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Kidnap The Pope (World War II Series Book 6) by Jack DuArte

In late July 1943, World War II is in full throttle when Italian dictator Benito Mussolini is overthrown. His close friend and long-time admirer, Adolf Hitler, is convinced that Catholic Church and Pope Pius XII are behind the coup and determines to do something about it.

Even though he is himself a catholic, and his physical and mental state are deteriorating, Hitler revives an earlier plot, Operation Pontiff. The plan calls for the Wehrmacht to invade the Vatican and kidnap the Pope.

He selects one of his top Generals, supreme SS Commander of Italy General Karl Wolff to put the plan into effect. Wolff feigns support for the plan but secretly takes actions to postpone its beginning. Other top German officials in Italy become involved along with some high officials of the Vatican itself.

A lone Catholic priest from New Orleans who studied at the Gregorian University and now works for the Vatican becomes a key figure in thwarting the plot’s implementation.

Germany occupies Rome and events and actions become fast and furious as certain factors play out to the novel’s conclusion.

Cold Coffee Press Book Review For Kidnap The Pope by Jack DuArte

If you enjoy reading World War II history, ‘Kidnap The Pope’ by Jack DuArte needs to be in your library. Great writing with intense research has allowed the author to present in an easy to read journal format a scenario that depicts Adolf Hitler’s attempt to invade the Vatican and capture Pope Pius XII. This book is written to the best of the author’s ability from both German and Vatican points of view. The author says, “History is a most sacred gift and should not be distorted in any manner.”

‘Kidnap The Pope’ is book six in Jack DuArte’s World War II series. Although a series, each book stands alone. In this book there are eighteen easy to follow chapters set up in a diary/journal format. The time frame ranges from March 10, 1938 through Sunday, April 30, 1945.

Historical characters include heroes, heroines and adversaries from America, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Russia and the Vatican in particular. At the end of the book, the author offers a detailed list of the characters with their title, location, dates, ages and historical significance.

Each chapter starts with date, location and often the character or characters of importance. For example: August 23, 1939, Cabinet Room, West Wing, The White House, 1800 Pennsylvania Ave, Washington, District of Columbia “All right, Mr. President.”

There are so many examples of the author’s style and content that I would love to share with you. The author’s research has allowed him to share letters, memos, wire cables, and other documents that detail historic thoughts and conversations of historical importance. One example is on Friday, September 4, 1939 at the Polish-German border “a Franco-British meeting determined that no major ground or air operations would be undertaken against Germany. Great Britain did indeed send bombers over Germany to drop propaganda leaflets and make reconnaissance of the areas, but no direct contact with the Germany military was ordered.

Adolf Hitler had reached out to Mussolini when he originally planned the assault for August 26, but cancelled the attack when the Italian dictator told him that Italy was not prepared to go to war at that time. Mussolini later assured the German leader of his political backing and the order to attack was rescheduled for September 1st.

Adolf Hitler knew he was taking a big chance when Germany attacked Poland.  Many of his generals were not in favor of the move and asked for more time to get the Wehrmacht better equipped for battle. On several occasions prior to the beginning of hostilities, France had insisted that the Poles not mobilize and that factor helped the Germans easily overrun the poorly equipped nation.

The Second World War had officially begun with the appeasement governments of both Britain and France afraid to take more than token steps to prevent Hitler from seizing additional territory. The United States was quick to condemn Germany’s action but President Roosevelt was determined to keep his country out of the conflict.

The world settled back to see what came next to the world stage and in what form.”

Another great example is on Sunday, December 7, 1941 in The President’s Private Study, White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Ave, Washington, District of Columbia. “Mr. President, the Japanese have attacked our fleet at Pearl Harbor a few minutes ago. Our first reports indicate hundreds of Japanese fighter-bombers. We already know there is significant damage on Battleship Row. Admiral Stark at the Navy Department is trying to determine the consequences of the attack. All I can tell you is that it is bad, really bad…”

Enjoy reading for the first time or refreshing your memory with historical events like President Roosevelt’s famous speech made on December 8, 1941. “Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

Get into the mind and thoughts of Hitler, many world leaders, dignitaries, and even into the secret world of the Vatican.

