At Midnight in a Flaming Town - published by Karnac Books March 2011
Authors Lorraine Bateman and Paul Cole return to early twentieth century Belgium and the outbreak of the First World War. Local people faced occupation by the German army, and the novel dispels a familiar lie that stories of brutality against local people were a fabrication to support British propaganda.
Faced with the destruction of their homes, including the ransacking of the town of Leuven which burned for days, and dramatic revelations of massacres and rape, the courage of local people comes to the fore. Vowing to combat their new masters rather than bow to their wishes, they assist and support British soldiers as they escape, risking their own lives in the process.
At Midnight in a Flaming Town intertwines the lives of three very different characters: English nurse Marion, a sister from a nearby convent, and Russell, who is an American Rhodes scholar. These three come to be linked with Edith Cavell, responsible for a Brussels-based school for nurses and someone who is to become probably the most famous female character of the war. Unsure of their futures, the characters find their lives intertwining with relationships challenged by conflicts of loyalty, intrigue and differing outlooks.
Authors Bateman and Cole used original accounts to source information that brings life to an urgent, compelling storyline. Don't miss out, pre-order your copy of At Midnight in a Flaming Town by visiting www.lorrainebateman.com and the author's personal blog online at www.batemancole.wordpress.com.
The book takes its title from a poem titled Rendezvous with Death from Alan Seeger, a US poet who studied at Harvard in the same era as T.S Eliot. With the outbreak of war, Seeger joined the French foreign legion, and died while fighting in 1916. He was uncle to well-known folk singer Pete Seeger.
Faced with the destruction of their homes, including the ransacking of the town of Leuven which burned for days, and dramatic revelations of massacres and rape, the courage of local people comes to the fore. Vowing to combat their new masters rather than bow to their wishes, they assist and support British soldiers as they escape, risking their own lives in the process.
At Midnight in a Flaming Town intertwines the lives of three very different characters: English nurse Marion, a sister from a nearby convent, and Russell, who is an American Rhodes scholar. These three come to be linked with Edith Cavell, responsible for a Brussels-based school for nurses and someone who is to become probably the most famous female character of the war. Unsure of their futures, the characters find their lives intertwining with relationships challenged by conflicts of loyalty, intrigue and differing outlooks.
Authors Bateman and Cole used original accounts to source information that brings life to an urgent, compelling storyline. Don't miss out, pre-order your copy of At Midnight in a Flaming Town by visiting www.lorrainebateman.com and the author's personal blog online at www.batemancole.wordpress.com.
The book takes its title from a poem titled Rendezvous with Death from Alan Seeger, a US poet who studied at Harvard in the same era as T.S Eliot. With the outbreak of war, Seeger joined the French foreign legion, and died while fighting in 1916. He was uncle to well-known folk singer Pete Seeger.
About the Author:
Learn more about World War 1 atrocities. Stop by the authors'blog where you can find out all about At Midnight in a Flaming Town.