I have another great read to share with you. I’m crazy lucky to be associated with such amazing authors at SkipJack Publishing. In 2014, I’d read Ken Oder’s first novel, The Closing, which is an incredible legal thriller.
In 2015, I not only read Ken’s second novel, Old Wounds to the Heart, but we became writing buddies. I now consider him a friend, as well as a colleague. Although we’ve never met in person, I admire him on and off the page, and know you will, too. Ken is talented, funny, and supportive. Plus, he LOVES Pennies from Burger Heaven, which makes him BRILLIANT in my mind. That’s why…
I want to give one lucky winner a free eBook of Old Wounds to the Heart.
I love stories with strong characters and great plots, and Ken’s books have both. I’m impressed how he takes very broken people, then leads them on a path to redemption.
Award-Winning
It’s not just me who loves Old Wounds. It’s raked in several awards this year. Why? Because it’s awesome.
*Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY): 2016 Gold Medalist
*International Book Awards: 2016 Winner Fiction – General and Fiction – Romance
*Amazon Best-Selling Literary Fiction – Romance: March 2016
About Old Wounds
Shenandoah National Park, Thanksgiving Morning, 1967. The morning mists are still rising in Whippoorwill Hollow when two aging friends find themselves staring at each other: one pointing a gun; the other beaten and chained to a tree. Their love for the same woman has buckled under the weight of a long-held secret — until now. Out of the blue mountains of Virginia comes a 1960’s American tale bound with the regrets people carry to their graves and a tumultuous chance at redemption. Three friends decide if their hearts will lock them into old wounds, or lead them to new love.
Here’s the Scoop on Ken Oder
Ken Oder was born in Virginia in the coastal tidewater area near the York and James Rivers, where military installations during World Wars I and II fueled the growth of urban centers like Norfolk, Hampton, and Newport News. His father worked for the Navy Mine Depot in Yorktown and later as a Hudson dealer until he heard his calling to preach. When he became the minister at Mount Moriah Methodist Church in 1960, the family moved to White Hall, Virginia, a farm town of about fifty people at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The mountains and the rural culture were a jarring contrast to the busy coastal plains, but once the shock wore off, Ken came to love it there. The mountains and hollows are spectacularly beautiful. The people are thoughtful, friendly, and quietly courageous. White Hall became his home, and his affection and respect for the area and its people have never left him.
Ken and his wife moved to Los Angeles in 1975, where he practiced law and served as an executive until he retired. They still live near their children and grandchildren in California, but a piece of his heart never left White Hall. That place and time come to life in his stories.
Leave a comment by 6/13/16 and I’ll pick one winner at random to receive a free eBook of Old Wounds to the Heart.
Please leave a comment. Let’s talk.
Pick up your FREE copy today of the mystery, The Moon Rises at Dawn (SkipJack Publishing). Read, enjoy, repeat.
If he loves Pennies and you then I know he must be alright. Sounds like a great book…pick me!!!
Ha, Julie. Your comment made me laugh. I pick the winner through the very old-school method of throwing all the names into a hat and drawing. Very scientific, I know. Hope you’re having a great summer.
i read “Pennies” and loved it. The other book sounds really great, one that I would like to add to my Kindle library.
Yea! I’m glad you loved Pennies. Old Wounds is terrific, too. Totally different, but FABULOUS!
love stories about transitions in location and culture .. yes, to echo julie .. sounds like a great book ..
I love those type books, too, Catharine. Something else I loved about Old Wounds is the characters are older than in most stories. The two friends battling each other are senior citizens and I LOVED THEM. Great stories happen at all stages of life. Thanks for your comment.
Great to have friends who share your interests. Thought of you when I read Ernestine’s obituary.
Hello, sweet, Judy. Thanks for your comment. I didn’t get to go to Mrs. Wakefield’s funeral today and hearing about her death broke my heart. Fourth grade was so very long ago, but I’ll always be grateful to her for instilling in me a love of stories. She was quite a character!
Wow very intriguing and if you recommend it, then I know it’s superb.
Well, you give me too much credit, Tonya, but Old Wounds is a great book. I liked that it was different…a quiet, but powerful book.
It sounds dramatic. I would like to give it a read. I loved Pennies From Burger Heaven and am awaiting the sequel.
Thanks, Tracy. I’m awaiting the sequel for Pennies, too! I wish it’d just magically write itself, but it doesn’t work that way. I have 140 pages, and am chaining myself to my computer this weekend with my family out of town. Wish me luck!
