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G. Russell Overton

Goodreads Author

Born

in The United States

Website

https://www.bluewatertales.com

Genre

Gay and Lesbian, Historical Fiction, History

Influences

Lev Tolstoy, Ivan Bliokh, Vladimir Nabokov, Homer, anyone but Dickens

Member Since

January 2017

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G. Russell Overton is an American author and historian, who lives in California with his partner, Jamie. He has produced a number of works, both fiction and non-fiction. He is currently writing a trilogy of historical fiction. The first part has recently been published (click on his web link for more information). He enjoys sailing, cross-country skiing, and biking. His fictional style is to create romantic adventure, unbounded by the dictates of political and cultural agendas, but his love of the Great Lakes and all things marine is an apparent influence in most of his writing. He is a member of the National Writers Union, Historical Society of Michigan, Detroit Institute of Art, Publishing Triangle, and Michigan Writers.

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Popular Answered Questions

Russell, i liked very much your book but i have a question, why did you created the main character so promiscuous? And don`t you think that the sexual scenes are sometimes a bit too strong? Is there any reason for that. In any case in enjoyed reading the book very much. Thank you Russell for allowing us to ask you a question about your very good novel.

G. Russell Overton Thank-you, Gonzaga, for your kind words, and I am happy to answer your questions. I am glad that you enjoyed reading my book, and I hope you will stay…moreThank-you, Gonzaga, for your kind words, and I am happy to answer your questions. I am glad that you enjoyed reading my book, and I hope you will stay with the series when parts 2 and 3 come out. Part 2 should be published later this year.

I will attempt to answer your questions without spoiling the story for other readers. So if my answers seem a bit cryptic, that is why. I very much enjoy critical dialogue with readers and other writers. If you want more specific answers, or if you want to engage in particular dialogue about the book, please send me a friend request on GoodReads and send me a message (this invitation is for all readers and fans). I would be delighted to have extended dialogue like that.

Of all the questions and comments I’ve had about this book, the question about Rodrigo’s (main character) sexual activity has been most frequent. Some readers have thought that there wasn’t enough sex or that it could have been more graphic. Others have suggested that it was all a bit much. It is a delicate balancing act to determine just how many sexual encounters there should be and how graphic they should be.

My rule is that every encounter, sexual or otherwise, must be integral to the story. That is, if I remove a particular encounter how does that alter the nature of the story? I weighed each event and the details of each event until I felt that they were exactly as they should be. Whether I am right or wrong is for readers like you to decide! The fact that it sparks debate and discussion is great. If my books prompt readers to ask questions like this, I have done my job.

Now, for Rodrigo’s character (again, I will attempt to avoid any spoilers), He is a young man in his mid to upper twenties. He is in the prime of his life at the beginning of World War II. It has been my experience that many young men in their twenties think about and pursue sexual encounters a lot. It has also been my experience that such young men, regardless of their sexuality, tend to get into all sorts of trouble as a result of their sexual pursuits. Hopefully, most young men learn something of value when they run into trouble and mature just a little bit each time. If Rodrigo is to be a realistic character, his life should follow this pattern as he matures through parts 2 & 3.

In researching and writing this series, I drew heavily on the recollections of the people I knew who lived through the World War II era. In all of their stories, whether straight or gay, family or friends, the one theme that seemed most common was the fact that there was a lot of sex. I will leave it to sociologists and anthropologists to answer why that was the case. I do think that the sexual appetite of the members of that generation had a lot to do with the post-war baby boom.

Your question about the graphic nature of some encounters is tougher to answer. I have to rely on my previous statement that I carefully considered each encounter and made the descriptions as graphic as they needed to be. I can think of two encounters in the book that might have been unsettling to readers. In fact, it was my intent to make readers uncomfortable in those two instances. Again, I am trying to avoid any spoilers, but sometimes sex takes place in difficult circumstances, and participants may reveal darker aspects of their personalities.

