The Diving Stone

DIVING STONE
This book is an interesting step back in time and a forward step into the field of archeology. The opening chapter is dramatic: a near diving accident. Sets an exciting tone for the story which then carries forward into the rest of the chapters. You’ve obviously spent hours on rsearch before you ever touched your fist computer key as you’ve captured that odd space in time just before WWII very well. I’m happy to add this to my shelf. If you have a moment, would you look at mine (Grain of Salt)? I’m in 3rd place but only holding on by my teeth. Burgio

James Rourke

You book reminds me of the Old man and the Sea. I enjoyed every line and could hardly tear myself away from reading more.

Absolutely a masterpiece.

Best
The Mind Setter

James:
Your story is intriguing and well-paced. I wonder where the concept came from; do you have experience in this field or at least in history?
At any rate, you have a solid feel for the crime/thriller genre, and have a way of evoking the feelings you seek in your reader.
Best of luck with your book. Backed.
Peace,
Christian Piatt
PULLING THE GOALIE

A dynamic story enriched with vivid imagery and evocative narrative. Packed with emotion. Well conceive, well written. Backed.

James: do apologize for this spam comment but I did BACK your book. Though my book is currently on the Ed's Desk, I can still use your comments on my book before the end of this month. Thanks - cheers!

JC
The Obergemau Key

The Diving Stone.

Very good opening with classic elements of the father-son initiation ritual, the prospect of danger and an exciting discovery.

The narration judiciously spends the minimum necessary time on what is extraneous and moves at a steady pace. The story is well-plotted, and the characters credible.

Getting Oxbridge of the thirties involved in the story strengthens the premise: that was about the time Philby, McLean, Blunt & company were being recruited.

More than that, the academic atmosphere built up with characters and literary references promises the delights of an intelligent, versatile plume.

The focus on saving art from barbarism once again came to the forefront of world attention at the time of the bombing of the Budhas of Bahamian, and is still a topical issue.

Some formatting nits probably come from the uploading.

I could be wrong, but I think HMG’s Secret Service is SIS dealing with foreign intelligence. They would not, these days, I don’t think, recruit an agent for MI which is Military Intelligence. Just check it out.

Backed.

Azam Gill
“Blasphemy!”

Hi James,
There was an archeologist on Crete serving as a spy for the British in WWII, wasn't there? Diving Stone gives that story an interesting turn. I've read what you've posted. The action moves briskly and you reveal a wealth of knowledge about Greek politics, the sometimes insane schemes and plots within the NAZI elite, sponge diving, etc.--very convincing. Armstrong's recruitment of Samuel exactly as I would picture it--callously aloof and personal at the same time, leaving the new enlistee questioning whether or not he was on the right side. I'm very curious to see where this story goes. The was statuette delivered to the Englishman in the prologue is now doubly curious. Is it simply of artistic and archeological interest, or something more? You've got me hooked. Best of luck with this thriller. Backed.
Niobrara Kardnova (Family Irregulars)

I was hooked from the beginning! You do a great job of weaving the mystery into this story. I love reading about history and when you mix it with crime or a thriller, it's exactly what I like to read on a lazy day. Your writing style is engaging, grabbing the reader and pulling them along on this adventure. I think you've got a great main character, he's interesting and strong. Overall I loved all you have posted and would have read on if there were more!

Missy

You have obviously done plenty of research, this has paid dividends as everything feels 'right'. Time is not wasted on painting in the background, rather it is skilfully dabbed in with splashes of colour leavening the narrative, which bring an immediacy to the scene. I thought your writing was fluent and limpid, with only an occasional extraneous adverb (I wish I could say the same for my own), and the pacing is relaxed enough to reflect the milieu, while drawing the reader along very nicely thank you. You have probably worked out that I enjoyed The Diving Stone. KA.

Iliked your pitch, and your writing style is easy to read. Your first chapter draws the reader in with good pace and excitement. Good read, backed with pleasure.

Alicia

James,

Diving Stone

My kind of story. Great history and forward premise. I love the archaelogy and setting.
Alexander & Samuel are strong interesting characters. Your vast research is obvious.

Backed!
Good Luck!
Sammy Sutton
King Solomon's '13'

Hi James, This caught me from the first and is a book I’d like to continue reading. Samuel’s being selected for spy work in such a discreet way opens up the question of his background and it makes that interesting to read. He’s an elegant character and the writing style portrays that while being very accessible. It looks as if he’ll fare well in Greece and also having so much classical training, I’d expect to be immersed in his spy work. Easily shelved – Katherine (The Swan Bonnet)

Great read, James

best

James

Read Ch 1 thru 3. Great story and love the WWII timeperiod and spy plot. This is very entertaining, which is the whole point right!? Technically perfect and the intro of characters and story setup are smooth and engaging.
Expect this will rise fast on this site.

Please give The Secret Snow a read and let me know your thoughts. Please keep the target audience of 9-12 in mind and the "formula" of a parent reader per the Foreword. Key to why I wrote in the style you will see. BACKED.