Sounds like a great read, Marcy. Congrats on the graduation, and the hubby turning 50. Welcome to AARP-Land!
Thanks, Sarah. I’m turning 50 in August, so I’ll be in AARP-Land myself. Woohoo. Great to hear from you.
Sounds intriguing. If it is half as good as Pennies From Burger Heaven , it will be a good read. Cheers!
Thanks, Lil. I think you’d enjoy Old Wounds. I’m glad you loved Pennies and appreciate you! 🙂
Sounds like a great story. I read from some writer along the way that you can always find a story by going to a cemetery, reading a tombstone and wondering, “what led this person here?”
Oooooh, Michael. I love that sentiment (you knew I would!). I’ve thought someday it’d be fun to write a novella about the lives of the different graves that Copper mentions: the Unknown Negro, Ilana Sakowitz, etc. Maybe someday…
I always like discovering new books. I work in a small public library and already can think of several customers that will like this one!!
Excellent, Lynn. That makes me all kinds of happy. Libraries are essential to our communities. Bless you for the work you do!
Sounds like a creative and passion filled plot. Can’t wait to read it. Hopefully, I’m the winner.
It is a great story, Rachel. I appreciate you reaching out, and hope you’re doing well.
Sounds like something different than what I usually read. And older characters rock!
I felt the same way, Cindy, and LOVED it Older characters do rock. Great to hear from you.
You’ve got my interest. Intriguing…
I know, Jenifer. It really is a compelling story.
I’m sending you a soft copy of my book MAPLETON. Sequel at my publisher and out soon.
Thanks for thinking of me and CONGRATS on your sequel being @ your publisher’s. Good luck with your launch.
This sounds like an excellent read to break me out of my comfort zone. Would love to read it 🙂
Awesome, Yoanna. Thanks for the comment.
Old Wounds to the Heart sounds like a chronicle of the human condition. I’d love to read it.
That’s an excellent description for the book, Norm. I think you’ll really enjoy it….
This sounds like such a fabulous read.
Great to see you, Mary. It is a wonderful read and I’m delighted to share it with my community. Take care.
I cannot wait to read this book. I have to say I absolutely love the cover of the book. I can just imagine sitting there in that picture, reading, smelling the air and just enjoying the whole scenery. So cool.
Awesome, Julie. I felt the same way about Old Wounds. Ken Oder is just a terrific talent!
Marcy, your book was great…like you! Old Wounds sounds like a good read!
Wow, Kat. Thanks. I wish I could hire you to chant in my ear as I write this second book, “You’re great…you’re great…you’re great!”
HA! I just need to sit my butt down and get some ugly, awful pages written, so I can then pretty it up. Sigh.
I love Pennies. And I love you! Old Wounds sounds a great read and will be added to my ever-growing reading list
I love you, too! Thanks for checking in. I hope you’re writing is going well. Or, at least better than mine!
Hi Marcy. I’ve recently purchased your book, Pennies From Burger Heaven, and I can’t wait to get reading.
I love the blurb for Ken Oder’s book, Old Wounds; it has got me all intrigued, and that’s a book I will be looking out for. I’m also looking forward to your next novel. Carpe Diem.
Carpe Diem back to you, Marian. Thanks for buying Pennies. I hope you enjoy it!
I’ll do just about anything for the chance to read a good book/story for free or whatever BUT Pennies from Heaven was just so realistically horrifying and sad that it made me feel how lucky I am and anyone in a blink of the eye could find themselves in a similar situation. Anyway, enough sad gooey stuff. I completed the book in 3 days only because freaking working got in my way!! Really enjoyed the book and hope to read more of your stories.
Fantastic, Jackie. I can tell you loved Copper Daniels and that makes my heart :). Thanks for the shout out!
Loved Pennies, look forward to loving works of your friend as well
Thanks, Mary. Dick McKay read both of Ken’s book earlier this year and really enjoyed them. I think you will, too.
I loved Pennies from Burger Heaven and Old Wounds to the Heart sounds really interesting. If Ken Oder’s writing style is anything like yours I know I will love it!
Hi Dianna,
I’m so glad you liked Pennies. Thanks! Ken’s “style” isn’t like mine, but we alike in that be both seem to writer character-driven novels…broken people who lead the readers on interesting journeys. Old Wounds is a great book.