Because I sincerely believe a prospective reader will much more readily accept what another reader says about a book than what the author says, the following review, by Janie Franz of "His Name is John" is reprinted with permission from MyShelf (www.myshelf.com) Would it influence you?
Dorien Grey always tells a good story. His latest novel, His Name is John, is the first book in a brand new series about entrepreneur Elliott Smith. This novel begins with Smith in the hospital after being hit by a car while crossing a Chicago street. Though he suffered a head injury, Smith isn't so sure that's the reason he senses someone else in the room with him or why the entity invades his dreams and introduces himself with these words, "My name is John." This ghostly entity quickly involves Smith in finding out who murdered him. Though Smith is more comfortable rehabilitating old apartment buildings, he conducts his own investigation, using his brother-in-law, who is a police detective, to do the procedural work. In the midst of Smith's own recovery, finding a new romantic interest in the form of artist Steve Gutierrrez, juggling family obligations (including a nosy sister who can't wait to see Smith settled down in a permanent relationship, and the re-introduction of a childhood bully), one of Smith's newly finished buildings explodes from a mysterious gas leak. But Smith perseveres and so does John. His Name is John and the new Elliott Smith series presents an interesting twist on the murder mystery scene. Though Melinda Gordon solves the mysteries of the dead every week in the CBS TV show, Ghost Whisperer, Dorien Grey has created something very new and very fresh. Also, Grey is able to explore gay relationships with taste and normalcy like no other author I've read. Well done! I can't wait for the next book in the series. .............Janie Franz
Dorien Grey always tells a good story. His latest novel, His Name is John, is the first book in a brand new series about entrepreneur Elliott Smith. This novel begins with Smith in the hospital after being hit by a car while crossing a Chicago street. Though he suffered a head injury, Smith isn't so sure that's the reason he senses someone else in the room with him or why the entity invades his dreams and introduces himself with these words, "My name is John." This ghostly entity quickly involves Smith in finding out who murdered him. Though Smith is more comfortable rehabilitating old apartment buildings, he conducts his own investigation, using his brother-in-law, who is a police detective, to do the procedural work.
In the midst of Smith's own recovery, finding a new romantic interest in the form of artist Steve Gutierrrez, juggling family obligations (including a nosy sister who can't wait to see Smith settled down in a permanent relationship, and the re-introduction of a childhood bully), one of Smith's newly finished buildings explodes from a mysterious gas leak. But Smith perseveres and so does John.
His Name is John and the new Elliott Smith series presents an interesting twist on the murder mystery scene. Though Melinda Gordon solves the mysteries of the dead every week in the CBS TV show, Ghost Whisperer, Dorien Grey has created something very new and very fresh. Also, Grey is able to explore gay relationships with taste and normalcy like no other author I've read. Well done! I can't wait for the next book in the series.
.............Janie Franz