101 Reply by Barbel

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Re: "Blood & Ashes" - NOW AVAILABLE!!!

Loeffelholz wrote:

  Daren's thing with the ampersand was a stroke of genius, IMHO  ajb007/cool

Yup, loved that- love the whole thing, actaully! Richard Chopping* eat your heart out...

*(Sadly died a couple of years ago)

http://www.reverbnation.com/theskunnered
Over 1 million hits; must be doing something right....

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102 Reply by darenhat

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Re: "Blood & Ashes" - NOW AVAILABLE!!!

Richard Chopping! You flatter me! Well, I'm glad so many like the cover - I certainly want it to please. I truly hope that readers will look at the art and think 'Oscar Jade' or 'Mark Loeffelholz'. Loeffs has put together an incredible novel, and I'm anxious to for everyone to see/read the final product. It's a bit unfair to Loeff that everyone sees what I've contributed and Mark not able to share the best part with everybody yet!

darenhat's Website

103 Reply by Loeffelholz

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Re: "Blood & Ashes" - NOW AVAILABLE!!!

ajb007/martini , my friend.  This is all part of the deal...right now, your excellent work is the ultimate 'teaser trailer' for mine...and I aim to try to do yours justice.

There's nothing like the collaborative process, which I love...and I've been most fortunate to be surrounded by incredibly talented and generous people---nobody does something like this alone (if they think they do, they're kidding themselves!).  RogueAgent's a part of this as well, as is my brother...and my editor, Erin, who continues to save my ass   ajb007/bond

Last edited by Loeffelholz (12th Mar 2010 06:08)

"Blood & Ashes"...SIGNED COPIES NOW AVAILABLE!!! Get 'Jaded': http://oscarjade.com/index.html
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM

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104 Reply by Loeffelholz

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Re: "Blood & Ashes" - NOW AVAILABLE!!!

thesecretagent wrote:

it had better be good!

Thanks for saying so, tsa...I'm certainly trying...though I have no illusions about not catching a few arrows after it comes out.  For my proactive response to those, refer to the Fleming quote in my signature  ajb007/wink

"Blood & Ashes"...SIGNED COPIES NOW AVAILABLE!!! Get 'Jaded': http://oscarjade.com/index.html
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM

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105 Reply by thesecretagent

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Re: "Blood & Ashes" - NOW AVAILABLE!!!

Loeffelholz wrote:
thesecretagent wrote:

it had better be good!

Thanks for saying so, tsa...I'm certainly trying...though I have no illusions about not catching a few arrows after it comes out.  For my proactive response to those, refer to the Fleming quote in my signature  ajb007/wink

Craig's is better - and the best attitude to take. ajb007/wink

"Never send a man where you can send a bullet..."

106 Reply by Barbel

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Re: "Blood & Ashes" - NOW AVAILABLE!!!

I am so looking forward to this!

http://www.reverbnation.com/theskunnered
Over 1 million hits; must be doing something right....

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107 Reply by Loeffelholz

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Re: "Blood & Ashes" - NOW AVAILABLE!!!

Loeffelholz wrote:

All right, everyone...here's the cover art for Blood & Ashes---made public for the first time on ajb007.co.uk...

http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/7638/bacover1final.jpg
By loeffelholz at 2010-03-10

Cover Art Copyright 2010 by Daren Hatfield, used by permission.  All rights reserved.

Bumping this to the current page, simply because I like looking at it...  ajb007/smile

"Blood & Ashes"...SIGNED COPIES NOW AVAILABLE!!! Get 'Jaded': http://oscarjade.com/index.html
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM

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108 Reply by Loeffelholz

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Re: "Blood & Ashes" - NOW AVAILABLE!!!

Well, the book's had its final edit---except for the last three chapters (!), which I'm waiting for my editor to send me  ajb007/insane  It's amazing what a few changed words and sentences (to say nothing of the odd deleted em-dash or semicolon) can do to the material.  I'm very happy with it so far...

"Blood & Ashes"...SIGNED COPIES NOW AVAILABLE!!! Get 'Jaded': http://oscarjade.com/index.html
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM

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109 Reply by Hardyboy

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Re: "Blood & Ashes" - NOW AVAILABLE!!!

