Tag Archives: Gerald Everett Jones

Harry Harambee’s Kenyan Sundowner Blitz

 

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Harry Harambee's Kenyan Sundowner cover

A Novel

Literary Fiction

 

Publisher: LaPuerta Books and Media

Awarded So Cal Publicists Best Literary Fiction, Best Indie 100, NYC Big Book Silver, NABE Pinnacle Best Literary Fiction, FAPA President’s Bronze Adult Fiction.

Intrigue on the white sands of the Indian Ocean.

Aldo Barbieri, a slick Italian tour operator, convinces Harry to join a group of adventuresome “voluntourists.” In a resort town on the Indian Ocean, Harry doesn’t find the promised excitement with local ladies. But in the supermarket he meets Esther Mwemba, a demure widow who works as a bookkeeper. The attraction is strong and mutual, but Harry gets worried when he finds out that Esther and Aldo have a history. They introduce him to Victor Skebelsky, rumored to be the meanest man in town. Skebelsky has a plan to convert his grand colonial home and residential compound into a rehab center – as a tax dodge. The scheme calls for Harry to head up the charity. He could live like a wealthy diplomat and it won’t cost him a shilling! Harry has to come to terms with questions at the heart of his character: Is corruption a fact of life everywhere? Is all love transactional? Harry Harambee’s Kenyan Sundowner is an emotional story of expat intrigue in Africa, reminiscent of The Heart of the Matter by Graham Greene and The Constant Gardener by John le Carré.

Praise for Harry Harambee’s Kenyan Sundowner:

“Harry Harambee’s Kenyan Sundowner is a captivating, witty read that explores the sociopolitical climate in Kenya in an honest way that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. This is a clear and compelling outlook that realistically paints Kenya while exploring glaring issues that are a bane to the country. When Harry decides to stop being a bystander who lets other people decide his fate, it’s noteworthy. This can be equated to Kenyans finally deciding to take responsibility rather than just going with the flow, waiting for decisions that affect their lives to be made for them. And it can be done without selling one’s soul in the process and leave a legacy and a better country worthy of its name.” – Desmond Boi, Editorial Writer, The Standard and Citizen TV, Nairobi

“Jones writes with clarity and precision, offering a convincing study of a man taking risks and exploring new relationships with an almost childlike view on the world he’s thrown into. In relatable fashion, Harry soon gets in over his head for the attention of a woman or the thrill of the deal. Esther sums up his character best: “Mister go-along. The fellow who’s happy to ride in the back and look out the window.” Readers looking for engaging contemporary fiction with an emotionally available adult male lead–“Grand passion is fleeting, also blinding,” Harry notes — will quickly be pulled into Harry’s fast-paced adventure, a memorable (literal) vacation read.” – BookLife Reviews

“I lived in East Africa for five months. In Kenya this included Nairobi and a village on the banks of Lake Victoria. Reading this novel brought back vivid, exhilarating memories. It so accurately captures the people and the social milieu of this fascinating part of the world, no praise would be sufficient. The story is so starkly real, at times I thought I was Harry! Yes, it’s an adventure. It’s an education. It’s a literary delight!” – John Rachel, author of Live from Japan! and nine novels.

“Gerald Everett Jones’s experience-based tale of Kenya’s growth in a rapidly changing world is done with care and affection. Wonderfully entertaining, decorated with interesting facts, this tale acknowledges the hopes of past and present, along with warmth for the future. Virtual tourism which will make you long to share the experience yourself.” – Edgar Scott, author of 418: I Am a Teapot

“I was concerned that working halfway across the world, Mr. Jones’s fiction might take a hit, but from the shores of Kenya to the stores of the Santa Monica Promenade Jones does not miss a step. All is well. Buy the book.” – Morrie Ruvinsky, author of Meeting God or Something Like It and The Heart and Other Strangers

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Excerpt

 

