THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB discussion
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Archives - Member Introductions
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PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF TO YOUR FELLOW JAMES MASON MEMBERS!
Hi everyone... I have a blog now up and running for my new book THE UMBRELLA OPTION. Doing a book signing in Charleston, South Carolina Saturday. We enjoyed the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books last weekend in California. Check out the blog... have a great weekend!http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
Having sauntered through the pages of this forum, commenting freely, It's only proper that I introduce myself.Dr. Lawrence Murray Winebrenner, fondly called Larry, is professor emeritus at the nation's largest college---Miami Dade College---where he taught for 33 years. He is also an ordained member of Wisconsin Conference of the United Methodist Church. Dr. Winebrenner wrote one textbook and collaborated on another while teaching there.
He and James Lee Burke were colleagues and crabbing buddies while Burke was still teaching there. They spent some time critiquing each others work, but Dr. Winebrenner preferred teaching at the time, and Burke preferred writing. Teaching was Burke's day job until his novels took off.
One other author Dr. Winebrenner rubbed shoulders with while at MDC was Alex Haley. Haley chose MDC to create an education component to be used with his televised series based on his bestseller, Roots. Dr. Winebrenner was writer and consultant for that project.
Upon retirement Larry took up his old love of writing. He began a series Burke had critiqued based on a redhead clergy named Boyd Cherry, but that looked too autobiographical---it wasn't---so he embarked on a different course. Henri Derringer became the central figure for this series.
The first Henri Derringer mystery was The Case of the Locked Drawer. The mystery centers around the strange occurrence of a slain victim sprawled across a desk in which a locked drawer contains the murder weapon.
To unlock the crime one must first determine why the weapon was locked in the drawer and how it got there. Etta Derringer---whose alter ego is Henri Derringer---uses her computer to find unsolved cases. She then
uses her computer and telephone to help solve the cases.
Etta, her husband Randy, her granddaughter MaryAnn, MaryAnn's billionaire fiance, and Juan and Ruby, two detectives paid to protect Etta, are the characters appearing from book to book. Etta is 92 and wheelchair bound.
The Case of the Locked Apartment is the second book in the series. It is a classical locked-room mystery.
The Case of the Locked Nursery Rhyme is now under way and will be released this summer.
A book not in the series is a conspiracy thriller, To Steal an Election. In this book the bad guys plan to steal the election by murdering prime candidates on election eve and use a media blitz to have their candidate presented as a write-in candidate.
Another book to be released the summer of 2013 is an adventure set in the middle stone age---Bron: Trek Master.
One final book soon to be published is an adventure set in the Holy Land during Roman times. Timaeus the Tracker is a kind of proto-PI before private investigators existed.
Six more books are in various stages of completion. We'll look at them another time.
I love you.
Larry Winebrenner
Hi everyone, so glad I'm part of this group! My name is Irene and I write mostly paranormal thrillers. I have three novels in the works, but I'm concentrating on one YA paranormal fantasy. I'm also reading several books and enjoying them all equally. I publish a column with the Examiner.com and write about Syracuse Small Business and Finance. My dream is to get my first novel published someday soon.
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hey there from a blustery autumn day down in southern Victoria, Australia. i am Angela but when it comes to my writing I go by Katerina Clairvaux (www.Facebook.com/katerinaclairvauxoff...) nice to meet you all. :-)
Welcome all newcomers to the group!:)
Thanks, Rick, for the invitation. I'm an avid mystery reader and author who recently crossed into the unknown when I published a dystopian action-adventure/romance/young adult novel. My website is http://christytilleryfrench.com
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Quite welcome Christy!
I am an avid reader, reading just about anything and everything. My favorite though are suspense, thrillers, espionage but I also enjoy romance and mystery. If it's a good story I will read it. I am also a published author of two novels - Captured Lies and Tainted Waters. Very nice to meet you all.
