Chicago Author, Libby Fischer Hellmann Wins High Praise for Stepping Into Seventies Political Revolution
In a departure from her usual genre, award-winning Chicago author Libby Fischer Hellmann, has produced an intricately researched and beautifully crafted political thriller set during the Iranian Revolution.
Chicago, IL, April 02, 2012 --(PR.com)-- Award-winning Chicago author Libby Fischer Hellmann is best known for her gritty Windy City female sleuths, Ellie Foreman and Georgia Davis. But in a departure from her usual genre, Ms. Hellmann has produced an intricately researched and beautifully crafted political thriller set during the Iranian Revolution.
A Bitter Veil begins in Chicago, albeit in the 1970’s, and follows the tragic love story of Anna, an American woman who falls in love with Nouri, an Iranian student, despite their very different backgrounds.
They marry and move together to Iran, where they are welcomed by Nouri's wealthy family. But the Iranian revolution that sees the overthrow of the Shah and the rise of the Islamic Republic, traps Anna into a restricted life where she begins to fear for her safety. She becomes ensnared in a murder investigation and discovers that no one can be trusted...not even her husband.
Publishers Weekly described A Bitter Veil as, “A significant departure from the author's Chicago-based Ellie Foreman and Georgia Davis mystery series, this political thriller will please established fans and newcomers alike.”
Ms. Hellmann said, “I am drawn to stories about women whose choices have been taken away from them. I remember becoming captivated by a personal story told to me some years ago: young lovers who become ensnared by history, family complications, and the inherent conflict of a political and cultural revolution that turned some people into heroes, others into cowards. I imagined writing about the journey of a brave young woman confronted with almost insurmountable obstacles. The only problem was that there was no crime involved, and I write crime fiction. When I said that to my author friend, he looked at me as if I was a little strange, and said, ‘It’s fiction. Find one.’
“I took his advice.”
Although A Bitter Veil is fiction, Ms. Hellmann spent months on researching books, articles and talking to Iranian-Americans living in Iran during the revolution. They shared their experiences, their journeys, and their fears.
Ms. Hellmann said, “History teaches us that the chaos and destruction of political upheaval can cause human beings to act in extreme ways. It has happened before—the French, Russian, Chinese, and Cuban revolutions come to mind. It also happened in Iran. To that end, my object was to show the dissolution of a marriage, a family, and a culture, all of which could not stand up to the stress that revolution imposes.”
A Bitter Veil has also received praise from Crimespree Magazine:
“A tragically beautiful story around a message that is both subtle and vibrant. The author does an amazing job of delivering her point but never by sacrificing the quality of her storytelling. Instead, the message drives the psychological and emotional conflict painting a bleak and heart wrenching tale that will stick with the reader long after they finish the book.” -Bryan VanMeter, Crimespree Magazine
A Bitter Veil, published by Allium Press of Chicago will be available from April in paperback and ebook formats. Ms. Hellmann will be hosting a 45 minute webchat about the book and the state of publishing on April 17th. Details can be found on her website http://www.libbyhellmann.com
Editors’ Notes:
Libby Fisher Hellmann can be found online at http://www.libbyhellmann.com
On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorLibbyFischerHellmann
And on Twitter: http://twitter.com/libbyfh
On Tuesday, April 17, at 6 PM (Eastern time), Libby will be talking about A Bitter Veil, the state of publishing, and anything else that's on your mind during a 45-minute video chat online. This is a brand new service that allows up to 500 people to interact together. Find the webchat at: http://shindig.com/event/32-Libby-Fischer-Hellmann
Libby will be making a number of personal appearances at locations during April and May. They are listed here: http://www.libbyhellmann.com/appear.html
Trade Paperback • ISBN 978-0-9831938-1-4 • $16.99;
Ebook • ISBN 978-0-9831938-2-1 • $4.99 Available through Amazon, Ingram, Baker & Taylor, etc. Fiction / Literary • 6” x 9” • 314 pages
Ms Fischer Hellmann is available for interviews and events. Contact her c/o Rebecca Crowley, RTC Publicity, New York. Rebecca@rtcpublicity.com; 646-619-1178. Images for print are available.
