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| Larry K. Collins |
Larry K. Collins,
multi-published author, began his love affair with surfing at about fourteen
years of age. His passion has never faded. In fact, when he and his wife, Lorna, lived in Japan
between 1998 and 2001, he took his board with him. In their book, 31 Months
in Japan: The Building of a Theme Park, he tells about how difficult it
was to get to the beach, only to find very little surf.
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| Lorna and Larry K. Collins |
Twenty-five years
ago, he and his wife and co-author, Lorna, moved to Dana Point, California, so
that he could be near the beach. Previously, they’d lived inland and had to
drive about an hour and a half to reach the waves. Now, it takes five-minutes.
Larry retired in
2011 at age sixty-seven, and he’s never looked back. Each morning he and his
seventy-five-year-old best friend, Robert Schwenck, hit the ‘dawn patrol.’ They
ride for an hour or so, and then go back to Bob’s house for breakfast.
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| Larry K. Collins |
Sometimes Bob’s son
and grandkids join them. Here’s a link to a YouTube video Larry took on
September 13, 2012 showing Bob, Larry, and Bob’s son, Eric: http://tinyurl.com/9qq9xhu
And here are some still photos taken on September 19, 2012: http://tinyurl.com/9cn2lf3
Lorna has spent so
much time around surfing (Many of their dates were beach trips.) that she wrote
one into her latest novel, Ghost Writer. He’s the guy who lives
next door to Nan Burton, the young lady who inherits a cottage on the sand. It
comes complete with its own ghost! Of course, the surfer is Nan’s ideal for a
hero. (Lorna’s, too!)
When Larry wrote
his short story collection, Lakeview Park, he had to include a
surfer. The story of George is based on a few incidents from his own
experience. (The floating bikini top really happened, but it wasn’t Lorna’s and
he never went out with the owner.) This is Larry’s favorite of the fifteen
stories in the collection.
Most of their vacations
still require the proximity of an ocean and waves. Through the years, they have
visited Hawaii numerous times and have never grown tired of this tropical
Paradise. In fact, they set their mysteries, Murder… They Wrote and Murder
in Paradise in Hawaii. After all, it’s always necessary to visit to do
research. They just returned from their latest trip, ready to continue the
third book in the series.
31 MONTHS IN JAPAN: THE BUILDING OF A THEME PARK
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31 Months in
Japan—the Building of a Theme Park is the story of two Southern
Californians who embark on the adventure of a lifetime—moving to Japan to
participate in the construction of the Universal Studios Japan theme park.
While there, they encountered the wonders and frustrations of the culture as
well as the challenges of conducting business following foreign formal rituals.
Japanese customs seemed awkward at first, but eventually they established
effective working relationships and personal ones as well.
MURDER… THEY WROTE
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What if a retired NYPD officer is
asked to investigate a mysterious death at an authors’ conference where
attendees offer their theories and suspicions? Agapé Jones, retired NYPD
detective, tries to determine the truth surrounding the death of a noted poet
and critic. Confusing and confounding him are the victim’s romance novelist
ex-girlfriend, current young girlfriend, ex-wife, recently discovered
illegitimate daughter, agent, an action/adventure author, famous psychic,
long-time friend, and the mysterious countess. Peopled by a cast of quirky and
deliciously amusing characters, Murder…They Wrote is filled with accusations,
theories, twists, turns and surprises.
MURDER IN PARADISE
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On an early morning paddle, an
outrigger team finds a body in the water off Maui. Agapé Jones, retired NYPD
detective, is asked to act as special investigator in the murder of a famous
surfer, the son of a Hawaii state senator. The assignment takes Agapé to the
North Shore of Oahu where he discovers that he’s investigating more than just a
murder. Murder in Paradise allows readers to solve the case along with the
detective while experiencing a virtual trip to the real Paradise that is Hawaii.
LAKEVIEW PARK
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Many people enjoy Lakeview Park,
and each one has a unique story. Between the pages, you’ll meet fifteen of
them. Lakeview Park is a collection of O. Henry-like slice-of-life stories
about the people who frequent a fictitious park. These tales reveal folks of
all ages, from small children to the elderly.
To Read More and/or Click to Buy Any of The Above Books and Others by Larry and Lorna,
Go To: http://www.lornalarry.com
Please welcome Larry K. Collins to Spunky Senior Authors and Talents by leaving a comment.