Rick, thank-you for letting me join your clan! I'm a Canadian romance/action author. My first novel "Too Grand For Words" is only meant for those who adore "steaming hot" in their e-readers. My next book "Code Name Ghost" is the first in a five book series coming out July 2013. Anyone who admires US Navy SEALs and sharp, intelligent heroines will love this military romance series with an edgy intense twist.Hello to all!!!
Natasza Waters
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Maggie wrote: "I am an avid reader, reading just about anything and everything. My favorite though are suspense, thrillers, espionage but I also enjoy romance and mystery. If it's a good story I will read it. I a..."
I so happy to welcome both of you to our Group! Really wonderful intros!
Thanks for the "Welcome Kyle". Turning cyber somersaults finding this group! Just love Goodreads bringing readers and writers together. Love, Hope & Faith
Natasza Waters
"Too Grand For Words"
"Code Name: Ghost"
http://voicebetweenthelines.com/
Hi everyone and thank you for the invite Rick.My name is Katie Epstein, I live in Birmingham in the UK and published my first book The Arranged Marriage on both Kindle and paperback in 2012 with my second novel The Quest Of Thorayen coming out this year.
You can find out more from my website http://www.katieepstein.com/ or my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Katie-....
Cool posts everyone! Thanks Rick for all your work on this site! For us... Wow... super great launch of THE UMBRELLA OPTION and already we have talked to the agent and publishing folks about a second JAKE STEIN book! Just started the new and second in a series and will announce the title in the next week or so. Very exciting!
Meanwhile... I hope everyone is good and thanks for the wonderful reception in Los Angeles and Charleston this last two weeks at book signings. We are headed to Mt. Pleasant, SC for a signing, New York for the Book Expo and more this month.
Download the ebook: Only three bucks! www.walshbook.com or pick up a copy today from Amazon of THE UMBRELLA OPTION. KOGO radio host said... "The Next Tom Clancy!" That's cool.
Where will Jake end up next in the upcoming new book??? We will see along with the title coming up!
Thank you, Rick, for providing this opportunity to introduce myself. I write fiction: historical romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and short stories. My current series will be out this summer. You may read about it and me by going to the following:
www.shirleendavies.com
www.facebook.com/ShirleenDaviesAuthor
Blog: http://www.shirleendavies.com/blog.html
Rick - Have a wonderful and safe time in Isreal!
Hi Everyone! I just created an Author's page on Goodreads...my political-military thriller, The Cochabamba Conspiracy, which takes place mostly in and around Cochabamba, Bolivia and Panama City, is featured...https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Feel free to check it out!
Thanks for the invitation, Rick. Looking forward to being a group member.Doug
D.P. Lyle, MD
Website: http://www.dplylemd.com
Blog: http://writersforensicsblog.wordpress...
FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/DPLyle
Thank you for the invite Rick. I am a children's author and my book is Will You Play With Me? The Adventures Of Princess Nadia. It is available on Amazon.com and BarnesAndNoble.com...and the Kindle platform too! It is an adventure story about friendship, with very colorful illustrations.Tony
www.TalentedBooks.com
http://www.amazon.com/Will-You-Play-W...
Glad to be a part of the group. I write fiction for children and teens, and my debut tween/teen Fantasy Arrow of the Mist was released in March. My web site http://christinamercer.com/ I am also on twitter @cwritebuzz and on facebook https://www.facebook.com/christinamer...
Hello all! Thanks Rick for starting this forum! I released my novel "The Hobbyist" recently, which is literary fiction and based upon my life. Summary: a young man invites you into his private world of decadence in New York City.If you get a moment, check out my interview with Dr Drew Pinsky on his podcast: http://drdrew.com/049-darryl-shelly/
Hello everyone,First off, thank you to Rick for the invite into this great community. My name is Michael Siemsen, and I am an American author of fiction and science fiction, including the bestselling Matt Turner series, including The Dig and The Opal
as well as my new release, A Warm Place to Call Home (a demon's story) that Kirkus Reviews calls "A well-spun, engaging...supernatural tale...with a devilishly ambiguous ending."
