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This incredible story is based on true events concerning young Betsy Roberts – how she was kidnapped, abused but survived America’s first serial killers – the evil Harpe brothers – how she outlived and ultimately profited using her wits and sheer determination.
Betsy Roberts, a young woman from Kentucky is brutally kidnapped by notorious outlaws Micajah and Wiley Harpe who abuse then exploit her. The novel describes how Betsy uses her wits and courage to survive, and then ultimately prosper despite the most appalling conditions and treatment she suffers, in the wilderness of late eighteenth century America. She gradually becomes tainted by the evil, murderous activities of the Harpe brothers who, amongst other things, use her as bait to lure travelers to their deaths. She does this under duress initially but later becomes indifferent, even to the extent of being a willing accomplice.
Part 2 of the novel describes her long, gruelling journey of escape to New York in the early eighteen hundreds. It covers how she became a key figure there, developing businesses, illicit and legal, and the family dynasty she establishes.
The story is an extraordinary and gripping tale of horrific violence, a kaleidoscope of extraordinary characters, settings and and yet also incredible willpower, survival instincts. Betsy ultimately becomes a strong, determined woman but also uses almost any means to achieve her ends.
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Interview
When and where do you prefer to write?
Mostly during the winter months, we write in solitude at our homes.
Do you need peace and quiet when you are writing?
Yes it is essential.
If you had the chance to co-write a book. Whom would it be with?
Geoff and Nick already co-write under the pseudonym N.G. Neville and it works very well.
Say someone asks if they can use your name in a book. Would you rather be the ‘good one’ or the ‘bad one’?
The bad one generally
Who would you like/have liked to interview?
Leo Tolstoy, Mozart and Eric Clapton
Where can I find you when you are reading?
In bed or in the lounge
Where can I find you when you are not writing/reading?
In the shed (Nick) and in the basement (Geoff)
What goes through your mind when you hold your new book in your hands for
the first time?
A feeling of accomplishment
How do you come up with a title for your book?
‘Death and Salvation’ and ‘Betsy Roberts’ – after long discussion!
How do you pick a cover for your book?
We use expert advice especially from a very fine designer in Croati
Thank you, N.G. Neville and Zooloos Book Tours
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About the author
N.G. Neville is the pseudonym or pen name of Geoff Burke and Nick Fisher, co-authors of ‘BETSY ROBERTS’ their first major novel. It was preceded by a shorter novel entitled ‘DEGENERATION The Story of Betsy Roberts’ which forms the first part of the full novel ‘BETSY ROBERTS’.
A sequel or more accurately prequel, a collection of short or not so short in some cases, stories will be published in 2021. It has a working title ‘DEATH and SALVATION’. Many of the amazing characters in ‘BETSY ROBERTS’ are present before they appear in the full novel. How they got to where they were in the novel forms a fascinating collection of truly extraordinary stories.
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Author Links
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NG-Neville-104092821401285
Website: https://ngneville.com/
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Book Links
Amazon UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/BETSY-ROBERTS-N-G-Neville-ebook/dp/B0892FJDMQ/
Amazon US – https://www.amazon.com/BETSY-ROBERTS-N-G-Neville-ebook/dp/B0892FJDMQ
B for Bookreview 