Wonderful Launch - Book Signing Today

Many thanks to all the many family and friends who joined us to celebrate the launch of the new historical novel, The Last Daughter of Prussia, by my wife, Marina Gottlieb Sarles.  It was so wonderful to see the response to this riveting story of love and war, and to see years of writing work and research and polishing come together in a beautiful book. Thank you to all who attended. It was a pleasure to share the book here in The Bahamas first, before it is released worldwide in April 2013. Hardcover first-edition copies of the book are available now at the Garden of The Groves gift shop and Unexso gift shop. 

Marina will also be signing books today at The Garden of The Groves Garden Cafe from 12 to 3 pm if you'd like an autographed copy.

Grand Bahama Author Marina Gottlieb Sarles introduces new novel—The Last Daughter of Prussia—at book signing this Tuesday, December 18th

Bahamian author Marina Gottlieb Sarles will launch her new novel, The Last Daughter of Prussia, with a book signing on Tuesday evening, 18 December 2012, from 5:30 – 8:30 pm at the Pelican Bay Hotel Canal House.

The Last Daughter of Prussia is a historical novel based on the family diaries of the author’s grandparents—an epic story of suspense, love, and survival centering around the largest and least known civilian mass exodus at the end of World War II. Set amidst a beautiful and vanished way of life in war-torn East Prussia, two unlikely young lovers must fight for their lives and find new heart while struggling to escape one of the most dangerous and tragic landscapes of any generation. The Last Daughter of Prussia is a fast-paced compelling tale celebrating the indomitable human spirit in the worst of times.

The book signing will also include a short reading by the author at 6 pm, and advance first-edition hardback autographed copies of the novel will be available for sale for $25.

Author Marina Gottlieb Sarles

Marina Gottlieb Sarles is also the author of Sand In My Shoes, a collection of classic island stories. Gottlieb-Sarles is the daughter of Grand Bahama’s first doctor and nurse, Dr. Ejnar  and Owanta Gottlieb, who came to the island during its Pine Ridge lumber camp pioneer days, and later relocated to Abaco where they served the surrounding communities for many years. The author is also the sister of Cay Gottlieb, founder of Grand Bahama’s first privately owned radio station (Cool 96 FM), and Frederik F. Gottlieb, attorney and former MP for Abaco.

The author has set up a blog (marinagottliebsarles.com) with the story behind writing the novel, which will be released to world markets in April 2013.  This book launch event is a special opportunity for The Bahamas to get a first look at a work by a Bahamian daughter whose roots are deeply woven into the tapestry of the islands.

The public is invited.

Author Marina Gottlieb Sarles' extensive research on her new novel, The Last Daughter of Prussia, led her to the now vanished land of her ancestors in East Prussia. Gottlieb Sarles shown here discovering the grave of her great grandmother, Magdalena, whose son (the author’s grandfather)—a leading environmentalist of his day—survived a little known
and tragic civilian mass exodus at the end of WWII.

PM Heralds Accomplishments of Iconic Grand Bahama Businessman

Iconic Grand Bahama businessman Rev. Havard Cooper Sr., tells his story of struggle and triumph as he worked to build the Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise during the early years of Freeport's development. Rev. Cooper tells his story as Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Hubert Ingraham looks on at the Office of the Prime Minister in Freeport, where Rev. Cooper presented his autobiography, "My Story, His Glory" to Mr. Ingraham. (BIS Photo/Sharon Turner)

By Sharon Turner, BIS

Freeport, Bahamas - The story of Havard Cooper Sr., and his entrepreneurial accomplishments is one that should be known by students of the public school system in Grand Bahama, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham said as he heralded the achievements of the iconic businessman upon receipt of his autobiography, My Story, His Glory.
Rev. Cooper presented his autobiography to Prime Minister Ingraham, and shared details of his struggles to triumph in building the Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) franchise during the early years of Freeport’s development.