Nice work on the art by the Hat-man!  And glad to hear things are progressing, Loeffs--I'm looking forward to it!

Vox clamantis in deserto

110 Reply by Red Indian

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Re: "Blood & Ashes" - NOW AVAILABLE!!!

Wow!  Great work Daren!  ajb007/cheers

Loeffs: Congratulations!  This looks and sounds fantastic!  I can't wait to read it! 

Please tell me those of us on the forum will be able to buy an autographed copy! ajb007/smile

Being a huge fan of detective fiction this is GREAT news.  While pursuing my Literature degree at Northeastern I took an amazing class: "Detective Fiction." 

My Professor was good friends with the recently departed Robert B. Parker (he taught at Northeastern while he was writing his first Spenser novel) and he dropped in one day to teach one of our classes! 

It was an amazing experience and I look forward to to placing my autographed copy (fingers crossed!) of "Blood and Ashes" next to my autographed copy of Parker's "Double Deuce." 

The space on my bookshelf has been reserved!

Perhaps one day a wide-eyed college student will catch his breath (just as I did) when you casually walk into a classroom to tell everyone how it's done! ajb007/cheers

On a different note, you've really struck a chord with me because of the setting: 

I have a treasured picture of my Grandfather (taken by my Grandmother) in his Army Air Corps uniform as he's sitting on a bench in Miami Beach in 1942!  They are no longer with me but I am incredibly excited to be able to experience what it might have been like there for them...on some level!

I suppose fate is tipping his cap to me once again and I am grateful! ajb007/wink

Last edited by Red Indian (27th Mar 2010 00:04)

111 Reply by Loeffelholz

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Re: "Blood & Ashes" - NOW AVAILABLE!!!

Red Indian wrote:

Wow!  Great work Daren!  ajb007/cheers

Loeffs: Congratulations!  This looks and sounds fantastic!  I can't wait to read it! 

Please tell me those of us on the forum will be able to buy an autographed copy! ajb007/smile

Thanks so much, Red...and you're right about Daren's work.  My pulse quickens whenever I look at it  ajb007/smile  Indeed, signed copies will be available from oscarjade.com...and I'll respond to PMs here as well. 

Red Indian wrote:

Being a huge fan of detective fiction this is GREAT news.  While pursuing my Literature degree at Northeastern I took an amazing class: "Detective Fiction." 

My Professor was good friends with the recently departed Robert B. Parker (he taught at Northeastern while he was writing his first Spenser novel) and he dropped in one day to teach one of our classes! 

It was an amazing experience and I look forward to to placing my autographed copy (fingers crossed!) of "Blood and Ashes" next to my autographed copy of Parker's "Double Deuce." 

The space on my bookshelf has been reserved!

Perhaps one day a wide-eyed college student will catch his breath (just as I did) when you casually walk into a classroom to tell everyone how it's done! ajb007/cheers

I'm humbled beyond my ability to state it.  If I can accomplish a mere fraction of what the great Mr. Parker did, I'll be very happy indeed.  There have been so many giants in this genre...someday I'd like a chance to be good enough to shine their shoes.

Red Indian wrote:

On a different note, you've really struck a chord with me because of the setting: 

I have a treasured picture of my Grandfather (taken by my Grandmother) in his Army Air Corps uniform as he's sitting on a bench in Miami Beach in 1942!  They are no longer with me but I am incredibly excited to be able to experience what it might have been like there for them...on some level!

I suppose fate is tipping his cap to me once again and I am grateful! ajb007/wink

It seemed a rich time and place in which to put a gumshoe...I aim to have as much fun there as I can.  I wouldn't be surprised if Jade and Clark Gable end up side by side at a bar in the next one (he trained with the Army in Miami Beach)...

"Blood & Ashes"...SIGNED COPIES NOW AVAILABLE!!! Get 'Jaded': http://oscarjade.com/index.html
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM

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112 Reply by Red Indian

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Re: "Blood & Ashes" - NOW AVAILABLE!!!

