MacArthur pursues his romantic obsession even though he’s breaking numerous taboos. She reciprocates his affection because he could open doors for her financially struggling family. That MacArthur happens to be handsome compensates for the fact that he’s as old as her father.
When MacArthur is appointed the U.S. Army chief of staff, he becomes the youngest four-star general and one of America’s most powerful men. Out of hubris, he takes Isabel with him to America without marrying her.
Amid the backdrop of the Great Depression, MacArthur and Isabel’s relationship persists like “a perilous voyage on turbulent waters,” as she describes it. In 1934, after four years of relationship, MacArthur leaves Isabel for fear of a political scandal.
The general goes on to become the iconic hero of World War II, liberating the Philippines and rebuilding Japan. Isabel drifts in Los Angeles unable to muster the courage to return to Manila.
Print Length: 285 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Sand Hill Review Press
ISBN-10: 1937818969
ISBN-13: 978-1937818968
ASIN: B07HR4W8BP
My MacArthur is now available to purchase on Amazon.com as an e-book and print, Barnes and Noble, and IndieBound.
Book Giveaway Contest!
To win a copy of the book My MacArthur by Cindy Fazzi, please enter via Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post. Giveaway ends on November 12th at 12 AM EST. We will announce the winner the same day on the Rafflecopter widget. Good luck!
About the Author, Cindy Fazzi
You can find Cindy at:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CindyFazzi
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cindyfazzi/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Cindy-Fazzi-779654065440439/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/862157.Cindy_Fazzi
Interview by Nicole Pyles
WOW: First, congratulations on the launch of your book My MacArthur! What inspired you to write about the love affair between General Douglas MacArthur and Filipino actress Isabel Rosario Cooper?
Cindy: I was born and raised in the Philippines, where Douglas MacArthur is revered by the older generation and vilified by the younger generation. There’s a continuing debate whether MacArthur caused more harm than good in the Philippines during World War II, but I was always more interested in a little-known fact about his personal life. Almost all history books about MacArthur mentions his relationship with Isabel Rosario Copper in passing. Nobody really knew what their relationship was like. As a novelist, that really intrigued me.
WOW: That's incredibly interesting how your curiosity led to this novel! So, you have published a couple of books under your pen name Vina Arno. How was writing this biographical/historical novel different for you than writing a romance novel?
Cindy: It was very different. My MacArthur took 10 years to research, write, and rewrite before Sand Hill Review Press acquired it earlier this year. During the protracted process of looking for a literary agent to represent My MacArthur, signing with an agent, only to part ways with her after three years, I wrote two romance novels. I’m very lucky both got published. Romance was my escape from the difficult process of nurturing My MacArthur. I associated romance with fun and escape, while My MacArthur was an uphill climb.
WOW: I'm impressed you used writing as your escape like that! You have a background as a former Associated Press reporter. How did your career as a reporter influence your career as a successful published author?
Cindy: Journalism, especially writing for AP, taught me to write clearly and concisely. It instilled in me the value of hard work and meeting deadlines. Most of all, journalism taught me how to ask the right questions and find the right answers. All of these things helped me as a novelist.
WOW: Asking questions is so important for the writing process. Now, you published an article with Writer's Digest that talks about choosing your novels’ titles! That made me wonder - how did you decide on the title My MacArthur?
Cindy: I wanted a title that says the story is about MacArthur as told by someone who knew him intimately. It was the only title I considered for this novel.
WOW: That makes absolute sense to me! So, tell us about the research you did for this novel. What was it like to utilize a real moment in history but transform it into fiction? What was your process?
Cindy: Growing up in the Philippines is the most important aspect of my “research,” so to speak. The process came naturally because I was already familiar with MacArthur’s career and place in history. Researching Isabel’s life was hard. The little information that exists about her is full of contradictions. I could never write a nonfiction book about their relationship because of the lack of information, but this very limitation made the story ideal for fiction.
WOW: That mystery about who she is makes her (and this book!) even more intriguing! You described on a blog post how persistence played a huge part in getting your novel published. How did you keep going and stay motivated on getting this novel published?
Cindy: Writing romance saved me. It kept me going, instead of obsessing about how my other, more “serious” novels were getting rejected. Romance gave me the publishing breakthrough I needed and taught me the nuts and bolts of traditional publishing. It boosted my self-confidence, which is necessary if you want to persevere in any field.
WOW: Confidence is extremely important to the success of a writer! Lastly, I love the cover of your book! It's incredibly eye-catching. Were you involved in designing the cover at all? Who did the artwork?
Cindy: The cover shows Isabel Rosario Cooper. She was beautiful, so that was a plus factor. My publisher, Tory Hartmann, really wanted to use Isabel’s photo. The striking book cover is her brainchild.
Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us! Best of luck to you and your books!
--- Blog Tour Dates
November 5th @ The Muffin
What goes better in the morning than a muffin? Stop by Women on Writing's blog and read an interview with the author Cindy Fazzi and enter to win a copy of the book My MacArthur.
November 6th @ Coffee with Lacey
Get your coffee and stop by Lacey's blog where she share her thoughts on the book My MacArthur.
November 7th @ Beverley A. Baird's Blog
Stop by Beverley's blog and find out what she thought about Cindy Fazzi's book My MacArthur. This book is sure to entice historical fiction readers everywhere!
November 8th @ The Frugalista Mom
Stop by Rozelyn's blog and catch her thoughts on the historical fiction book My MacArthur. You can also enter to win a copy of the book too!
