Updates on book 2

Finished drafting chapter 2 for the second book. Wish me well everyone since I'm falling in love with this new book and characters I'm introducing.

Who is Miguel Rodriguez?

“Who is Miguel Andrews who helps James in his amateur investigation?” That will be explained in this posting.

Background of Miguel Rodriguez

Miguel Alejandro Rodriguez who was born in Oaxaca, Mexico, and emigrated to the United States when he was four years old when his older sisters and parents, Antonio and Selena. They settle in Carrington, Louisiana when Miguel is five years old. It is in kindergarten he becomes friends with James and Corey who share a love for cultures other than their own. Miguel excels in sports like Corey. He participates in cross country, soccer, and track. While participating in track, he shatters local and state records much to his and the community’s astonishment. He attends Clinton University majoring in psychology. His goal is to become a marriage and family counselor after reading books written by James’s parents and spending time with them. He furthers his education by attending grad school to get his masters in marriage and family therapy. The spontaneous and mischievous Miguel’s function is to come up with an assessment of the victim and killer. He is very protective of James whose naiveté and willingness to help the police can be seen as a way for people to take an advantage of James. He possesses a wry and deadpan sense of humor. He is very close to his friends whom he regards as the brothers he always wanted but never had.

Who is Corey Andrews?

“Who is Corey Andrews who has found himself enmeshed in murder?” I’ll explain all of that in this latest post.

Background of Corey Andrews

Corey Andrews is the oldest son of Amy and Nick Andrews who live in Carrington, Louisiana, as a realtor and computer analyst, respectively. Corey participated in sports at Carrington High School including cross country, football, track, and basketball. He is protective of his younger brothers Liam and Ryan who share his love for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Due to his athletic prowess, he is awarded an athletic scholarship where he attends Clinton University where he majors in accounting. During his sophomore year he starts dating Amanda Lancaster whom he eventually proposes marriage to during their senior year. Months after graduating from Clinton University Amanda is murdered shattering Corey whose life has been upended by this terrible loss. The once gregarious Corey finds himself struggling to find some semblance of normalcy after Amanda is murdered. He struggles in his relationship with James whom he resents for being the hero, but slowly accepts that the nature of their friendship has changed. As the series progresses with each novel God blesses me to write, the reader sees evidence of Corey’s personality returning. I don’t want to give away too much in order for you all to enjoy the follow-up to Engaged To Be Murdered which I am working on right now.

Who is James Ellis?

“Who is James Ellis?” is a question readers of my books might be asking. As I stated ad nauseum I began writing in the spring of 2012, months after receiving my masters in business administration from the University of Louisiana at Monroe. Rather than describe the supportive friendship Miguel, James, and Corey share, I am going to talk about them individually in terms of their personality, background, and opinions on different matters including them occasionally stumbling across a dead body. In the following paragraphs I am going to explain how the characters show different sides of my personalities.

Background of James Ellis

James Matthew Ellis is the youngest of three sons born to William and Mariah Ellis. James’s parents are highly successful relationship experts and bestselling writers whose success afforded them the opportunity to live comfortably in the small town of Carrington, Louisiana. Due his family’s affluence, it allows James to easily make friends from different walks of life. One would assume that James would feel very relaxed socially and emotionally, but he like everyone has his share of insecurities. His older brothers, Neal and Drew, are very attractive who had no trouble finding acceptance in high school and garnering the attention of the female population. James had very severe acne, braces, and found himself being looked as the ugly duckling among his parents’ children. Now as a 22-year-old his insecurities gradually fade away when he enrolls and graduates from Clinton University. 

Personality

James is the most naïve out of Miguel and Corey. Unlike Miguel and Corey who were athletes in high school and college, James has a strong passion for learning which is evidenced by him being named ‘Who’s Who among High School Students’ and the dean’s list at Carrington University. He majored in computer information systems and participated in several organizations such as the Association of Information Technology Professionals and Union Board. He is an introvert unlike Corey and Miguel. However, James is beginning to show interests in expanding his social circle when he attends grad school. He wants to carve his own niche for himself without being in the shadows of his parents and equally successful brothers. James’s interests are different from most adult young adults. He loves reading, journaling, listening to classical music which helps stimulate his mind, and a yearning to strengthen his faith.

Crime Solving

Given that James has lived in Carrington for his entire life he, members of the community are more willing to share information with him than others. James’s sleuthing is based off of one of my favorite TV characters Jessica Fletcher. Like Jessica, James hardly believes the most likely suspect is the one responsible for the crime even though they had a strong motive or an intense dislike for the victim. James remembers conversations that might seem innocuous yet are vital to the police arresting the guilty party.
 

Creation and Naming Of James

The first, middle, and last names of the main character are special to me. James is the middle name of my godfather. The middle name of Matthew is one that I have always had such a strong attraction to since it is the first book of the New Testament. Ellis was my great-grandmother’s last name whom I was blessed to have in my life until I was nineteen years old. Not a lot of people can say they knew their great-grandmother. Unlike myself who is the oldest of three children I thought it would be interesting to make James the youngest. He wouldn’t feel pressure to set a great example as the oldest, struggle to find his identity as the middle child, or play the mediator between his older and young siblings.

Good News

Copies of my book are being downloaded left and right on iTunes and is spiked on Amazon regarding their Kindle Lending Library. The response I have received from the book has been overwhelmingly positive. I will say that I have had to some major edits which consumed my weekend and even bled into my day at work. I'm sitting in my car during my lunch break making sure this last minute revisions for the eBook and paperback are perfect. I've also had people mention wanting to publish their works and they've asked me how I was able to do that. God is opening doors only He can.

News-Star

Notice of my book was featured in the Monroe News-Star. Scroll down about halfway on the page and you will see notice of my book. I was so surprised the local paper would do a story on me. I have a feeling good things are heading my way through my writing after I spent all of Friday and Saturday doing some extensive revisions that went unnoticed. Reminder: always trust your instincts. I am going to take some time to when it comes to the second novel. Take one's time and know pressure makes diamonds.

Recent updates

Good evening my followers. I wanted to thank you all for your unwavering support and prayers because it is greatly appreciated. I wanted to inform you all that I have a new Facebook page that encompasses all of me not just the first novel. I read an article about increasing one's Internet presence and have faith this is one way. In addition to that narration for the first book is moving at a steady pace, and I'll be featured in the 'Book' section of the Monroe News-Star. So much has been happening in my life and it's all by the grace of God. When the article is available, I'll post the link to my blog, Twitter, and Facebook.

Update on Book

Good evening everyone on this Friday evening. I wanted to inform all of you that progress for the second book is moving at a smooth and steady pace. As I'm writing this post I wanted to inform you all that my book will be featured in the Monroe News-Star in their Sunday book section. In addition to that a portion of the proceeds from my book will go to Granny's South Kitchen and NIMA which sponsors the Morning Glory Christian Academy in Guatemala.

Updates

Hello my blog followers. I wanted to ask you all something. If you solve any mystery that has baffled people for years, what would it be? Examples I can think of are Lindbergh's baby or an unsolved murder in your community. Let me know what you would solve.

Been too long

It's over a week and a half since I last posted anything. I am pleased to inform you all that I have been featured in the Ouachita Citizen. It discusses my book and where it can be purchased. I also wanted to let anyone know that I have selected a new narrator for Engaged To Be Murdered.