Harry Gardner, who thought his given name “Harrison” much too formal, did not consider himself an immoral man. His shrink, if he still had one, would say he was on a therapeutic quest. The more generous of his peers in the golf-club locker room would say he was taking a much-deserved breather. But he had to admit, at least to himself, that his intention in going to East Africa was to engage in illicit activities, although he had only a vague idea of what those activities might involve.

~~~

As he sat at the bar in the Tiki Lounge in Diani Beach, just a short walk from the white sand, Harry wondered whether he’d been betrayed. Aldo was supposed to meet him here, and the fellow was more than an hour overdue. Granted that appointments in Kenya are more good intentions than hard deadlines, Aldo’s client expected to get what he’d paid for. The trip package had been prepaid, as was customary, and so far all the bookings had been solid and the accommodations sumptuous. Harry doubted whether Aldo had absconded with any funds. But this was wary Harry’s first venture offshore in a lifetime, and part of the deal was supposed to be Aldo’s companionship and watchful guidance.

Harry would later learn that Aldo was in Mombasa meeting with an attorney, David Odiengo. Since Esther was in Mombasa as well, did they meet? Were they somehow working together? On what? And for whom? These became questions that nagged at him.

About the Author

Gerald Everett Jones

Gerald Everett Jones obtained his Bachelor of Arts with Honors from the College of Letters, Wesleyan University. He is the author of ten novels, most recently the mystery-thriller series “Preacher Finds a Corpse” and “Preacher Fakes a Miracle,” as well as the psychological literary novel “Clifford’s Spiral.” He wrote a series of three satiric Rollo Hemphill misadventures, the adult melodrama “Christmas Karma,” the crime story “Choke Hold,” the father-son comedy “Mr. Ballpoint,” and the historical thriller “Bonfire of the Vanderbilts.” He coauthored the nonfiction memoir “The Light in His Soul: Lessons from My Brother’s Schizophrenia.” He has also written more than 25 nonfiction books on business and technical subjects and is an award-winning screenwriter. He is a member of the Writers Guild of America, Women’s National Book Association, Dramatists Guild, and the Independent Writers of Southern California. His business title “How to Lie with Charts” has become something of a classic on the subject of presentation design.

He is the host of the GetPublished! Radio show.

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Harry Harambee’s Kenyan Sundowner Virtual Book Tour

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Harry Harambee's Kenyan Sundowner cover

 

A Novel

 

Literary Fiction

Date Published: 6/29/2021

Publisher: La Puerta Productions

 

 

Intrigue on the white sands of the Indian Ocean. From the award-winning author of Clifford’s Spiral.

A lonely widower from Los Angeles buys a tour package to East Africa on the promise of hookups and parties. What he finds instead are new reasons to live.

Aldo Barbieri, a slick Italian tour operator, convinces Harry to join a group of adventuresome “voluntourists.” In a resort town on the Indian Ocean, Harry doesn’t find the promised excitement with local ladies. But in the supermarket he meets Esther Mwemba, a demure widow who works as a bookkeeper. The attraction is strong and mutual, but Harry gets worried when he finds out that Esther and Aldo have a history. They introduce him to Victor Skebelsky, rumored to be the meanest man in town. Skebelsky has a plan to convert his grand colonial home and residential compound into a rehab center – as a tax dodge. The scheme calls for Harry to head up the charity. He could live like a wealthy diplomat and it won’t cost him a shilling!

Harry has to come to terms with questions at the heart of his character: Is corruption a fact of life everywhere? Is all love transactional?

Harry Harambee’s Kenyan Sundowner is an emotional story of expat intrigue in Africa, reminiscent of The Heart of the Matter by Graham Greene and The Constant Gardener by John le Carré.

Praise for Clifford’s Spiral (Independent Press Awards 2020 Distinguished Favorite in Literary Fiction)

We’ve seen and noted the comparison of this author by other reviewers to literary giants like Roth and Vonnegut. And we can’t disagree. Yet we feel there may be yet another strata for Gerald Everett Jones, who arguably is doing the best work of his career. We predict that he lacks only a mention in the The New York Review of Books or, better yet, Oprah, to become a nationwide best-selling author. Five-plus stars to Clifford’s Spiral, a true literary novel if ever there was one. We say in all seriousness that if you only read one novel this year, this should be it. – Don Sloan, Publishers Daily Reviews

Preacher Finds a Corpse (NYC Big Book Awards 2020 Winner in Mystery, IPA 2020 Distinguished Favorite in Mystery, Eric Hoffer 2020 Finalist in Mystery)

