Pursuit of the Golden Lily is my first novel, but not my last! I'm addicted. I loved writing this story. Perhaps equally enjoyable for me, was the research. Originally, I set out to write the story of my parents' wartime journeys - my father left me his POW diary and my mother wrote a short story, called Lamb and Butter - both accounts fueled my imagination. However, when a friend suggested I write a more contemporary tale, my creativity was challenged. But how could I accomplish my original goals, include my parents' wartime experience, and appeal to a wider audience? After an afternoon walking on the beach in Florida, I returned home in search of a secret from WWII. That's when I discovered the Golden Lily!
Sometimes referred to as Yamashita's gold, the Golden Lily campaign was an impeccably thought out operation, allegedly carried out by members of the Japanese Imperial Family from 1935 - 1945. Few people have followed the trail as extensively as Sterling and Peggy Seagrave. It was their fascinating book, Gold Warriors, that provided me with the information I needed to set the back drop for my mystery adventure!
People like the Seagraves are few and far between; people who risk their lives in search of the truth, who do not shy away from sharing what they uncover. There are plenty of real-life players implicated in the saga of the Golden Lily - the legacy lives on. Consequently, there is a desire to bury what happened, to act as if all those in pursuit of the truth in the matter are merely 'conspiracy theorists'. But the Freedom of Information laws have thankfully allowed the release of certain documents that prove, beyond a doubt, that this nefarious operation was not a figment of anyone's imagination. I hope that Pursuit of the Golden Lily will play a role in helping to educate the public further. I am grateful to the Seagraves, and everyone else whose research allowed me to build a story enriched by their work.
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I have finished the final draft and still aim to publish by March! Stay tuned!
