Wishing everyone a happy holiday season.

The good news is that my novel, THE REJECTION LETTER is currently at no 6 on amazons list of best sellers in the romance category.
I plan to soon do a series of interviews with my characters, so stay tuned.



Johnny Ray

this is a video I think you will enjoy.

THE HERITAGE is one of my latest novels and I thought everyone might like a look at the opening of the book. I hope you like it and see more at the amazon site.

Available on Kindle now

http://www.amazon.com/The-Rejection-Letter-ebook/dp/B0069S80AE




THE HERITAGE is a 55,000 word novel based in New York City. KRISTINA SUTHERLAND learns she‟s pregnant, but how? She couldn‟t remember having sex with anyone for a long time. Her only explanation—a date rape drug. The problem: it happened onboard the corporate yacht attended by every member of the board of directors, older men and friends of her family. Still, the test strip didn‟t lie. And now, someone wants her to have an abortion to end the scandal and would do anything necessary to make sure she either complies or dies before giving birth.

An insider, the head of security for Lyon International soon offers her the best chance in surviving and discovering the truth. But SHAWN DAVIS has his own deep secrets to hide. While his grandfather, Brent Lyon is the chairman of the board he had tossed Shawn and his mother to the curb when he was born. His mother had refused to have an abortion, a decision Shawn obviously felt thankful for. This time, however, Shawn can make a difference, especially when Kristina needs someone to believe in her, to be her champion.

THE HERITAGE
BY
JOHNNY RAY
Chapter 1
A tingling sensation ravaged Kristina Sutherland‟s body as she waited for the colors to change on the test strip. Damn, she couldn‟t be pregnant. How? She hadn‟t been with a guy for months now. Still, she never missed her period before. A spinning numbness clouded her thoughts as she studied the blue strip indicating a positive response.

She needed help, but knew all she would receive was criticism. Yes, she loved to party, but she wasn‟t stupid. This couldn‟t be happening to her. Facing her mother would be the hardest part. She could imagine the headlines as Barbara Sutherland, one of the top socialites in New York City had to explain how her daughter got knocked up.

Kristina hid the test kit in a drawer. Her father, Lawson Sutherland would be home soon. She didn‟t want him to know. While her mother would go berserk, but her father would . . . . She squeezed her eyes shut for a moment before shuffled toward her mother‟s activity room where Kristina last saw her painting.

The perspiration coating her body turned to a bitter chill. She shut the door on the way in as her mother studied the way she could barely walk, much less stand.
Barbara turned and lowered her paint brush. “What is it?”

“You‟re not going to like this.” Kristina struggled to find a seat as her legs failed her and her mother rushed to her aid.

“Here.” Barbara tossed papers and small boxes out of the seat and onto the floor. “Let me help you. Kristina, you look sick.”

“I feel like I‟m going to pass out.” Kristina realized she might lose her lunch any moment.

Her mother knelt beside her and squeezed her hand. “You feel sweaty. What‟s going on with you?”

Kristina cried, as she lowered her head. Each loud expression of sorrow released one wave of embarrassment after another. “Mother. I‟m pregnant.”

“Pregnant! What? Are you sure?”

“I know. I just took a test. I missed my period and I never ever miss one.”
Kristina felt her mother pull her head into her bosom. Good, she needed support and not criticism. However, she knew it would come soon enough.

The patience of her mother shocked her. She never reacted like this with her before. It wasn‟t her temperament. “I‟m sorry, mother.”

“I‟ll take care of you, baby. I think I know what you‟re going through. I‟m here for you.”

Kristina raised her head to face her mother. “Please, don‟t tell Dad.”

“He‟ll have to know soon enough.”

“I know. But I don‟t know who the father is, and I know he‟ll want to know.”

“I see. It shouldn‟t be too hard to figure how which guy did this to you.”

“Mother, you don‟t understand. I haven‟t had sex with anyone in a long time.”

“Well apparently you have.”

“That‟s why I‟m upset. I don‟t remember anyone. It has been at least four months ago.”

Her mother offered a smile. “Then perhaps the test was wrong. We need to have you looked at by a good doctor.”

“Yes, I want to see someone good, but I don‟t think there‟s any doubt. I need to know what happened to me. I only have one possible explanation.”

“Which is?”

“I‟m thinking someone may have taken advantage of me when I passed out from drinking too much one night.”

