Gerald Everett Jones's Blog: Gerald Everett Jones - Author, page 42

February 10, 2019

If you think iPhone intros were crazy, the first ballpoint’s was way wackier!



[image error] What was so funny in 1945? [image error]
Milton Reynolds introduced the ballpoint to the United States and triggered the biggest single-day shopping riot in history at Gimbels in Manhattan.

He made $5 million in eight weeks during the first non-wartime Christmas season. Then came competition and sales stunts of the “Pen Wars.” An exuberant entrepreneur, Reynolds bragged he “stole it fair and square.” This novel is told from his mild-mannered son Jim’s point of view, about coping with Milton’s outrageous schemes, then their sudden success.


Young adults, particularly males who identify with Jim, will take away…



What it was like to start a business when there were no rules (why capitalism can be fun)
A book report choice they will actually enjoy (reading or listening to the audiobook)
The difference between a huckster’s promise and a lie (they hope you’ll get what you want)
How to captivate the girl of your dreams (keep your word)
How to step out of your father’s shadow (when he’s larger than life)
What makes a grown man get out of bed each morning? (______!)

Shop Amazon


Shop Audible Audiobook


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Available the way you like to read (or listen)

Mr. Ballpoint is available in hardcover, trade paperback, Kindle, EPUB, and Audible Audiobook.


EPUB from Kobo  Nook from B&N


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Published on February 10, 2019 00:38

December 26, 2018

Christmas Karma – Through Willa’s eyes

She didn’t need a new eyeglass prescription. Her eyes were wet with tears.
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123r.com


Somehow, her house got decorated, the gifts wrapped, the cards addressed, and the dinner cooked. Her guardian angel didn’t do it. Willa did, after she decided it was up to her and no one else to make her house a home again.


In my humorous novel Christmas Karma, Willa Nawicki gets a series of surprise visits from friends and family – just a week before the holiday and when she’s totally not ready to talk to anyone, much less clean her house.


So why not let Willa’s story lighten your mood as a break from your holiday tasks?


During the holidays, buy the Kindle or EPUB for 99 cents. Gift the paperback or download the Audible book to your phone.


Wishing you a light heart this holiday season.


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Amazon (Paperback, Kindle, Audible)


Barnes & Noble (Paperback, Nook/EPUB)


 


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Published on December 26, 2018 08:00

December 25, 2018

Christmas Karma – What’s her heart’s desire?

Hint: It’s not under the tree.
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Photo 123rf.com


Willa wishes she’d said a few more things to her mother. She yearns to see her son again, but she’s pretty sure that can’t happen. If she could find a way to push her father out of her house, she would. He says it’s still his and he wants to sell it.


In my humorous novel Christmas Karma, Willa Nawicki gets a series of surprise visits from friends and family – just a week before the holiday and when she’s totally not ready to talk to anyone, much less clean her house.


So why not let Willa’s story lighten your mood as a break from your holiday tasks?


During the holidays, buy the Kindle or EPUB for 99 cents. Gift the paperback or download the Audible book to your phone.


Wishing you a light heart this holiday season.


[image error]


Amazon (Paperback, Kindle, Audible)


Barnes & Noble (Paperback, Nook/EPUB)


 


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Published on December 25, 2018 08:00

December 24, 2018

Christmas Karma – Who should be sitting here?

Whose is that vacant chair at the holiday table? In Willa’s family, it could have been any of several people. Then some of them show up.
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Photo 123rf.com


It’s the place set for Elijah during Passover – an open-hearted invitation to the unexpected guest who is nevertheless expected.


In my humorous novel Christmas Karma, Willa Nawicki gets a series of surprise visits from friends and family – just a week before the holiday and when she’s totally not ready to talk to anyone, much less clean her house. She begins to wonder whether the people who show up are bringing her messages – or are they players in some kind of life review for her?


So why not let Willa’s story lighten your mood as a break from your holiday tasks?


During the holidays, buy the Kindle or EPUB for 99 cents. Gift the paperback or download the Audible book to your phone.


Wishing you a light heart this holiday season.


[image error]


Amazon (Paperback, Kindle, Audible)


Barnes & Noble (Paperback, Nook/EPUB)


 


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Published on December 24, 2018 08:00

December 17, 2018

Christmas Karma – How did Santa Cactus get on this book’s cover?

I described in my previous post the first time I saw a saguaro cactus in a Santa hat. The cool shades came later.



In my humorous novel Christmas Karma, Willa Nawicki gets a series of surprise visits from friends and family – just a week before the holiday and when she’s totally not ready to talk to anyone, much less clean her house. Her only decoration is a puny saguaro cactus in a pot on her front porch, which somebody topped off with a Santa hat.


So why not let Willa’s story lighten your mood as a break from your holiday tasks?


During the holidays, buy the Kindle or EPUB for 99 cents. Gift the paperback or download the Audible book to your phone.


Wishing you a light heart this holiday season.


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Amazon (Paperback, Kindle, Audible)


Barnes & Noble (Paperback, Nook/EPUB)


 


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Published on December 17, 2018 08:00

December 14, 2018

Christmas Karma – A naked Santa?