This is literature masquerading as a mystery. Carefully yet powerfully, Gerald Jones creates a small, stunning world in a tiny midwestern town, infusing each character with not just life but wit, charm, and occasionally menace. This is the kind of writing one expects from John Irving or Jane Smiley.

– Marvin J. Wolf, author of the Rabbi Ben Mysteries, including A Scribe Dies in Brooklyn.

Harry Harambee's Kenyan Sundowner tablet

Excerpt

On  the  third  day  of  his  visit  to  this  beach  town,  Harry  met Esther  in  the  checkout  line  of  the  Chandarana store.  He  and  Aldo  were  on  a  morning  errand  scrounging  liquor  and snacks  for  their  hotel  rooms.  Aldo  was  still  browsing  the  wine  selections. He drank wine like it was water, but he insisted it be Italian or at worst  French  and  never,  unless  there  was  absolutely  no  choice,  South African. (“Troppo forte,” he would say with a sneer.) She  was  buying  milk  and  bread.  She  spoke first,  looked  down  at the items in Harry’s cart and quipped, “I hope that’s not breakfast.” Harry smiled and shot back, “I don’t have anyone to tell me whatnot  to  do.  Besides,  I  think  there’s  soccer  tonight.  Excuse  me, football. It’s a lot cheaper than room service when we’re watching TV.” She  laughed  and  said,  “Honey,  the  only  TV  that  gets  the  movies and the games is going to be in the lounge. And there it’s definitely not bring-your-own. And the one in your room? Channel One only. Clips from today’s speeches in the National Assembly and some gospel choir! You only #ip that on so you can fall asleep.” He  was  struck  by  how  pretty  she  was.  And  how  relaxed.  It  was uncharacteristically brave of him to come back with, “You got a better idea?”

Gerald Everett Jones

 

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Harry Harambee’s Kenyan Sundowner Blitz

Harry Harambee's Kenyan Sundowner banner

 

Harry Harambee's Kenyan Sundowner cover

 

A Novel

 

Literary Fiction

Date Published: 6/29/2021

Publisher: La Puerta Productions

 

 

Intrigue on the white sands of the Indian Ocean. From the award-winning author of Clifford’s Spiral.

A lonely widower from Los Angeles buys a tour package to East Africa on the promise of hookups and parties. What he finds instead are new reasons to live.

Aldo Barbieri, a slick Italian tour operator, convinces Harry to join a group of adventuresome “voluntourists.” In a resort town on the Indian Ocean, Harry doesn’t find the promised excitement with local ladies. But in the supermarket he meets Esther Mwemba, a demure widow who works as a bookkeeper. The attraction is strong and mutual, but Harry gets worried when he finds out that Esther and Aldo have a history. They introduce him to Victor Skebelsky, rumored to be the meanest man in town. Skebelsky has a plan to convert his grand colonial home and residential compound into a rehab center – as a tax dodge. The scheme calls for Harry to head up the charity. He could live like a wealthy diplomat and it won’t cost him a shilling!

Harry has to come to terms with questions at the heart of his character: Is corruption a fact of life everywhere? Is all love transactional?

Harry Harambee’s Kenyan Sundowner is an emotional story of expat intrigue in Africa, reminiscent of The Heart of the Matter by Graham Greene and The Constant Gardener by John le Carré.

Praise for Clifford’s Spiral (Independent Press Awards 2020 Distinguished Favorite in Literary Fiction)

We’ve seen and noted the comparison of this author by other reviewers to literary giants like Roth and Vonnegut. And we can’t disagree. Yet we feel there may be yet another strata for Gerald Everett Jones, who arguably is doing the best work of his career. We predict that he lacks only a mention in the The New York Review of Books or, better yet, Oprah, to become a nationwide best-selling author. Five-plus stars to Clifford’s Spiral, a true literary novel if ever there was one. We say in all seriousness that if you only read one novel this year, this should be it. – Don Sloan, Publishers Daily Reviews

Preacher Finds a Corpse (NYC Big Book Awards 2020 Winner in Mystery, IPA 2020 Distinguished Favorite in Mystery, Eric Hoffer 2020 Finalist in Mystery)

This is literature masquerading as a mystery. Carefully yet powerfully, Gerald Jones creates a small, stunning world in a tiny midwestern town, infusing each character with not just life but wit, charm, and occasionally menace. This is the kind of writing one expects from John Irving or Jane Smiley.

– Marvin J. Wolf, author of the Rabbi Ben Mysteries, including A Scribe Dies in Brooklyn.

Gerald Everett Jones

 

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Website

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Goodreads

Purchase Link

Amazon

RABT Book Tours & PR

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