Ask the Author: Russ Melrose
Answered Questions (7)
Russ Melrose
At this point in time, there are two books I plan on reading this summer. First is The Book of Mastery by Paul Selig. It's a spiritual, channeled work. Haven't read one of those in a long time. The second book on my reading list for summer is a re-read. It's The Egyptian by Mika Waltari. A great book I read when I was in my twenties. That's it for now. Maybe I'll discover something else to read later on. Thanks for the question.
Russ Melrose
This is certainly the toughest question anyone has posed to me. I don't read romance novels, and it seems most of the couples in the novels I read either have ill-fated relationships (The Great Gatsby, The Egyptian) or experience unrequited love. But I'll give it a shot.
What comes to mind is Gabriel Garcia Marquez's Love in the Time of Cholera. It is, of course, a tale of love.
As teenagers, Florentino and Fermina fall in love and exchange love letters. When Fermina's father finds what Fermina has been up to, he whisks her off to Europe for an extended trip. On their return, Fermina finds that her love for Florentino has faded and her father pushes her toward a marriage with an esteemed doctor -- Doctor Urbino. She marries the doctor and pushes Florentino further from her mind.
This doesn't deter Florentino in the least. He vows to wait patiently for the death of the doctor. And over fifty years pass before Dr. Urbino dies (He falls off a ladder to his death while trying to retrieve his pet parrot who has found his way onto the roof).
Once again, Florentino courts Fermina, who eventually agrees to marry him.
I found Florentno's remarkable patience and determination to win Fermina's hand, no matter how long it took, as romantic a quest as I've ever run across, literary or otherwise.
Now, Florentino's lifetime courtship might not seem practical or logical in the light of day, but the heart is hardly a logical organ. I hope that answers your question.
Russ
What comes to mind is Gabriel Garcia Marquez's Love in the Time of Cholera. It is, of course, a tale of love.
As teenagers, Florentino and Fermina fall in love and exchange love letters. When Fermina's father finds what Fermina has been up to, he whisks her off to Europe for an extended trip. On their return, Fermina finds that her love for Florentino has faded and her father pushes her toward a marriage with an esteemed doctor -- Doctor Urbino. She marries the doctor and pushes Florentino further from her mind.
This doesn't deter Florentino in the least. He vows to wait patiently for the death of the doctor. And over fifty years pass before Dr. Urbino dies (He falls off a ladder to his death while trying to retrieve his pet parrot who has found his way onto the roof).
Once again, Florentino courts Fermina, who eventually agrees to marry him.
I found Florentno's remarkable patience and determination to win Fermina's hand, no matter how long it took, as romantic a quest as I've ever run across, literary or otherwise.
Now, Florentino's lifetime courtship might not seem practical or logical in the light of day, but the heart is hardly a logical organ. I hope that answers your question.
Russ
Russ Melrose
Hello Steven,
That's tough to answer. It's more complex than it appears in the book. The answer will be made clear in the third and final book in the series. The third book (and I'm only 1/3 of the way through book two) will clarify Lukas Melzer's actions and motivations, his role in the conspiracy, details of the Berne Project, and many other things.
On the surface, it would appear Melzer is leaving them there because Jacob has figured out Melzer was the voice on the recording. But there's also the situation with Dr. Nardone. That complicates matters further. Again, there's more to the story, but I can't reveal that because I don't want to reveal any spoilers ahead of book three.
The second novel, Finding AJ (hoping to release it spring 2016), is about an FBI agent, Jules Vandevelde, who continues her search for a serial killer after the apocalypse has struck. Characters from the first two novels will appear in the third novel which will take place in the government bunker mentioned in Jacob's Odyssey.
Sorry for the long-winded response, but I wanted to clarify things as much as possible without any spoilers.
Thanks for your question, Steven. Appreciate that you and Beverly read the book. Hope you're having a great summer.
Russ
That's tough to answer. It's more complex than it appears in the book. The answer will be made clear in the third and final book in the series. The third book (and I'm only 1/3 of the way through book two) will clarify Lukas Melzer's actions and motivations, his role in the conspiracy, details of the Berne Project, and many other things.
On the surface, it would appear Melzer is leaving them there because Jacob has figured out Melzer was the voice on the recording. But there's also the situation with Dr. Nardone. That complicates matters further. Again, there's more to the story, but I can't reveal that because I don't want to reveal any spoilers ahead of book three.
