Johnny Ray's Blog, page 44

July 20, 2013

THRILLERFEST CONVENTION

THRILLERFESTTHE INTERNATIONAL THRILLER ASSOCIATIONRECAP OF NEW YORK CITY CONFERENCE
This year was fantastic with so many people attending. There is nothing better than having meeting with the best writers in the world and learning from them. 
The first day there was called CRAFTFEST and had some great instructors, you know, people like Steve Berry, Karen Dionne, Phillip Margolin, Stanly Trllip, John Samford, James Bruno, Gayle Lynds, Michael Connelly, Michael Palmer, Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child, Catherine Coulier, David Morrell just to name a few.
Knowing what makes a writer tick and how they go about creating bestselling novels is a fantastic way in taking any writers work to the next level. All of these great instructors openly shared how they work and answered questions from those attending. This was both during the meetings and walking around. 
The next day was AGENTFEST where over 600 writers went after about 50 agents in a frenzy attempt to connect. All presentations were limited to 3 minutes where the writer could make his case. Since I am looking for a new agent, I was in that group. At the end of the day, I had received over 10 requests, which may be a record, for my recently completed manuscript.
Later that night there was a major cocktail party. This is where many more contacts could be made. I spent a lot of time with one special editor I would love to work with. As such, I will write my next novel tuned to what he loves to edit. Luckily, we both love the same stories.
The next day started THRILLFEST with many more panel discussions and the main banquet. Since I had other commitments, I had to leave, but really missed, perhaps the best part. Next year, I will do better in planning my time. 
I have a photo of where this convention is held in NYC. I hope to see more people there next year.



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Published on July 20, 2013 03:29

July 8, 2013

THE SALSA CONNECTION

GREAT NEWS  MY NOVEL IS THE #1 INTERNATIONAL ROMANTIC THRILLER ON AMAZONhttp://www.amazon.com/dp/B009UX5O7M 



THIS NOVEL WON THE ROYAL PALM LITERARY FOR BEST THRILLER
When you never give up hope
love will find a way
Where ever you have to go
love will lead you
And all you have to do
is simply--DANCE!
THE SALSA CONNECTION--AN INTERNATIONAL ROMANTIC THRILLER is a 93,000 word romantic thriller that has already won the Royal Palm Literary Award for best thriller. The story moves from the salsa clubs of St. Petersburg, Russia to New York to Louisiana and, finally, to Italy. The red-hot thread of the dance runs through a novel that explores the Russian mob, slavery and prostitution rings, and the art world, as well as love, loss, revenge and the strength of family ties.

When Nickolay Panov left St Petersburg, Russia to go to New York City for an international ballet competition 25 years ago, he was considered one of the best ballet dancers in Russia. The Americans say he was murdered. The Russians say he defected. In any case, he never returned. Just before Nickolay disappeared, several priceless paintings and icons from a major museum were stolen. While he was accused of the theft, no solid proof has ever been offered to tie him to it. However, evidence shows that the stolen goods were shipped to America. The CIA and the Russian Government are still pursuing all leads connected to the heist, and so is the Russian mafia.

Sveta was three years old when her father disappeared, so it’s a shock when, in the mail, she receives an invitation to a salsa dance competition in New York. At the bottom of the invitation is a note: “Please come to the competition and enter, my little lady.” No one but her father has ever called her that. Why has her father surfaced after all these years? Sveta wants answers, even if it means entering the late-night, sultry world of salsa dancing in St Petersburg and New York City and coming into uncomfortably close contact with the Russian mob.
 
   And as always, everyone knows I love coffee in the morning and wine at night. If you are feeling generous, as I work on my next novel, send me a cup or a glass.



BUY JOHNNY A CUP OF COFFEE REGULAR $2.50 USD LATTE $3.50 USD IRISH $5.00 USD OR PERHAPS A GLASS OF WINE



HOUSE $5.00 USD PREMIUM $8.50 USD SPECIAL RESERVE $17.00 USD THANKS


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Published on July 08, 2013 05:54

THE SALSA CONNECTION 99 CENTS SALE

GREAT NEWS  TO CELEBRATE THRILLFEST IN NYC  I AM DROPPING THE PRICE OF  THE SALSA CONNECTION TO 99 CENTS THIS WEEK ONLY http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009UX5O7M 


THIS NOVEL WON THE ROYAL PALM LITERARY FOR BEST THRILLER
When you never give up hope
love will find a way
Where ever you have to go
love will lead you
And all you have to do
is simply--DANCE!
THE SALSA CONNECTION--AN INTERNATIONAL ROMANTIC THRILLER is a 93,000 word romantic thriller that has already won the Royal Palm Literary Award for best thriller. The story moves from the salsa clubs of St. Petersburg, Russia to New York to Louisiana and, finally, to Italy. The red-hot thread of the dance runs through a novel that explores the Russian mob, slavery and prostitution rings, and the art world, as well as love, loss, revenge and the strength of family ties.

