than Captain Cook as stating, ‘Though stronger evidence of this horrid practice prevailing among the inhabitants of this coast will scarcely be required, we have still stronger to give.’”
Morcan said he was also bracing for a backlash from historians, history teachers and other academics who were likely to take issue with the fact he has fictionalised many historic events.
“In the interests of telling a good story I have deviated from Maori and European history in places. However, while my novel may not convey exactly what happened during the discovery and settlement of New Zealand, I believe it accurately captures the spirit of those bygone days.
“I would remind critics I’m a novelist not a historian, and I’d point out that prominent historical fiction authors, Bernard Cornwell (The Last Kingdom) included, often replace history with invention in their novels.”
Morcan said he had severe misgivings regarding what young Kiwis today are learning about New Zealand’s history in schools, universities and other learning institutions, but was heartened that some prominent individuals were airing their concerns.
He referred to an article by Paul Moon that The Post published (on May 2 this year) headed ‘The new history curriculum is failing our students’ in which the historian described the new history curriculum in schools as ‘Narrowly written, clumsily implemented, and sorely lacking in diversity and inclusion.’
“Moon refers to ‘an attempt to smuggle elements of now largely debunked critical race theory into the curriculum, with history being depicted primarily as a story of the exercise and abuse of power (and) at its crudest, people are reduced to either villains or victims.’
“I have a fair idea the ‘villains’ he refers to in this case are the dreaded Colonialists. My forefathers in other words.”
Morcan said he hoped New Zealand: A Novel might spark wider debate on the subject of New Zealand’s history curriculum while providing readers young and old with insights into the country’s colourful history albeit via a work of fiction.
For the Papamoa author, this is his first solo-authored novel. He usually writes in collaboration with his Sydney-based son James, and together they have co-authored 35 published books, both fiction and non-fiction. Several of their historical fiction novels including Into the Americas, White Spirit and Fiji: A Novel, have been regular visitors to Amazon’s bestseller lists.
Lance Morcan said his novel had been a labour of love for half a century. “I wrote a one-paragraph logline for it 50 years ago and added to it, a few paras at a time, right up until its publication.”
New Zealand: A Novel is available via Amazon as a paperback and Kindle ebook. Hardcover and audiobook versions will be available early 2025.
Amazon link: [image error] https://www.amazon.com/New-Zealand-Novel-Lance-Morcan-ebook/dp/B0DPTJTDCQ
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December 15, 2024
LOOKING FOR SOME GOOD HOLIDAY READING? CHECK OUT THESE “ADDICTIVE” BOOK TRILOGIES!
Romper.com invites you to check out its “Addictive Book Trilogies with a Cult Following to Dive into STAT.” Our bestseller international thriller series The Orphan Trilogy (The Ninth Orphan, The Orphan Factory, The Orphan Uprising) – by James & Lance Morcan – comes in at #5 on the list! James’s name comes first because the trilogy was his brainchild.
The list follows below.
Addictive Book Trilogies list:
#1 The Hunger Games – by Suzanne Collins
#2 The Millennium Trilogy – by Stieg Larsson
#3 Infernal Devices Trilogy – by Cassandra Clare
#4 Graceling Realm Series – by Kristin Cashore
#5 The Orphan Trilogy – by James and Lance Morcan
#6 The King Trilogy – by Stephen Douglass
#7 His Dark Materials – by Philip Pullman
#8 The Bourne Trilogy – by Robert Ludlum
#9 Trilogy Of The Chosen – by J.M. LeDuc
#10 The Falsifiers – by Antoine Bello
#11 Bloodlines Trilogy – by Glen Duncan
#12 The Beyond Trilogy – by Janet Morris
#13 The Bronze Horseman Trilogy – by Paullina Simons
#14 African Trilogy – by Chinua Achebe
#15 The Ibis Trilogy – by Amitav Ghosh
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Romper.com’s summary of The Orphan Trilogy follows:
“James and Lance Morcan’s Orphan Trilogy is a fast-paced international conspiracy series that follows an orphan named Nine. He is one of twenty-three genetically superior orphans being raised and groomed by Chicago’s Pedemont Project to start a new world order. The series follows Nine as he comes of age within the orphanage, then escapes and goes on the run across America and overseas, all the while using espionage skills from his upbringing to try to outrun his former father-figure. Talk about suspense from the get-go!”
Amazon link to The Orphan Trilogy: https://www.amazon.com/Orphan-Trilogy-Ninth-Factory-Uprising-ebook/dp/B00BGGM05U – It’s available as a Kindle ebook only. However, the three books in the trilogy are available individually as paperbacks and ebooks.
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December 14, 2024
NEW ZEALAND: A NOVEL freebie blitz & giveaway courtesy of Silver Dagger Book Tours
You can visit Silver Dagger Book Tours “New Zealand freebie blitz & giveaway” here: https://www.silverdaggertours.com/sdsxx-tours/new-zealand-freebie-blitz-and-giveaway
The historical adventure New Zealand: A Novel is FREE on Kindle this weekend December 14 & 15 PST. Go to: https://www.amazon.com/New-Zealand-Novel-Lance-Morcan-ebook/dp/B0DPTJTDCQ
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