John  Allen





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John Allen

Goodreads author profile


born
The United States

gender
male

website

influences
Fitzgerald, Hemmingway, James Hilton

member since
September 2007


About this author

Hi, my name is John Allen and I just wanted to share some information about my holiday novel "Christmas Gifts, Christmas Voices."

This is a book that was born of grief…and written in an effort to offer hope to others.

Mark Victor Hansen, co-author of Chicken Soup for the Soul, has described my book as having “messages of love and wisdom to make your heart sing with the recognition of the miracle of life.”

My book is about the fragility of life and the incredible results that come from small acts of kindness…

Writers will appreciate this: I would not have written this book were it not for a terrible tragedy. We all know there are times you sit down and intend to write something. But then there are those times when you simply HAVE to write. The...more


Average rating: 3.12 · 16 ratings · 9 reviews · 1 distinct work
Christmas Gifts, Christmas ...
3.12 of 5 stars 3.12 avg rating — 16 ratings — published 2002 — 2 editions
My rating:
didn't like it it was ok liked it really liked it it was amazing
add to my books

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Anna's Gift (Literature & Fiction)
1 chapters   —   updated Mar 29, 2010 04:32pm
Description: This is a story for Christmas...

John's Recent Updates

John is now friends with Rosemary Harris
1274502
John added a quote
237360
"The same hot lightning that burns your blood with passion–– cools your fears with peace."Aberjhani
John read and liked "Allow Relaxation" by Susan Mandel
"Dawn is a 33-year-old improv artist and writer. She suffers from attention deficit disorder and bi-polar disease, which are managed with medication and therapy. Dawn attended the book launch for Manag"
John made a comment on his profile
429071
"Hello Everybody!

If anyone is interested in hearing my holiday song, "The Spirit of Christmas," it's now up on YouTube. There are several songs with th...more
"
"After watching Jay and Daisy crash yellow
into their faded dreams,
I took my Golden for a run
in a whirl of white crystal shards,
each one as sharp and bright
as the green light
at the end of the Daisy's"
"A tall officer in an SS uniform stepped onto a train car loaded with female prisoners, their hands and feet chained to their train seats. He glanced around the car until he noticed one particular pris"
John gave 5 of 5 stars false to:
Amiable Autocrat by Eleanor M Tilton
My rating:
didn't like it it was ok liked it really liked it it was amazing
add to my books
This is a great biography of a great man. The father of the famous Supreme Court justice who shared his name, Holmes was both a gifted poet and a great physician...
John became a fan of Goodreads Author Elise Crawford
2909507
Secret Speakers and the Search for Selador's Gate by Karey (K.S.R. Kingworth) Shane
25350
More of John's books…
Henry James
“Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind.”
Henry James

Nancy Thayer
“It's never too late - in fiction or in life - to revise.”
Nancy Thayer

Jack London
“I would rather be ashes than dust!
I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot.
I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet.
The function of man is to live, not to exist.
I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them.
I shall use my time.”
Jack London

Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.
“I find the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving - we must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it - but we must sail, and not drift, nor lie at anchor.”
Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.

Martin Luther King Jr.
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”
Martin Luther King Jr., A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches

