The First Shall Be Last -- Chapter Four

Chapter Four of The First Shall Be Last is now posted. Hope you're enjoying the early stages of the novel.

I received my first check from my NC distributor yesterday. She is excited about the upcoming season on the Outer Banks and hopes for great book sales. I will be preparing for the second printing of Murder at Whalehead in the near future or perhaps working out a publishing deal with a North Carolina publisher. In the meantime, I'm hoping to work hard on The First Shall Be Last so the book will be ready for publication by late May.

Here's the link to check out the first four chapters: Click Here

Let me know what you think. Email me or post a comment:

joecellis@comcast.net

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/

My Father's World War II Memoirs

Tomorrow marks the anniversary of the death of my father, James Edward Ellis. I based my latest novel, The First Shall Be Last, on his World War II memoirs. In honor of the anniversary of his death, I am posting his memoirs online. About ten years ago when my dad was in his mid seventies, I asked him to sit down with me and record everything he could remember about the war. It took over six hours of recording, but eventually we got it all down. When I transposed his oral history into written words, I tried to remain true to his speech patterns and vocabulary. The result was an amazing bit of storytelling from my father. I think you will find his memoirs both educational and entertaining. He had a way with drawing a listener into his story and maintaining their attention. Dad was a Marine Scout and fought in four major battles in the Pacific Theater. He was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in battle on Okinawa.

If you like World War II history, I think you will enjoy his memoirs. Heres the link:

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

To check out the first few chapters of my latest novel, The First Shall Be Last, click on the link below:

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

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 First Shall Be Last -- Chapter Three

This has been a hectic week. We've opened our new schools at Martins Ferry atop the Appalachian foothills overlooking the beautiful Ohio River. The local newspaper called the high school/middle school the "The Purple Palace." It is quite magnificent. I'm guessing it would rival any school in Ohio as far as aesthetic appearance and state-of-the-art technology. I've worked hard all week unloading nearly 100 boxes of art room supplies and equipment. Both students and faculty are looking forward to experiencing this new educational setting.

I did get a chance to post Chapter 3 of The First Shall Be Last. I've noticed quite a few people have stopped by the blog to read the first couple of chapters. Check this new chapter out and let me know what you think.

Here's the link to the first three chapters:
http://www.joecellis.com/The_First_Shall_Be_Last.htm

You can post a comment or send me an email: joecellis@comcast.net

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 First Shall Be Last - Chapter Two

I hope everyone had a great time over the holidays. All three of our kids came home and brought either a boyfriend, girlfriend, or spouse with them. We had a great time playing Wii, watching movies, and just enjoying each other's company. By New Year's Eve they had all taken off again, so Judy and I relaxed and shared a quiet evening together trying to stay awake 'til midnight.

I received an email from a reader today who just finished The Healing Place and Murder at Whalehead. Here's what she had to say: I finally got the chance to sit down and read this week. I just want you to know that I became completely involved in the stories and couldn't put either book down. I liked following the characters into a second book. I read last night until 1:30 am and nearly finished Murder at Whalehead but knew I had to get some rest. I really had a hard time sleeping because I couldn't get my mind off the story. I just finished the book and now wish there was more to read. I loved the characters and hope to see them again in the future. Keep up the good work. I truly loved both books and will definitely suggest reading them to all my reading friends.

I love those kinds of emails. Word of mouth is the best advertising.

I've noticed a lot of people have stopped by the blog this week. I hope you've read the first chapter of The First Shall Be Last. I hope to post a chapter every Sunday evening for the next several months. Let me know if you find any mistakes or what you think about the story so far. I hope to have the novel ready for publishing by the end of May.

Here's the link to the first two chapters:
http://www.joecellis.com/The_First_Shall_Be_Last.htm

You can post a comment or send me an email: joecellis@comcast.net

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/