As a reader, ever-starving for those books that grab you and stay with you for the rest of your life, I love David Mitchell, Isaac Marion, Anne Rice, Erik Larson, Gillian Flynn, Stephen King, Michael Crichton, Jared Diamond, Christopher Moore, among countless others.
I come to Goodreads often, answer any question posed, and also have a great time with readers on my Facebook page.
I look forward to getting to know you folks!
-MS
hi all i ma desi and then i a m reader blogger i have read some of the book that the author here uvi i have your read and they were great i have to my blog up about them
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First off, thank you to Rick for the invite into this great community. My name is Michael Siemsen, and I am an American author of fiction and science fiction, including the bestsel..."
welcome Michael!
Hello all! I'm a longtime reader, part-time human, noodle aficionado, and dad of three whirlwinds.
Mod
Welcome Christopher!
HelloDo you like fiction that will make you think? Fiction that will make you ask yourself questions? Then my friend you love original fiction and you should go to www.dawsonwalton.wordpress.com and check out the works of Dawson C. Walton aka the dream writer
Hi all, Many thanks to Rick for extending the invitation to this wonderful group! My name is Frankie Rose and I write young adult fiction. My new novel, Raksha, is a dystopian adventure that has been receiving some great reviews. I can't wait to get to know everyone and check out your books!
Raksha
Thank you for the invite, Rick! I am Rosanna Leo and I write erotic romance for Liquid Silver Books. My 6th book is just about to hit the e-shelves on May 20, and I am enjoying the ride that is being an author. I adore the world of the paranormal, and love networking with other authors and readers. You can find out more about my work at www.rosannaleo.blogspot.com, and all my books are here on Goodreads. I look forward to chatting with you all. :)
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Frankie wrote: "Hi all,
Many thanks to Rick for extending the invitation to this wonderful group! My name is Frankie Rose and I write young adult fiction. My new novel, Raksha, is a dystopian adventure that has ..."
Dawson wrote: "Hello
Do you like fiction that will make you think? Fiction that will make you ask yourself questions? Then my friend you love original fiction and you should go to www.dawsonwalton.wordpress.com a..."
welcome Dawson, Rosanna and Frankie!! super to have you here!
Hello! My sensual contemporary romance Take a Chance on Love is out in e-book from Whiskey Creek Press LLC/Torrid Books. The story of a hot Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper and a sexy businesswoman, they think it's a clear road to romance -- until ten year old Jamie has his say about it. I blog at www.writerchristi.blogspot.com. I hope this is just the beginning of an ongoing conversation.
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So very pleased to welcome you, Christi
Rick, thank you for the wonderful opportunity. I am an avid reader, writer and a web developer by day. I love literary fiction. Some of the sub genres include romance, thriller and mystery. You can find more about me at the following address - http://aawaaz.in. Looking forward to hearing from members of this group.- N.Lalit
Hi Rick and thanks for the invite. I'm Terry Ravenscroft, I write humorous books and you can read a little about me and my books here - http://amzn.to/uQF9hm I also have a blog at www.stairlifttoheaven.com
Rick: This group sounds exciting with a wide variety of interests. Lots of authors here, too.I read histories, mysteries and science fiction. I write science fiction, and I currently have 2 self-published books on Amazon, available both as ebooks and paperbacks. My fledgling blog is at www.nancylanni.com, and you can find the links to my books there. Thank you for the invitation. I'm looking forward to interactions.
I am glad to be a member of this group. I write mystery and suspense and as of this summer, will have ten published books. You can find out more about my work at www.maggietoussaint.com
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I read histories, mysteries and science fiction. I write science fiction, and I currently have 2 self-p..."
Rhonda wrote: "I came here via The Mystery Reader on Facebook. I love all kinds of books but I really love Historical fiction/romance and mystery. I love Jane Austen as well. Thanks :)"
Maggie wrote: "I am glad to be a member of this group. I write mystery and suspense and as of this summer, will have ten published books. You can find out more about my work at www.maggietoussaint.com"
N.lalit wrote: "Rick, thank you for the wonderful opportunity. I am an avid reader, writer and a web developer by day. I love literary fiction. Some of the sub genres include romance, thriller and mystery. You can..."
so so happy to welcome all of you to the Group!!