I hope I have answered your questions. This sort of exchange is tremendously helpful to me as a writer. Thoughtful questions like yours force me to evaluate and reconsider my conclusions. It is through this process that I will become a better writer. Again, if you want to continue this dialogue, please message me, and we can discuss the book in more detail. Thank-you!
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I was just wondering, is part 3 still happening? The premise of the series sounds really interesting to me but I dont want to start a series that will never be finished

G. Russell Overton I apologize for not answering sooner! I am finally moving forward with the third part of the series. If you look at my blog post from today, you will …moreI apologize for not answering sooner! I am finally moving forward with the third part of the series. If you look at my blog post from today, you will see my apology and excuses for this four year hiatus. (less)

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G. Russell Overton’s books

Average rating: 4.03 · 69 ratings · 14 reviews · 7 distinct works

	Hard Hats by Neil S. Plakcy (Goodreads Author) (editor), Rob Rosen (Goodreads Author), Laura Bacchi 3.87 avg rating — 46 ratings — published 2008 — 5 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Paws and Reflect: Essays on the Special Bond Between Men and Their Dogs by Neil S. Plakcy (Goodreads Author), Sharon Sakson (Editor), G. Russell Overton (Goodreads Author) (Contributor) 3.81 avg rating — 43 ratings — published 2006 — 7 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Particularly Dangerous Work: At Waters' Edge (Particularly Dangerous Work, #1) 4.24 avg rating — 17 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Particularly Dangerous Work: Part 2, Lost at Sea 4.50 avg rating — 4 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Running by Night really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 4 ratings — published 2011 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Particularly Dangerous Work: Reflection on the Water (Particularly Dangerous Work, #3) it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 2 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Particularly Dangerous Work: Part 3, Reflection on the Water really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 2 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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45 posts
G. Russell Overton's Blog

Launch Date!

It is finally here! Particularly Dangerous Work: Part 3, Reflection on the Water is finally released and ready to read! Of course, if you haven't yet, you must read parts 1 & 2 first. This final volume brings Rodrigo to the end of World War II. His journey continued through 1945, with heart-gripping action as he tries desperately to escape the Gestapo and the Nazi regime in Germany.

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G. Overton rated a book it was amazing Particularly Dangerous Work: Reflection on the Water (Particularly Dangerous Work, #3) by G. Russell Overton (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Nov 11, 2024 08:23AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Particularly Dangerous Work by G. Russell Overton. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Particularly Dangerous Work by G. Russell Overton <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
G. Overton answered Linda Donohue's question: I am returning the 3 books you sent me for my Goodreads win. I am not the right audience for your novels. Eliminate the sex and I think you may have a good story? No need to return them. I am sorry they are not to your liking. Please dispose however you wish.
Nov 06, 2024 08:37AM · like
G. Overton entered a giveaway A Time for Defiance by James D. Shipman (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Nov 04, 2024 08:29AM · like · see giveaway · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of A Time for Defiance by James D. Shipman. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — A Time for Defiance by James D. Shipman <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
G. Overton is now following Casey Morales Author of Wrenched (Nashville Spicy, #2)
Oct 21, 2024 08:24AM · like
G. Overton rated a book it was amazing The Iron Heel by Jack London	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Although I want everyone to read my books, I will risk potential sales and readers by stating that Jack London's, The Iron Heel, is probably the most important book anyone could read right now. I've never been a fan of London's politics. He was too e ...more
Oct 15, 2024 04:29PM · like · see review
G. Overton is now following G. Russell Overton Author of Hard Hats
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Quotes by G. Russell Overton (?)

“Subversion can only be treason if government is legitimate. When a government has broken international law and its own internal laws it ceases to be legitimate. At that point a man of conscience and true patriotism is honor bound to take actions intended to restore legitimate government to his country. ”
― G. Russell Overton, Particularly Dangerous Work: Part 1, At Waters' Edge

2 likes

G.’s Quotes

“I am not a member of any organized party -- I am a Democrat”
― Will Rogers

0 likes

“A conservative is a man with two perfectly good legs who, however, has never learned to walk forward.”
― Franklin D. Roosevelt

tags: conservatives

116 likes

“There are many little ways to enlarge your child's world. Love of books is the best of all.”
― Jackie Kennedy

tags: books, children, kennedy

9 likes

“Why do the peoples more and more exhaust their strength in accumulating means of destruction which are valueless even to accomplish the ends for which they are prepared?”
― Ivan Bliokh

tags: 1898, the-future-of-war

0 likes

“Tact is the ability to tell someone to go to hell in such a way that they look forward to the trip.”
― Winston Churchill

3318 likes

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