Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
A Florida native, Gerald grew up in the small town of Humboldt, Tennessee. He attended high school and was a graduate of HHS class of 64. Following graduation from the University of Tennessee, he spent time in Hopkinsville, KY, Memphis, TN and Newport, AR before moving back to Florida – where he now lives. During the early 70’s the author actually worked from an office in the Memphis Peabody Hotel. So many of the events about the hotel in Carson Reno’s stories are real as well as many of the characters you meet.
His fiction books are what he calls ‘Fiction for Fun’. They use real geography and include pictures and characters some readers might recognize. The ‘Carson Reno Mystery Series’ features adventure mysteries set in the early 1960 time period. The primary geography is Memphis and West Tennessee, but Carson’s stories take the reader across the United States and occasionally to foreign countries. Each story is considered light reading and is rated PG for everyone’s enjoyment. You are invited to pick your character and put yourself in the ‘play’. You might find it fun!
The reader will experience character continuation through all the stories and enjoy the growth of the core characters with each new adventure.
There are currently 13 books published in my ‘Carson Reno Mysteries’. They include ‘Murder in Humboldt’, ‘The Price of Beauty in Strawberry Land’,’Killer Among Us’,’Horse Tales’,’the Crossing’, ‘SUnset 4’, ‘the Everglades’, ‘The Illegals’, ‘Dead Men Don’t Remember”Fingerprint Murders’,’Reelfoot’, Justifiable Homicide and Dead End.
Gerald’s non-fiction book ‘Don’t Wake Me Until It’s Time To Go’ includes stories and events spanning time from pre-high school to his now retirement in Florida. As an avid hunter and fisherman, many of the events involve activities and stories from his personal outdoor adventures. As a business executive, and extensive traveler, he gives us some playful observations accumulated from the millions of miles he traveled across the US. As someone who loves animals and adventure, he offers thoughts and observations that are probably outside most reader’s imagination. Not a ‘tell all’ narratives, real names and real people are included. If you know the author, you might find yourself – or one of your adventures – included. If not, I’m certain you will find a real familiarity with the stories and the times chronicled in the book. A must read if you enjoy hunting, enjoy humor and can laugh at yourself – while others are also laughing at you
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
‘Dead End’ has just been released and it is the 13 book in my long running Carson Reno Mystery Series.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t think so. I use a lot of narrative in my books and find myself talking out loud to myself often while writing and editing.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
James Patterson, Steven King and John Grisham
What are you working on now?
Two books, actually. Carson Reno’s 14 – which will be called ‘Murder and More’ and a second in my Jack Sloan series – which will be called ‘Ghost’.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Actually I sell more books on B&N than Amazon. Recent changes by Amazon have not been good for most indie authors.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t write to get rich – write to enrich others
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
What are you reading now?
A new book by James Patterson
What’s next for you as a writer?
What is your favorite book of all time?
To Kill A Mockingbird
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