John  Allen


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(since September 07)

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John Allen

author profile


gender
male

place of birth
United States

website

influences
Fitzgerald, Hemmingway, James Hilton


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 ...more




books by John Allen

combine editions
avg rating: 3.27 | 108 ratings | 1 distinct work
Christmas Gifts, Christmas Voi... Christmas Gifts, Christmas Voices (Hardcover & Amazon Kindle)
by John Allen (Goodreads author!)
avg rating 3.27 — 11 ratings — published 2002
my rating: didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
add to my books

* Note: these are all the books on Goodreads for this author. To add more, perform a search.




John's writing

Anna's Gift (Literature & Fiction)
1 chapters   —   updated 11/10/2007 02:55PM
description: This is a story for Christmas...



John's recent updates (rss)

November 22
The Pat Hobby Storie... John gave 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars to:
The Pat Hobby Stories (Paperback)
by F. Scott Fitzgerald
my rating:
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
add to my books
 

John John said: "These stories were written near the end of Fitzgerald's too short life. And even though the overall quality of these stories reflect his fading vitality, they still contain flashes of the old Fitzgerald brilliance--bits of dialogue that are perfect,...more "
1246429 John read and liked a piece of writing titled "Assuming Arguendo" by Nina

"Assuming Arguendo

Somewhere in the distance
Maybe yesterday
Exists a moment of joy
Possibly unrecognized
Subtle as a cat’s tail
Brushing against bare legs
A flash of red

As a cardinal d"   ...read more »
Twice-Told Tales John gave 4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars4 of 5 stars to:
Twice-Told Tales (Modern Library Classics)
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
my rating:
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
add to my books
 
read in November, 2008

John John said: "Hawthorne's writing is sometimes stiff, his treatments sober, even dour. But he has an earnestness that pulls the reader in. And I think that it is that quality of earnestness that has qualified him to be generally regarded as an American Master. "
November 21
  429071
John joined the African American Books group.
6593
1675373 John read and liked a piece of writing titled ""Kill the Messenger: Ra"" by Johanna

" It is the year 2012 and the novel "Kill the Messenger: Ra" recounts the life of Lucifer on Earth and the results of his influence. It takes the reader back to the Genesis of life on Ear"   ...read more »
November 16
1696328 John read and liked a piece of writing titled "biblioteke" by Vince

"Biblioteke

This blog emerges from the dark and dusty crevices between forty-eight cardboard boxes piled floor to ceiling in what would be the dining area of my two bedroom condominium in Foster Cit"   ...read more »
43323 New comment on John's review of The Other Side of Me
429071 John wrote: "Hi Laurel,

After a fantastic career in Hollywood, Shelden began successfully writing nove...more
"

(see all 3 comments)

November 15
The Other Side of Me John gave 5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars5 of 5 stars to:
The Other Side of Me (Mass Market Paperback)
by Sidney Sheldon
my rating:
didn't like itit was okliked itreally liked itit was amazing
add to my books
 

John John said: "This is a GREAT autobiography. I didn't know a lot about Sheldon, other than the fact that he was the creator/producer of the tv sitcom "I Dream of Jennie."

Sheldon had an indomitable spirit: everytime he got knocked down, he got back u...more
"
November 14
1268673 John read and liked a piece of writing titled ""We Will Disappear"" by David

"
We are planets. Some endure. Others
melt, or spin off course, like tops. I'm
one of those. This poem is my brand
new abstract moon, a satellite whose
strange attraction causes moods to
rise and"   ...read more »
November 13
4671 New comment on Paula's review of The Great Gatsby
429071 John wrote: "Hi Paula,

I hope you enjoy Gatsby. It is one of my favorite books! (Another favorite bo...more
"

reply to this comment





John's favorite quotes

23924
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."
Martin Luther King Jr.

159
"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

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

19405
"A writer is a person for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people."
Thomas Mann

1240
"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




John's groups (recent posts)

2494 When I grow up I want to be a WRITER! — 165 members — last activity 8 days ago, 04:53AM
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
6541 K.S.R. Kingworth — 387 members — last activity 2 days ago, 09:49AM
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
1059 BOOK-A-HOLICS — 970 members — last activity 4 hours, 33 min ago
WHEN I GET A LITTLE MONEY, I BUY BOOKS; IF ANY IS LEFT I BUY FOOD AND CLOTHES.