When Nickolay Panov left St Petersburg, Russia to go to New York City for an international ballet competition 25 years ago, he was considered one of the best ballet dancers in Russia. The Americans say he was murdered. The Russians say he defected. In any case, he never returned. Just before Nickolay disappeared, several priceless paintings and icons from a major museum were stolen. While he was accused of the theft, no solid proof has ever been offered to tie him to it. However, evidence shows that the stolen goods were shipped to America. The CIA and the Russian Government are still pursuing all leads connected to the heist, and so is the Russian mafia.

Sveta was three years old when her father disappeared, so it’s a shock when, in the mail, she receives an invitation to a salsa dance competition in New York. At the bottom of the invitation is a note: “Please come to the competition and enter, my little lady.” No one but her father has ever called her that. Why has her father surfaced after all these years? Sveta wants answers, even if it means entering the late-night, sultry world of salsa dancing in St Petersburg and New York City and coming into uncomfortably close contact with the Russian mob.
     And as always, everyone knows I love coffee in the morning and wine at night. If you are feeling generous, as I work on my next novel, send me a cup or a glass.



BUY JOHNNY A CUP OF COFFEE REGULAR $2.50 USD LATTE $3.50 USD IRISH $5.00 USD OR PERHAPS A GLASS OF WINE



HOUSE $5.00 USD PREMIUM $8.50 USD SPECIAL RESERVE $17.00 USD THANKS


BE SURE TO SHARE THIS WITH YOUR FRIENDS



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Published on July 08, 2013 05:54

July 5, 2013

INTERNATIONAL ROMANTIC THRILLERS

EXCITING NEWS  I write international romantic thrillers and compete against some great writers around the world. When you search for these on Amazon, this is the results you will see
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=international+romantic+thriller  It is a great and yet humbling feeling when 4 out of the top 10 have my name on them. But even more exciting   I hope to have my next novel published soon.   It is currently being edited and I am shopping for a new publisher since many people have asked to see it in hardback this time. This novel will present my best character yet, a female warrior, unlike any you have ever discovered before.  I hope to have more good news to share soon. 


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Published on July 05, 2013 12:52

July 4, 2013

wow--what a burger


best $1 burger--ever


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Published on July 04, 2013 02:43

June 28, 2013

GREAT NEWS

Today’s Specials
FOR LOVE AND VENGEANCE is free from Friday to Tuesday on Amazon.


   If you don’t have a kindle there is no problem. There is a free application you can download and read it on almost any electronic device such as your pc, smart phone, etc. as it goes to your kindle cloud.   This novel is an International romantic thriller with great reviews that takes you from the shark infested waters during a storm in Florida, where our hero and heroine meet, to globetrotting around the world.   If you like this novel I hope you tell your book reading friends.
NEXT – I have my most popular novel HER HONOR’S BODYGUARD at only $3.99  Yes, I need to make a living.

    This highly rated novel is a romantic thriller based in Tampa Florida. A female judge is threatened and turns to the only guy she feels like she could really trust–an old boyfriend who is now a private detective, thanks to her having him removed from the police force. A decision she made now thinks she made a mistake in, much like the one both of they made earlier when they were dating.If you like reunion type romances with a lot of action, this novel is for you.    And as always, everyone knows I love coffee in the morning and wine at night. If you are feeling generous, as I work on my next novel, send me a cup or a glass.



BUY JOHNNY A CUP OF COFFEE REGULAR $2.50 USD LATTE $3.50 USD IRISH $5.00 USD OR PERHAPS A GLASS OF WINE

HOUSE $5.00 USD PREMIUM $8.50 USD SPECIAL RESERVE $17.00 USD THANKS


BE SURE TO SHARE THIS WITH YOUR FRIENDS


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Published on June 28, 2013 00:21

June 23, 2013

I had a great day listening to and learning form Steve Be...

