You are all invited to a Book Launch party for my new book, Lost Sons, next Wednesday, the 23rd, at The Lion and Lamb Peace Center at Bluffton University, from 6:30-8:00 PM.
Lost Sons was a work of my heart, and I am extremely excited to have it coming out. Back in 1920 there was a Mennonite missionary named Clayton Kratz who went to Russia to help suffering Mennonites during the Russian Civil War. He was arrested as a spy, and that was the last anyone ever heard of him. I grew up hearing this story, having graduated from Goshen College, the same school Kratz attended, and have always wanted to share it with a wider audience.
For the book I created a contemporary character, Stan Windemere, a police detective, whose son Jamie is a Navy sailor. Jamie goes MIA, and Stan is no longer able to do his job because of the emotional toll. Taking a temporary security position with a Mennonite organization, Stan discovers the story of Clayton Kratz, which becomes an emotional surrogate for his own worries. He begins to feel that if he can solve the mystery of what happened to Kratz, perhaps his own son will come home.
If you are anywhere near NW Ohio, please stop by on Wednesday. I’d love to see you!
Here’s the book front: the photo is an actual shot of Clayton Kratz from 1920, before he went to Russia. I’m really thrilled with the cover!
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Land o’Goshen! Another new book For Judy?
Congratulations. Ain’t it grand when dreams come true.
We here in the east appreciate the invite, but unfortunately the first wagon train of the spring doesn’t leave until May 1. But have a great time and we’ll see you at Malice. Are you presenting Lost Sons there, too? Along with the newest biker chick episiode?
by C.R.
on April 17th, 2008 at 7:53 am
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This sounds like a fascinating story, Judy. Can’t wait to read it! Congratulations on the new book (and on figuring out how to get the photo of the cover on the blog; I’ll need to consult you for instructions.)
by Casey
on April 17th, 2008 at 7:57 am
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Thanks, you two! It really is a dream come true.
Yes, I’ll have this with me at Malice. I’ve given the info to the book dealers, but we’ll see if they can get it in time. I’ll try to bring some copies with me, just in case…
by Judy
on April 17th, 2008 at 8:00 am
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At last! Must go order my copy. But I probably won’t have it in time for you to sign at Malice. Are you doing bookplates?
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Thanks, Lorraine. Lorraine is in the Acknowledgments of the book, as she was one of the first readers to see the manuscript. Very appreciated!
I’ve never done bookplates. What’s the drill with that?
And I’ll try to have some copies with me at Malice.
by Judy
on April 17th, 2008 at 8:24 am
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Am I one of those laost sons????
I know I’m lost. But a son…..no one will own up to it!
Congrats big time on the new book.
David
ooops
Zz
by Zorro
on April 17th, 2008 at 11:57 am
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I remember when you talked about the book. Great to see it in the flesh!
We do book plates at Adman. I’ve got them on my website, and I’ve had a number of readers request signed plates for their books. You could do one with a Harley in the corner. I use a palm tree.
Some of C.R.’s readers have asked for them…so I just sign his name on the plate and send them out. I understand that some of his readers have used the signature on forged checks. Hey…it goes with the territory.
DB
by Don
on April 18th, 2008 at 8:07 am