DESIDERIUS ERASMUS
1466-1536

THIS IS A PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO SH...more

6593 African American Books — 348 members — last activity 7 minutes ago
To talk about your favorite African American books and writer's.
We will discuss black Romance, black Poetry, street fiction, African American fictio...more

2835 Classical music lovers — 263 members — last activity 12 hours, 52 min ago
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...more

11 Stop Violence Against Women — 208 members — last activity 08/03/2008 07:06AM
Let's Respect WOMEN'S RIGHT.
7646 Glens Falls (NY) Online Book Discussion Group — 29 members — last activity 5 hours, 41 min ago
Welcome to this online book discussion group which is for folks located in Glens Falls and Queensbury, NY, and also the surrounding area. Others are w...more
8113 Get Better KSR Kingworth — 238 members — last activity 5 days ago, 04:12PM
I used to be too shy to raise my hand when I had to go to the bathroom. Now that I'm grown up, :) I've learned to speak up for what I need. I've been ...more
Groups_nophoto-25x33 Amazon Kindle — 33 members — last activity 1 day ago, 03:05PM
For readers using the Amazon Kindle ebook device.
233 ¡ POETRY ! — 1191 members — last activity 7 hours, 26 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 re...more

see all of John's groups »



John's friend comments

showing 1-30 of 58.  (add a comment | view all)
from Gari
6 hours, 32 min ago

1739167 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

1 day ago, 07:03PM

1432897 Enjoy your weekend, John!

from Neda
1 day ago, 04:38AM

1332452 it was supposed that lost spirits were roving about everywhere in the invisible air, waiting 4 children 2 find them if they searched long & patiently enough... the spirit sang its spiritual song 4 the child 2 memorize & use when calling upon the spirit guardian as an adult.

by mourning dove (christine quintasket) 1888-1936 salish


from Dee Dee M
12 days ago, 02:32PM

1303783 Hi John!
Thanks for the friendship!
Wishing you a happy rest of the week!

from Rita
14 days ago, 02:24AM

1039955 Thanks for your friendship, John!

Have a great weekend!

Rita



from Sheila
23 days ago, 11:17AM

882436 Thanks John, for the lovely comment about my poem. Much appreciated. :)

from Debbie
10/02/2008 08:57PM

Nophoto-f-50x66 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

from Jana
09/19/2008 06:27PM

391789 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 :)

from Kate
09/15/2008 08:50AM

665669 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

from Melanie
09/15/2008 08:12AM

1517240 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.

from John
09/11/2008 01:35PM

429071
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/Christm...

All the best...

--John

from Blair
09/01/2008 10:11AM

1468773 Thanks, John, for the friend request!

Blair Kilpatrick

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



from John
08/28/2008 08:02PM

429071 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



from Kondalrao
08/13/2008 05:17AM

1227480 thanks for joining me as your friend
k.kondameedi@yahoo.com

from Poet-I-Am
08/08/2008 12:56PM

226404 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

from Chriss
08/07/2008 06:00PM

898145 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!

from Roselaine
08/06/2008 09:54AM

1339364 Hi John,

I appreciate you adding me as a friend and thanks for the Baldwin quote. Keep in touch.

Best wishes


Happy Wednesday! :)

from Vanessa
07/31/2008 08:50AM

1248257 Hi John,

Thank you kindly for the invite!

Vanessa

from Lee
07/27/2008 06:27PM

1181125 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





from Michele
07/10/2008 07:10PM

1174007 thanks for the ad! Michele Marchetti
http://www.discoverytoyslink.c...
looking for pt/ft help nationwide

from Susan
04/30/2008 01:49PM

1022810 Thanks for the add John. I'll be sure to check out your book!

Keep in touch,
Susan

from Karen
03/19/2008 03:17PM

252754 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

from Jana
02/29/2008 01:10PM

391789 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.

from Jana
02/26/2008 10:59AM

391789 Hi John,
Just stopping by to say "Hi!"
I hope you're having a wonderful week!
Jana :)

from Margaret
02/19/2008 04:24PM

817387 Hi! Just stopping by to say hello and to thank you for adding me to your friend list.

from Kelly
02/13/2008 07:15PM

692350 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

from Eugene
02/12/2008 09:52PM

895225 Hi John,

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

--Gene


from Erin
02/06/2008 03:51AM

809017 John,
Thank you for your encouragement!
My novel, Shadow Walk: The Gathering will be up for pre-release ordering soon.

Warmest regards,

Erin Collins

from Lisa
02/02/2008 09:53AM

396468 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

from Shawnette
01/30/2008 08:59PM

202978 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 :-)



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