“Which night?” Her mother‟s mouth opened wide. “This sounds like rape. Are you sure?”
“No, I‟m not, but I don‟t have any other explanations.” Kristina forced her attention on the night aboard the company yacht. She remembered the heavy drinking, and the partying later, but nothing else until she woke late the next day. “Mom, I really need to do some thinking before I say anything.”

“I think you‟re hiding something. You know you can tell me.”

In a way she knew she needed her mother‟s help, but also how she might explode, accusing others with no proof. She had to think about it. She needed to be alone and concentrate. Perhaps even ask some questions of others who were onboard. Yes, maybe even find someone who could do an investigation for her—discretely.

As Kristina mind raced from one thought to another, her mother regained her normal mannerism of arrogance and pride she had been breed with—something Kristina fought every day with. She didn‟t want to become like her mother. Her father‟s wealth provided her with all of the physical luxury they could ever want, but also saddled them with a need to protect their image from those intent to ruin it in any kind of scandal. So was the life of the high society elite in New York City.

“I can tell you‟re not mentally able to handle this right now. I think I have no choice but to help you.”

“Mom, you mean control me. Don‟t worry; I don‟t plan to let the world know what happen until I have more answers.” Kristina rubbed her eyes. “I need to be alone for a while and think.”

“I do hope you have some smarts about you. But, we do need to get to the bottom of this as fast as we can.”

“For now, I need to lie down and rest. I know I need to eat something, and will force myself to later. However, I want to be left alone.” Before her mother could respond, Kristina walked out of the room and rushed to her own. She had to concentrate on what she needed to do. She wanted a best friend; someone who really cared about her. Unfortunately, all of the people she had around her insisted on partying all of the time. They would find this hilarious and their ridicule was definitely not what she needed now.

SEE MORE ON KINDLE INCLUDING REVIEWS

http://www.amazon.com/The-Rejection-Letter-ebook/dp/B0069S80AE

Merry Christmas to all

Please see my author page for updates on my novels. And please give me your feedback on my hook I am using in my current advertising.

Just asking--After sleeping with a literary agent shouldn’t you receive more than a standard form rejection letter? http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0069S80AE

THE REJECTION LETTER

THE REJECTION LETTER
FREE GIVEAWAY TO CONTINUE

To continue with the season of giving back to the reader, I will give away one copy of THE REJECTION LETTER every day until Christmas. These free copies will be selected from people signing up for my newsletter. The form to do so is on the side of this blog.

From my family to yours, I hope everyone has a great Christmas season.

JOHNNY RAY

THE REJECTION LETTER
3 FREE E-BOOKS TO BE GIVEN AWAY TODAY
LEAVE A COMMENT TO BE IN THE DRAWING

REJECTIONS
EVERYONE RECEIVES THEM

I don't think anyone enjoys them. What has been your way of dealing with them? What is the most amusing or funny rejection who ever received? What advice can you offer others on accepting it and moving on?

Since rejections go both ways, how do you prepare someone for a rejection? When is a little white lie better than the truth? Or, how do you make it sound not so bad? What is your advice on someone faced with having to give a rejection to someone?

I look forward to seeing everyone's opinion. And good luck on the drawing for a copy of THE REJECTION LETTER.

JOHNNY RAY

THE REJECTION LETTER
EARN A FREE SMASHWWORD COPY
OFFER ENDS DECEMBER 3, 2011

ARE YOU AN ASPIRING ACTOR OR ACTRESS?
DO YOU NEED SOME EXPOSURE IN SHOWCASING YOUR DRAMATIC ABILITIES?
DO YOU ENJOY YOU TUBE?
GOOD!
HERE IS THE DEAL

VIDEO RECORD YOUR BEST READING OF MY OPENING SCENE WHICH IS ABOUT TWO PAGES AND PUT IT ON YOU TUBE. THEN SIMPLY NOTIFY ME IN THE COMMENTS BELOW WHERE I CAN FIND IT, AND WHERE TO SEND YOU THE CODE TO RECEIVE YOUR FREE COPY. AT THE BEGINNING OF THE READING, PLEASE ADD THAT MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND ON THIS SITE WHICH IS WWW.SIRJOHN.US. BY ENTERING THIS PROMOTIONAL GIVEAWAY, YOU AGREE THAT THIS IS THE ONLY COMPENSATION YOU WILL RECEIVE AND WILL DO YOUR BEST TO PORTRAY THIS SCENE AS IT IS INTENDED. ANY FURTHER USE OF THIS COPYRIGHT MATERIAL IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

THAT'S IT.
OKAY, HERE ARE THE OPENING PAGES.

