The First Shall Be Last - Chapter One

1000-Yard Stare
(painting of a battle-fatigued Marine on the island of Peleliu)

The new year is about to begin, and I'm preparing for the release of my third novel in May of 2008: The First Shall Be Last. The story is a World War II mystery about a crime committed against a black soldier during the Battle of Peleliu. Peleliu was a small island in the Central Pacific held by Elite Japanese forces. The First Marine Division was ordered to take the island as a part of General Douglas MacArthur's island hopping campaign to return to the Philippines. I based this novel on my father's memoirs.

Between now and the end of April I plan on posting a chapter per week. You could be a great help to me by letting me know what you think of the story, catching mistakes, and making suggestions. Also, if you know of anyone who might be interested in reading this novel, please send them the link. I will use your comments and suggestions in the rewrite as I prepare the final draft.

After you read the chapter, please return to my blog and click on the comment link to give me your suggestions, corrections, etc. You can also email me at joecellis@comcast.net . To get to the first chapter, click on the link below:

http://www.joecellis.com/The_First_Shall_Be_Last.htm

Thanks for stopping by my blog in 2007. Hope you stick with me through 2008.

Talk to you later,

Joe C. Ellis
CLICK HERE to view video trailer for Murder at Whalehead
Link to front cover: CLICK HERE (Click on cover to enlarge)
Link to back cover: CLICK HERE (Click on cover to enlarge)
Link to first eleven chapters:CLICK HERE
Visit my website at http://www.joecellis.com/

The Gift

Christmas Day will arrive in six days. I want to share a gift with you--the gift of two beautiful songs. The first one is relatively new and the second one has been around a while. Both have a similar theme--offering our gifts back to God and seeing them sanctified--lifted to a new level of beauty and meaning.

The first song, "The Gift", is sung by Aselin Debison, who recorded it when she was 12 years old back in 2002. The quality of her voice adds to the wonder and innocence of the song.

The second one is from the 1970s when Bing Crosby was still alive. He harmonized with David Bowie on The Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth. Again, the theme reflects the wonder of presenting our gifts to God, no matter how small they be.

As a writer, I often wonder if my work honors God. Does the Lord smile when I present the gift? Will God use it to bless others? I hope so. And I hope you enjoy these two songs.




Merry Christmas,

Joe C. Ellis

CLICK HERE to view video trailer for Murder at Whalehead
Link to front cover: CLICK HERE (Click on cover to enlarge)
Link to back cover: CLICK HERE (Click on cover to enlarge)
Link to first eleven chapters:CLICK HERE
Visit my website at http://www.joecellis.com/

The Triumph Club

Hey everyone, we're coming to the end of 2007. Are you ready for the new year to begin? I'm looking forward to all the possibilities with my writing and all the other aspects of my life. To me, life is an adventure and privilege. It's always been my philosophy to try to become the best person I can be physically, mentally, and spiritually. Hopefully 2008 will be a year of striving to fulfill the potential the good Lord gave me.

That's why I wanted to let you know about a new Yahoo group I'm starting called the TRIUMPH CLUB. Do you want to lose weight, exercise regularly, kick bad habits, expand your mind, and become spiritually stronger? Do you want to see your life stabilized and focused on the right priorities? If so, then the Triumph Club is for you.

Physically, we will encourage one another to eat right, exercise, lose weight (if necessary), and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Mentally, we will read and recommend books (fiction and non-fiction) that will provide a wealth of knowledge and solid foundational principles for our lives. Spiritually, we will push one another to grow in the basic disciplines of faith--prayer, study, good works, etc.

If you would like to connect with an online group who shares these goals and encourages one another with insights, inspiration, and wisdom to make 2008 a year of personal growth, check us out at http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/The_Triumph_Club/


alt="Click here to join The_Triumph_Club">
Click to join The_Triumph_Club

Or just go to Yahoo.com, click on the Groups link and enter Triumph Club into the search box. The Club doesn't officially launch until 1/1/08, but between now and then you can sign up and become a part of this exciting journey of inner and outer transformation.

Talk to you later,

Joe C. Ellis

CLICK HERE to view video trailer for Murder at Whalehead
Link to front cover: CLICK HERE (Click on cover to enlarge)
Link to back cover: CLICK HERE (Click on cover to enlarge)
Link to first eleven chapters:CLICK HERE
Visit my website at http://www.joecellis.com/

Books on the Avenue -- Booksigning

On Saturday, November 24, I had the pleasure of signing copies of Murder at Whalehead and The Healing Place at one of Wheeling's independent bookstores, Books on the Avenue. Owners Caryn Braunlich and Debbie Miller have done a great job offering the Valley a great selection of new and used books. The store also serves delicious coffee and snacks, and the owners encourage customers to plop down in a comfy chair in one of the back rooms, relax, and thumb through a book. Arts and Crafts lovers will discover that Books on the Avenue is a great place to buy supplies and even take watercolor painting lessons.

Many regular customers stopped in to purchase signed copies of my books. I also had an opportunity to share my new PowerPoint presentation to a group of interested readers. The presentation covers my journey as a writer and offers some insight into the background of my two novels. If you have a group who would be interested in hearing the presentation, please call me at 1-740-633-0423. All in all it was a good time.

I got an encouraging email today from Sarah at Beach Bag Books and Music in Corolla, NC. She informed me that Murder at Whalehead is still "selling great!" Because Murder at Whalehead had been selling so well, Manteo Booksellers (down near Hatteras) ordered a dozen copies of The Healing Place. I'm hoping it will sell well also. The Island Bookstores have also made The Healing Place available. Hopefully in time all of the Outer Banks bookstores will get on board with The Healing Place.

