Colombia’s Independence Chronicled In Series of Historical Fiction Novellas

MEDELLÍN, Colombia - April 4, 2014 - PRLog -- Independent novelist and publisher, Bil Howard, is releasing the third book in the Belle of Colombia Series entitled “The Assurance of Liberty.” It will be made available on May 15th at Amazon, Smashwords and the author’s personal site.

Most associate Colombia with drug cartels and coffee, but Colombia has so much more to offer. The rich heritage of Colombia’s fight for freedom is not unlike that of every country who has ever striven to be released from the bonds of another. From the failures of the early days of their fight against Spain to the victory at Boyacá, the dream and the drive to achieve it remained intact. “The Assurance of Liberty” goes beyond the victory at Boyacá and the process of driving the last remnants of the Spanish from the Central Range of the Andes Mountains. The story is told through fictional characters who reflect the spirit of a people known as the Montañeros (Mountaineers), their faith and their fortitude.

The first book of the series, “The Birth of a Dream,” chronicled the lives of a young girl (Maribel), and a Captain of the rebel army (Santiago), who fell in love in a little town on the Plain of Bogotá and how their dream of a life and family together is affected by the first disastrous battle in the fight for independence. Wounded on the field of battle and at risk of being executed by the ruthless Spanish general Morrillo, their dream becomes a vague hope that will be carried on Maribel’s young shoulders. With the expertise of Maria Vinueza, the first book in the series has already been translated into Spanish and bears the title “El Nacimiento de un Sueño.”

The second of the series, “The Desperation of Liberty,” continues the story of Maribel and Santiago as the young family and the budding nation are put to the test both on the field of battle and on the home front as well. With a toddler and one on the way, Maribel awaits the return of Santiago who is a part of grueling 21 day march from rain soaked swamps, to blistering plains and frozen mountain peaks before finally surprising the Spanish army at Boyacá. Maria Vinueza has been brought in to provide the Spanish script on this volume as well, which should be ready for release by the end of April.

Their faith and fortitude are tested further in “The Assurance of Liberty” as they are not only separated because of their respective duties, but are threatened by other forces that would undo the dream of independence for Colombia as well as tear apart their young family. Maribel is tracked down by a man who will have her at any cost, while Santiago is leading a force of “hunters” tasked with removing the remnants of the Spanish from the Central Mountain Range of the Colombian Andes. All may be lost after it had been only recently won in “The Assurance of Liberty.”

The series demonstrates how real people are wrapped within the struggles of history. As the story of Santiago and Maribel unfolds, it is also the story of the struggle of the birth of a nation. As Colombia’s bi-centennial approaches (July 2019), the “Belle of Colombia” series helps real people to connect with their cultural heritage in a way that will plant it not only in their hearts, but will unite them to others from all over the world who celebrate liberty.