Marek Zaczek 3 - The Precipice of Peace and Petals of the Christmas Rose

These Courageous Souls Taught The World That Poland
Never Wavered In Its Resistance

These Courageous Souls Taught The World That Poland
Never Wavered In Its Resistance

Thanks to everyone for being so patient. "The Life of Marek Zaczek Volume 3: The Precipice of Peace" is here as Napoleon comes to Poland to engage the Prussians, Russians, and, of course, his lovely Polish conquest, the Countess Marie Waleska!
Also, our third Clay and Deekie novel is available in time for the holiday

A young Polish girl, Kalina, from Panna Maria, Texas, is taken from a stage coach. Her impetuous brother Piotr strikes out in search of her. Cord McCullough is hired to save the boy before he gets himself killed, but after meeting his beautiful Ciocci Mieczysława (Aunt Midge), Cord decides to save the "Untouched" one.

"The Life of Marek Zaczek Volume 3: The Precipice of Peace"
Review from November 2025 Polish American Journal
Reviewed by Polish-American Author Catherine Hamilton
David Trawinski has done it again! He has written another impeccable historical novel. In The Life of Marek Zaczek – Volume 3: The Precipice of Peace, Trawinski brings to life the awe-inspiring bravery of both heroes and heroines who love their country. Based on real life characters, fictional
legends, and historical events. This book masterfully intertwines a war
story, a love story, and a tumultuous family drama—revealing unexpected treats and tragedies in a powerful wartime setting. Napoleon’s Grande Armée is reinforced by men of the Polish Lancers, including the likes of Marek Zaczek. Witness soldiers on horseback charge across the battlefields and across the page, from the deadly winter Battle of Eylau, to the Siege of Danzig, the battles along theAlle River, and the summertime
Battle of Friedland.
Warsaw—January 1807
Napoleon Bonaparte
The story opens in Warsawin 1807, along the Vistula River, where thecapital of Poland hosts their beloved Napoleon Bonaparte. Here, in Volume 3, Napoleon fights the combined armies of Prussia and Russia on lands historically belonging to the Poles. During the harsh January winter, the promised security of Napoleon’s Grande Armée to free Poland from its enemies is wavering. The frosty cold and painful hunger strip even the best of soldiers of dignity and restraint—pillage and plunder quickly prevails.
And, unbeknownst to Napoleon, who was busy wooing the Countess Marie Walewska, the Russians plan a sneak attack that threatens the weak left flank of Bonaparte’s army. But the sometimes insolent Marshall Ney of Napoleon’s top ranks might just save Bonaparte’s troops camped along the Vistula River. That is, if Marek Zaczek can break Napoleon away from dinner with the Countess long enough togive him the urgent news.
Marek Zaczek
The battle-worn hero and Polish Lancer in this three volume
series, 34-year-old Marek Zaczek wrestles with crippling nightmares,
and an unraveling personal life. A shocking revelation of dark family secrets, hidden from him since birth, are revealed by a spiteful aunt while Marek is on Christmas leave—a revelation that drives a wedge between Marek, his mother and his wife. Marek turns his back on his family and vows never to see them again. However, upon his return to Warsaw and his comrades at arms, Marek directs his focus to soldiering and his destiny takes a fortunate twist. This is precisely whenNapoleon’s Marshall Ney chooses Marek to ride alongside him as his personal guide. And shortly after, to accompany Napoleon himself. In less than a month, during the deadly two-day Battle of Eylau, Marek Zaczek is assigned to Napoleon’s
