New Paperback Novel Scheduled For Memorial Day, 2012

Oct. 11, 2011 - PRLog -- When Walter (Buck) Merkel, Jr. passed away this year, most friends and family thought of him as a moderate yet caring person. However, precious few knew Buck as a courageous tailgunner in the war against Germany. He proudly wore the uniform of United States Army Airforce and for a brief moment, his star burned bright.

In the novel inspired by his heroism, "Tailgunner", lets the reader tag along with Buck as he finishes gunnery school and takes leave to visit his parents and brothers, perhaps for the last time before he leaves for England.

Witness the gut jarring missions over Germany as he and his fellow airmen defend their Flying Fortress (B-17) against Luftwaffe fighters. Feel the adrenaline coarsing through their veins while winging through flak infested skies to enemy target sites.

In the spring of 1943, the war changes for Buck when he meets exotic singer, Ilona, working in London's Cabaret district. This sophisticated woman of a privileged class is a Jew from Eastern Europe who left her parents behind to seek fortune and escape the rumors of violent anti-semitism.

They find love in each other's arms but the raging war pulls them apart. Buck receives secret orders to report for a high priority mission. Alone, Ilona vows to wait for him but soon encounters a life-changing discovery. Nothing will ever be the same.

For a limited time only (Saturday, October 15, 2011 to Saturday, May 26, 2012), buy a handbag, tote or accessory from - ("Thirty-One" - http://www.mythirtyone.com/Jpopp - in care of Jamie Popp) - and orders of "Tailgunner" will be priced at 30% off ($13.99) the retail price ($19.99). All advance orders (10/15/11 to 5/26/12) of "Tailgunner" emailed (include "Thirty-One" invoice number) to - vine.1093@hotmail.com - will be shipped in June / 2012.

When Monte Merrick - Writer, David Puttnam and Catherine Wyler - Producers, and Michael Canton-Jones - Director, collaborated on the 1990 movie - "Memphis Belle",
( Time Warner, 4000 Warner Blvd., Burbank, CA 91522 - http://www.timewarner.com ), they wove many personal stories of the crew into the storyline. "Tailgunner" takes a different path by focusing on Sergeant Walter Remke. Recruited direct from high school, he is a teenager who has been thrust into the role of adult and modern-day warrior. And his personal life is intertwined with Ilona, who like him, is also a pilgrim in war-torn England.

About our publisher - Wordclay
Located in Indiana, Wordclay is a DIY, hard-cover and paperback book publishing company. Authors are able to launch fresh, new works and readers can find compelling writing that entertains or informs. Check out Wordclay at http://www.wordclay.com.

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Victor Merkel is an author, ghostwriter and former industrial electronics' sales executive. Ann Frommer is a photographer, medical writer and former director in the field of health care.