True Story & A Heck of an Endorsement: A woman is reading the pre-release galley proof of The Lone Wolf Agenda. Two armed men storm into an Albuquerque nail salon last Friday, rob the cash register, and then move to the back of the salon where she is seated. She is so engrossed in the book that she doesn't know the place is being robbed until one of the gunmen sticks a pistol in her face and grabs her purse.
My thanks to Mr. Mason for the invite to join this group. My name is Anastacia Moore, author of "The Curse of The Salute"; a haunting tale of fishing off the coast of Oregon. Entwining the lives of father and son, crewmates, fishing myths, and danger that lurks within the hull of the ship. The book is available at all venues, www.amazon.com/books, Barnes and Noble, Sony, Apple, Kobo, and Diesel. Please enjoy this little video promo I created. Comments are encouraged and welcome.My own creation, a video promo for "Curse of The Salute"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iy4D3o...
Hello Everyone!Lorne Holden here, author of the new book "MAKE IT HAPPEN in Ten Minutes a Day/ The Simple, Lifesaving Method for Getting Things Done." This book is about YOU, about your life, your time your energy and how to create what you want in small amounts of time each day -time you might not even believe you have.
In brief, compelling chapters, the book explains:
* The innovative strategy that will help you focus on what you really want in life.
* The “Ten Minute a Day Methodology” that will help you to accomplish your goals more quickly than you could ever imagine in a way that is surprisingly simple.
* The steps you can take to eliminate stress-related business or life issues.
* How small steps really do add up, and why it’s important to remember to stay focused on what you truly want.
* A way of thinking that will allow you to be in charge of your life. Ten Minutes a Day adds up to sixty hours a year. That's a lot of time to claim or waste. Claim that time and save yourself from a lifetime of frustration - MAKE IT HAPPEN in Ten Minutes a Day!
Hello,My name's Peggy Rothschild and I'm a first-time author with a newly released thriller, Clementine's Shadow. Set in a scorched landscape of played out silver mines and dry riverbeds, Clementine's Shadow tells the tale of a child snatched by a predator and the desperate hunt to find her. The book is available at Barnes and Noble, www.amazon.com/books and other venues.
I'm happy to have discovered this site. I thoroughly enjoyed the "Favorite First Lines" contributions and found some new "must read" books.
Author website: http://peggyrothschild.com
Hello all:I am a new Goodreads member and author from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. My debut collection of short stories, "The Sense of Touch," is just out this week from Aqueous Books and is available now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble etc. Most of the stories were previously published in such places as The Gettysburg Review, Indiana Review, Briar Cliff Review, and Flyway.
Love this site and wish you all well in your writing, reading, and living of life (three sides of the same coin?)...
- Ron Parsons
Hi, everybody,My name is Lilo Huhle-Poelzl, and I have just come upon your group, which appeals to me for a number of reasons. One of them is your discussion about Nazis and WWII.
I was born 1939 into Hitler's Germany. (Don't bother to get your calculator out. I am 73 years old.)
II was an early developer. This is probably because I remember unusually far back, allowing me to write an early-childhood memoir covering the years 1940 to 1945. This book, titled "Time Travel into Babyhood" is presently in the making and will come out in early fall.
I grew up in a non-Nazi family, surrounded by Nazis. Our landlady's SS-nephews prided themselves with having thrown Jewish children onto the pavement from a fourth floor window (when they were stationed in Frankfurt).
Not all Nazis (not even all SS members) were murderous monsters, but many of them were. As for the "normal" Nazis, there were all kinds of them. Some were only "Mitlaeufer" (= those who ran with the crowd). Yet even the "Mitlaeufer" were dangerous as they were obligated (by Nazi doctrine) to denounce you for anything not loyal to Hitler (like telling Hitler jokes). This would get you reported to the Gestapo, and this would, most likely, be the end of you. Many Nazis were opportunists, and some were "true believers". And like religious "true believers", these might be good people but would be no less dangerous (as history of all ages and religions proves).
