Peeking Between the Pages

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Guest Post with John Shors, author of Cross Currents and Giveaway

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I am really excited today to welcome John Shors, author of Cross Currents, his newest novel releasing tomorrow to Peeking Between the Pages. I’ve had John to my blog several times now because I absolutely love his books and Cross Currents is no different. It is another fantastic read so be sure to pop by tomorrow for my review of it. Another thing I really respect about John, other than his writing, is his desire to help others using his talent as an author. Read on as John shares with us his passion to help others in a post entitled Trying to Make a Difference, One Book at a Time…

In many ways, I’m quite blessed. I get to live my dream of being a full-time novelist. I have a wonderful family. My work allows me to travel the globe. In fact, my only real complaint is a lousy back, but I’ve heard that writers must suffer to create lasting and important novels, so perhaps the bad back is a good thing.

For those of you who have read my books, you know that they take place in exotic locations. I’ve brought the Taj Mahal to life on the page, recreated the South Pacific in World War Two, imagined the fates of street children in Saigon, and taken a father and daughter on a trip around the world. My latest novel, Cross Currents, is set on a beautiful island in Thailand and has to do with the Indian Ocean Tsunami of 2004.

I’m grateful that my novels have connected with people from all walks of life (my books are now in twenty-five languages). That connection has translated into many different things, one of which, quite simply, is sales. The fact that my books have done well allows me to work at home; to take my children to and from school; and to write, write, and write.

About five years ago, when my first novel, Beneath a Marble Sky, was selling briskly around the world, it occurred to me that the success of my novels shouldn’t only benefit me and my family, but other people as well. So I decided to support a charity through each book—a charity that seemed to line up with the story I was telling.

Through some of the funds generated from my novels, I’ve supported Children’s International Summer Villages, Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation, and The Arbor Day Foundation. From the proceeds of my new novel, Cross Currents, I’ll donate to the International Red Cross.

To date, I’m most proud of my work with Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation (http://www.streetkidsinvietnam.com/), which supports disadvantaged children in Vietnam. Through the sales of Dragon House (my novel about street children in Saigon) as well as via direct donations from my readers, we’ve raised enough money to buy more than a thousand street children complete sets of school books. Dragon House also led to increased news coverage of the plight of disadvantaged children, resulting in a piece on CNN about Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation.

I couldn’t help such charities without the support of my readers. So to those of you who have spread the word about my novels—thank you a thousand times over.

Best wishes,

John Shors

www.johnshors.com

__________

John, thank you so much for sharing these thoughts with us. You are an amazing writer and I have nothing but the utmost respect for your desire to help others through your success!

__________

About Cross Currents

Thailand’s pristine and remote Ko Phi Phi island attracts tourists from around the world, offering a haven to people from all walks of life. Yet even paradise has its perils. Struggling to make ends meet, resort owners Lek and Sarai are happy to give an American named Patch room and board in exchange for his help. But trouble looms when Patch’s brother, Ryan, arrives, accompanied by his beautiful girlfriend, Brooke. Lek learns that Patch is running from the law, and his mere presence puts Lek’s family at risk. Meanwhile, Brooke begins to doubt her love for Ryan, while her feelings for Patch blossom. The two brothers, once inseparable, clash over a choice that could alter their lives.

In a glorious landscape of sea and sky, where nature’s bounty seems endless, these two families are caught in the cross currents of conflict and change – and swept up in an approaching cataclysm that will require all their strength of heart and soul to survive.

Check out the Book Trailer

Buy Cross Currents on Amazon.com or Amazon.ca

About John Shors



After graduating from Colorado College, John Shors lived for several years in Kyoto, Japan, where he taught English. On a shoestring budget, he later trekked across Asia, visiting ten countries and climbing the Himalayas. After returning to the United States, he became a newspaper reporter in his hometown, Des Moines, Iowa, winning several statewide awards in journalism. John then moved to Boulder, Colorado, and helped launch GroundFloor Media, now one of the state’s largest public relations firms.

John has been lucky enough to spend much of his life abroad, traveling in Asia, the South Pacific, Europe, Africa, and North America. Now a full-time novelist, John spends his days writing and going on family outings with his wife, Allison, and their two young children, Sophie and Jack.

John’s first five novels, Beneath a Marble Sky, Beside a Burning Sea, Dragon House, The Wishing Trees, and Cross Currents, have won multiple awards, and have been translated into twenty-five languages.

Visit John’s website

Follow John on Twitter

GIVEAWAY DETAILS

I have two copies of Cross Currents by John Shors to share with my readers – one from the author and one from me because, as I have done previously, I will buy a copy to support John and the charity he chooses which is the Red Cross this time. To enter…

  • For 1 entry leave me a comment with your email address to contact you should you win (no email, no entry).
  • For 2 entries, follow my blog. If you already do, thanks, and please let me know so I can pass the extra entry on to you as well.
  • For 3 entries, blog or tweet this giveaway to spread the word!

Both copies in this giveaway will be open to US & Canadian residents only. I will draw for the winners on Saturday, September 24/11. Good luck to all!