“I have come from a long way, I wasn’t just born where I am,” declared Rev. Cooper, who grew up in poverty and whose education at Eight Mile Rock All-Age he fondly recalled as having occurred “mostly under the grape tree” because of the size of the school at that time.

Prior to launching out into his own business exploits, Rev. Cooper worked with Freeport founder Wallace Groves.

Iconic Grand Bahama businessman Rev. Havard Cooper Sr.'s autobiography "My Story, His Glory", presented to Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Hubert Ingraham during a ceremony at the Office of the Prime Minister, Freeport. (BIS Photo/Sharon Turner)

Striking out on his own was fraught with challenges, he said, battling difficulties in securing funding and winning the confidence of colleagues and other businesspersons.

“Being in the chicken business, it was a good business but it was hard work because employees were not easy to get at that time as it is today.”

Over the decades, Rev. Cooper expanded his reach, opening a cross section of restaurants and mainstay establishments including KFC, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Pollo Tropical, LMR Drugs and Halt Industries.

He has since turned ownership of those businesses over to his children, an inheritance Prime Minister Ingraham highlighted as being unique.

“That’s one of the things they say about you,” Mr. Ingraham said, “they say that you are a very unusual man in the context of The Bahamas, that instead of waiting until you leave this world one day to make sure that your children have things, you are able to give it to them while you are alive and see how successful they are going to be with what you have given them, rather than hoarding it up to distribute after you are gone.”

The Prime Minister said he expected the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas to expound on the life of Rev. Cooper in the form of a feature on his story and accomplishments.

“You are probably, in my view the most successful Grand Bahama businessman,” Mr. Ingraham noted. “You have performed in a most exemplary manner and fashion, and we are all very proud of you and your accomplishments.”

'Island Salt' book launch packed with support

Victoria Ferguson was the first to have her copies of 'Island Salt' autographed by author Sydney Watson during the recent book signing at the Garden of the Groves. Mrs. Watson was amazed at the number of supporters who turned out for the occasion and purchased her book. (Garden of the Groves photo)

FREEPORT, Grand Bahama -- Last Wednesday, June 2nd, author Sydney Watson launched her newest novel 'Island Salt' in Grand Bahama. Over two hundred and fifty supporters tuned out at the Garden of the Groves to purchase her book, get their copy signed, and enjoy a reading by the author from her fast paced island thriller.

"What a fantastic turn-out and a beautiful venue for the launching of Island Salt. The night couldn't have been better!" exclaimed Watson. "Since then, my phone has been ringing off the hook. Janice Cartwright has requested a book signing in Nassau, June 26th, at Buy the Book and Island Salt is already on its way there. There are blogs asking for more - "When is the sequel coming out?" And yes, the sequel is started!"

Watson, a former English Professor and Florida native, moved to Grand Bahama six years ago to begin writing her novel while her husband worked in the yacht industry. Though she ended up working full time as an English teacher she managed to write on school holidays and on weekends, finally completing her novel last year, and publishing her novel this month.

Island Salt, is set in a legendary bone fishing lodge on Grand Bahama, which becomes the vortex for murder and misplaced loyalty. In the heat of the tropics, the book's hero, Kit MacKane, struggles to keep the family business alive as she is confronted with the disappearance of her brother, a murdered fishing guide, and the unexpected return of her Cuban lover who left her twelve years earlier. Between the challenges of island life and her passion for Bartlett Menendez, she finds herself almost destroyed when she discovers Menendez's true motive - to own Island Salt - at any price. Kit must rely upon her own instincts when those she trusts betray her while a killer is on the loose at Island Salt.

Watson's book is currently available at the Garden of the Groves book store and on barnesandnoble.com and amazon.com, the worlds’ leading book sales websites. Various signings are scheduled throughout the summer in Florida, noted Watson, and she will also travel to North Florida; St. Augustine, and the Jacksonville Beach area, ending on Captiva Island. "People who started the book last weekend said they couldn't put it down. It's such a great thrill to hear these comments," said Watson, "and I am so thankful for all the support I have been given by the Grand Bahama community."