I am always amazed and shocked about the view Americans (even historians) have of "the Germans" of that era. One of the reasons I wrote this book was to get a few things straight.
It seems that all "good" non-Nazis are expected to have been heroes. If they weren't, they are considered cowards. This is utterly naive.
First of all, let's make one thing clear: Just as not all Nazis were murderous monsters, not all non-Nazis were saints either. (They might have just had more political understanding and foresight than their Nazi neighbors.)
And why doesn't anyone realize what it entailed to be openly against the regime or secretly hide or otherwise help Jews? Any of such actions, in most cases, would equal suicide. Now, while it would be very admirable to sacrifice your life opposing a criminal regime or saving lives, would you do this if you had children and other loved ones whom you would drag into the abyss with you? Would this even be the right thing to do? First and foremost, people are responsible for the welfare of their own children. Would you / should you not only sacrifice yourself but also your children, your grandchildren, your spouse, your siblings, and/or your aging parents? Would you do this for strangers who may or may not be good people? I wish everybody would ask himself/herself this question.
As for my family members, they were no heros. Could not have helped any Jews anyway as there were none in our little town (at least none that I know of). If there were any, they would have been deported before I was born and before anyone knew what would happen to them. And if there still had been any, I am sure my family members would have helped them if they could have done so without risking their and my life, but they definitely would not have sacrificed themselves, and even less, me.
I'd appreciate if you all read my profile and, of course, would be pleased if you decided to read my book once it comes out.
What it doesn't say in my profile: I used to be a published writer, years back in Germany. Wrote humor, comedy, and satire. When my daughter (only child) died in a car accident, my writing career was cut short as I no longer had the mindset to write (or even market) anything funny. I just started writing again a few years ago (this time in English and in different genres).
I invite you all to shoot questions at me about what it was like to live in Germany during WWII, how Nazis and non-Nazis acted after the war, and also what happened to the SS-murderers we knew, after the war was lost and the Third Reich collapsed. Questions can be "up close and personal".
Greetings All - I am another of those pesky indie authors looking for readers... ;o).
But, I'm also an avid reader myself and as such, I'd like to recommend a couple of books to all and sundry. The first is "No Heaven" - book one of the Imagine Trilogy and the second is... yep, "No Hell" - book two of the Imagine Trilogy. Both of these speculative science fiction novels have been published in ebook and paperback and are available wherever great books are sold... uh, online...;O).
I know you've been following along (if you've read this far) and you're probably thinking... trilogy... Imagine... No Heaven... No Hell... something's missing.
Indeed. The third book of the trilogy is "No Religion" and will be published as soon as my editor gets done tearing it up, I finish several re-writes and the beta readers have thumbed it up - hopefully all of that will happen by the end of summer 2013.
Thanks for indulging my... sense of humor? I look forwarding to other discussions within this group, as well.
I've forgotten to tell you what the trilogy is about! I'm afraid, though, that I've already exceeded any normal person's patience limits, so if you would kindly check my profile, you'll find all you need to know about the books. Thanks, again! ;o)
Hello!Rick invited me to join this group, so here I am :) Look forward to interacting with everyone
-Isaac
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Isaac wrote: "Hello!Rick invited me to join this group, so here I am :) Look forward to interacting with everyone
-Isaac"
Nice to see another Canadian author join the group! Welcome.
Lex wrote: I know you've been following along (if you've read this far) and you're probably thinking... trilogy... Imagine... No Heaven... No Hell... something's missing.
Indeed. The third book of the trilogy is "No Religion"
Lex, why not No Purgatory? Seems there was another author that used the trilogy to good benefit.
I love you.
Larry Winebrenner
To Steal an Election
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THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
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Yeah, Bert's a real softie...at least as old Mafiosi tend to go!