November 11th @ Bring on Lemons
If life hands you lemons, read a book! Come by Crystal's blog Bring on Lemons and find out what she had to say about the book My MacArthur.
November 13th @ Mommy Daze: Say What??
Want to know what this mom had to say about the book? Stop by Ashley's blog and read her thoughts on the historical fiction book My MacArthur.
November 16th @ Amanda's Diaries
Find out what Amanda had to say about Cindy Fazzi's historical fiction book My MacArthur in her review today.
November 16th @ Chapters Through Life
Stop by Danielle's blog where she spotlight's Cindy Fazzi's book My MacArthur.
November 19th @ Madeline Sharples Blog
Be sure to catch today's post over at Madeline's blog author Cindy Fazzi shares her tips for writing fiction about a famous person.
November 20th @ Let Us Talk of Many Things
Visit today's blog where you can catch Cindy Fazzi's post on overcoming prejudices against romance writers.
November 21st @ Mam's Rants and Reviews
Stop by Shan's blog where she shares her thoughts on the historical fiction book My MacArthur.
November 25th @ The World of My Imagination
Catch Nicole's review of the book My MacArthur and find out what she had to say about this fantastic book.
November 26th @ Break Even Books
Stop by the Break Even Books blog and read Cindy Fazzi's article on the pros and cons of using a pen name.
November 28th @ Charmed Book Haven Reviews
Visit Cayce's blog and check out her thoughts on the book My MacArthur by Cindy Fazzi.
November 29th @ Memoir Writer's Journey
Start your journey today at Kathleen's blog Memoir Writer's Journey where author Cindy Fazzi talks about the challenges of writing different genres.
November 30th @ Joyful Antidotes Blog
Want a joyful way to start your day? Stop by Joy's blog where she reviews the incredible historical fiction book My MacArthur.
November 30th @ The Uncorked Librarian
Make sure you stop by Christine's blog and read what she thinks about the book My MacArthur.
December 1st @ Charmed Book Haven Reviews
Visit Cacye's blog again and read her interview with author Cindy Fazzi.
December 2nd @ Author Anthony Avina's Blog
Start your morning out right by reading Anthony Avina's review of the book My MacArthur.
December 2nd @ 2 Turn the Page Book Reviews
Visit Renee's blog when she reviews Cindy Fazzi's book My MacArthur and interviews the author.
*****BOOK GIVEAWAY*****
To win a copy of the book My MacArthur by Cindy Fazzi, please enter via Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post. Giveaway ends on November 12th at 12 AM EST. We will announce the winner the same day on the Rafflecopter widget. Good luck!
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15 comments:
Hi Nicole. What a great way to start my day--to see your interview. I enjoyed our Q&A. Many thanks and more power to you and WOW!
Cheers,
Cindy Fazzi
Excellent interview, ladies!
Cindy ~ I'm so intrigued by the subject of your historical novel! Honestly, I did not know that much about MacArthur and nothing about Isabel Cooper, and your interview sent me down an Internet rabbit hole just now. :) I checked out Isabel's/Elizabeth's Wikipedia page, and now I'm even more intrigued to see how you wrote about their romance and her tragic death. I'm also half Scottish and half Asian, and my mother's family were farmers in Okinawa, so I feel a connection to her already. My mother also died in a similar tragic way at 43, and I often wonder about the culture clash of women moving from Asia to live in the states and how it affects them. It's something I've sort of been researching over the years. I'm so interested to see how you've fictionalized her life, especially after her relationship ended with MacArthur. I will have to read your book! :)
Thank you for sharing your publishing journey, and your persistence and commitment is inspiring! Ten years working on your book gives me hope, and it must feel like a major accomplishment to see it published.
Congratulations on the launch of your tour! It looks like you have a bunch of fun stops and I'm looking forward to checking them out. :) Cheers!
Hi Angela,
So pleased to connect with you here, though I'm sorry to hear about your mother. Yes, in as much as MacArthur is impossible to ignore, it's really Isabel Cooper who sustained my interest as a writer. Do let me know what you think of MY MACARTHUR. And if you write something on the topic of Asian Americans' struggles due to culture clash, I would love to read it.
Many thanks,
Cindy Fazzi
Nicole--Thanks for this interview.
Cindy--This story is certainly surprising. I had always viewed MacArthur as one of those guys who was too straight-laced to fall in love with someone like Isabel... but I guess he was, since he abandoned her.
Your research sounds like it was fascinating to do, even if it wasn't always easy.
Good luck with your baby. I hope it sells well...
Hi Sioux,
MacArthur was indeed straitlaced; he took a big risk in wooing Isabel Cooper. Or maybe it was hubris on his part. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Cheers,
Cindy
I knew nothing about this relationship! Thank you for bringing it to us.
Hi Barbara! When MacArthur was alive, he made sure that not many people know about it. Thanks for your comment!
Looks like a wonderful book to enjoy. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Abigail. I hope you like the book!
Cheers,
Cindy Fazzi
I think this sounds like a great book! My family and I enjoy history and we would like this.
It sounds like an interesting book. MacArthur's military career is well known but there is very little known about his personal life. It is always interesting to read the stories behind the public faces.
Hi Buddy. Yes, Isabel Cooper was MacArthur's somewhat open secret. The politicians in D.C. knew about the relationship, but nobody dared to cross MacArthur. Thanks for stopping by!
Cheers,
Cindy Fazzi
Thanks to Julie for the comment. Hope you like the book!
Cheers,
Cindy Fazzi
She is an amazing journalist
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