2494 When I grow up I want to be a WRITER! — 143 members — last activity Aug 08, 2009 10:31pm
When you were little did you want to be a novelist? Forget the whole idea of wanting to become a teacher, a doctor, an actress.....you could care less...more
7646 Glens Falls (NY) Online Book Discussion Group — 166 members — last activity 58 minutes ago
Welcome to this online book discussion group to which all are welcome. We are centered in the Glens Falls & Queensbury, NY, area, but we reach out to...more
6593 African American Books — 775 members — last activity 5 hours, 16 min ago
Dee Dee M. Scott, Nadia Janice Brown and Diva Long welcomes all authors and non authors to this group. We will discuss African American fiction, non-f...more
2835 Classical music lovers — 429 members — last activity Feb 01, 2012 06:44am
Our fast-growing classical music group is sometimes erudite - and maybe a little eccentric - but we aim never to be exclusive. Classical music is a gif...more
6541 K.S.R. Kingworth Fans — 316 members — last activity Aug 17, 2011 06:16am
This is the place to be so we can get to know each other! I want to know all about you. Goodreader's are good friends. (The K. in K.S.R. stand for Kar...more
233 ¡ POETRY ! — 7248 members — last activity 2 hours, 3 min ago
No pretensions: just poetry. Stop by, recommend books, offer up poems (excerpted), tempt us, taunt us, tell us what to read and where to go (to read it...more
11 Stop Violence Against Women — 207 members — last activity Jul 22, 2010 06:47pm
Let's Respect WOMEN'S RIGHT.
10611 Secret Speakers: Read & Rate It — 432 members — last activity Nov 18, 2010 04:55pm
This group is for anyone who wants to read and review Secret Speakers and the Search for Selador's Gate download for free until February 16, 2009. I w...more
2802 Amazon Kindle — 4862 members — last activity 41 minutes ago
For readers using the Amazon Kindle ebook device.
6855 A Lit A Bit of Everything! — 19 members — last activity Jul 16, 2011 09:37am
For people who will read just about anything. This group is all about diversity. We encourage readers from all cultures, races, faiths, and locations...more
More of John's groups …



Comments (showing 23-72)    post a comment »

message 72: by John

John Hello Everybody!

If anyone is interested in hearing my holiday song, "The Spirit of Christmas," it's now up on YouTube. There are several songs with the same title, so the easiest way to find mine is to search for it this way: The Spirit of Christmas John Starley Allen. I hope you enjoy the song. And if you'd like to leave a comment on YouTube or Goodreads, I'd be interested in receiving your feedback.

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season!

--John


message 71: by John (last edited Nov 13, 2010 08:48pm)

John I just wanted to give a shout out to all of my Goodreads friends...

My inspirational song "We Can Fill The World With Love" is now available online for digital downoading!

It's on Amazon (mp3), I-tunes, and Napster. You can find it by searching under my full name, John Starley Allen, or We Can Fill the World With Love.

If any of you feel like dropping me a line, I'd be interested in what you think about the song. It reflects my deeps feeling that we can all make a difference in this world...that every act of kindness adds up to a mighty change!

Take care, everyone....Keep reading, keep writing, and keep listening for the still small voice of inspiration...We truly CAN fill the world with love!

All the best!

--John


message 70: by Sheila

Sheila Hi John. Thanks so much for your comments on Money for Flowers - it's an old one. Thanks for digging it up to comment. :)


message 69: by Jana

Jana Hi John,
How are you? I hope all is well and I hope you have a beautiful weekend! Cheers & blessings.


message 68: by Nadia

Nadia Hi John,

I just dropped by to thank you for commenting on my poem! I really appreciate it.


message 67: by John (last edited Jul 31, 2009 09:09pm)

John Thanks so much, Fenixbird, for your kind comments. Hearing back from readers like you makes it all worthwhile! My next book is a sort of non-fiction version of Chirstmas Gifts, Christmas Voices...true stories that expand on the themes of my Christmas sotry...


Fenixbird SandS I liked your book Christmas Voices. Your writing is flawless. At no time did the book drag & having recently lost a parent & very recently a close friend who had suffered several years, I found the book a comfort.


message 65: by Lea

Lea John:

Thanks for always taking the time to share good things and thoughts and writings.

Be well, smile a lot!


Aberjhani Thank you John for your comment on my piece on Whitman and Alexander. I agree with your take on the great poet.

Aberjhani


message 63: by Lisa

Lisa See Thanks for inviting me to be a friend. I'm looking forward to your follow up book.


message 62: by Lisette

Lisette Brodey Hey John:

Thank you for the invitation. I just read your profile and really hope I'll get a chance to read your book. Just hearing the story briefly was difficult; hard to imagine living it.

MUCH luck on your new book.

Lisette


message 61: by Cheryl

Cheryl Snell Thanks, John. Happy New Year!


message 60: by Saleh

Saleh Hi.What We Talk About When We Talk About Love?PLZ Answer The Question In My Profile.


message 59: by John

John I can't believe Christmas is here...and I'm waaaaay behind in answering messages. But I am going to get to all of them!

