It's finally here - the release of my newest novel, Trouble in Choctaw County, is set for August 15. I hope you will purchase a copy and let me know what you think of the story. It's a western tale about a young man's journey and his unlikely role in resurrecting a Native-American legendary creature called Sint-Holo. It's a story were fantasy collides with reality, and I'm pretty sure you're going to enjoy it.
When you finish the book, I'm asking everybody to take a couple minutes to go online and give a short review. A couple of sentences will do, so don't worry about trying to come up with a professional book review. Reviews are essential to a relatively unknown author like me to raise awareness about the book. It really does make a big impact, and I will sincerely appreciate your help.
Wow! I attended the annual Florida Authors and Publishers Conference in Orlando on July 30, and was presented with the 2022 President's Book Award for historical fiction for my novel, Journey To Eden. This was my first award of any kind for my work, and I am very honored.
If you haven't read Journey To Eden, you should consider purchasing this book. I consider it my personal favorite and it was a labor of love to write the story. It takes place in the first half of the 19th century, when things in the United States were in turmoil - much more so than today. Slavery, Indian removal, westward expansion, massive immigration, and the inventions coming out of the Industrial Revolution all came together to forge monumental historical events.
I recently finished the manuscript for my seventh novel, which I'm calling The Five Watches, which is in review and proofing. I wrote a little, mini-book about my life in music - ironically titled My Life in Music. I don't intend to publish it, as it is more a personal documentation of my musical endeavors, meager as they have been.
Although I have much to accomplish in marketing my new novel, Trouble in Choctaw County, I was ready to begin my next novel, number eight. So, now I'm working something that is a bit more challenging than anything I've done in the past. It's untitled at the moment, but it involves child sex trafficking which is an uncomfortable topic to write about. I'm struggling a bit with it, so we'll have to see how it goes.
I just recently also came across an unexpected opportunity to help a new writer in our community. A young woman named Jessica asked me if I could help her with a book series idea she's had for a long time. I'm not sure where this will go, but I am happy to provide her with some guidance and coaching. By the way, the premise of her proposed series is very interesting and has excellent potential.
I'm planning a trip to Phoenix to see my daughter and grandchildren in mid-August. While in that neighborhood, I will be visiting Ramona, California, as well. Looking forward to seeing everybody at the big meet-up at the Old Julian Vineyards and Winery, where I used to make wine.