Background
Swindells was born in Dover, United Kingdom. She is the daughter of Thomas George, a salvage diver, and Nellie (Gilmore) Swindells, a homemaker.
(Set in Europe during World War II, Edelweiss is a story o...)
Set in Europe during World War II, Edelweiss is a story of heroism and love. Marietta von Burgheim is a woman of beauty and morality, and an heiress to a fortune. Turning her back on the responsibilities of her noble birth and her father's wrath, Marietta joins a student resistance group determined to overthrow the Nazis. Bill Roth, Reuters' correspondent based in pre-war Berlin, is the maverick heir to his uncle, an American industrialist. When Bill and Marietta meet they fall headlong in love, but their passion is overshadowed by the horror of the Nazi occupation and the outbreak of war. Hugo von Hesse, Marietta's step-brother, makes a meteoric rise through the ranks to become a powerful SS officer. Reaching the pinnacle of power in the New Order, Hugo uses his position to destroy the von Burgheims and take over the family fortune. As the Nazis tighten their grip on Europe, the struggle between Marietta, Bill and Hugo becomes a microcosm of the war itself – violent, bloody and treacherous. Madge Swindells was born and educated in England. As a teenager, she emigrated to South Africa where she studied archaeology at Cape Town University. Later, in England, she was a Fleet Street journalist and the manager of her own publishing company. Her earlier novels, Summer Harvest, Song of the Wind, Shadows on the Snow, The Corsican Woman, The Sentinel and Harvesting the Past were international bestsellers and have been translated into eight languages. She lives in South Africa.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079X1YKZF/?tag=2022091-20
(The classic family saga and international bestsellers, wi...)
The classic family saga and international bestsellers, with over a million copies sold worldwide. Anna is as strong and passionate as she is ambitious, fighting her way up from near-destitution to become one of the Cape’s most prominent and powerful businesswomen. Only love eludes her. For her husband Simon – a poor farmer when they marry – has too much masculine pride to stand on the sidelines while Anna plunders her way to a success that threatens tragedy and loss. Can Anna stay locked in such a cold and unforgiving marriage, or could destiny have other plans in mind...? Set between 1938 and 1968 in a South Africa, where gruelling poverty rubs shoulders with remarkable opulence, and moving from the Cape to London and the West Coast of America, Summer Harvest is a family saga in the finest tradition. ‘Anna van Achtenburgh mirrors the strengths and the weaknesses of her beautiful, harsh country: the toughness, the dazzling material success, the moral dilemmas, the tragedy. I was gripped from start to finish’ - Kate Alexander ‘Terrific. A book that’s big in every sense . . . rich in detail and written with passion it lives on in the memory. I loved it’ - Sarah Harrison, author of The Flowers of the Field Praise for Madge Swindells ‘Irresistible . . . keeps your emotions trembling over hundreds of pages’ - Mail On Sunday 'Superlative' - Publishers Weekly 'I was gripped from start to finish’ - Kate Alexander, author ‘Terrific. A book that’s big in every sense. . . rich in detail and written with passion it lives on in the memory. I loved it’ - Sarah Harrison, author Madge Swindells was born and educated in England. As a teenager, she emigrated with her parents to South Africa where she studied archaeology and anthropology at Cape Town University. Later, in England, she was a Fleet Street journalist and the manager of her own publishing company. Summer Harvest, Song of the Wind, Shadows on the Snow and The Corsican Woman are international bestsellers and have been translated into seven languages. She lives in South Africa.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078TML8B6/?tag=2022091-20
(The Winter Olympics are a prestigious display of glamour,...)
The Winter Olympics are a prestigious display of glamour, courage and public splendour. They are also, though discreetly, a huge merchandising operation involving talent, technique – and flesh and blood. Megan Carroll is the ultimate agent to the sparkling stars, a whizz-kid who knows just what she wants. Nikki Petrov is exquisite and ice-cool, a Russian whose figure-skating audacity captivates audiences everywhere. Jacqui Douglas is a headstrong American downhill skier, whose recklessness is such that her racing seems like suicide postponed. Megan can take them both to fame and fortune – at a price. But there is a dangerous distraction – an enigmatic Scots scriptwriter of magnetic personality. Megan cannot afford to get involved. But will she care, when the chips are down? Praise for Madge Swindells ‘Irresistible . . . keeps your emotions trembling over hundreds of pages’ - Mail On Sunday 'Superlative' - Publishers Weekly 'I was gripped from start to finish’ - Kate Alexander, author ‘Terrific. A book that’s big in every sense. . . rich in detail and written with passion it lives on in the memory. I loved it’ - Sarah Harrison, author Madge Swindells was born and educated in England. As a teenager, she emigrated to South Africa where she studied archaeology at Cape Town University. Later, in England, she was a Fleet Street journalist and the manager of her own publishing company. Her earlier novels, Summer Harvest, Song of the Wind, Shadows on the Snow, Edelweiss, The Sentinel and Harvesting the Past were international bestsellers and have been translated into eight languages.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079JZZGMG/?tag=2022091-20
(A heart turned to stone; a burning for revenge. When her ...)