I want to wish all my Goodreads friends the very merriest of Christmases...and a joyous new year filled with hope, new beginnings, and inner peace! Let's all look forward. Let's not look back with regret (we can't change the past, only learn from it). Let's cherish the fond memories, and resolve make new positive memories within the year that looms ahead of us. Let's determine to make this new year, our BEST year. Often we can't control outside influences, but we have the power to control ourselves...to make ourselves better everyday, to turn our weaknesses into strengths.

Again, thanks for your messages, you book recommendations, the sharing of your literary insights, and above all, your friendship.

All the best!

--John




message 58: by H.D.

H.D. Thank you, John, for the invitiation to be a friend. All the best in your writing career!


message 57: by Sue

Sue Hi John
Thanks for asking me to be your friend at Goodreads. Brilliant site for writers and readers.
Sue


message 56: by V3

V3 Dear John,
Thanks for your invitation to add me as your friend at Goodreads. AS you said that Goodreads is a great site for writers to connect with readers.

success always and best regards,


message 55: by Gari

Gari Hi John, Thanks for extending your friendship to me, You are my first Goodreads friend. I just logged on the other day and this all looks interesting, indeed. Gari


Stacy-Deanne Stacy-Deanne Enjoy your weekend, John!


message 53: by Dee

Dee Hi John!
Thanks for the friendship!
Wishing you a happy rest of the week!


message 52: by Rita

Rita Thanks for your friendship, John!

Have a great weekend!

Rita




message 51: by Sheila

Sheila Thanks John, for the lovely comment about my poem. Much appreciated. :)


message 50: by Debbie

Debbie Thanks, John, for the friend invite.

I received the first copies of my book today and am fulfilling preorders!

Best wishes with your books!

Debbie Garrett

http://blackdollcollecting.com


message 49: by Jana

Jana Hi John,
Thanks for reading 'Drama Brings God to Skeptics'! I especially loved your comment. I totally agree with you about how music can touch us. Have a wonderful weekend!
Cheers, Jana :)


message 48: by Kate

Kate Good luck with your book, John. Maybe similar people will be attracted to both of our books - big-hearted people who like to reflect on life, love, and family.
www.marshallbooks.net


message 47: by Melanie

Melanie Richards Thanks for the support, John, and for adding me! I'm just starting to promote my book and will need all the friends I can get. I look forward to checking out your book.


message 46: by John

John
Hi Everyone,

Here is a link to the song I wrote for my holiday novel Christmas Gifts, Christmas Voice. In the story Eric, the main character, attends a Christmas pageant and hears the songs. Afterwards, some incredible things begin to happen...


http://byjohnallen.com/Christmas.mp3

All the best...

--John


message 45: by Blair

Blair Thanks, John, for the friend request!

Blair Kilpatrick

Accordion Dreams: A Journey into Cajun and Creole Music (University Press of Mississippi, January 2009)




message 44: by John (last edited Sep 11, 2008 09:58pm)

John Hi Everyone!

I just wanted to do a shout out to all my Good(reads) friends: The bad news is that new copies of my holiday novel Christmas Gifts, Christmas Voices are becoming increasingly hard to find. But the good news is that it is now available in an Amazon Kindle edition.

So, for all you fans of Kindle, I hope you get a chance to check out the new electronic edition.

Thanks for all your messages...They mean a lot to me. I'm sorry I haven't had a chance to reply to all of them, but I am going to (I am just very slow sometimes).

Take care everyone.

All the best!

--John




Kondalrao thanks for joining me as your friend
k.kondameedi@yahoo.com


Aberjhani Hello John--

Thank you for sharing the Anne Frank quote. It contains a lot of good reminders that were very useful for me to contemplate at this particular time. Much peace and many blessings to you and yours,

Aberjhani


message 41: by Chriss

Chriss Thank you John for your kind words regarding my writing. You obviously understand the emotions you have to pull from when writing about tragic situations. Very much like you, I have been touched and forever changed by the losses that others endured and through them, I am a better person. Although it is a very dark place to visit, I think it's a necessary part of growing as a human being and expressing yourself as an author. Keep writing and keep inspiring!


message 40: by Lee

Lee Thanks for being my goodreads buddy, John!