Don't rule anything out!  ajb007/cool

I'm looking forward to taking a trip to the Miami Beach/South Beach area in the near future.  That's the one part of Florida I haven't spent a substantial amount of time in!  ajb007/crap

Is there any chance Oscar might head to Key West in one of your next novels?  Maybe he could rub elbows with Hemingway? ajb007/biggrin

Wasn't this around the time he had the boxing ring in his backyard? ajb007/wink

113 Reply by Loeffelholz

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Re: "Blood & Ashes" - NOW AVAILABLE!!!

Red Indian wrote:

Is there any chance Oscar might head to Key West in one of your next novels?  Maybe he could rub elbows with Hemingway? ajb007/biggrin

I'm sure he'll get there at some point!  Eventually he'll travel to other states/regions as well---he's going to be a terrible flyer.  I want to do something with the old Pullman train cars as well   ajb007/cool

I think Jade is always going to surprise me...I just found a great quote, and it definitely applies here:

"It begins with a character, usually, and once he stands up on his feet and begins to move, all I can do is trot along behind him with a paper and pencil trying to keep up long enough to put down what he says and does." - William Faulkner

At least Jade isn't hard to keep up with---he has a limp  ajb007/wink

"Blood & Ashes"...SIGNED COPIES NOW AVAILABLE!!! Get 'Jaded': http://oscarjade.com/index.html
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114 Reply by Mr Martini

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Re: "Blood & Ashes" - NOW AVAILABLE!!!

So Loeff? Do you have Oscars second adventure already planned out?

115 Reply by Loeffelholz

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Re: "Blood & Ashes" - NOW AVAILABLE!!!

Mr Martini wrote:

So Loeff? Do you have Oscars second adventure already planned out?

The basic story---yes.  I'm going to start outlining it while I promote B&A...and will be composing by summertime  ajb007/biggrin

I've got the first line, which I'll preview here:

"There is a terrible wisdom in the eyes of the dead."

ajb007/martini

"Blood & Ashes"...SIGNED COPIES NOW AVAILABLE!!! Get 'Jaded': http://oscarjade.com/index.html
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
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116 Reply by Red Indian

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Re: "Blood & Ashes" - NOW AVAILABLE!!!

Great opening line!  Fleming would have loved that! ajb007/smile

Will the reader discover in "Blood and Ashes" how he got his limp? 

Do you reveal any of his background in the debut, or will that come to light as the stories progress?

117 Reply by Pendragon

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Re: "Blood & Ashes" - NOW AVAILABLE!!!

ajb007/amazed love that line!

I thought about it for a minute, and then decided Brother Charles was out of his mind...

Hey! Observer! You trying to get yourself Killed?

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118 Reply by mrbond

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Re: "Blood & Ashes" - NOW AVAILABLE!!!

I think it would be intresting to see him progress as a character throughout the novels. Each could reveal something about his past?

119 Reply by Loeffelholz

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Re: "Blood & Ashes" - NOW AVAILABLE!!!

Red Indian wrote:

Great opening line!  Fleming would have loved that!   :)

Thanks   {[]   Fleming is probably a bigger influence on me than the usual suspects (Spillane, Chandler, Hammett, et al.), since I read him first (at a very young age).  That's actually why I write Jade in 'third' person instead of 'first,' which is more standard for the genre.

Red Indian wrote:

Will the reader discover in "Blood and Ashes" how he got his limp?

Absolutely...in the first two pages, as a matter of fact.

Red Indian wrote:

Do you reveal any of his background in the debut, or will that come to light as the stories progress?

I think so...but it will be a very gradual thing.  Jade isn't one to talk about himself much, and there's a lot he still hasn't told me, but he's definitely got a chip on his shoulder. In B&A we learn of three different careers he either had or tried before becoming a P.I....

mrbond wrote:

I think it would be intresting to see him progress as a character throughout the novels. Each could reveal something about his past?

Very possibly   ;)   He's still a relatively young man when we meet him in B&A, but I get the feeling he's had a lot of disappointment and tragedy...and some of it is bound to tie into whatever situations in which he'll find himself.

Pendragon wrote:

:o  love that line!

Thanks Pen!   :)   That came to me pretty quickly---unusually so.  I'm still wrestling with possible titles for the piece, though.

"Blood & Ashes"...SIGNED COPIES NOW AVAILABLE!!! Get 'Jaded': http://oscarjade.com/index.html
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120 Reply by Loeffelholz

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Re: "Blood & Ashes" - NOW AVAILABLE!!!