Imperial Guard’s Calvery advanced unit—a detail unit protecting the field headquarters while the Emperor carries out his surprise counterattack to smash the Russian army’s rear flank! On February 7, 1807, Marek has a brush with death on the battlefield. Trawinski writes: “a major life or death battle was taking place within the cemetery among the headstones…. The
skies began to unrelentingly pelt driving snow…. creating a crystalline silence pierced only by the pathetic intermittent low moans of the wounded combatants from both sides as they lay exposed to the darkening fields around Eylau!”
Countess Marie Walewska
The dramatic and enticing story of the lovely young countess Marie Walewska, who had, at a very young age, married Count Athanasius Walewski, a wealthy aristocrat who was more than 70 years old;
the unlikely nuptial was arranged by Marie’s mother and brother, strictly for financial reasons. Marie carries out her wifely duties with grace and dignity. But it is no surprise that her beauty catches the eye of Napoleon Bonaparte. Napoleon quickly makes it known that he wishes to meet the countess. It is then that her husband, the count, and other lords and noblemen of Poland pressure her to accept a rendezvous with Napoleon, if only to coyly convince him to wage abattle against the Russians, Prussians, and Austrians in order to free Poland once again. And if need be,she should do more. As much as she loved Poland, and wished her nation free from
its captors, the chaste (at least for now) Countess Marie repeatedly refuses to meet in private with Napoleon. At last, when her husbandinsists she meet with Napoleon, she cautiously agrees. These ongoing “meetings” soon become the monumental romantic trope of this historical narrative. Although historians document the romantic liaison, Trawinski brings us into the castles, palaces, and bedchambers, where lovers whisper their secret desires.
The Niemen River—July 1807
Napoleon achieves at least one of his goals, that of meeting the Tsar
of Russia. The clever Bonaparte arranges for a raft to be set afloat in the middle of the Neiman River, and it is there that the two men sign the Peace of Tilsit on July 7, 1807. But is Napoleon’s Peace of Tilsit and his creation of the Grand Duchy of Warsaw enough to satisfy the Poles? Will the lovely Countess of Poland leave behind what she is so accustomed to and follow after love? Does Marek Zaczek and his estranged mother survive the
deadly assault from his vindictive and villainess aunt; the unraveling vendetta and schism created by the death of Marek’s twin cousins?
Read this narrative historical fiction and find out for yourself!
Complete with maps of the battlefield, Cossacks, Lancers, and
dialogues between the emperor and his generals, his wife and his mistress, this book reveals unforgettable and little known Napoleonic battles in 19th century Poland. Prolific and well-known Polish author and historian, Trawinski’s storytelling will amaze and dazzle you. I highly recommend this book to lovers of history and historical fiction.
"GUNS OF THE YELLOW ROSE"
THE SECOND CLAY AND DEEKIE NOVEL!!!
The year is 1873, and Clay and Deekie take up with a flamboyant gambler and travel to Memphis, Tennessee. Once there, Clay takes advantage of their location to take the Old Butterfield Overland Stage Coach to. Fort Worth and search for his missing "Diddy".
A Texas billionaire's dying mother claims to have given birth to twin sons who later fought in World War II. Is this shocking family revelation real, or a manifestation of her dementia? Diane Sterling and her team are called in to investigate, and she uncovers a story stretching back to 1912, involving three international families who become entangled in fighting the Nazi invasion in Arctic Norway.
Book Review by Mary E. Lanham from December 2020
See all the autographed volumes currently available to purchase
My Blog on History, Travel and Literature
Photos from the actual sites of many of the pivotal scenes in my novels