My new romantic suspense, The Twist is a Bookstrand #1 Bestseller! A story of mind-bending control and unnerving metamorphosis, The Twist unravels the tale of a hotshot consultant as he struggles to foil a plot to steal $12 million and to rescue the feisty, female scientist who has stolen his heart.

READ AN EXCERPT FROM THE TWIST


Lee

Lee Silver
"Romance With a Twist"
THE TWIST, BookStrand #1 Bestseller
www.LeeSilver.org






message 39: by Michele

Michele thanks for the ad! Michele Marchetti
http://www.discoverytoyslink.com/mich...
looking for pt/ft help nationwide


message 38: by Susan

Susan Thanks for the add John. I'll be sure to check out your book!

Keep in touch,
Susan


message 37: by Karen

Karen John,

Thanks for the powerful Baldwin quote. That is so true. And thanks for the friendship. I hope you Spring is wonderful!

Best,

Karen Harrington


message 36: by Jana

Jana Thanks for taking the time to watch my video, John! I really appreciate it. And thanks for your kind comments! It means a lot to me.


message 35: by Jana

Jana Hi John,
Just stopping by to say "Hi!"
I hope you're having a wonderful week!
Jana :)


Margaret Hi! Just stopping by to say hello and to thank you for adding me to your friend list.


message 33: by Kelly

Kelly Moran Thanks for the nice comment on the work in progress, John. Of course I can't tell ya the secret. But I'm happy you wanted to read on. I'm about a quarter thru writing it!
~K


message 32: by Eugene

Eugene Hi John,

Thank you for the kind words, and for accepting my friendship. I wish you all the best, and inspiration always

--Gene



message 31: by Erin

Erin John,
Thank you for your encouragement!
My novel, Shadow Walk: The Gathering will be up for pre-release ordering soon.

Warmest regards,

Erin Collins


message 30: by Lisa

Lisa Hi John, Thanks for the kind words. My "to-read" list always seems to grow the fastest. There are so many great books that I want to read! Don't you just love having this site to keep track of them? Have a great weekend. :)

Happy Reading, Lisa


Shawnette Yeah, I'd have to agree with you...despite the whole running for President...I think he's an amazing orator and wise beyond his years. Whether he wins or loses this election he'll definitely continue go far in life. A truly remarkable man! Looking forward to reading his book...Happy Reading :-)


Shawnette I'm glad you enjoyed it...I thought it was different from every other New Year's wish I've heard and wanted to share it with all my buddies here at goodreads...and thanks for the book recommendation...I'll have to check it out...Happy Reading :-)


Jennifer Hi John, thank you for the invite :-D


message 26: by Jeremy

Jeremy I want to apologize for the all the recommendations from me yesterday. I wanted to share the Stoker Award news, and I only pressed the send button once--I'm not sure what happened to create so many messages. Some weird glitch.

Argh...this is terrible...

Again, I'm very sorry.

-Jeremy


message 25: by Cheryl

Cheryl Thanks for the book recommendation, John.

I sure wish I had more time to read...hehe

I'm sure you can relate. I'm busy now working on Divine Justice, book 2 in my Divine series. It is long overdue.

Cheers, and happy writing!

Cheryl
http://www.cherylktardif.com



message 24: by Barbara

Barbara John,
Thanks for adding me to your friends list.
I am happy to see that out of tragedy you were able to share about the Lord and find healing in doing so.
Thanks again.
Barbara


message 23: by Jeremy

Jeremy Here’s wishing you a nifty New Year filled with noiseless noses, neato nicknames, noble Nebraskans, gnarly narcoleptic nebulas, and novel novels about nut-eating narwhals and novercaphobic gnats.

-Jeremy :)

P.S.—I’m currently offering autographed/personally-inscribed copies of my novel, Vacation, with free shipping for those in the US. If there’s anything you could do to help me spread the word about this, I’d really appreciate it. Feel free to click here for details:
http://hauntedhousedressing.com/signe...


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