Jim O’Connor and his wife, Lynda, operate O’Connor Communications, Inc., a public relations firm specializing in book and author publicity. (Lynda did several blogs last year.)
Jim also runs a home organizing business, CLUTTER CONTROL, serving the northern suburbs of Chicago. He is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), and has appeared on several national and Chicago TV shows demonstrating ways to get organized. The characters and the situations in this book are not based on or similar in any way to any of his clients, their lives, or their homes.
Another Man’s Treasure is his second book. His first book, CUSS CONTROL, The Complete Book on How to Curb Your Cursing, was a media sensation. He appeared on more than 300 TV shows, including Oprah, the View, the Today Show, the Early Show, CBS News Sunday Morning, and the O’Reilly Factor. Time, Biography, Reader’s Digest, USA Today, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Traditional Home Magazine, Cosmo, Redbook, and Family Circle are among the 750 magazines and newspapers that featured him. His radio resume includes over 800 interviews in every English speaking country in the world.
Before starting his public relations firm, Jim worked in corporate communications for four Fortune 500 corporations. He is a graduate of Loyola University of Chicago. He and his wife live in Lake Forest, Illinois.
LOL. I hope it helps. Susan.
How many books have you written, James?
Two. CUSS CONTROL, The Complete Book on How to Curb Your Cursing, and my new novel, Another Man’s Treasure.
What has been your most rewarding experience as an author?
Promoting CUSS CONTROL was the most exciting time of my life. The media loved it because it was both funny and thought-provoking. The media interest went on for years. I was on more than 100 TV shows, including Oprah, The View, The Today Show, CBS Sunday Morning, The Early Show, The O’Reilly Factor, and stations across the country. I was in more than 400 newspapers and magazines, and interviewed on more than 600 radio stations in seven countries. And I’m not exaggerating! I have the clips and tapes.
Congratulations on the success!
Tell us more about your latest release, Another Man’s Treasure. I call it a non-traditional mystery-romance. Instead of a murder, there’s a secret search for unknown riches hidden in a Victorian mansion. And instead of a woman protagonist with a complicated love-life, the main character is a married man struggling to resist the seductive flirtations of a divorced client. It should appeal to women who want to know the thoughts, concerns, passions, doubts, torment and other emotions of a man reluctantly falling in love. Men will like it for the same reason, because in real life, guys don’t share such personal matters. It’s common for both men and women to be attracted to someone other than their spouses, so readers will want know what happens. Both plots come together with surprise endings.
The protagonist thinks and acts the way I do sometimes, and the way I wish I could act other times. The main female character is modeled after an appealing and fun woman I used to know. The other characters just came to me. It was easy.
We all know how important promoting our work has become. How do you get the word out both off and online?
My wife and I have a public relations business specializing in book promotion!
Yes, I interviewed Linda last year about all your PR business can do to help authors with promotion. You're fortunate to have a inside track.
Where can folks learn more about your books and events?
Bloggers, here's more information about James's books:
Press Review: ‘Another Man’s Treasure’ offers mystery and romance
Chicago-based author James V. O’Connor demonstrates a deft range of writing skills and his ability to craft an engaging and page-turning read in his new romantic mystery novel, Another Man’s Treasure. Reflecting the get-organized trend popularized by numerous TV shows and magazine articles, O’Connor’s central character is a professional home organizer whose simple life is about to explode.
O’Connor’s captivating story involves well-crafted ordinary people dealing with realistic romantic entanglements, complex family relationships, and frustrating clutter. Centered on a search for hidden riches in an old mansion, Another Man’s Treasure is an entertaining tale that has readers gradually sympathizing with conflicting characters, stunned by surprises, recalculating the eventual outcome, and pondering the book’s messages long after they’ve finishing reading it.
“The mystery plays on everyone’s fantasy of finding treasures in their attic or forgotten storage,” says O’Connor. “The romance will intrigue any married man or woman who has ever been physically or emotionally—and dangerously—attracted to someone other than his or her spouse.”