THE TWINS OF NARVIK, PART I (Abridged Review)
The Twins of Narvik is a mystery split into two alternating-but interwoven tales, cleverly wrapped around a World War I-II history lesson. The time period of Part I is 1912 to 1939, told from a present-day viewpoint. This book is part of Trawinski’s Churchill Trilogy. Quotes from Winston Churchill are sprinkled throughout the book.
Trawinski has a natural talent to keep one turning the pages to find out what happens next.
If you like war books with intel ops, you will like this mystery... but you'll still find plenty of "chick flick" material. Romance, family secrets, interpersonal relations, mental illness, DNA identifying lost relatives, father/son difficulties, the avoidable problems caused by excess wealth, power, money, adventure - it's all there. And as I said earlier, Trawinski has a natural talent to keep you turning ages to find out just how his clues interconnect to solve the mystery.
Barbara Betlejewska
Polish American Journal
May-June 2021
Click the link below to go to the bookstore. or scroll up to the main menu

Set against the backdrop of late eighteenth-century Poland, is the first volume of "The Life of Marek Zaczek" by well-known Polish American author David Trawinski. In this volume, the protagonist comes of age during the turbulent times of the partitions of Poland.
Born into a peasant's life on the estate of a duke, Marek Zaczek seems fated to work in a salt mine. As he grows up watching the duke's horses, he develops s love for the animals and soon has his heart set on working with them. As he matures, he becomes infatuated with the idea of becoming like the great winged Hussars.
Marek has aspirations that are above his station, but what he doesn't know about his origins would change his world forever. Marek's mother keeps secrets from him that will turn their lives and the lives of his grandparents upside-down and inside-out. Magda,as his mother is known, is the daughter of a noble couple who were exiled to Russia. The other secret is the truth of Marek's parentage, which she cannot bring herself to reveal to him.
The novel illustrates the cruel way some nobles exerted their power over the peasants that worked their land. The duke viewed the peasants on his estate as his property, which Magda bravely contradicts. Although this novel focuses on Marek, the women in the book, especially Magda, shine as resilient characters as they rally against the hardships they are forced to endure at the hands of men.
To give a larger view of the tumultuous times, Trawinski has the characters of the duke and Count Von Arndt, an acquaintance of the duke, discuss and expound upon the changing world order. With this, the author sets the stage for his cast of assorted characters.
Mary E. Lanham
Polish American Journal
December 2020
The Chopin Trilogy
Join the excitement that begins with Stanley Wisniewski, a retired CIA operative, being called to investigate an apparent corporate murder in Amsterdam in "The Willow's Bend". Stanley is hunted across Europe by the CIA and Britain's MI6 in "Chasing the Winter's Wind". In this novel, Stanley's backstory is revealed as he is pursued by his protege, Diane "The Huntress" Sterling. And the third novel, "War of the Nocturne's Widow", opens with Diane missing as an Intelligence War between the CIA and Britain's MI6 looms.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Below are a few comments excerpted from my readers:
"It did not take me long to read these because they were hard to put down once started."
(Unsolicited Website Review of "The Chopin Trilogy")
"After reading your trilogy, I was thoroughly captivated by your storytelling, plot twists and character development!"
(Unsolicited Website Review of "The Chopin Trilogy")
"You had me thoroughly engrossed in Chapter 2 ... As a second generation Polish American, I thoroughly enjoyed..... and even more, I appreciated..... the weaving of the Polish character, culture, history and heritage into the espionage and intrigue of the Chopin Trilogy. Thank you, Mr. Trawinski, for your telling me Stanley's tale."
(Unsolicited Website Review of "The Chopin Trilogy")
"I would love to see this trilogy turned into a mini-series or full-length movie!"
("The Chopin Trilogy")
"The Willow's Bend masterfully works through its protagonist Stanley to take you into Nazi Germany's occupation of Poland, Polish culture, and the inner workings of a modern day large aerospace defense contractor to create an enthralling and captivating read. The clandestine, investigative components of the book easily pull you in for what becomes an exciting and unexpected ending shaped by belief, character, and moral duty."
(Amazon Review of "The Willow's Bend")
"The book tells of the brutal occupation of Poland during WWII and how one's actions of the past can have a powerful influence on the actions of the present. The descriptive passages are wonderfully written. I enjoyed this story immensely."
(Amazon Review of "The Willow's Bend")
"I loved the intrigue and suspense. The author did an excellent job of describing and developing the characters with their devious personalities. I could easily visualize the various locations that the story takes place in. The best mind-blowing element is the twist you do not see coming at the end of the book. I was on the edge of my seat for the last few chapters."
(Amazon Review of "The Willow's Bend")