Does this saguaro cactus look like Santa Claus to you? It didn’t to me until I spent a Christmas in Phoenix.
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Photo 123rf.com


I lived in Detroit at the time, and I’d always spent the holidays in places where it snowed in December. But one year I had to take a business trip to Arizona to support a senior management conference in Scottsdale. (I think the location had something to do with the big shots wanting to play golf.)


My plane arrived late at night. I didn’t get a good look at the desert landscaping of the hotel grounds until the next morning. When I emerged from my room rubbing my sleepy eyes, straight in front of me was a saguaro cactus wearing a Santa hat. I rubbed my eyes again! I guess to people in that part of the world, a saguaro does look like Santa.


In my humorous novel Christmas Karma, Willa Nawicki gets a series of surprise visits from friends and family – just a week before the holiday and when she’s totally not ready to talk to anyone, much less clean her house. The only decoration on her front porch is a scraggly little potted saguaro in a Santa hat.


So why not let Willa’s story lighten your mood as a break from your holiday tasks?


During the holidays, buy the Kindle or EPUB for 99 cents. Gift the paperback or download the Audible book to your phone.


Wishing you a light heart this holiday season.


[image error]


Amazon (Paperback, Kindle, Audible)


Barnes & Noble (Paperback, Nook/EPUB)


 


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Published on December 14, 2018 08:00

December 10, 2018

Christmas Karma – Find love in an appliance store?

Willa’s daughter Bobbi did. Then she wonders whether he’s a keeper.
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Photo 123rf.com


Since her younger brother Jonathan died, Bobbi has been in an emotional tailspin. Recently out of rehab, she miraculously found a job as a sales clerk at Hopewell’s Appliance. She hooks up with schlumpy proprietor Buzz, who is not quite divorced yet.


In my humorous novel Christmas Karma, Willa Nawicki gets a series of surprise visits from friends and family – just a week before the holiday and when she’s totally not ready to talk to anyone, much less clean her house. Her first surprise visitor is Bobbi. Willa hadn’t been returning her daughter’s calls.


So why not let Willa’s story lighten your mood as a break from your holiday tasks?


During the holidays, buy the Kindle or EPUB for 99 cents. Gift the paperback or download the Audible book to your phone.


Wishing you a light heart this holiday season.


[image error]


Amazon (Paperback, Kindle, Audible)


Barnes & Noble (Paperback, Nook/EPUB)


 


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Published on December 10, 2018 08:00

December 7, 2018

Christmas Karma – This is Willa’s house

It’s a Craftsman house much like this, but imagine its curb appeal somewhat less impressive. Willa isn’t in the mood to get it ready for Christmas.
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Photo 123rf.com


Willa hasn’t been motivated lately to keep the place up. It’s not on the wrong side of the tracks, but it’s not next to a mansion, either. It’s the house Willa grew up in. She and her hubby Norm paid off the mortgage, and her mother continued to live with them after her dad took off for destinations unknown. She’s sure it’s her house – until he shows up!


In my humorous novel Christmas Karma, Willa Nawicki gets a series of surprise visits from friends and family – just a week before the holiday and when she’s totally not ready to talk to anyone, much less clean her house.


So why not let Willa’s story lighten your mood as a break from your holiday tasks?


During the holidays, buy the Kindle or EPUB for 99 cents. Gift the paperback or download the Audible book to your phone.


Wishing you lightness of heart this holiday season.


[image error]


Amazon (Paperback, Kindle, Audible)


Barnes & Noble (Paperback, Nook/EPUB)


 


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Published on December 07, 2018 08:00

December 3, 2018

Christmas Karma – Are you expecting friends?

What about the ones who just drop by? It’s that time of year to open your heart, but maybe your living room isn’t quite ready?
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Photo 123rf.com


They’re always so cheerful – because they had time to get ready!


In my humorous novel Christmas Karma, Willa Nawicki gets a series of surprise visits from friends and family – just a week before the holiday and when she’s totally not ready to talk to anyone, much less clean her house. Most surprising of all is when her crusty father shows up. He’s been gone for years!


So why not let Willa’s story lighten your mood as a break from your holiday tasks?


During the holidays, buy the Kindle or EPUB for 99 cents. Gift the paperback or download the Audible book to your phone.


Wishing you a light heart this holiday season!


[image error]


Amazon (Paperback, Kindle, Audible)


Barnes & Noble (Paperback, Nook/EPUB)


 


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Published on December 03, 2018 08:00

November 30, 2018

Christmas Karma – Do you have a guardian angel?

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Angel by Francesco Bartolozzi


Do you think you have a guardian angel? Or perhaps you call her / him / it your spirit guide? Etheric double? Sage self?

This one bears a strong resemblance to my local reference librarian as she points the way to a shelf in the upper stacks.


I don’t think an angel can get you a better airline booking. Maybe the determination to find yourself something better?


In the opening chapter of my humorous novel Christmas Karma, Willa Nawicki’s guardian angel explains why Willa isn’t at all ready to cope with the holiday – and that an angel can’t clean her house or decorate a tree.


So why not let Willa’s story lighten your mood as a break from your holiday tasks?


Buy the Kindle or EPUB for 99 cents. Gift the paperback or download the Audible book to your phone.


Wishing you a light heart this season!


[image error]


Amazon (Paperback, Kindle, Audible)


Barnes & Noble (Paperback, Nook/EPUB)


 


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Published on November 30, 2018 08:00

Gerald Everett Jones - Author

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