Pearl Of Tao Reviews and Blog

Fascinating

2010-02-24T14:54:00.003-05:00

The blue sky, puffy clouds and gently flowing royal palms made for a great day for a outdoor book signing at Annette's Book Nook on Ft. Myers Beach. A grand time was had by all. I met Mary Cartwright. In Beaver Creek, Colorado her daughter purchased a book and I autographed it to Mary. She loved the book and had to meet me! Passersby were told by Mary of the quality of my literary work.
A lady bought a book and walked down to the ice cream shop to start reading it. She came back later having read the first chapter and praised the excitement of it.
I really appreciate the support of the readers, the large numbers of purchasers who bought my book on Monday and the great article by Bob Petcher of the Ft Myers Beach Observer.

BOOK SIGNING FEB 22

2010-02-18T14:20:00.002-05:00

The Florida weather is warming up and I am having a book signing at Annette's Book Nook in Santini Plaza on Ft Myers Beach on Monday Feb 22 from 10 AM until 2 PM. Stop in to see me and chat. It's always good to be at the beach.

FUN ON SANIBEL

2010-01-25T15:34:00.002-05:00

The owners of Island Book Nook, Melanie and Jan were grand hosts for my book signing last week. Their ever vigilant watch dog Shiloh got plenty of attentive pats on the head. The highlight for me was that an old friend Dave Gurney stopped by. Dave is a resident of Sanibel for a number of months every year.

BOOK SIGNINGS IN JANUARY

2009-12-31T14:06:00.003-05:00

I AM HONORED THAT ISLAND BOOK NOOK ON SANIBEL ISLAND IS HOSTING A BOOK SIGNING FOR ME ON WEDNESDAY JANUARY 13 FROM 1:00 PM TO 3:00 PM. ISLAND BOOK NOOK IS LOCATED ON PALM RIDGE ROAD AT PERIWINKLE ACROSS FROM CVS PHARMACY. OWNERS MELANIE AND JAN WIFORD ARE EXCEPTIONAL PEOPLE. STOP IN AND CHAT!
ON FRIDAY JAN. 15 FROM 1:00 PM TO 4:00 PM I WILL BE AT FISHERMAN'S VILLAGE IN PUNTA GORDA. THE SPACIOUS HOOKED ON BOOKS BOOKSTORE IS RIGHT ON THE WATER AND THEIR CREATIVITY IS EPITOMIZED BY THE CLEVER NAME OF THEIR STORE. FISHERMAN'S VILLAGE IS A GREAT PLACE TO SHOP, EAT AND STAY.

A NEW YEAR

2009-12-31T14:01:00.003-05:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE. I AM THANKFUL FOR ALL THE FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHO HAVE BEEN SO KIND TO ME. MY NEWS YEARS RESOLUTION IS TO WORK HARDER TO EARN THE TRUST THAT PEOPLE HAVE PLACED IN ME.

ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS

2009-12-01T14:47:00.002-05:00

I wish everyone a great holiday season and remember the Christian foundation for Christmas. I will be doing book signings on Sanibel and in Punta Gorda in January. In February I'll be doing signings in Colorado and on Ft. Myers Beach.
I am busy at the keyboard working on the sequel to PEARL OF TAO.

BOOK SIGNINGS

2009-10-24T14:31:00.002-04:00

Charlie will be doing a book signing at FISHERMAN'S VILLAGE in Punta Gorda FL Sunday afternoon Nov. 8,2009.
He will also be doing a book signing at ALLIANCE FOR THE ARTS in Ft. Myers on Saturday November 21, 2009
Both signings are affiliated with writers groups so there will be plenty of other great literary works to check out. Both are great opportunities to have a chat with numerous authors.
Possible book signing the weekend of Nov 21-22 at Barnes and Noble Ft. Myers.

CHARLIE A TEACHER?

2009-10-24T14:27:00.002-04:00

Charlie is going to do a little teaching again. He did a program called COURTROOMS TO CLASSROOMS and he also taught students in the paralegal program at Inver Hill College. Now he is doing a couple of short evening programs at ALLIANCE FOR THE ARTS in Ft. Myers.