As a book publicist who has worked with bestselling authors, O’Connor is no stranger to the challenges of capturing the attention of an audience. In Another Man’s Treasure, he skillfully develops the necessary dynamics and employs clever dialogue as caring people collide over materialism and love. Included in the mix of opposite behaviors are greed and generosity, fidelity and temptation, and honesty and deception.
Set in Albany, New York, the main character, Ted, is a former Chicago stockbroker turned professional organizer. He’s hired by a difficult client to clean out his deceased father’s cluttered Victorian mansion. Ted’s secret task is to find something of great value that the client believes his eccentric father hid in the mysterious house. What—or who—is trying to stop him?
Although he’s married, Ted finds himself falling for another client, an attractive and flirtatious single mother. He resists her, but events keep bringing her into his life, intensifying their relationship. His wife and the woman’s jealous ex-husband suspect something is going on. He makes two discoveries, one that captivates the city, and one that determines his fate.
While this mystery-romance novel is a new genre for O’Connor, he excels in his descriptions of the interaction, the modern American city atmosphere, and the classical portrayal of true-to-life emotions, needs, and frailties. The memorable characters, storytelling, and unpredictable twists and turns make for an enjoyable and entertaining read.
Available in bookstores and online in hard copy and ebook.
For more information visit www.AnotherMansTreasurebook.com or www.jamesvoconnor.com
Kris Radish, best-selling author of Hearts on a String and seven other novels. Kris is a former journalist, nationally syndicated columnist, magazine writer and university instructor
“In Another Man's Treasure, I found myself caught up in the story of ordinary people in ordinary marriages who seem very real as they navigate the complexities of life and love. You'll find yourself rooting for characters and thinking about them long after you've finished reading.”
Erica Orloff, author of Freudian Slip and 20 other novels
“O’Connor weaves together two diverse plots in a way that keeps you reading, eager to discover the connection and the outcome. You need to read this book.”
John DeDakis, senior copy editor for CNN’s "The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer" and author of the suspense novels Fast Track and Bluff "Real-life characters with intriguing secrets, an engaging plot that grabs you from the first chapter, and the possibility of hidden treasure—who could ask for anything more? A terrific read, with characters I can care about. I loved this novel! "
Randye Kaye, actress and author of Ben Behind His Voices: One family’s journey from the chaos of schizophrenia to hope
“Another Man’s Treasure kept me turning the pages to find out if Ted McCormick discovered the alleged treasure and how he resolved his romantic entanglement. The surprise ending was worth the wait!”Randye Kaye, actress and author of Ben Behind His Voices: One family’s journey from the chaos of schizophrenia to hope
Patricia Starr, concert pianist, Mrs. Senior California, and author of Angel on My Handlebars
Glen Sondag, author of Anything Other Than Naked: A guide for men on how to dress properly for every occasion
“Another Man's Treasure is full of intrigue, flirtation, passion, and humor. It's a wonderfully entertaining tale from a first-rate storyteller.”
James Campbell, award-winning author of The Final Frontiersman and The Ghost Mountain Boys
“As an FBI agent for 30 years, I found it refreshing to read a violence-free book that still captivated me with mystery and suspense, conflict and tension—all nicely balanced with romance and humor. Another Man’s Treasure has more than a little something for everyone.” Jack Owens, author of Don’t Shoot! We’re Republicans! Memoirs of the FBI agent who did things his way
“James O’Connor’s debut novel is destined for the best seller lists! Engaging from the first chapter, the characters are real and the plot irresistible.”
Gary Moore, award-winning author of Hey Buddy: In Pursuit of Buddy Holly, My New Buddy John, and My Lost Decade of Music, and Playing with the Enemy: A Baseball Prodigy, World War II, and the Long Journey Home, soon to be a major motion picture
“The intangible actions and feelings we live with every day and take for granted are dissected and put back together in this interesting tale of ordinary people."
Julian Smith, winner of the American Society of Journalists and Authors award for biography and memoir, Crossing the Heart of Africa: An Odyssey of Love and Adventure
Judith Valente, PBS-TV correspondent and co-editor of Twenty Poems to Nourish Your Soul and author of the poetry collection Discovering Moons
Suzanne Nance, the only woman who has climbed the seven tallest mountains in the world
No comments:
Post a Comment