The second novel, Finding AJ (hoping to release it spring 2016), is about an FBI agent, Jules Vandevelde, who continues her search for a serial killer after the apocalypse has struck. Characters from the first two novels will appear in the third novel which will take place in the government bunker mentioned in Jacob's Odyssey.
Sorry for the long-winded response, but I wanted to clarify things as much as possible without any spoilers.
Thanks for your question, Steven. Appreciate that you and Beverly read the book. Hope you're having a great summer.
Russ
Russ Melrose
Actually, no. It won't be a sequel (but take heart, the characters from Jacob's Odyssey may appear in the third novel) I am currently working on the second novel in the series. It will be called - Finding AJ. It takes place during the same apocalypse but has different characters, a different storyline, and a different locale. The second novel is about a former FBI agent who continues her search for a serial killer known as the Calligrapher despite the apocalypse. Her search leads her to a small town in southern Utah - called Gideon. If you're interested, I just posted the first chapter on my author website as a teaser. You can check it out here:
http://russmelrose.com/free-chapter/
Now, as far as the characters from Jacob's Odyssey, they may be included in the third novel along with the characters from Finding AJ--at least those that manage to survive. I'm still mulling all this over in my mind. Nothing is set in concrete as of this point in time. Hope that answers your question. And I'm looking forward to your review. Thanks.
Russ
http://russmelrose.com/free-chapter/
Now, as far as the characters from Jacob's Odyssey, they may be included in the third novel along with the characters from Finding AJ--at least those that manage to survive. I'm still mulling all this over in my mind. Nothing is set in concrete as of this point in time. Hope that answers your question. And I'm looking forward to your review. Thanks.
Russ
Russ Melrose
Not sure how I missed your question, Nikki. Forgive me for being so oblivious. The tentative release time frame for the next novel, Finding AJ, is scheduled for spring of 2016. I'm about a third of the way through. I've just posted the first chapter on my author website. Here's the web address if you'd like to take a look at it. And again, I apologize for somehow missing your question.
http://russmelrose.com/free-chapter/
http://russmelrose.com/free-chapter/
Russ Melrose
Hi Aki. I befriend people on Goodreads for two reasons. First, I befriend people who belong to groups where I have a reading interest (apocalyptic, dystopian, mystery, thrillers, etc.). That way I can read their reviews and find books I might have an interest in reading.
Second reason. I'm an author. So I befriend people in groups that I think might have an interest in reading my novels. And I sometimes will give out ARC copies of my novels (a free digital copy in exchange for an honest review) to people in those groups.
That's pretty much it. Thanks for asking your question.
Russ
Second reason. I'm an author. So I befriend people in groups that I think might have an interest in reading my novels. And I sometimes will give out ARC copies of my novels (a free digital copy in exchange for an honest review) to people in those groups.
That's pretty much it. Thanks for asking your question.
Russ
Russ Melrose
Yes. Roether Pulishing is the name I selected when I was purchasing my ISBN numbers. Just a name I liked and thought had a nice ring to it.
What's beneficial about being self-published? Not a whole lot so far. I underestimated the marketing aspect of things and didn't realize how difficult it would be to get reviews. As a result, I am off to a slow start. Having said that, in the long run, I think being self-published will be beneficial in a number of ways. Once I get the marketing and advertising down, and I'm making some progress now, I expect some dramatic improvement. I think there are two primary benefits to self-publishing: a much greater royalty commission as compared to publishing houses; and having greater control over your books and marketing strategy. I will admit to being a little bit of a control freak.
I'd like to revisit this question in another year or so. That should prove interesting.
Thanks for the question, Lozzi
Russ
What's beneficial about being self-published? Not a whole lot so far. I underestimated the marketing aspect of things and didn't realize how difficult it would be to get reviews. As a result, I am off to a slow start. Having said that, in the long run, I think being self-published will be beneficial in a number of ways. Once I get the marketing and advertising down, and I'm making some progress now, I expect some dramatic improvement. I think there are two primary benefits to self-publishing: a much greater royalty commission as compared to publishing houses; and having greater control over your books and marketing strategy. I will admit to being a little bit of a control freak.
I'd like to revisit this question in another year or so. That should prove interesting.
Thanks for the question, Lozzi
Russ
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