COLORADO UPDATE

2009-10-24T14:24:00.002-04:00

A grand time was had by all at the book signings at OFF THE BEATEN PATH in Steamboat and at the POSTE MONTANE in Beaver Creek. PEARL OF TAO is now being stocked in 3 independent bookstores in the Colorado Springs area.

STEAMBOAT!!

2009-09-01T21:01:00.003-04:00

I am very excited to announce that I will be doing a reading from PEARL OF TAO and a book signing at OFF THE BEATEN PATH Book Store in Steamboat Springs, Colorado on Sept. 19 starting at 2:00 PM.
I have loved Steamboat and the ski area from the first time Judy and I were there almost 40 years ago. Back then, I bought a cowboy hat at Hartwigs Saddlery on Lincoln Ave(main street) and enjoyed how the American West was blending with international skiers in this unique town. Justifiably, Steamboat has an exciting history from Howelsen Hill and it's long list of fabulous ski jumpers to Billy Kidd,the Olympian, and host of the ski area.
Never to be be forgotten is another Olympian, the man with courage and a heart as big as the West. He died with his ski boots on, Steamboat's own Buddy Werner. His life and his skiing death in an avalanche in Europe makes for a Steamboat tearful smile.
I invite readers to comment on the other great people who have made Steamboat such a dynamic place to be a part of.

BOOK SIGNINGS A SUCCESS

2009-08-30T15:14:00.003-04:00

CHARLIE HAD 4 BOOK SIGNINGS DURING AUGUST AND IS VERY PLEASED WITH THE POSITIVE REACTION. OLD FRIENDS AND NEWCOMERS ARE ENTHRALLED WITH THE BOOK.
THANKS TO ALL INVOLVED INCLUDING RICK OF DUST JACKET BOOKS OF HASTINGS, LESLIE AND DENISE OF THE BEST OF TIMES BOOKSTORE AND ESPECIALLY MARCY OF A NOVEL PLACE.
BOOK SIGNINGS ARE FUN FOR THE AUTHOR AND THE READERS.

FRONT PAGE NEWS

2009-08-30T15:00:00.002-04:00

THE OSSEO MAPLE GROVE PRESS ON AUGUST 19, 2009 RAN A FRONT PAGE FEATURE ARTICLE ABOUT CHARLIE AND PEARL OF TAO. IT INCLUDED A LARGE 4'X3' COLOR PHOTO OF CHARLIE AND REPORTER ASHLEY KLEIN STARTED THE ARTICLE BY WRITING "OSSEO HAS ANOTHER CLAIM TO FAME." THE FRONT PAGE WAS 6 COLUMN INCHES AND THE STORY CONTINUED ON THE INSIDE WITH ANOTHER 12 COLUMN INCHES AND FEATURED THE BOOK COVER. THE SAME EDITION FEATURED A QUARTER PAGE AD PROMOTING THE BOOK SIGNING ON AUGUST 22.
THIS IS THE THIRD ARTICLE THIS MONTH, THE LARGEST BEING 45 COLUMN INCHES IN THE HASTINGS STAR GAZETTE. CHARLIE IS VERY PLEASED WITH THE GREAT COVERAGE HE HAS BEEN GETTING AND WISHES TO THANK THE STAFF OF ALL THREE NEWSPAPERS.

UPCOMING EVENTS

2009-08-06T14:39:00.003-04:00

Charlie has a number of book signings coming up
August 15, 11:00 AM TO 1:00 PM AT THE BEST OF TIMES BOOKSTORE AT 425 WEST 3RD IN HISTORIC DOWNTOWN RED WING.
August 22, 10:00 AM TO NOON AT THE NOVEL PLACE, ON HWY 81 IN OSSEO, NEXT TO THE NAPA AUTO PARTS STORE.
August 22 4:00PM TO 7:00PM AT THE DUST JACKET BOOKSTORE IN HISTORIC DOWNTOWN HASTINGS. CHARLIE WILL BE A PART OF THE BIGGEST CLASSIC CAR SHOW IN HASTINGS HISTORY!!