© 2010, Darlene of Peeking Between the Pages. All Rights Reserved. If you’re reading this on a site other than Peeking Between the Pages or Darlene’s Feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. I haven't read this author before, but any writer who donates portions of his proceeds to charitable organizations like these, is one that I want to support. I am intrigued by the fact that he sets his books in such disparate places; I'm curious how he picks the settings.

  2. I'm looking forward to this one as well Dar. I've enjoyed John's books in the past.

  3. I am very touched that this author supports charities with his proceeds. The book sounds great, with a love triangle no less.

    lag110 at mchsi dot com

  6. I loved "Dragon House" and would love to read Mr. Shors' latest novel. Thanks for the chance.

    dlodden at frontiernet dot net

  10. I think what Shors is doing with his work with charities is amazing and altruistic, and it's truly wonderful. Thanks for letting him explain it all to us, Dar! I would love a chance to read this one as well, so please do consider me for your giveaway!

    zibilee(at)figearo(dot)net

  11. I so admire Shors for his desire to give back to the community and wish him much more success! kathy(at)bermudaonion.net

  12. A great post and he deserves recognition. thanks for this giveaway. Ellie. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

  13. I just started following your blog and this is the first time I have heard of this writer. I am interested to read more
    teressaoliver at gmail dot com

  17. I am a big fan of John Shors. I have read his
    'Beneath a Marble Sky' and 'Beside a Burning Sea' and have his 'Dragon House' in my nightstand pile for whenever I get my reviews caught up. I am so happy that he gives back to chidren. I admire him for that and his wonderful writing style. Please enter me for this giveaway.

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

  20. Thanks for the giveaway, Darlene! I hope you're well!

    Amy // amyismyfriend at aol dot com

  21. I'm a GFC (ArtsyBookishGal) & RSS & email follower (because I love you so much!)

    Amy // amyismyfriend at aol dot com

  23. What a great interview and how wonderful for an author to be devoted to charitable work. I'd love to read his book.
    PMNSL95 at triad dot rr dot com

  26. This sounds like a wonderful read! Many thanks to both of you for supporting the Red Cross.
    kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

  30. Love that the author is involved in charities! Loved the interview and the book looks really good!
    irbratb(@)gmail(.)com

  35. This book sounds intriguing and I love the setting. I haven't read any of John's books yet but he's on my list of authors to read and I'm especially interested in reading his books now that I know he supports a different charity with the proceeds from each book. What a fantastic thing to do!

    Thank you Dar & John for this fantastic guest post and this giveaway! One way or another I'll be reading John's books soon!

    I'm a faithful follower Dar!

    Aimala127(at)gmail(dot)com

  36. Tho I have never read any of his books this one sounds like my kind of reading

    amhengst at verizon dot net

  46. Looks like another great book to add to my wish list! Thank you for the opportunity at winning a copy 🙂

    jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

  50. What a great guest post. I really applaud John for his efforts. No need to enter me. I'll have a review of this up this week.

  51. John Shors' books are very, very special. I didn't know about Cross Currents. Your review makes me want to read it very, very soon.

    teakettle58(at)yahoo(dot)com

    I tweeted about the giveaway @topazshell5.

    I follow you.

    I have blogged about the giveaway in my sidebar.
    http://readwithtea.blogspot.com

    Thank you for entering me.

  57. Great guest post! I love that John supports different charities with each book. I'll have to keep an eye out for all of his books! Thanks for offering his book as a giveaway!

    bthgordon(at)yahoo(dot)com

  59. Wish we all had the attitude of giving to those who are less fortunate than ourselves 🙂 Even those across the street from us are sometimes destitute & we don't even know about it because we don't take the time to get to know them! So kudos to you & your novels sound wonderful & I am so happy to get the chance to win one possibly! Please enter me! Good luck in all you do John!
    Pinchbuggies at hotmail.com

  65. You both are very generous! Thanks for the great giveaway. The cover is beautiful and I am sure the story is amazing.

    suzebomb(at)gmail.com

  70. What a striking cover for his new book. I think John's outreach via books and various charities is wonderful, I hope we can help keep him going!
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

  72. I haven't read a story set in an exotic location in awhile. This one sounds great.

    Cambonified [at] yahoo [dot] com

  77. Mr. Shors’ Dragon House was excellent. I’d love to read his latest. Thanks for the chance.

    dlodden at frontiernet dot net

  92. I’ve never had the pleasure of reading Shors books but from the comments it looks like he is well loved.
    I’d like to try this one.

  94. I lived in Thailand four years but never went to the south where this book takes place. Would love to win it.

    I’m a follower.

    harvee44 at yahoo.com

  99. I have never read this author, even though I see he is a fellow Iowan. It is very generous of him to donate part of his sales to charity.
    Sounds like a very interesting book!

    I follow you email.

    Thanks Dar!

    cjay (at) iavalley (dot) edu

  111. My partner and I stumbled over here different page and thought I might as well check things out. I like what I see so now i’m following you. Look forward to finding out about your web page yet again.