A heart turned to stone; a burning for revenge. When her mother is shot at the close of World War II, Marika Magos is orphaned into a new life in the diamond canyons of South Africa. As a worn-torn Europe is on the mend, Marika climbs to the glittering heights of the London fashion industry. From Paris to New York, her name is known and her admirers many. Not even Tony Palma, the international tycoon who thought he possessed her entirely knows of the secret passion she harbours for Swiss immigrant Gunter Grieff. Yet the sweet promise of their affair turns to ashes when Marika learns that his name and papers are false, changed in the final days of the war to protect his German identity. Song of the Wind tells a powerful tale of romance, adventure and intrigue. Praise for Song of the Wind ‘Irresistible . . . keeps your emotions trembling over hundreds of pages’ - MAIL ON SUNDAY Praise for Madge Swindells Praise for Madge Swindells 'Superlative' - Publishers Weekly 'I was gripped from start to finish’ - Kate Alexander, author ‘Terrific. A book that’s big in every sense. . . rich in detail and written with passion it lives on in the memory. I loved it’ - Sarah Harrison, author Madge Swindells was born and educated in England. As a teenager, she emigrated to South Africa where she studied archaeology at Cape Town University. Later, in England, she was a Fleet Street journalist and the manager of her own publishing company. Her earlier novels, Summer Harvest, Shadows on the Snow, The Corsican Woman, Edelweiss, The Sentinel and Harvesting the Past were international bestsellers and have been translated into eight languages. She lives in South Africa.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B079546SYJ/?tag=2022091-20
(When sixteen-year-old Mandy September goes missing from a...)
When sixteen-year-old Mandy September goes missing from a birthday holiday in the Okavango swamps, Arion St. John from the Pretoria police force is sent to investigate her disappearance. Twenty-seven years old, Ari finds it odd that he is to return to Silver Bay, the very place he was adopted from as an infant. Curious about his roots, despite his loving and caring adoptive parents, Ari uses this as an opportunity to dig deeper into his own roots. His welcome to Silver Bay was not what he was expecting. The townsfolk were openly set against him. Their loyalty clearly lay with the wealthy fishing magnate, Angelo Palma. As Ari digs further into Mandy’s disappearance, he finds that her parents, Bill and Hannah September, have a past that proves to be quite interesting. When a skull is found and identified as belonging to Bill September’s sister, Rose, the investigation takes on a more sinister role. With no ransom requested, the link between Rose’s murder and Mandy’s disappearance grows stronger. Ari finds himself going deeper and deeper into the Palma’s and September’s pasts. Ramona September wanted her children to grow up leading a life she failed to gain herself. As housekeeper at the Palma residence, she is in a position to influence the ongoings of Angelo, and his grandson, Rob. When Kate, Rob’s wife, loses her fortune, Rob takes the upper hand. With her wealth wiped out, he is in a position to control her every move; a change Kate refuses to accept. Brought up as a caring individual, her love of nature and compassion towards people drives her through some of the toughest times. Falling in love with Kate was not part of the plan. Ari must learn to overcome his passionate requirements and focus on the crimes that were committed in Silver Bay. Mandy is still alive and he must find her… and soon. Praise for Madge Swindells ‘Irresistible . . . keeps your emotions trembling over hundreds of pages’ - Mail On Sunday 'Superlative' - Publishers Weekly 'I was gripped from start to finish’ - Kate Alexander, author ‘Terrific. A book that’s big in every sense. . . rich in detail and written with passion it lives on in the memory. I loved it’ - Sarah Harrison, author Madge Swindells was born and educated in England. As a teenager, she emigrated to South Africa where she studied archaeology and anthropology at Cape Town University. Later, in England, she was a Fleet Street journalist and the manager of her own publishing company. Her earlier novels, SUMMER HARVEST, SONG OF THE WIND, SHADOWS ON THE SNOW, THE CORSICAN WOMAN, EDELWEISS and THE SENTINEL, were international bestsellers and have been translated into eight languages. She lives in South Africa.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077GZ1K19/?tag=2022091-20
(Set on the island of Corsica during the Second World War,...)