I had a great day listening to and learning form Steve Berry. I have read most of his novels and, yes, purchased the last one yesterday.

 
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Published on June 23, 2013 11:42

June 16, 2013

HER HONOR'S BODYGUARD

HELLO, MY FRIENDS  THIS IS THE OPENING FROM HER HONOR'S BODYGUARD MY BEST SELLING NOVEL 

ENJOY
What in the hell am I supposed to do now? Noella Peterson stopped walking along the street as she studied a car that was slowing while it passed by her. While hesitating, she had second thoughts in revealing where she was heading. Although she felt like she had eluded everyone, she couldn’t be absolutely sure. She waited in the midday sun for the car to disappear quietly around a corner.The office front of this older building near the college in downtown Tampa offered her little to use for cover. She inhaled deeply, hoping the door would be unlocked so that she could enter quickly and disappear before the car made a circle.She studied the name on the window, which reassured her that she had the right place. Vance Mills, private detective, was about to obtain a new client. She twisted the polished, brass door knob and swiftly pushed the door open. Her heart raced as she rushed inside and closed the door behind her.After studying the dimly lit waiting area, she waited for someone to notice that she had entered the office. She heard no music playing, or in fact any sounds at all to interrupt the pounding of her heart. After studying the deathly quiet sensation of the vacant office, she wondered if she should come back later. No, she had come this far. A small light glowing above the desk, and another one on a table next to several chairs, sent additional quivers to her stomach. Still, with the lights left on, someone must be here. “Is anyone here,” she shouted, as the sparsely furnished room allowed her voice to echo. When she suddenly heard a bump coming from a side room, she realized that someone was there after all. She straightened her back and waited.The door swung open and in walked Vance who was wearing gym shorts and a muscle type t-shirt. The sweat glistening on his skin highlighted his rock hard body. Damn, she knew she shouldn’t stare, but he looked hot. As her heart raced, she refocused on his eyes which were attempting to make contact with hers.After several long agonizing seconds, he pulled the door closed behind him. “Hello, Noella, or should I call you judge here also?” “Vance, this isn’t my courtroom, so you know you don’t have to call me judge.” This was difficult for her, and it appeared that he wanted to make the moment as tough as he could for her. “I need to talk to you. Vance, I need your help.”“My help?”“I know you’re mad at me, and for good reason. But . . . what you don’t know is what I’ve recently found out. I highly suspect that you were framed.”Vance strolled over to his desk as she watched his movements. Memories of her making love to him many years ago resurfaced. He looked even better than she could remember.If he thought he could turn on any kind of recording device—well, forget it. “I don’t know. Maybe this was a bad idea.” She hesitated, hunting for the right words. “But I remember you from back in law school. You were the one who always held the ethical high road, and I always respected that.”Vance pointed to a chair for her to use, but he remained silent. His solid black hair had become slightly longer over the last year, and it now reached closer to his shoulders. His deep, penetrating, almost wolf-like, grey eyes had retained their effectiveness in unsettling her. She forced herself to speak slowly. “I need to hire a private detective to do some work for me and keep it quiet. I might also need some protective services, if you are available.”Vance motioned again for her to have a seat, but didn’t wait for her as he slipped into his chair. “How did you find me? I don’t advertise, and I take on only a select number of clients.”“I understand how you’re keeping a low profile. You really made some enemies in the police department.”“Not everything is as it appears. I still have some friends there.” He grabbed a towel, and wiped sweat from his neck. “You’ll have to excuse me, I just started working out.” He pointed to the side door. “My gym.”“It’s good to see that you stay in shape—it shows.” Perhaps she didn’t need to make such a comment. The short fling they had earlier had ended years ago, and there was no sense in reuniting those memories now. But . . . how could she ignore his body that he flaunted in front of her?“I’m sure there’re many competent people you can work with around town.”As she allowed herself to breathe, the scent of his workout sweat reached her, making it harder to hide her emotions. She had to act professionally, she had to. “I’ve been getting threatening calls and messages.”He smirked. “That sounds like something you can turn over to the police.”“I have talked to them and I’ve gotten nowhere. The only comments that I have received from them is that maybe if I can’t take the heat of being a judge that just maybe I should think about stepping down.”“How are you being contacted?”“Phone calls with hang ups. People in the distance studying me. Cars following me. Nothing I can use to charge anyone with. It’s as if they know the limits, and stay slightly outside them.”He hesitated this time before he asked, “Again . . . have you had any direct threats?”“If I did, I could have better protection from the Tampa police and the state, but I don’t. Vance, this is why I would like to hire you.”“You mentioned that you thought I was framed.”“Thinking and proving are two different things. Listen, we both know that I shouldn’t be discussing this with you.”“As you probably remember, about a year ago I was advancing with the police department and getting close to obtaining funds for me to go back to law school. That was before you stepped in.” His eyes refocused on her, and immediately increased the stress ravaging her body.“I know, and I’m sorry. I’m sure that you think I’m the reason that you lost your job. What you don’t know is that I’m the one who stopped you from being prosecuted.”“So you struck a deal without even consulting me.”

