LUSITANIA R.E.X author, Greg Taylor, available for interview & editorial commissions on board Cunard Line's Centenary Commemorative Cruise ‘Lusitania Remembered' (3-10 May 2015)

London, United Kingdom, 28^thApril 2015: Author of the new, shortlisted historical fiction novel, Lusitania R.E.X., Greg Taylor, is due to set sail on board the Cunard centenary cruise next week. The V510 will leave from Southampton for seven nights from 3 May to 10 May 2015 on board Queen Victoria. The ship will anchor at St Peter Port, Guernsey on 4 May, sail to France on 5 May, will be at sea on the 6^thand arrive at the site where the Lusitania sank (Cobh, Ireland) on the centenary - 7 May. It will then travel via Dublin and return back to Southampton on 10 May.

Since the London book launch for the limited edition, collectors copy of LUSITANIA R.E.X took place at the Royal Institute of British Architects in November, interest in the book, and the ship's incredible fate, has surged. The centenary of the sinking of the Lusitania fast approaches (May 7^th) and author Greg Taylor has been invited to speak ateventsand providemediacomment on this historic topic. The book has been shortlisted for the M.M. Bennetts Historical Fictionaward, and is now on sale at both Blenheim Palace and Great Camp Sagamore, the Adirondack retreat of Alfred Vanderbilt.

London Book Fair Launch For The Paperback Edition

The paperback edition was released on the first day of the London Book Fair, and Greg was joined by Lord and Lady Fellowes for breakfast on the day of the paperback launch (14^thApril 2015) to discuss the book and his research into this great ship.

The author also attended the exclusive opening of theLusitania: life, loss, legacyexhibition (March 26^th) at the Merseyside Maritime Museum.

Greg is open to editorial commissions and interviews about his experience, live from the cruise, and can share photos from the ship, as well as extracts from his historical fiction novel, Lusitania R.E.X.For more details, please contact Literally PR:info@literallypr.com.

About Lusitania R.E.X

Lusitania R.E.X weaves fiction around the known facts to create a plausible explanation of some of the mysteries surrounding the sinking of this great ship. Since being hit by a single torpedo on May 7th 1915, the passenger liner has been wrapped in mystery and intrigue. This is a story of the Lusitania replete with spies and secret societies, superweapons, millionaires and martyrs. The narrative is centred on one of the wealthiest men in the world, Alfred Vanderbilt, who ignored warnings from the German Embassy, confident the fastest ship in the world could outrun enemy submarines during WW1. Alfred lost his life but first saved many children and gave his life jacket to a female stranger.

To this day, experts continue to debate the cause of the second explosion that sealed her fate after the torpedo struck. Imperial Germany immediately claimed she was loaded with explosives destined for the front. The story unfolds on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean in settings that range from gilded palaces and the Lusitania to the blood-soaked trenches of Ypres.

Greg Taylor has been fortunate to develop a relationship with the descendants of some of the main characters in the book. Alfred Vanderbilt's grandson, the Duke of Marlborough and Trubee Davison's grandson have all shared original material and anecdotes about their grandparents that are reflected in the story. Sadly, the Duke passed away last month, just days before his copy of L U S I T A N I A R. E. X arrived at Blenheim Palace.

In 1905, RIBA President Aston Webb was approached by Cunard Lines to assist in the selection of architects for the Lusitania and her sister ship the Mauretania. It was the first time Cunard hired professional architects to design their ships. Given the architectural significance of the Lusitania and the beautiful art deco interiors of RIBA, the launch party evoked the atmospheric feeling of the great liners during the First World War era. Pictures from the launch party can be accessedhere.

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