Regards,
River
The Secret Snow

I have started to read your writing and love the way you write. Your ability with words to craft an orginal

read is amazing. the characters have decided to take up

permanent residence but i will insist they leave soom to

go home. ha! I have to wonder on this site at the

creations that come from peoples heads and of course

the immense talent of those like yourself to animate

such colorful characters.

BACKED BY ME FOR SURE.
Please take a moment to look, COMMENT which is

important to me, and BACK my book. if not that is OK

also

The VERY best of luck to you

Denise
The Letter

Hi James,
A very original and exciting story so far and well-told, too. I read four chapters. More please.
Backed with pleasure,
Barry
LITTLE KRISNA AND THE BIHAR BOYS

James,
The Diving Stone is compelling reading. The synopsis has all the mystery and suspense to draw me in.
I especially liked Chapter Five with its exquisite descriptions. It reminds me of Chapter Nine in Titanic: Rose Dawson's Story when the wedding party takes a tour of England and France. Backed with pleasure.

I waited for ages for chapter 1 expecting something to appear but there was only white space. Chapter 2 was the same. We have to scroll down a long way to find the words. You need to get rid of all the white space.
Also in your short pitch you tell us that a Greek island is thought to be a German spy. Your long pitch, which doesn't add enough, doesn't make that mistake.
The actual book is great though, and I'm going to enjoy it. Good luck with it, Sylvia

DIVING STONE
This book is an interesting step back in time and a forward step into the field of archeology. The opening chapter is dramatic: a near diving accident. Sets an exciting tone for the story which then carries forward into the rest of the chapters. You’ve obviously spent hours on rsearch before you ever touched your fist computer key as you’ve captured that odd space in time just before WWII very well. I’m happy to add this to my shelf. If you have a moment, would you look at mine (Grain of Salt)? I’m in 3rd place but only holding on by my teeth. Burgio

It is obvious you have spent time and research in writing this novel. Easy to back for talented writing.

Liz
The Chech Room

This book is terrific. I am not usually a fan of crime type books but this one had me. A mix of historical fiction and mystery. Shelving it this instant!
Carrie
The Darkwood Tales: Demouri's Defeat

You have written a very interesting and unique historical storyline and I do like your use of foreshadowing in your openning chapter. Your character development of Samuel is excellent as is your use of imagery. The dialogue is crisp and realistic and the pace of your story flows well. This and your descriptive writing makes your work a pleasure to read. Backed.

Andrew Burans
The Reluctant Warrior: The Beginning

I like the sound of it!

Hi James, I like your style which is easy to read and very vivid - in fact, I gave a shout at the end of the first section in fear of Alexander's fate. Just a couple of typos - 'undergradute' in the pitch, and 'in the King's Cross' in Ch 2. Also noticed that the Englishman was clutching a book and a newspaper at the end of Ch 1. Sorry, I know these are only little things. Might be an idea to reduce the vast spaces on your Word doc before uploading, too. But your characters really come alive and I hope to read more when time allows. Backed with pleasure. If you have time I'd be very grateful if you'd have a read of mine.
Best wishes,
Adelina
A Distant Family

IAGIRORKE @ aol.com
Dear James,
Welcome to authonomy - good luck on here. You have an interesting story here with all the magic ingredients for an exciting ride. An exotic setting in Greece - I didn't catch the name of the island but as they're sponge divers it could well be Karpathos, one of the many islands that dot the seas around Greece and Turkey - a change in the period - back to WW2 and English that matches the time and place. The English being as English as they could be back in the 1930.s and 40.s. I always enjoy stories set abroad and as I know Greece pretty well this is especially interesting for me. BACKED
When you have a minute I wonder if you wouls take a look at my book and perhaps pass a few comments? Like yours it is set in a Greek speaking place - Cyprus.
Cheers
Faith
THE ASSASSINS VILLAGE

In your pitch, you probably want to change "change his like" to "change his life".

Regards,
Kevin Clark
(Will of God)

In your pitch, you probably want to change "change his like" to "change his life".

Regards,
Kevin Clark
(Will of God)

Dear James, I love your intriguing story of undercover spying :) - my favorite. :) Your pitch sucked me in to read & your tight dialogue & paragraphing kept me reading. :) Great write! :) I've backed your book :) - hope you'll take a moment to back my 2 memoir books. :) Thanks. :) Love, Susie :)

This is information from authonomy (so beware of any other untrue information you may receive that is spam & not quotes of authonomy):
"When you back a book, it only improves the ranking of that book, not yours. However, the author whose book you are backing may decide to back your book also, in which case yes, your ranking would be improved"
"Every time you place a book on your bookshelf, your recommendation pushes the book up the rankings. And while that book sits on your bookshelf, your reputation as a talent spotter increases depending on how well that book performs."

typo last line of pitch: "life" forvever, instead of "like" forever