BUY JOHNNY A CUP OF COFFEE REGULAR $2.50 USD LATTE $3.50 USD IRISH $5.00 USD OR PERHAPS A GLASS OF WINE

HOUSE $5.00 USD PREMIUM $8.50 USD SPECIAL RESERVE $17.00 USD THANKS


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Published on June 16, 2013 16:08

June 10, 2013

And the battle of the sexes rages on

OH, THIS LOVELY JOURNEYTHEY CALL LOVE
   It was in the middle of a sunny day when Bob and Sue first met. The two roads they were on crossed at a lazy countryside intersection. The fenders of both cars had smashed into each other with so much force that both cars had flipped on their side. Bob got out first and managed to make it to Sue’s car and help her out.    Luckily, neither was hurt very bad and had only received a few minor scrapes and bruises. As Bob held her and pulled her from her car he couldn’t get over how nice she looked. From the returned stares he could tell she liked what she saw as well.   There was no other traffic along the road and they both knew it might be a while until they were attended to. As they kept talking and laughing, they discussed how this might be the way fate had decided to bring the together.   Suddenly, Sue crawled over to her door and pulled a package out of the back seat, an unopened bottle of expensive wine she had just purchased. After studying the bottle and how it also survived the crash, and therefore how it must be part of the miracle, Sue suggested they open it to celebrate their first meeting.   After opening the bottle, Bob laughed for a second before he remarked on how they had no wine glasses to drink from. Sue was the one who suddenly made a suggestion that he should turn up the bottle and drink half first, and then she would finish the toast.  After looking into Sue’s starry eyes, he did as suggested before he handed the bottle to her. Upon receiving the bottle, however, she simply located the cork and resealed the wine. When asked why she was not going to have a drink, she simply replied that she thought it would be better to sit quietly until the police arrived.
A MONTH LATER
   They say love is blind. Nevertheless, Bob and Sue dated a few times later. Bob even managed to talk her into going to New York City for a special weekend.    While there Bob and Sue visited the world renowned diamond district and upon entering one of the best shops on Fifth Avenue, he paused for a minute to tell her that he felt very generous tonight and that she could have one, but only one thing in the story.   When she pushed and asked if that actually meant anything in the story, he smiled and stretched out his arms to indicate that it meant anything in the store. Minutes later she had found a ring containing multiply diamonds and rubies.    After the ring fit perfectly on her finger, Bob summoned one of the clerks over to them, informing him that he wanted to purchase the ring. The clerk had a large smile on his face until Bob produced his check book. On such a large purchase, the store rules were that such a check had to be cleared by the bank, and it was after hours.   Bob informed the clerk that it was not a problem and that after the check cleared tomorrow they could deliver the ring to Sue while he had to attend a minor meeting.   The next day, around ten o’clock, Bob received a call from the clerk, informing him that instead of the fifty thousand dollars he had written the check for, he had less than two hundred in his bank. Bob simply smiled as he thanked the clerk for his time in helping him with the ring, acknowledging that he knew what amount he had in his bank account. He paused for a second before he continued with a special thank you to the clerk for providing him with the best time of his life the night before.  
###
   I hope you enjoyed or endured this very short work. If you like this, please tell your friends and have them visit this blog. This work, like all of my work, has a copyright that needs to be respected. I have made it easy to share this blog by using these buttons below. And if you wish, I always love to have people buy me coffee or wine. Have a great day, my friends.
Johnny Ray



   BUY JOHNNY A CUP OF COFFEE REGULAR $2.50 USD LATTE $3.50 USD IRISH $5.00 USD OR PERHAPS A GLASS OF WINE HOUSE $5.00 USD PREMIUM $8.50 USD SPECIAL RESERVE $17.00 USD

THANKS

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Published on June 10, 2013 05:13