A Bitter Veil begins in Chicago, albeit in the 1970’s, and follows the tragic love story of Anna, an American woman who falls in love with Nouri, an Iranian student, despite their very different backgrounds.
They marry and move together to Iran, where they are welcomed by Nouri's wealthy family. But the Iranian revolution that sees the overthrow of the Shah and the rise of the Islamic Republic, traps Anna into a restricted life where she begins to fear for her safety. She becomes ensnared in a murder investigation and discovers that no one can be trusted...not even her husband.
Publishers Weekly described A Bitter Veil as, “A significant departure from the author's Chicago-based Ellie Foreman and Georgia Davis mystery series, this political thriller will please established fans and newcomers alike.”
Ms. Hellmann said, “I am drawn to stories about women whose choices have been taken away from them. I remember becoming captivated by a personal story told to me some years ago: young lovers who become ensnared by history, family complications, and the inherent conflict of a political and cultural revolution that turned some people into heroes, others into cowards. I imagined writing about the journey of a brave young woman confronted with almost insurmountable obstacles. The only problem was that there was no crime involved, and I write crime fiction. When I said that to my author friend, he looked at me as if I was a little strange, and said, ‘It’s fiction. Find one.’
“I took his advice.”
Although A Bitter Veil is fiction, Ms. Hellmann spent months on researching books, articles and talking to Iranian-Americans living in Iran during the revolution. They shared their experiences, their journeys, and their fears.
Ms. Hellmann said, “History teaches us that the chaos and destruction of political upheaval can cause human beings to act in extreme ways. It has happened before—the French, Russian, Chinese, and Cuban revolutions come to mind. It also happened in Iran. To that end, my object was to show the dissolution of a marriage, a family, and a culture, all of which could not stand up to the stress that revolution imposes.”
A Bitter Veil has also received praise from Crimespree Magazine:
“A tragically beautiful story around a message that is both subtle and vibrant. The author does an amazing job of delivering her point but never by sacrificing the quality of her storytelling. Instead, the message drives the psychological and emotional conflict painting a bleak and heart wrenching tale that will stick with the reader long after they finish the book.” -Bryan VanMeter, Crimespree Magazine
A Bitter Veil, published by Allium Press of Chicago will be available from April in paperback and ebook formats. Ms. Hellmann will be hosting a 45 minute webchat about the book and the state of publishing on April 17th. Details can be found on her website http://www.libbyhellmann.com
Editors’ Notes:
Libby Fisher Hellmann can be found online at http://www.libbyhellmann.com
On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorLibbyFischerHellmann
And on Twitter: http://twitter.com/libbyfh
On Tuesday, April 17, at 6 PM (Eastern time), Libby will be talking about A Bitter Veil, the state of publishing, and anything else that's on your mind during a 45-minute video chat online. This is a brand new service that allows up to 500 people to interact together. Find the webchat at: http://shindig.com/event/32-Libby-Fischer-Hellmann
Libby will be making a number of personal appearances at locations during April and May. They are listed here: http://www.libbyhellmann.com/appear.html
Trade Paperback • ISBN 978-0-9831938-1-4 • $16.99;
Ebook • ISBN 978-0-9831938-2-1 • $4.99 Available through Amazon, Ingram, Baker & Taylor, etc. Fiction / Literary • 6” x 9” • 314 pages
Ms Fischer Hellmann is available for interviews and events. Contact her c/o Rebecca Crowley, RTC Publicity, New York. Rebecca@rtcpublicity.com; 646-619-1178. Images for print are available.
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Libby Fischer Hellmann
646-619-1178
www.libbyhellmann.com
646-619-1178
www.libbyhellmann.com
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