[If
you’ve read any of my work, you’ll know I love stories set in
exotic locales. Check out Conquered, a historical erotic romance that
takes place in WWII Guam. And don’t forget to enter Paula’s
drawing at the end of the post! ~ Lisabet]
Blurb
Conquered
is a passionate love story, as much about its main characters, Guam
native Jesi Taimanglo and American GI Johan Landers, as it is about
author Paula Quinene’s passion for Guam itself. As her characters
try to find a place for themselves amid the war, Jesi’s relatives,
and the Chamorro traditions, Quinene charts a path through a seldom
told story: Guam’s place in WWII. An original idea written with an
original voice that invites readers in to the exotic world of the
Pacific, complete with coconut trees, banana doughnuts, dolphins
swimming in the ocean, and moonlight on Pago Bay, Conquered
also recounts the brutal horrors of the Japanese occupation on Guam,
a US territory largely forgotten back in the States. In addition to
learning about a singular and little-known culture that has played a
part in the world wars of the Pacific, readers will undoubtedly crave
the recipe for banana doughnuts.
—Stacey Donovan, Writer, Editor, and Author of Dive
—Stacey Donovan, Writer, Editor, and Author of Dive
Excerpt
Johan
stood beside her, and could feel her arm against him. The slight
grazing of her skin assaulted his senses. Christ Landers, they’re
praying and you’re thinking of that. She did the sign of the cross
again, and the prayer ended.
“Come,
Johan, you and your men eat first,” Mrs. T said, appearing out of
nowhere.
“We
can wait, Ma’am.”
“No,
you’re our guests. Jesi and Peter, show them what we have.”
Jesi
led Johan, more like pulled him first, to the table. Peter helped the
other soldiers.
“It’s
not fancy,” Jesi said as she handed him an old bowl and spoon.
“We’re blessed we didn’t lose our house.”
“It
smells delicious, and reminds me of you.” Johan smiled, remembering
the coconut oil.
“You
know what rice is right?”
“Yup.”
“I
hope you like seafood.”
“Sure
do.” A grin spread across his lips. “My favorite is brown trout
because my Pops used to take me fly-fishing in the Catskills, and we
caught a lot of that kind of fish.”
“You’re
a fisherman?”
Johan
watched as she ladled fish, shrimp, and white broth into his bowl.
“I
wouldn’t go that far. I was mediocre on my best days. Pops was
great at it. We’d come home with tons of fish.”
They
moved down the table.
“Sounds
like you miss him.”
“I
do. He passed awhile ago.”
“I
miss both my grandpas.”
In
an instant, he saw the joy dissipate from her face. Don’t make her
cry.
“What
is that?” Jeez, I might have to eat it. “If I eat whatever that
is,” he nodded toward the bowl of beans and something, “will it
bring that pretty smile of yours back? I didn’t mean to make you
sad.”
About
the Author
Paula Quinene was born and raised on Guam. She graduated from the University of Oregon in 1997 with a bachelor’s of science in Exercise and Movement Science, hoping to return to the island as an anatomy teacher. A resident of North Carolina since 2000, Paula’s homesickness – or “mahalangness” – has motivated Paula to write A Taste of Guam, Remember Guam, both cookbooks, and her first novel, Conquered. Paula’s home on the web is www.paulaq.com.
Paula is giving away a $10 Amazon or BN gift certificate to one lucky reader. Use the Rafflecopter below to enter.
Visit other posts in her Book Blast for more excerpts and more chances to win!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
14 comments:
Thanks for hosting!
Good morning Lisabet! I'm thrilled you are sharing my book. Thank you! Did you, or your readers, know about the island prior to seeing Conquered?
Was in Guam briefly on my way to Okinawa. I would be greatly interested in reading about such a beautiful island paradise.
Thanks for the chance!
Hi Michelle! Guam has changed a bunch since my younger years, but it is still paradise.
Thank you too for stopping by!
I enjoyed the excerpt.
Thank you for the excerpt!
I love visiting other places by reading. Thank you for the great contest.
I love visiting other places by reading. Thank you for the great contest.
What an interesting setting for a story! Thanks for introducing me to a new author!
Awesome, and thanks for coming in!
Hafa Adai orelukipO, that's hello in Chamorro, the native language of Guam. Enjoy your trip to Guam in 1944/1945!
Hi Jen B., thank you too!
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