THE REJECTION LETTER

JOHNNY RAY


CHAPTER 1

He envisioned his own tombstone:

Michael Lloyd

Literary Agent Extraordinaire

Killed in the Line of Duty

Damn, he knew he could die any minute. A blurred object mere inches in front of his eyes materialized, as a flash of light reflected from the cold steel. Focusing on the razored edge of the curved knife ascending into a sharp tip designed to kill, he stopped breathing. His body stiffened, and froze solid where he sat with his back against a hard cold wall. He felt scared any movement might further agitate his attacker. The pain radiating from the back of his battered head dulled his vision and his thoughts. A wire tying his hands together cut into his skin, increasing the unbearable terror ravaging his body.
He inhaled the smell of blood and sweat as he gazed into the darkness, hoping to gain his bearings. Again a fist smashed into his forehead, slamming the back of his head into the wall behind him as the world faded. He fought his way back to life, only to stare into the slicing blade carving the side of his face.
“DAMNNNNN!” His voice erupted and echoed off nearby walls and in his head. The pain shattered the remaining will to remain still. He struck out with his head, his arms, and his legs. In return the hand slammed his head back against the wall again.
He forced his way back into reality as the warm blood flowed from his face. “What do you want from me?”
“Satisfaction.”
“Satisfaction for what?”
“Ruining my life, that’s what!”
Another slice sheared off an ear.
“OHHH SHIT, stop, please stop. I’ll give you anything you want—anything.”
“That’s impossible.”
The knife retreated as a face leaned forward, one he recognized only so slightly.
“You? Why you crazy—.”
A vicious kick to his crotch blasted his tortured soul to new levels. “Oh God, why me? Stop, please stop.”
“I know you think you have the balls to do what you want. Being a literary agent doesn’t make you God—you stupid bastard.”
The next kick to his crotch made his stomach deliver its contents to his throat. The bitter taste forced a gagging convulsion. He knew then he was going to die soon. “I’m sorry. I’m—.”
“You should’ve thought about your actions earlier.”
Another punch to the face bounced his head off the concrete wall. Thoughts of his life rushed forward to fill in the fading minutes. Would his life end like this? His family, his agency, his friends, his clients—what would happen to them? His world collapsed as the remaining blood drained from his body.

BLACK FRIDAY
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THE HERITAGE

GO TO SMASHWORDS AND USE COUPON CODE ty34v

THE REJECTION LETTER
Go to Smashwords and use coupon code NR35X

REJECTIONS



We all get them. Some are personal and some are professional. While some hurt, others can be helpful, as in helpful criticism, in knowing what to change. Knowing which kind of rejection one is receiving can also be critical in knowing how to accept it. The person giving it can also affect the way it is perceived. A rejection form a close personal friend can be much different than from a total stranger.
And, of course, everyone reacts differently to a rejection. The feelings of depression in one might be the same as revenge in another person. One person can become very vocal and another sulk and never let anyone else know how they were hurt.
It is much different when someone rejects you as a person than when they reject something you recommended, which could be based simply on a business decision. The rejection could be everything to do with you, or it could be nothing to do with you and simply could be the idea itself did not convince someone else that it was right for them.
For those with bipolar disorder, you might see one reaction at one time and a totally different response at another time. Yes, bipolar has many ranges. A mild case would be much different from a severe one.
They say time is the big healer. In regards to rejections, it is absolutely true. In fact, at a later date, it is sometimes comical when you look back at the events.
Since I am a writer and many of my friends are writers, we tend to concentrate on rejection letters. Many people keep them in stacks to remind them of what they had to go through—as if some kind of martyr syndrome. Still, it is good to get them out and have a good laugh form time to time.
I remember waiting on the response to a submission to one publisher for a very long time. Finally I sent a follow up. My submission had been lost. Several months later, I did get a response on the follow up—my manuscript had been forwarded to another editor—problem solved—no. The rejection stated that they did not feel like my work was appropriate for their line. Do what? I wrote a very hot love story which was exactly what they publish. Then I saw the line which the editor worked for at the publishing house—the inspirational one. Yes, I guess it didn’t fit, but she is not the one I sent it to either.
It is also important to consider what the person giving the rejection is going through. If that person gives rejections all of the time they would act different from someone who seldom does it.
In my novel the rejection letter, the story is meant to entertain and is not based on any specific story of a rejection letter I received. I have many friends who are literary agents which I highly respect. Still, I know they will never handle such a story as a serial killer who stalks literary agents. My novel, THW REJECTION LETTER, however, explores the world of the literary agent, the large publishing houses, and the inner story of one young woman’s fight to overcome her bipolar disorder while learning a little about life, love, and finding her own sanity in the process.
I know everyone has their own stories to tell about being rejected. I would love some feedback after you have read my novel. And, of course, reviews are always welcome. I do a number of interviews and hope to have a list of where I will be and what blogs I visit on blog tours. So, please follow this site and subscript to it.