Talk to ya later,

Joe C. Ellis

CLICK HERE to view video trailer for Murder at Whalehead
Link to front cover: CLICK HERE (Click on cover to enlarge)
Link to back cover: CLICK HERE (Click on cover to enlarge)
Link to first eleven chapters:CLICK HERE
Visit my website at http://www.joecellis.com/

Back from the Buckeye Book Fair

On Sunday afternoon we cruised 90 miles across beautiful Ohio country side, returning along Route 250 from Wooster, Ohio where the 20th anniversary of the Buckeye Book Fair was held. Rubbing elbows with other Ohio writers at Ohio's biggest literary event was exciting, at times intimidating, and often eye-opening.

On Saturday morning before the doors opened at 9:30, I toured the Fisher Auditorium to see the wide variety of books on sale. After glimpsing the offerings, I wondered how my novel, Murder at Whalehead, made it through the selection process. Most of the books were beautifully designed with eye-catching colors--easy to see that professional graphic artists had exercised their creative powers. A couple of authors told me that to be approved by the BBF steering committee was quite an honor because many books are turned down.

Once the doors opened the day whirled by. I was amazed at the number of customers interested in my novels. Many had read about the plots in the brochure and wanted copies of both books. Others were familiar with Martins Ferry and were interested in reading about The Healing Place. Quite a few were Outer Banks regulars and were anxious to read a murder mystery set at their favorite vacation spot. One patron explained that he loved to read books set in real places that he could one day visit. I told him to stop by the Ohio Valley after reading The Healing Place and I would show him the Chair. Of course, I warned him not to sit on it at midnight.

All in all it was a great experience. It would be neat to return there and do it again some day. Who knows? If I publish The First Shall Be Last next year, maybe they will invite me back. Until then I'll keep plugging away at marketing and writing.

Talk to you later,

Joe C. Ellis

CLICK HERE to view video trailer for Murder at Whalehead
Link to front cover: CLICK HERE (Click on cover to enlarge)
Link to back cover: CLICK HERE (Click on cover to enlarge)
Link to first eleven chapters:CLICK HERE
Visit my website at http://www.joecellis.com/

THE BUCKEYE BOOK FAIR

The Buckeye Book Fair, Ohio's largest literary event, has posted its authors' information, pics, and floor plan layout for this year's event scheduled for November 3 at the Ohio State University Branch in Wooster, Ohio.

Here's the link to the authors' directory. It's in alphabetical order, so check for me under the "E"s. http://www.buckeyebookfair.com/authors.pdf
You'll notice lots of great writers listed with a wide variety of books offered.

I'm excited about the possibility of meeting other Ohio writers, signing and selling my novels, and helping to raise funds for literacy in Ohio.

Being one of the biggest book fairs in the country, the Buckeye Book Fair welcomes thousands of people who purchase lots of books. I have no idea how many will sell.

Let's hope a bunch!

Talk to you later,

Joe C. Ellis

CLICK HERE to view video trailer for Murder at Whalehead
Link to front cover: CLICK HERE (Click on cover to enlarge)
Link to back cover: CLICK HERE (Click on cover to enlarge)
Link to first eleven chapters:CLICK HERE
Visit my website at http://www.joecellis.com/

THE HEALING PLACE -- Now Available

The second edition of my first novel, The Healing Place -- Prequel to Murder at Whalehead is now available from Lulu.com! Here's the link:

http://www.lulu.com/content/1143877

If you enjoyed Murder at Whalehead, you'll like the prequel. The story involves the families from Murder at Whalehead, the Butlers and Mulligans, and occurs six years before. Here's a bit of a preview:

In this prequel to his popular novel, Murder at Whalehead, author Joe C. Ellis draws from his experiences growing up in the river town of Martins Ferry, Ohio and the legends surrounding the community. Scotch Ridge is a safe haven from the world until the day Nathan Kyler moves into the shack by the creek. Elijah Mulligan, a leader in the community, does not trust him. Reverend Byron Butler tries to befriend him. But Kyler is obsessed with a diabolical vision--human sacrifice. Who is the focus of Kyler's obsession? Christine Butler, the preacher's daughter. In the graveyard of the Scotch Ridge Presbyterian Church is a monument known as "The Chair." Some say the monument is cursed--if you sit on it at midnight you will die within 24 hours. The day after Christine Butler sits on "The Chair" she disappears. A mile from the church, deep in the Appalachian woods is a place Elijah Mulligan calls "The Healing Place." It is here something incredicble happens.

"Beautifully written!"

Rev. Dr. R.L. Croker

"Characters drawn with strong, almost visual brush strokes, draw the reader into a story that is both very real while at times almost surrealistic. Ellis has created a novel of suspense with a storyteller's grasp of detail. "

Donna Swanson, nationally award winning poet

"Ellis's style quickly captures the reader and keeps them hanging on until the finale."

V.R. Falcone

The first edition of The Healing Place sold out about two years ago. This past summer I rewrote the second edition. The writing is much improved. My printer and online distributer, Lightning Source, is in the process of approving the book block and cover design. For now, though, it is available from Lulu.com. It should be up on Amazon.com in about two to three weeks.

Talk to you later,

Joe C. Ellis

CLICK HERE to view video trailer for Murder at Whalehead

Link to front cover: CLICK HERE (Click on cover to enlarge)

Link to back cover: CLICK HERE (Click on cover to enlarge)

Link to first eleven chapters:CLICK HERE

Visit my website at http://www.joecellis.com/