John Fenzel's Blog
July 24, 2018
Do You Know Where You are Going?
Oliver Wendell Holmes lived from 1841 to 1935, and is regarded as one of the greatest Supreme Court Justices. Justice Holmes was extremely intelligent, highly respected and often quoted. However, it is said that he could be a bit absent-minded on occasion. Justice Holmes was riding a train one day, when the railroad conductor began walking down the car, checking tickets. As the ticket-checker approached, he watched Holmes search his wallet, unable to find his ticket. Frustrated, Holmes then checked each of his pockets. Still no ticket. Holmes became more and more frustrated as he rummaged through his briefcase, still unable to find his ticket. Finally the Conductor made his way to Holmes’ seat.
“Justice Holmes,” he said, smiling, “I know who you are. Everyone knows who you are. There’s no need to show me your ticket.”
“Young man, that’s not the problem,” replied Justice Holmes. “The problem is not ‘where is my ticket’, but where I am going.”
“Justice Holmes,” he said, smiling, “I know who you are. Everyone knows who you are. There’s no need to show me your ticket.”
“Young man, that’s not the problem,” replied Justice Holmes. “The problem is not ‘where is my ticket’, but where I am going.”
August 17, 2016
Newsletter Announcing my 2nd Novel...
Dear Readers and Friends!
It's been 7 years since the release of The Lazarus Covenant in 2009. While that may seem like a long time, the truth is, after The Lazarus Covenant, the task of trying to even think about a second novel seemed like a distant vision. Since The Lazarus Covenant's release, I retired from the Army, and started thinking in earnest about another novel. The Sterling Forest is that novel, and I couldn't be more excited for it's release on August 20th.
The story that would eventually become The Sterling Forest has a long history. In the aftermath of the Cold War, I was leading a company in 10th Special Forces Group that conducted the first U.S. deployment to the Baltic States of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. During that deployment, we saw first hand the terrible effects the Baltics endured from decades of Soviet occupation. That story of how Baltic people endured, and resisted their Nazi and Soviet occupiers is one of the most fascinating, heartbreaking, inspirational—and yet little known--stories in modern history. During my own travels in the Baltics, I met many former resistance members, and was profoundly affected by their experiences.
The Sterling Forest tells their story in a fictional venue, while navigating an actual current day, resurgent threat from the Kremlin. In today's tense environment, The Sterling Forest demonstrates how crucial understanding the past is to understanding present day events.
The Sterling Forest follows Congressman Daniel “Danno” Tory, who, on the verge of being sworn into office, discovers a secret that challenges everything he thought he knew about his family’s past—a secret that threatens his political future, and his life. In a personal quest to learn the truth, Danno embarks on a journey across Europe into Russia in a deadly race against time. Told from Danno’s own perspective, he quickly uncovers a plot that could suddenly shift the balance of power in Europe to an unthinkable war that only he can stop—as he hurtles toward a revelation that is all but impossible for him to conceive.
A secret past can confuse the present, and threaten the future ...
Order Now
The Sterling Forest is an international thriller that I believe will both educate and entertain. I hope you enjoy the story!
All the Very Best,
John
Upcoming Events
August 27: 8pm ET, Facebook Live Broadcast / Author Reading with Q & A Session
September 9: 6pm ET, Bourbon and Bowties Fundraiser / Annapolis
September 17: 7pm ET,Annapolis Book Store / Annapolis
September 24: 11am – 7pm ET, Baltimore Book Festival / Baltimore
It's been 7 years since the release of The Lazarus Covenant in 2009. While that may seem like a long time, the truth is, after The Lazarus Covenant, the task of trying to even think about a second novel seemed like a distant vision. Since The Lazarus Covenant's release, I retired from the Army, and started thinking in earnest about another novel. The Sterling Forest is that novel, and I couldn't be more excited for it's release on August 20th.
The story that would eventually become The Sterling Forest has a long history. In the aftermath of the Cold War, I was leading a company in 10th Special Forces Group that conducted the first U.S. deployment to the Baltic States of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. During that deployment, we saw first hand the terrible effects the Baltics endured from decades of Soviet occupation. That story of how Baltic people endured, and resisted their Nazi and Soviet occupiers is one of the most fascinating, heartbreaking, inspirational—and yet little known--stories in modern history. During my own travels in the Baltics, I met many former resistance members, and was profoundly affected by their experiences.
The Sterling Forest tells their story in a fictional venue, while navigating an actual current day, resurgent threat from the Kremlin. In today's tense environment, The Sterling Forest demonstrates how crucial understanding the past is to understanding present day events.
The Sterling Forest follows Congressman Daniel “Danno” Tory, who, on the verge of being sworn into office, discovers a secret that challenges everything he thought he knew about his family’s past—a secret that threatens his political future, and his life. In a personal quest to learn the truth, Danno embarks on a journey across Europe into Russia in a deadly race against time. Told from Danno’s own perspective, he quickly uncovers a plot that could suddenly shift the balance of power in Europe to an unthinkable war that only he can stop—as he hurtles toward a revelation that is all but impossible for him to conceive.
A secret past can confuse the present, and threaten the future ...
Order Now
The Sterling Forest is an international thriller that I believe will both educate and entertain. I hope you enjoy the story!
All the Very Best,
John
Upcoming Events
August 27: 8pm ET, Facebook Live Broadcast / Author Reading with Q & A Session
September 9: 6pm ET, Bourbon and Bowties Fundraiser / Annapolis
September 17: 7pm ET,Annapolis Book Store / Annapolis
September 24: 11am – 7pm ET, Baltimore Book Festival / Baltimore
July 13, 2016
THE STERLING FOREST Available for Pre-Orders!
My second novel, The Sterling Forest, will be released in early August--we should have a final release date soon. But! It's available for pre-order now on www.TheSterlingForest.com
I think you'll enjoy the story!
I think you'll enjoy the story!