AUGUST 6 A BIG DAY

2009-08-06T14:34:00.003-04:00

Charlie has a book signing scheduled for August 6, 2009 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at THE DUST JACKET in historic downtown Hastings. Rick Simonson, the owner, anticipates a large turnout.
THE REPUBLICAN EAGLE will probably run a newspaper article today about PEARL OF TAO based on two interviews of Charlie conducted by reporter Jon Swedlien.

KDWA RADIO INTERVIEWS CHARLIE

2009-08-06T14:26:00.002-04:00

The "A" radio station of the Twin Cities, KDWA, interviewed Charlie on August 6, 2009. VINNIE, Community Affairs Director, conducted a live on the air interview for about 40 minutes. The conversation was lively and light hearted. Years ago, Vinnie had been a student in a program Charlie had conducted for middle schoolers called COURTROOMS TO CLASSROOMS. The subjects covered were wide ranging and Vinnie was able to get out some golden nuggets about Charlie and PEARL OF TAO.

STAR GAZETTE FEATURE ARTICLE

2009-08-06T14:18:00.002-04:00

The Star Gazette newspaper carried a feature article about Charlie and PEARL OF TAO in it's July 30, 2009 edition. The front page proclaimed "DIEMER PENS MYSTERY" and referred the reader to an inside page. The article was multi-columned with a large photo of Charlie. The feature article quoted extensively from the in person interview that reporter Jane Lightbourn conducted the previous week. A number of people contacted Charlie about the reporter's great writing style.

DAYTONA BEACH NEWS-JOURNAL LAUDS PEARL

2009-06-15T15:42:00.002-04:00

ON SUNDAY JUNE 14, 2009, CHARLIE WAS THE THE FEATURED AREA AUTHOR IN THE BOOK SECTION OF THE NEWS-JOURNAL. THE ARTICLE INCLUDED A PICTURE OF THE BOOK COVER AND A SUMMARY. THE ARTICLE WAS EXCEPTIONALLY COMPLIMENTARY WHEN IT REPORTED: "READERS HAVE PROCLAIMED THAT CHARLIE WRITES LIKE JOHN GRISHAM BECAUSE BOTH WERE ATTORNEYS. HIS CREATION OF MONIQUE MORITZ, AN ECCENTRIC, PAMPERED WINE AFICIONADO WHO DRINKS FROM THE CHALICE OF CULTURE, EXEMPLIFIES HIS MASTERFUL WRITING STYLE." CHARLIE IS ELATED OVER THE FINE COVERAGE.

DAYTONA BEACH NEWS JOURNAL TO FEATURE CHARLIE

2009-05-27T16:25:00.003-04:00

I WAS JUST NOTIFIED BY KAREN GALLAGHER, BOOKS EDITOR OF THE DAYTONA BEACH NEWS JOURNAL THAT I WILL BE THE FEATURED AREA AUTHOR IN THE SUNDAY BOOK SECTION ON JUNE 14, 2009. I AM VERY EXCITED AND PLEASED AT THIS HONOR.

NEWS PRESS REPORTS ON PEARL

2009-05-27T16:18:00.001-04:00

The Ft. Myers News Press included PEARL OF TAO in their Sunday magazine TROPICALIA on May 17, 2009. My thanks to Dayna of the News Press for the coverage. The book continues to sell well on Lovers Key, Ft. Myers Beach and Sanibel.

Article in Vail Daily

2009-03-27T16:36:00.002-04:00

On Thursday March 19, 2009, The Vail Daily published an article about Charlie and PEARL OF TAO. It was a question an answer style article with a picture of Charlie outside THE BOOKWORM BOOKSTORE in Edwards, Colorado, the premier bookstore in the Vail Valley. The article featured the Colorado connections to the novel and can be found at vaildaily.com.

CHARLIE AND THE PEARL ARE FEATURED

2009-03-15T13:23:00.002-04:00

The current issue of Ft Myers Magazine has a full page article about Charlie and THE PEARL OF TAO. The magazine focuses on the arts in Southwest Florida. Charlie feels honored to be featured. Check it out at www.ftmyersmagazine.com.