Cold Coffee Press/Café endorses Kidnap The Pope by Jack DuArte as a historical fictional that is illuminated with history and facts that the world will not soon forget. Jack DuArte’s list of best-selling World War II novels include Kidnap The Pope, Malta, Singapore, Spitfire, The Resistance, and The White Mouse. We reviewed this book from Kindle/PDF format. The review was completed on February 13, 2016. For more information please visit Cold Coffee Press http://www.coldcoffeepress.com

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The White Mouse (World War II Series Book 5) by Jack DuArte

The White Mouse was the name given by the Gestapo to Nancy Wake Fiocca, an Australian woman setting up escape networks from France during WWII. After fleeing to England, The White Mouse joins the British Special Operations Executive (SOE) and returns to occupied France around the time of the Normandy invasion in 1944.

Through sheer determination and with the help of other SOE operatives, she manages to bring together a number of Maquis units in the Auvergne Region to harass and delay German reinforcements attempting to reach Nazi coastal defences.

Aided by an American Army captain on loan to the SOE, the White Mouse finally arranges the escape of a number of Maquis prisoners during a pitched battle. The White Mouse reunited US Army Captain Brian Russell with his French Resistance love that was brought to life in Jack DuArte's first novel, the best-selling The Resistance.

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Malta (World War II Series Book 4) by Jack Duarte

For centuries, the Island of Malta has stood as one of the most sought after places by any nation wishing to control access to the Mediterranean Sea. Its strategic location just off the coast of North Africa allows it control of the sea lanes vital to any passage, either east or west. In early 1942, the Axis powers step up their efforts to secure Malta and thus allow supply efforts to its armies in North Africa.

The Luftwaffe begins a horrendous bombing effort that sees the tiny island bombed incessantly, both day and night. The island's defenders are short on water, food and practically every other necessary means of survival. After a few weeks, the Germans and their Italian allies have almost complete control over the skies of Malta and the Mediterranean.

The British Admiralty develops a desperate plan to resupply Malta's depleted air forces with a number of the new Spitfire Mark VI b's, Britain's finest fighter. The first Spitfires fly off a British carrier and succeed in reaching their destination only to be bombed into destruction within days. Additional missions involving the United States Navy bring more Spitfires to Malta and slowly the balance of power begins to turn.

This fragile stability is the result of honored British fliers who somehow beat the odds and deliver a series of defeats to the Germans and Italians. Malta is the personal story of a number of these heroes and a glimpse into horrific conditions they faced on a daily basis. Lack of food, water, petrol and ammunition make their jobs even more difficult. The 'Malta Dog' is also around to make their plight even more miserable. Malta will keep you glued to its pages from beginning to end. You will identify with British King George VI who awarded the Island of Malta, the George Cross---Great Britain's highest civilian honor during wartime. The lives and loves of some of these heroic airmen are chronicled within the pages of Malta.

The novel is the much awaited sequel to DuArte's best-selling Spitfire that chronicled the epic Battle of Britain at the start of World War II.

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Spitfire (World War II Series Book Three) by Jack Duarte

Spitfire is the third installment of Jack DuArte's World War II Series. The setting is Great Britain in 1940, immediately before and during the epic Battle of Britain. Fighting a superior number of Luftwaffe bombers and fighters, the valiant Royal Air Force wages a desperate air battle to save their country from certain defeat.

Flight Lieutenant Anthony Nelson and his younger brother, Fletcher, are pilots of 54 Squadron Spitfires, the great British fighter plane that is Britain's only hope for survival. Through a suspenseful series of events, both find they are in love with the same woman. A hair-raising set of circumstances brings Spitfire to a spellbinding conclusion that will keep the reader glued to the final pages.

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Singapore (Revised World War II Series Book 2) by Jack DuArte

In 1941, the Far East’s great island fortress of Singapore is the key impediment to the Empire of Japan’s plans for domination of the Western Pacific.