Set on the island of Corsica during the Second World War, The Corsican Woman is a stunning novel of passion and revenge. When the beautiful Sybilia is married off to the son of her town’s leader, she soon discovers that being a woman in 1940s Corisca comes with few freedoms. But when the Second World War reaches the remote island, Sybilia is pressed into service for her country as a spy and as an assistant to a new arrival in town: the American captain Robin Moore. The two fall into a passionate love, much to the anger of her cruel father-in-law. Pregnant with Moore’s child, she is left a pariah when her lover is posted abroad, never to return again. Sybilia lives out the next twenty-five years alone, burdened with a deep sadness at the betrayal and loss of her lover. It isn’t until long after the war ends when she discovers the true fate of Robin Moore. A fate that sets her on the path to vengeance… Praise for The Corsican Woman ‘Madge Swindells captures beautifully the flavour of Corsica and its turbulent inhabitants’ - Evening Standard Praise for Madge Swindells ‘Irresistible . . . keeps your emotions trembling over hundreds of pages’ - Mail On Sunday 'Superlative' - Publishers Weekly 'I was gripped from start to finish’ - Kate Alexander, author ‘Terrific. A book that’s big in every sense. . . rich in detail and written with passion it lives on in the memory. I loved it’ - Sarah Harrison, author Madge Swindells was born and educated in England. As a teenager, she emigrated to South Africa where she studied archaeology at Cape Town University. Later, in England, she was a Fleet Street journalist and the manager of her own publishing company. Her earlier novels, Summer Harvest, Song of the Wind, Shadows on the Snow, Edelweiss, The Sentinel and Harvesting the Past were international bestsellers and have been translated into eight languages.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077516VLC/?tag=2022091-20
(A powerful story of loyalty and love Liza Frank has alway...)
A powerful story of loyalty and love Liza Frank has always assumed she was white. Accustomed to the privileges of South Africa’s apartheid system, the shock news that she is to be reclassified as ‘coloured’ comes as a crushing blow, forcing her to flee onto the harsh streets of Johannesburg and cutting her off from her childhood sweetheart Pieter – for mixed-race relations are strictly forbidden. Joining the army in an attempt to forget, Pieter finds his Afrikaner background soon makes him a pawn in a racist system he has never really questioned. And when he is asked to eliminate an ANC member, formerly a childhood friend, his resolve is tested as never before. Sentinel to values that are rooted in prejudice, only through the rediscovery of love can Pieter begin to atone for his actions. Reaching its gripping climax as the chains of apartheid are being stripped away, THE SENTINEL is a tremendously powerful story of loyalty and love, with characters as much in turmoil as the country they all feel is their own. Praise for Madge Swindells “A realistic and believable story.” - Aberdeen Evening Express Madge Swindells was born and educated in England. As a teenager, she emigrated to South Africa where she studied archaeology at Cape Town University. Later, in England, she was a Fleet Street journalist and the manager of her own publishing company. Her earlier novels, Summer Harvest, Song of the Wind, Shadows on the Snow, The Corsican Woman, Edelweiss and Harvesting the Past were international bestsellers and have been translated into eight languages. She lives in South Africa.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07B7LGD8J/?tag=2022091-20
Swindells was born in Dover, United Kingdom. She is the daughter of Thomas George, a salvage diver, and Nellie (Gilmore) Swindells, a homemaker.
Swindells studied anthropology and archaeology at University of Cape Town, South Africa.
For more than two decades, first as a newspaper editor and later as the head of a successful magazine publishing company, Swindells made two attempts at a novel work, each met with rejection. Yet when one of her ventures, a sports trading magazine, became successful enough on its own to allow her to hire her own replacement, she concentrated on writing novels full-time, and this time her efforts yielded success.
Swindells’ first book, Summer Harvest, was published in 1984 to positive reviews that evoked comparisons to The Thorn Birds, Colleen McCullough’s epic romance saga of Australia.
Her second novel was 1985’s Song of the Wind.
Swindells would follow with Shadows on the Snow in 1987 and then 1988’s The Corsican Woman. The Corsican Woman was then followed by Edelweiss in 1993, and Harvesting the Past in 1995.
(Set on the island of Corsica during the Second World War,...)
(When sixteen-year-old Mandy September goes missing from a...)
(The classic family saga and international bestsellers, wi...)
(The Winter Olympics are a prestigious display of glamour,...)
(A powerful story of loyalty and love Liza Frank has alway...)
(Set in Europe during World War II, Edelweiss is a story o...)
(A heart turned to stone; a burning for revenge. When her ...)
Quotations: “People have strange ideas about novelists, imagining that they are gregarious and fun loving, or that they lead the type of lives they describe. The truth is, they spend most of their lives sitting alone in front of a computer, but the myth persists. Fortunately there are those wonderful holidays between books when you can take off on research trips for the next plot.”
Madge is a member of Authors Guild, Authors League of America and P.E.N.
Swindells told that she enjoys writing, her success has made it a “more serious business with deadlines to be met, and responsibilities to publishers, distributors, and readers.” She believes that a novel’s primary function is to entertain: “It is not simply a soapbox for the author’s own personal beliefs and hobbyhorses. The story can of course have a message or a moral, but it must be an integral and natural part of the story and not contrived.”
Madge married firstly while a student to Boris Sokolsky and gave birth to a son, Ivan, who, as a baby, accompanied her on archeological hikes to remote sites, tied on her back like a Xhosa child.
Her second husband was Jacobus Smit. After the divorse she married Adolph Feretti Martola Palma. After that unsuccessful marriage she married Klaus Arthur Friedland. She has a daughter from that marriage - Geraldine Friedland.