MICHAEL GERARD

Dear Reader -- Welcome to the world of Michael Gerard. I am an Irishman by birth (who now resides in America), born in County Mayo on the West Coast of Ireland and like so many Irish throughout the ages, I was inclined to roam. Even for high school I bused to another town, then my college years were split between Galway and Cork, and as I embarked on my working life my first job was in Limerick. That job was followed by career changes and stints living in Cork and Dublin. I set my sights early on America but for obvious financial reasons that goal had to be achieved through strategic career moves that led me to live in England followed by several years in South Africa, before finally settling in America in 1985. In my daily working life my family and I operate a processing machinery business based in South Carolina, our customers being scattered throughout the US but mostly in the South Eastern states. In my other life I am a writer and have published two novels to date. 'The Kimberley File' is a fast paced adventure novel based primarily in South Africa during the apartheid era of the 1980's. The plot centers around events that take place in the secretive world of illicit diamond trading. It was first published in 1997 when Indie Publishing was far more difficult than it is today. Many readers have commented on how similar my storyline is to the story portrayed in the film Blood Diamonds, which came out some years after 1997. All I have to say is that no Hollywood money came my way as yet. I have just republished this book in July 2021 via KDP Amazon, in both e-book and paperback formats. 'Ireland's Final Rebellion(1919-1921) and An American Dream' was published via KDP Amazon in March 2021. It is a two-part historic novel that was years in the writing and is very close to my heart. Part one is based on my father's direct active involvement in the 1919 Irish War of Independence, which led to the founding of The Irish Free State in 1921. Fortunately I was able to bring my great grandmother, a gifted Seanachie(Gaelic Storyteller), to life in this book and she recounts how Irish history unfolded and set in motion the events that led to The Final Rebellion. In part two I continue the family history - it is based on my own life journey that led me to America and my search for The American Dream. I hope you enjoy these books and that you will check in with me periodically, as I work on my next books. News for 2023 ---- My new historical novel 'The Irish Merchant of Alicante' is in the finishing stages and will be ready for publishing by May 2023. It is set in Spain and Ireland and spans four generations of a family from early 1700's to 1930's. February 2023 --- Manuscript is now complete and is going through proof-reading and editing. I must increase my online presence before the new book is published in next few months - hence my new Twitter account below. Readers - please share my contact information amongst your like-minded friends - let us grow the online presence of Michael Gerard together. Remember - St. Patricks Day is coming up soon. Time to show off your Irish side !!!! Feb 16th update -- working hard to get the cover designed. It will give a nod to Spain where the early part of the book is based - I hope to add some Spanish readers -- welkem / bienvenida. Please follow me on twitter and encourage others -- I need mucho followers !!! APRIL --- As my new book launch date gets closer please take advantage of some Free E-book downloads of my current books. First date for that is April 22nd(other dates to follow). Tell your friends to download 'The Kimberley File' and 'Ireland's Final Rebellion' - read them a please post your reviews on Amazon, my website and on twitter. **NEWS FLASH ** --- June 15th --- The Irish Merchant of Alicante IS NOW LIVE ON AMAZON -- E-BOOK AND HARDCOVER Subtitle -- Moore Hall and 4 Generations of Ireland's Aristocratic Moore Family The book is a fascinating insight into Irish history through the eyes of the the landlord class, the gentry who owned the vast estates on which the poor Irish peasants rented small holdings for high rent to keep the landlords in luxury. The Moore's were one of those landlord families with over 12,000 acres in County Mayo. They came as Protestants to Mayo in the sixteenth century and gradually adopted Irish ways - married into the Tribes of Galway and converted to Catholicism. Follow this intriguing and entertaining story of how subsequent generations of the family navigated their way through the complexities of Irish history - all the way to the establishment of The Irish Free State in 1921. They played an integral part in the shaping of modern Ireland. Endorsements -- * Michael Gerard has penned an engrossing tale, a satisfying mixture of history and drama. He carries the reader to Spain and back to Ireland, through tumultuous events that showcases the indomitable Irish spirit --- Jason Ryan -- bestselling nonfiction author of Jackpot, Hell Bent and Race to Hawaii. * A masterful and fulfilling story depicting how 'good landlords' like the Moore's earned their deserved place in Mayo and Irish history. Keep a tissue and an Irish whiskey close at hand ---- Adrian Flannelly, the Voice of Irish Radio in New York for decades * Just as he did with his last book, the beauty of Mayo shines through these pages. Read this wonderful story and visit Mayo to see it for yourself. Well done Michael -- Enda Kenny, former Taoiseach(Prime Minister) of Ireland and proud Mayoman. Readers comments and suggestions are always welcome and appreciated. website - www.MichaelGerardAuthor.com email - michaelgerardcmi@gmail.com twitter - @MgerardK Facebook - Michael Gerard-Author