Bestselling author and Bradford resident Marthese Fenech recently released her second novel in her Siege of Malta trilogy, and donated the proceeds of her book sales to Conquer COVID-19 charities.
Fenech is the No. 1 bestselling author for historical fiction novels set in Malta where her parents originated from. Born in Toronto and the youngest of five, she has been writing from an early age and has a background in journalism from Humber College, a degree in communications and English from Athabasca University, and a Master's Degree in Education from D'Youville in New York.
Fenech’s most recent novel, Falcon’s Shadow, debuted at No. 1 on Amazon’s bestseller list for 2020, after her first novel Eight Pointed Cross also peaked on the bestsellers' list within hours of its presale release.
When the pandemic first hit, Fenech chose to donate the sales from her first book to ConquerCOVID-19.ca, a non-profit Canadian site started by a Markham couple that has raised over $1.9 million and distributed much-needed personal protective equipment to 54 cities across the country.
Fenech then took a portion of the proceeds from the sale of her second novel and purchased boxes of nitrile gloves which were then donated to front-line staff at Newmarket’s Southlake Hospital during the pandemic crisis.
“As the COVID-19 lockdown continued, I thought perhaps I could help those struggling with boredom by providing some affordable escape,” explains Fenech. “So I dropped the price of the digital version of my first novel (Eight Pointed Cross) across all Amazon marketplaces to .99 cents as a way to say thank you to those doing their part to flatten the curve.”
Fenech’s trilogy is based on the Great Siege of 1565 set in 16th century Europe and takes readers on an epic journey through military conflict between two empires fueled by corruption, oppression, deceit and disaster during a time when the Renaissance was at odds with the Roman Inquisition.
Her third book (currently untitled) is set for release in late 2021 to early 2022 which will complete the Malta trilogy.
“A need to express myself through the written word is weaved into the fabric of my being,” shares Fenech. “I’ve been writing stories since kindergarten, and sometimes, when I’d get in trouble at school for being too chatty, I’d write a story about a little girl who felt bad for upsetting her teacher. Then, I’d give it to my teacher as an apology. It usually won me back into her good graces, but not always.”
Both Fenech’s novels have won the Coffee Pot Book Club Award and hold outstanding reviews from acclaimed authors and historians, including Governor General award winning author Karen Connelly who critiqued Fenech's final year of manuscripts while attending the Humber School for Writers.
“Growing up in a space where creativity and imagination flowed freely motivated me to pursue my dream of becoming an author,” says Fenech.
Fenech was about to launch a book signing but was forced to put everything on hold when the pandemic hit, prompting her to do a virtual book launch through Facebook live instead, which had several thousand views.
When restrictions further lift however, she would like to have an official book signing, possibly at the BWG Library.
“Despite the upheaval of life as we know it, books continue to allow us to travel around the world or through time,” expresses Fenech. “The sanctuary of art and the rhythm of life contained within it beckon us, now more than ever.”
Fenech’s books are available on Amazon in paperback, e-book and audio-books, and will eventually become available in bookstores.
For more information on Marthese Fenech, visit her website: https://marthesefenech.com