Well, it's been sent off to Erin (my editor) for one last 'formatting sweep,' then I'm uploading to my publisher.  It's funny how much agony is involved in letting go.  I'm reminded of dropping my first son off for preschool, for the first time.

I can't make it Hemingway or Faulkner from here.  The little tyke will walk or fall on his own.

Looks like June 2010 for a release timeframe.  Much later than I'd hoped.  But I hope everyone enjoys it.

"Blood & Ashes"...SIGNED COPIES NOW AVAILABLE!!! Get 'Jaded': http://oscarjade.com/index.html
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
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121 Reply by RogueAgent

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Re: "Blood & Ashes" - NOW AVAILABLE!!!

Loeffelholz wrote:
Loeffelholz wrote:

All right, everyone...here's the cover art for Blood & Ashes---made public for the first time on ajb007.co.uk...

http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/7638/bacover1final.jpg
By loeffelholz at 2010-03-10

Cover Art Copyright 2010 by Daren Hatfield, used by permission.  All rights reserved.

Bumping this to the current page, simply because I like looking at it...  ajb007/smile

OMG, Loeff, just seeing this and that cover looks great! Very noirish!

Congrats to you and darenhat both! ajb007/cheers

"Ms. Kitka, I have the strangest feeling that I'm about to be utterly and madly CARRIED AWAY!!!!"

-Bruce Wayne-

122 Reply by Loeffelholz

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Re: "Blood & Ashes" - NOW AVAILABLE!!!

Thanks, buddy, and keep your pencil sharp   ajb007/shifty  ajb007/wink   I still haven't given up on a graphic novel adaptation...!

Don't know if you've read most of this thread, but I posted my Author's Note/Acknowledgements on a previous page, and you're in there...after all, you deserve partial credit/blame for the title!  ajb007/smile

"Blood & Ashes"...SIGNED COPIES NOW AVAILABLE!!! Get 'Jaded': http://oscarjade.com/index.html
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM

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123 Reply by Loeffelholz

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Re: "Blood & Ashes" - NOW AVAILABLE!!!

Just a quick note to let everybody know that I've upgraded OscarJade.com to include Daren's great cover art (on the Blood & Ashes page), a 'Buy It!' option (which will be active once the book is available for pre-order) and a Blog page underneath the Pelican Bar & Grill tab.

This has been a learning process for me...very soon I'll be upgrading my PayPal account to 'business' so that I can have a PayPal button on the site...

Please stop by and leave a response on the blog...or sign the guest book...or check out the retro music.  Just click on the link in my signature!  Thanks, and Cheers!  ajb007/martini

"Blood & Ashes"...SIGNED COPIES NOW AVAILABLE!!! Get 'Jaded': http://oscarjade.com/index.html
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM

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124 Reply by RogueAgent

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Re: "Blood & Ashes" - NOW AVAILABLE!!!

Loeffelholz wrote:

Thanks, buddy, and keep your pencil sharp   ajb007/shifty  ajb007/wink   I still haven't given up on a graphic novel adaptation...!

Don't know if you've read most of this thread, but I posted my Author's Note/Acknowledgements on a previous page, and you're in there...after all, you deserve partial credit/blame for the title!  ajb007/smile

Thanks. I sincerly appreciate the recognition but I told you all along that you had the aptitude to do this...so what if I gave you a little push, you did the rest. ajb007/biggrin

Here's hoping that you're the new Elmore Leonard of the 21st century. Next stop: HBO series!  ajb007/cheers

"Ms. Kitka, I have the strangest feeling that I'm about to be utterly and madly CARRIED AWAY!!!!"

-Bruce Wayne-

125 Reply by Loeffelholz

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Re: "Blood & Ashes" - NOW AVAILABLE!!!

Moving officially into pre-production with the publisher today...spending a few hours going over the final manuscript...still agonizing over individual words  ajb007/insane

We're getting there.

"Blood & Ashes"...SIGNED COPIES NOW AVAILABLE!!! Get 'Jaded': http://oscarjade.com/index.html
"I am not an entrant in the Shakespeare Stakes." - Ian Fleming
"Screw 'em." - Daniel Craig, The Best James Bond EverTM

Loeffelholz's Website