First book signing in Daytona Beach area

2009-02-23T17:40:00.002-05:00

Charlie will be signing PEARL OF TAO at THE BOOK RACK 3818 Clyde Morris Blvd., Port Orange on Saturday March 7 from 11 until 2. It promises to be a fun event as Daytona Beach's world famous BIKE WEEK will be roaring. The Harley's and the leather will parade down Clyde Morris and the rest of the Daytona Beach area.

Suspense a common element

2009-02-17T15:11:00.009-05:00

Hi Charlie,

I just finished your book and I enjoyed it very much. I enjoy John Grisham's books and this one has the same type of suspense in it. Suspense must be a common element among attorneys!

Now I have a question. I read on the website that the Pearl is now stored in a bank vault in Colorado Springs, CO. How did it end up there and what is the future for it? Who owns it and how did they manage to get it?

Good luck with this book and your future books. I hope I get to read them too.

I noticed that you are in the Ft. Myers and Sanibel areas now doing book signings. I wish you many books to sign.

Wanda

Get your copy of Pearl Of Tao today!

COLORADO WARMLY WELCOMES CHARLIE AND PEARL

2009-02-15T08:26:00.002-05:00

Charlie graciously thanks the owners of the POSTE MONTANE LODGE at Beaver Creek Colorado for hosting a a very succesful meet the author and book signing on Feb. 10. People were excited and animated conversation flowed into the evening. Everyone experienced a grand time.
In it's Feb 13 edition, the VAIL MOUNTAINEER daily newspaper featured an article and a large 8x7 photo of Charlie announcing that the BOOKWORM bookstore of Edwards (near Vail and Beaver Creek) is stocking THE PEARL.
In Steamboat Springs the highly acclaimed bookstore, OFF THE BEATEN PATH now carries The Pearl on the shelves.

Happenings on Ft Myers Beach and Sanibel

2009-01-26T17:37:00.002-05:00

Charlie will be leading a book discussion on Wed. Jan. 28, 2009 starting at 1:30 PM at the Ft Myers Beach Library.
On Thurs. Jan 29 he will be doing a book signing at the Beach Book Nook at Santini Plaza on Ft. Myers Beach from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
On Friday between 4:00Pm and 6:00 PM he will be doing a reading at THE BEAN on Periwinkle Way on Sanibel.

CONGRATULATORY SENTIMENTS

2009-01-01T13:51:00.008-05:00

Click images to enlarge

BOOK REVIEW IS DYNAMIC

2008-12-04T15:18:00.002-05:00

Senior writer and former editor of the Ft. Myers Beach Observer, Charlie Loucks did an extensive reivew of PEARL OF TAO. The article even included a color photo of the cover. In his article, Mr. Loucks quoted extensively from the indepth interview he conducted with Charlie. The review was very positive about the colorful characters in the book including an "eccentric wife who is susceptible to fainting spells." He was also impressed with the "sexy daughter who was more than a little smitten " by the main character. The extensive coverage using a banner headline was a great introduction to the book on Ft. Myers Beach.

PRESENTATION AT GULF COAST WRITERS

2008-12-04T15:07:00.002-05:00

Members of my critique group were smiling broadly when they were introduced at the meeting of the Gulf Coast Writers Assn. in Ft. Myers. A large crowd clapped enthusiastically when Matt Gilbert and Mary Lu Williams were presented with a signed copy of PEARL OF TAO and I read from the dedication page of the book. Their encouragement, sincere criticism and guidance helped me greatly. It was a heart warming moment for me.
Charlie

BOOK SIGNING on Nov 14

2008-11-20T14:08:00.002-05:00

I was very excited about the response to my book signing on Friday at Smugglers Cove on Ft. Myers Beach. Bill and Illonka Mackey presented to me a congratulatory card and were very excited that they were mentioned as a part of the book's dedication. Thank you to everyone who came out to support the book.

Welcome to the Review Page and Blog!

2008-11-10T15:48:00.000-05:00

Every person is unique and it is common that each person's opinion will be different after reading a novel. We welcome you to share your reaction to Pearl Of Tao in this forum; including highlights and dramatic moments that you may have found particularly noteworthy.