"This immersive book is brilliantly written and took me on an action packed adventure from DC and CIA headquarters at Langley through parts of Europe including Poland, East Germany, Austria, Italy, and France."
(Amazon Review of "Chasing the Winter's Wind")
"What a well-written and well-thought-out story. It's full of suspense and intrigue. I could not stop reading until I found out how it ended. I was not disappointed, either."
(Amazon Review of "War of the Nocturne's Widow")
"I would love to see this trilogy turned into a mini-series or full-length movie!"
("The Chopin Trilogy")
"I studied very little of the Civil War growing up in Texas. (This) book has done more to explain ... the pain and damage of war are both physical and psychological ... 'Ever Blooms the Rose' captures both sides of the coin in a story of one family ripped apart by war, the mental and medical wounds of which seem unrecoverable ... The historical and geographical research to pull off this book is impressive, and I thoroughly enjoyed (it).
(Amazon Review of "Ever Blooms the Rose")
See more reviews on Amazon.com
An Aerospace Executive is found drowned in the canals of Amsterdam.
Stanley Wisniewski is a retired CIA officer, called in to solve this mysterious death for the firm that manufactures the CIA's Daedalus Destroyer Drones.
As he investigates, he recalls the three promises he made to his dying father, an Auschwitz survivor:
- Cherish and Care For Your Mother
- Always Remember your Polish Heritage
- Throughout Your Life, Protect The Weak from The Abuses of the Strong
Thus, two stories are concurrently told - Stanley solving the murder of the Defense Executive, and his father's telling of how he was able to survive the horrors of Auschwitz and World War II. The two tales across time intertwine, lighting the fuse to the dramatic climax which takes place in Warsaw.
Historical themes explored include the Nazi and Russian invasions of Poland, the infamous development of the Auschwitz and Birkenau Nazi Concentration Camps, The August 1944 Polish Insurgency (The Warsaw Uprising) and a brief summary of the history of Poland. Pride of the Polish Culture is the central theme.
Set in Baltimore, Washington DC, California, London, Amsterdam and Poland, with the climatic conclusion of both stories taking place in Warsaw's Stare Miasto and Krasiński Square.
204 Pages
Published April 2016
This novel begins in the closing moments of The Willow's Bend.
Stanley Wisniewski is now being chased across Europe by his former boss, Deputy Director Jack Trellis of the CIA. Stanley knows the excesses of Trellis' greed, and that Trellis wants him silenced forever. Trellis has the search for the aged spy led by Stanley's former protege, Diane "The Huntress" Sterling. Trellis has also added to the team the ominous Special Ops recruit, Carlyle, whose secret mission is to silence Stanley once Diane finds him.
Stanley is driven by his love for the beautiful Agnieszka Danuska, the beautiful wife of Communist Poland's Economic Minister. Stanley recalls the years he spent in Warsaw, developing Agnieszka and her son as the core of his network within the emerging Solidarity Trade Union in Gdansk.
This story deals with the historical events ranging from the 1940 Katyń Massacre to the Gdansk shipyard strikes of 1980, leading to the failure of the Communist State in Poland.
The story is set in Washington DC, London, Berlin, Vienna, Warsaw, Gdansk, Görlitz, Milan and France. The climatic ending takes place in Paris' celebrated Père Lachaise Cemetery at the foot of Frédéric Chopin's tomb.
421 Pages
Published September 2017
Diane Sterling is missing, and this fact alone threatens to ignite an intelligence war.
Following the conclusion of "Chasing The Winter's Wind", the CIA cannot locate their agent, Diane, who they have respectfully given the moniker of "The Huntress".
Jack Trellis, Deputy Director of Operations for the CIA suspects Diane is being harbored by his nemesis within the British Secret Service (MI6), George Chartwell.
Trellis fears Diane carries with her his darkest secrets of the Cold War, Project Osiris.
Join your favorite characters returning for this concluding installment of The Chopin Trilogy -the young innocent Polish cultural agent Sophie, the young German Stasi expert Emory Hauptmann, the charming British spy Malcolm Devereaux, the ambitious internet publisher Preston Almesbury, Trellis' CIA adjutant Ellison Redmond, and the ever-erring Dominic Reeves. And, of course, carrying the story from "The Willow's Bend" through this novel is the idealistic Stanley Wisniewski.
The story deals historically with the establishment of the communist state of East Germany after World War II, and their repressive Stasi Secret Police. The history of the rise and fall of the Berlin Wall, in the context of events leading to the dissolution of the Soviet Union, is explored.
The novel is set in Washington DC, London, Italy, Switzerland, Germany and Poland. The exciting conclusion takes place in and around Berlin.
230 Pages
Published April 2018
My Chopin Trilogy
Any book is so much more meaningful when you can discuss it with others. That goes for the authors, too. We would love to hear your thoughts on the characters, locations and historical facts woven throughout our stories...
My random thoughts on Art, Travel, History and Literature related to my storylines: past present and future! - Dave
Sign up to hear from us about specials, sales, and events.