The Japanese Imperial Staff makes several important decisions and directs the formation of a special unit to meticulously plan for the invasion of Malaya and the subsequent siege of the fortress of Singapore. Colonel Manasobe Tsuji is assigned as the Staff Officer in Charge of Operations for the 25th Army and sets out to chart and plan the operational aspects of Japanese military forces for the campaign.

Within the bastion of Singapore, the British are content to wait behind their fortress’s huge guns, secure in the knowledge that their island is practically impenetrable. Royal Navy Lieutenant William Elliott is an assigned to the SOE’s secretive Oriental Mission. He has been in Singapore for eight months and has fallen in love with a Malaysian woman, a doctor in Singapore’s General Hospital.

Commander Elliott is temporarily assigned to Brigadier Ivan Simson, one of the few people on the island who realize the extent of the island’s weaknesses. As international events begin to bracket Singapore’s fate in the destiny of world events, Lieutenant Elliott is thrust into a series of movements throughout South East Asia as he tries to alter Singapore’s ultimate fate. When his beloved Pai Lin also gets caught up in the calamity of Singapore’s tragic fate, Elliott must choose between his love for her and duty to his country.

Singapore accurately follows the events of this incredible historical event in its sublime majesty, from beginning to end, at a time when world power and western civilization were both at stake.

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The Resistance (Revised World War Series Book 1) by Jack DuArte

The French Resistance is determined to safeguard the masterpieces of the Louvre Museum. With the help of Britain's SOE, a plan is developed to insure these great paintings' safety. Nazi Reichsmarschall Herman Goring is actively seeking the paintings to send to Germany.

The rapid fire action starts in Great Britain and moves to France where a fierce showdown with the Vichy Milice proves pivotal to the fascinating story.

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Cold Coffee Press Spotlight Interview With Author Jack DuArte

Jack DuArte is a native of New Orleans with a varied career in writing. DuArte attended Jesuit High School in New Orleans and worked for the Times-Picayune as a teenager. After attending the University of Kentucky and later graduating from the University of Evansville, DuArte served as an Air Force officer in Vietnam and received the Bronze Star for his efforts. He returned to New Orleans in 1971 and went into the wine business. He also authored a weekly column called Gastronomy for the Times-Picayune for a number of years and later hosted a radio talk show for WWL.

DuArte later enjoyed a full career in the wine business where he owned several Napa Valley wineries.  DuArte always enjoyed a long time love affair for the thoroughbred horse industry and returned to Kentucky in 2001. He is an owner and breeder of thoroughbreds.

Jack DuArte’s list of best-selling World War II novels include Kidnap The Pope, Malta, Singapore, Spitfire, The Resistance, and The White Mouse.

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Interview:

What makes you proud to be a writer from Lexington, KY? Lexington, KY. I attended the University of Kentucky here and live here.

What or who inspired you to become a writer? I have been writing professionally since I was 14. The first time I saw my byline was my inspiration.

When did you begin writing with the intention of becoming published? In the late 1970’s and 80’s. I started writing historical fiction around the turn of the century.

Did your environment or upbringing play a major role in your writing and did you use it to your advantage? Not really.

Do you come up with your title before or after you write the manuscript? Always before.

Please introduce your genre and why you prefer to write in that genre? Historical fiction. Because I believe readers want some substance to what they are reading. By basing my works on historical events and people who lived through those events, I provide a great deal of historical information in a readable and exciting format.

What has been your most rewarding experience with your writing process? I have had two best-selling novels, Spitfire and The White Mouse.

Have you had a negative experience in your writing career? If so please explain how it could have been avoided? I get some bad feedback from readers about the editing and some of the facts in my books. Some of them are even correct in what they say.

What has been your most rewarding experience in your publishing journey? To have had eight of my books published.

Have you had a negative experience in your publishing journey? If so please explain how it could have been avoided? Nothing but lack of acceptance from a number of agents and publishers before I hit it right.

What one positive piece of advice would you give to other authors? Don’t stop trying.

Who is your favorite author and why? WEB Griffin, the great granddaddy of historical military fiction.

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Author Jack DuArte’s Available Books
(the series can be read as stand-alone books)
Kidnap The Pope
Malta
Spitfire
Singapore
The Resistance
The White Mouse

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