I am proud to announce that my novel, THE REJECTION LETTER, was released last week and is available on kindle
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0069S80AE
and on smashwords
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/106185
Also, check my blog at www.sirjohn.us for more information.
To someone else, the rejection letter might be perceived as a simple piece of correspondence. But when Amy, who suffers from bipolar disorder receives a form rejection letter from Edward, an agent she had an affair with at a recent convention, she takes the rejection as both personal and professional—in short—a declaration of war.

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/106185
PLEASE GO TO https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/106185 TO PURCHASE


THE REJECTION LETTER

This is available on smashwords for purchase now, please go to https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/106185 for more details.

To someone else, the rejection letter might be perceived as a simple piece of correspondence. But when Amy, who suffers from bipolar disorder receives a form rejection letter from Edward, an agent she had an affair with at a recent convention, she takes the rejection as both personal and professional—in short—a declaration of war.
Amy quickly embarks on a plan to get revenge by destroying Edward’s literary agency. However, Amy is soon not the one to be feared the most. Her actions create a copycat, a serial killer, who targets literary agents and viciously murders them. Living with the knowledge she has created a monster, a serial killer, is one thing, while doing nothing to stop the madness is another. But how could she track down a killer when she has no training in such? Thinking like a mad man might be the only way—but could she go there and survive herself?
When the winds of fate rekindle the romance with Edward, thus making him the next target—she really has no choice but to help the FBI. But will she be too late?

I am looking for established book reviewers with a blog or a web site to help me promote this book. If interested, please e-mail be at sirjohn@wwisp.com

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/106185
PLEASE GO TO https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/106185 TO PURCHASE

THE HERITAGE HAS A NEW COVER!



I hope you want to check it out. Please go here to see more

COMING SOON
I am working on final arrangements to have my next book released next week. THE REJECTION LETTER is a romantic thriller that I think many people will enjoy. I had to give everyone an advanced look at the cover. Please tell me what you think. I will have more news shortly on the book release soon. I hope everyone wants to celebrate this event with me.

My latest release.

I finally have my novel THE HERITAGE up on Smashword, kindle, and Barnes and Noble.

FIRST
RAPED—IMPREGNATED—DISGRACED

NEXT
A KILLER WANTS TO STOP THE BABY FROM BEING BORN AND
DISCLOSING THE FATHER

FINALLY
A WEDDING—A BABY—A HERITAGE

HOW?
PREPARE FOR SOME PLOT TWIST IN ONE OF THE BEST ROMANTIC THRILLER OF THE YEAR


New York City socialite Kristina Sutherland, the daughter of legendary Lawson Sutherland, a top executive with Lyon International discovers she’s pregnant, but doesn’t remember having sex for a long time. While contemplating an abortion she bumps into and confides in Shawn Davis, the head of security at Lyon International and asks him to take her to an abortion clinic out of the city for consultation, making him promise to keep any details in confidence. While she realizes she needs him as a bodyguard to keep the press away and guard her privacy she also knows he has a loyalty conflict due to his position in the corporation. Shawn provides security to the company elite and their families. Desperate, she knows no one else to turn to that she trusts.
Shawn is the secret grandson of Brent Lyon, the chairman of the board of Lyon International. After Brent asks Shawn to come to his office they talk about their past and how Brent regrets his earlier decisions. Brent had disowned his daughter, Shawn’s mother when she ran off with a want-to-be rock star. She had raised Shawn on her own until she died a few years earlier. Brent had invited Shawn back into his life only after her death, and only to a small degree which had to remain a secret to avoid scandals which could ruin the corporation.

READING ROMANCES
I think there is one name that says romance better than any other--Harlequin
It is great to save money and I hope my friends do that with this coupon below.