Welcome!

Hello everyone, my name is Logan Murphy. I am 27 years old and though originally from Houston, TX I currently live, write and love in Taipei, Taiwan. Now, some of you may be thinking “Taiwan. That’s in China right?” And that is exactly what I thought too before I moved here. Now I know that the answer isn’t quite that simple. More on that later. The reason I am writing this blog, and hopefully why you are here today is to hear the latest news of my upcoming novel Taiwan in Time.  Below is a description of the novel, but before you delve into that, I would like to tell you why I wrote it and what I hope that you the reader will take from it.  My goals in this book are many. Most of all, I want to create an exciting loveable story that the reader can enjoy and appreciate, while at the same time learn about Chinese culture, language and history. I hope that the colorful cast of characters and the unusual circumstances of the story will be a more interesting means of teaching a basic understanding of the subject in a much more engaging format than a text book ever could. I have done extensive research in writing Taiwan in Time and I have been to all of the places that the characters travel to in the story, so in this way I am writing about my own experience living and traveling in Taiwan. Below is an excerpt from the novel. Enjoy! –Logan Murphy

Taiwan in Time is the story of two lovers who find themselves transported into the year 1942 when WWII was at its height and Japan claimed rights to the island of Taiwan, then known as Isle Formosa, from Portuguese meaning ‘beautiful island.’ A set of events unfolds upon their arrival and the couple is separated. Much of the story involves Logan’s attempt to find his lost girlfriend, Ruby, but this is only the beginning. Along the way, the couple befriends a colorful cast of characters and runs afoul of soldiers of the Imperial Japanese Army. Where does the story go from there? You will have to read to find out.

“Be very still.” Logan said through clenched teeth.

“You don’t have to tell me twice” replied Didi tersely. The boat was slowly passing by their hiding spot, close enough now that Logan could reach out and touch it. Just then he wasn’t feeling so inclined. Logan heard the thwack of a branch snapping in the distance followed by the scurrying of an animal through the brush. The Japanese must have heard it too, because without warning the engine turned off. Logan’s heart was beating so loudly that he could feel his body moving with each pulse, and Didi wasn’t much better off, judging from the loud drumming sound resounding from his chest. “This is it,” thought Logan. “They’ll kill us for sure, they won’t even hesitate.” Didi and Logan shared a brief glance before they tried to ease their way back into the brush. Just then, there was a loud ‘click’ sound and a blindingly bright beam of light sprang forth. “They have a spot light” Logan thought, biting back a curse. The soldier in the bow of the boat was at a mounted searchlight, slowly moving it along the riverbank, searching for the source of the noise. The spotlight was tracked and almost moved over their hiding spot, which would give them away, when another cracking sound was heard along the opposite shore. The spotlight immediately veered to the spot of where the sound originated. After searching for a moment, apparently satisfied that the sound was nothing more than a wild animal, the guard switched off the light, and unbuttoned the front of his trousers, where upon he began to relieve himself just inches away from where Logan lay. Logan swallowed his disgust and resolved not to move a muscle. The tinkling sound of the urine hitting the water continued for some time, unabated like a waterfall, and then it was done. Harsh voices spoke out in Japanese, accompanied by laughter, and then the engine sputtered to life once again. And just as suddenly as the patrol boat had come, it was gone.

“That was close,” muttered Didi at Logan’s side.

“Too close.” Agreed Logan.