From Then To Now
If you’re wondering where the Heading “From Then To Now” comes from, the story dates back to 1996 when the first novel, DESPERATE INTENTIONS, was written. Soon after its completion we were represented by a literary agent (how thrilling) who sold our first two novels to two separate publishers in the snap of a finger. (Unbelievably thrilling.)
Sounds too good to be true, right? It was. Both publishers and the agent were in a combined effort draining the pockets of hundreds of new authors for an estimated $10 million. Our personal required contributions, which were substantial, entitled us to only 250 paperbacks of which over 200 copies were sold at the first book signing. Justice prevailed and all guilty parties were tried and convicted (Research "The Literary Agent from Hell" for more information). It cannot be stressed enough how important it is to be represented by legitimate agents who will find you the right publisher for your work or reputable self-publishing companies.
Eileen and I met right after High school and, as young entrepreneurs in the beauty industry, designed and operated 5 hair salons. Just dabbling in the writing field soon turned into a passion for both of us. Sadly, in 1999, Eileen passed away. Devastation set in, along with a crashing stock market, shelving all the accomplished work up to that point.
So that was THEN, what about NOW? I am excited to announce that I have returned to writing for the past several years, and, along with my partner and editor, have finished and self-published three manuscripts on Amazon.com, both on Kindle and in paperback.
Read the storylines below to see if you might be intrigued. For Florida residents, they might even recognize some familiar locations. For more information, I can be contacted at eraymond2023@outlook.com.
Sordid Relations
Walter Markenski has a secret. Walter has many secrets, however his wife, Helena, fears only one. Warsaw, Poland, 1936: After the death of her sister-in-law who has died in childbirth, Helena is manipulated into raising Wanda as her own child. Fleeing to America after Walter and his brother, Stanislaw, botch yet another insignificant robbery, the Markenskis embark on a journey leaving arrested and imprisoned Stanislaw behind. Settling in America, Walter amasses a stolen fortune, forcing the family to flee yet again, this time from Chicago, finally settling in Tampa. Eventually, a mother's love is challenged by the would-be daughter who conspires behind her back to rise above all she has been given while the father's sins are revisited by their son's ruthless ambitions. This rags-to-stolen riches story encompasses jealousy, deception, murder, mayhem, misguided intentions, and a voracious hunger for sibling power.
Definite Resemblance
Tampa's elite become the arena for the calculating in this continuing saga of the Marc family. From prison to the power of corporate conglomerates, some are willing to stop at nothing in order to achieve their financial ambitions.
Sanislaw Lincoln, the power behind the amassment of Popov Enterprises, battles to keep peace amidst great personal turmoil.
While Wanda Marc jockeys herself into position to conquer and control, vengeance for her mother and brother splinter their already fragile relationships.
A love triangle unlocks this family's most private past, and while turmoil and deceit refuse to be dominated, the Marcs discover the by having a Definite Resemblance is not necessarily a good thing.
Cessna Drive
Whitfield Pointe, the well-heeled private airport community on Merritt Island along Florida's Space Coast houses only the most prominent. Chadwick and Dr. Mallory Baldwin are neighbors to Macklin and Whitley Tanner, and both families unknowingly face their own destruction.
Covert action against the government at Kennedy Space Center alerts the FBI, as a young militant group stalks the Baldwins, planning to invade their home on Cessna Drive. Greed, deception, murder and eventual revenge, mold this tale of the well-moneyed, and trace their bizarre attempts to consummate absolute power within their world.
Future Manuscripts in the Queue
Hopefully you have found this website interesting. I would like to tweak your interests in my three remaining manuscripts. As a mystery fiction writer, I would like to introduce BESIDE MANOR and MULE TEAM into the mix. Afterwards I would like to tell you a true story about THE GUARDIAN SON's love and protection for his father against evils that are an everyday occurrence in this modern world. This self-help story has the power not only to move the readers emotionally, but it also has the inclination to drive people to protect themselves from the greed that emerges when someone is sick and elderly with an accumulation of financial success.
