Publication Day: Beautiful Invention: A Novel of Hedy Lamarr

Now available in print and all digital formats, my latest novel.

I'm a guest on the Reading the Past blog for a release day interview about the book, the writing process, and my focus on biographical historical fiction: Reading the Past Interview with Margaret Porter.

Here is the book trailer--



Purchase buttons for online retailers--






And I'm sponsoring a Rafflecopter giveaway--

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Beautiful Invention Gift Package Giveaway on Rafflecopter

To mark the official October 16th release of  Beautiful Invention: A Novel of Hedy Lamarr, I'm sponsoring a Rafflecopter giveaway from October 9-29.

Hedy was notable for wearing pearls--necklaces, bracelets, earrings, which are featured in many of her films and a majority of the glamour portraits of her created by Metro-Goldwyn Mayer.

In a fan magazine

Making friends during her War Bond Tour

For this sweepstakes, I've sourced a 3-strand pearl necklace similar to one she often wore. The necklace is 19 inches in total length. The pearls are genuine, and large.

GOOD LUCK to all entrants!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hedy Lamarr returns to London: UK launch for BEAUTIFUL INVENTION

In 1937, Hedy Kiesler Mandl escaped from her husband and her beloved city of Vienna. She travelled first to Paris, and then crossed the Channel to England. In London, she checked into the Regency Palace Hotel, a few steps from Piccadilly Circus. At the time, it was the largest hotel in Europe--and quite luxurious.

Over time it grew increasingly rundown and even disreputable, but it remained a hotel until 2006, when the site was developed. Some of the original facade is intact.

The former Regent Palace Hotel in Piccadilly

Hedy returns to the hotel she occupied in 1937

Very little is left of the splendid interiors, but the site of the Atlantic Bar & Grill now houses Brasserie Zédel, and its Art Deco décor is restored to its former glory. On the day of the UK launch of Beautiful Invention, I was there for a celebratory lunch.

Entrance to the brasserie

Hedy probably dined here, when it was the hotel restaurant

Champagne on UK launch date

The celebration continued throughout the week, culminating at Fischer's in Marylebone, an Austrian restaurant. My meal there consisted of cuisine that Hedy knew and loved: wienderschitzel and Sacher torte!

Wienerschnitzel

Sacher torte, so named for Vienna's famous Hotel Sacher

Beautiful Invention Goodreads Giveaway 12-22 September, 2018

You can enter to win one of 5 pre-publication autographed copies of Beautiful Invention: A Novel of Hedy Lamarr. The contest is open to US readers (sorry, GR won't allow international entries.)

Pre-Launch Giveaway

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Beautiful Invention

by Margaret Porter

Giveaway ends September 22, 2018.

See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

When Hedy Was News: Press Accounts for August

2 August 1938

  

Charles Boyer & Hedy in Algiers

11 August 1942

Hedy and her co-inventor, composer/musician George Antheil, are awarded a  United States Patent for their Secret Communication System. The basis for wifi, satnav, and more.

Hedy & George Antheil

15 August 1938




Hedy loved ice cream



Hedy in Ecstasy--lying down!

Lying down again

And again!



 

22 August 1940

23 August 1941

Dorothy Kilgallen decides that a change in Hedy's hairstyle for H. M. Pulham, Esq. is newsworthy.

27 August 1939

 

Beautiful Invention Pre-launch happenings

For those who use a Kindle for reading books, or use the app on their tablet or phone, Beautiful Invention: A Novel of Hedy Lamarr is available for pre-order.

 

Pre-Order Beautiful Invention for Kindle and Kindle app

 

 

 Promo items arrive daily. ARCs (Advance Reader Copies) have gone out to reviewers and press.

On Twitter, I've been posting 1930s-40s news items about Hedy to correspond to #OTD (On This Day).

Bookstore appearances are being scheduled.

I do hope reader anticipation about the release is building. I know mine is!

 

Beatuful Invention: Cover Reveal Blog Tour

I invite you to follow the Beautiful Invention Cover Reveal Blog Tour sponsored by Amy at HFVBT.

Much more information is on the way in coming weeks and months before the October 16 release. Needless to say, I'm extremely excited!