Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Guest Post: Graeme Smith



ABOUT THE BOOK

Abraham Brown, Patch Hancock, and Indigo Templeton are three American servicemen separated from their platoon, biding their time in southern France during the Second World War when they are captured by a desperate group of Renegade Nazi soldiers. This is a meeting that will change the lives of all three men, their captors, and those of the many people they will encounter in the days, weeks and years following that fateful day.

Abraham and his two compatriots manage to escape from their bonds, into an adventure which is both violent and spiritual, causing each man to examine his inner self and become closer to his associates. The people they meet, including those who may not survive, will affect all of them profoundly, and even shape the strategies of entire countries.


GUEST POST 

by Graeme Smith


INSPIRATION FOR BOOK

The inspiration for The Awakening of Abraham Brown came through my own spiritual awakening which has been a culmination of the following things:

  • During the 1970's I practiced Hatha Yoga which involves traditional physical exercises.
  • This eventually changed as I became involved with the practice of Raja Yoga during the 1980's which involves meditation techniques and detachment.
  • I have studied and practiced Martial Arts for the past 35 years and hold the rank of Fourth Degree Black Belt in Kenpo Karate.
I wanted to write a story which highlighted man's inhumanity to his fellow brothers and sisters and also the terrible destruction to nature and animals. 

The central character Afro American Abraham Brown has faced racism many times in his native America and he now finds himself thousands of miles away from home, fighting the Nazi's, the biggest racists on earth. 

I needed to highlight the futility of war and to try and point out why some humans become racists and bigots.  I also wanted the story to be balanced and to contain male and female aspects (yin and yang). 

Abraham is accompanied by two fellow white Americans whose lives are transformed whilst being with him.

The story was also brought about through my own personal expression and thoughts which I hope will make each reader examine their own ethics and morals.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Graeme Smith was born in Exeter in 1957.

His father died when Graeme was just 18 months old.

Together with his mother, brother and sister, they were forced to downsize and move house in order to survive (there was no benefits system in the late 1950's). This had a profound effect on all of their lives.

Graeme has three children and two grandchildren.

His hobbies and interests are Kenpo Karate, metal detecting, charity fundraising, collecting knapped flints and dog walking.
He currently works for the NHS at a hospital in Exeter.

He has just written another novel entitled Agrar of the Cornish and is actively seeking an interested publisher for this book.