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          On many fronts, November played out as one of the most active months of the year. Before I begin, I want to extend a warm welcome to the newbies of the group--more than twenty-five of you signed onto the site over the past 30 days. We hope you each enjoy a pleasant stay in our company. As the veterans can see, Web Queen Kate has wasted little time getting into action. For one thing, newsletters are sent out with a bolder and better look to them. For another, the site itself has been cleaned up and is still in the process of being updated even further. New links have been added with many more to come. Also, coming soon--family recipes and more information regarding CHASERS.
          On the CHASERS front, while the novel moves forward and rapidly gains speed, I'm sad to announce that my editor, Joe Blades, has decided to leave his Random House post and begin a new chapter of his life. For those of you not in the book world, Joe Blades is a top-tier editor and a first-class man. His passion for the work, his friendship, his encouragement and his guidance will be missed by all who have worked with him through the years. I wish him well in whatever venture he next chooses. There is no doubt he'll find the success and happiness he seeks—and a World Series championship for his beloved St. Louis Cardinals along the way wouldn't be a bad thing either. Stay well, Joe.
          Now, on the DVD and movie front, I loved CINDERELLA MAN with Russell Crowe. I wished the movie carried more of an emotional wallop, but I’ll say this about Crowe--the man brings it to the table and gives you everything you can ask for from a performance and then some. I can't picture anyone else in the lead role, he takes over the soul and spirit of James J. Braddock, a fighter who went from the tenement bottom to the top ropes, emerging as the heavyweight champion of the world. THE SKELETON KEY was worth it just to watch Kate Hudson and Gena Rowlands work—the scares were minimal, the surprises few, but the two ladies, one a young star and the other a great actress, happily battled each other to a draw in every scene. It's always fun to watch the pros in action.
        If you get to New York, go see JERSEY BOYS, the musical based on the life of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. It is the most fun I've ever had in a theater. Frankie V. and the Seasons were to the working poor what the Beatles were to the rest of the country—our voice, our sound, our singers. They have sold over 150 million albums and their story is told through their songs. They came up tough in New Jersey, working odd jobs for the Mob, and then broke into the big time with a string of hits, which never seemed to end. To Bob Gaudio, who wrote all the songs, to Frankie Valli, who gave them life, and to Nick and Tony who filled out the group—on my street, in my neighborhood, in the city I grew up in—there was no one any better. Then or now.
        If you have an extra day and are in the mood for an entirely different musical experience, try THE WOMAN IN WHITE, the new Andrew Lloyd Webber musical based on the classic Wilkie Collins mystery. The sets alone are worth the price of the ticket.
       As for CDs—in case you weren't paying attention—give anything by the Four Seasons a listen. On the book front, I got an early peek at Thomas Perry's latest, NIGHTLIFE, which hits stores this spring--great thriller, one of his best. P.D. James is back with another out-of-the-park shot, THE LIGHTHOUSE, and there's a classy new collection of LOST STORIES by the master himself, Dashiell Hammett, that is well worth the time and effort it will take to score a copy.
        The month comes to an end with the Rangers still in first place; football Giants trying to stay in first place; Mets signing free agents as if they were printing money out in Queens and Yankees playing a quiet game of poker. The city of New York re-elected a good Mayor and my friend Sonny Grosso may get what he most deserves--to be back on the air with a gritty cop show. Here's to his deal coming together, a ten-year run and another fifty years of good health. And to Lena Sabin--if the check isn't here soon, I will have to ask Keith J. to charge you for the Thursday bagels. 
       Thanksgiving has come and gone and Christmas will soon be upon us. I wish for health and happiness to all and for a safe return home for the young men and women fighting a war in the darkest of places.
       Stay well and safe each of you and thank you for your kind support.
                              --Lorenzo Carcaterra       

October Newsletter

Here we are again, fast on the heels of last month's newsletter. I'll catch up with these letters one day, but once I do, what will any of us have to complain about? Again, October saw a fair number of new sign-ups joining our web family and we welcome one and all to what I hope will be a fun site to visit. Some of the changes instituted by Web Queen Kate have begun to appear while others, many others, are still to come. You might notice my face is off the web site (great decision) and it's cleaner and easier to follow. Many new links have been added and behind the scenes, Kate and Grand Master Clay have figured out the ways to get news and newsletters to you in a faster way. So, come in and check it out and let me know what you think. Any suggestions will be appreciated and some might even be implemented.
             One piece of the site we decided to eliminate is the Forum. There are a few reasons for this--primary one is its lack of use. It was meant as a place for sign-ons to converse with each other, but it hasn't really evolved into that. I checked with a number of other author web sites and they are free of Forums--leaving those chats to other areas of the internet globe. The e-mails will stay and, as always, I'll answer each one sent. That's the best way for us to communicate directly. As the changes to the site are phased in, I have decided to make the awarding of the monthly prizes a bit more interesting (spurred on by Lady Kate). Instead of simply choosing two names at random, there will now be a monthly quiz--and the first three to answer correctly will win an unannounced gift. It is safe to assume however, that whatever happens, the great Lena Saben will always be awarded One-Punch Productions products only. And West Coast Babe-O-Rama Josie is on regular bail money retainer (hey, you try living with Fast Freddie).
           My work continues to move forward and CHASERS is much closer to the kind of book I want it to be--it's an important next novel for me and I'm pleased as to how the characters have emerged, both old and new, and how much deeper beneath their surface I've found myself going. But don't worry, there's no let-up on the action side of the ledger. And as I mentioned last month, both PARADISE CITY and a re-issue of APACHES are in stores now, just waiting to be bought. Give either one a read and, as always, let me know your thoughts and reactions. Research on the book after CHASERS is still a few months from completion, but MIDNIGHT ANGELS will be both a challenge to write and a terrific ride to go on. I hope you feel the same when the time comes for Random House / Ballantine to bring it to stores and into your hands.
          On the DVD front, I've now seen the first two seasons of NIP/TUCK and am convinced it is both the best-written and best-acted show on television. If any of the scripts I write get even close to the depth and cutting edge action and dialogue of that show, I will have more than succeeded in my task. On the book end of life, Patricia Cornwell has once again come through. In fact, I hit a daily double--a paperback of BLOW FLY was an amazing book and everything a thriller should be, while her new hardcover PREDATOR, took that achievement even one step further and slam dunks home another winner. Also on the must read list are Mike Lupica's TRAVEL TEAM (if you have a son and a beating heart, you will love this book) and Don Winslow's THE POWER OF THE DOG (I dare you to start this book and not finish it. A GREAT thriller by a gem of a writer).
  A prize will be awarded to the first three who answer BOTH of these questions correctly. Please send in a full name and address when you do respond and very important, please DO NOT send any responses to this email address, all contest guesses and/or personal messages should be sent to lorenzocarcaterra@hotmail.com.
         Thank you all again for your patience and loyalty. I appreciate both. And Lena--still no sign of that check. Clock is ticking and I would hate to hit you up for interest. And Josie--thanks for sending Freddie's resume. I'll see what I can do. But I don't know many people looking for a getaway driver.
         Stay well and safe all of you and see you again soon.
                                                           Lorenzo Carcaterra     

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