Monday, April 24, 2017

The Setting of The Diner by Michael J Melville


The Oregon Series: Book Two

First I want to thank Fang-tastic Books for being a part of my very first virtual book tour EVER, so this is all pretty exciting for me. 

The location is such an important part of my stories and I dare say it’s almost as important to me as the characters. The Diner primarily takes place in and around the small, hard working and blue collar town of Tillamook Oregon. Tillamook has a long and rich history in both Air, Sea as well as farming. The Diner also has stops in Cannon Beach and Astoria which lie north of Tillamook on the coast.

For a few years, I lived in Oregon and Idaho and spent quite a bit of time on the Oregon Coast. This area of Oregon is the home in my heart and now is the backdrop for part of my first series. It’s a quieter and calmer part of Oregon, always has been and for me at least it’s the most beautiful and peaceful. Many people are unfamiliar with this part of Oregon or the state in general so, please join me while I guide you through the areas that are the setting for The Diner. 

The Diner spans the years from 1968 to 2017 so I will combine some historical pictures with more current ones. 



Thanks for taking a look at this Pinterest board and I hope you found it interesting. 

I’m sure now you can see exactly why I love this part of Oregon so much and why I set part of the series here. 

The setting is important to a lot of authors but for you, the reader, what is your favorite setting a book you read has taken place in?  

What was it about that location that just…hit you as a reader. 

The Diner
The Oregon Series
Book Two
Michael J Melville

Genre: Romance/Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Books by Michael Melville

Date of Publication: April 21st 2017

ASIN:  B06WW67FJG

Number of pages: 245
Word Count: 71,661

Cover Artist: Victor Fuentes

Tagline: “A powerful tale of love and hope that spans a lifetime and reminds us all of how precious life is.”

Book Description:

“In a powerful story that spans decades, we see the beginning and the end of a lifetime of love, friendship, and devotion. From a chance encounter on Christmas Eve to a heart-wrenching vision on a beach decades later of the love of his life, we follow Johnathan Hays on a journey through his nearly 50 years on the Oregon Coast. This journey not only changes his own fate and future but the lives of others around him in unforeseen ways while he learns what being a husband, father, friend and man mean to him.

Through remarkable storytelling and letters that John himself writes, we get a glimpse at his past, future and the years in-between then and now. We see his broken soul, inner and outer frailty as he bravely moves forward with only his heart, love and hope guiding his way. We see the beginnings of familiar characters, friendships and bonds are formed, new beginnings are started and it all begins in a small diner.”


Excerpt 2

My Dearest Elizabeth,

I’ve seen you. At least I think it was you…it felt like you. Sometimes when I’m alone I swear I see you walking out on the beach waiting for me to walk with you. We loved the sunsets together, didn’t we? It was our time alone, to be in love even when Andrew was scampering around. I keep looking for you. Did you forget about me, my love?
Sheila, my nurse, left a bit ago. She is a sweet girl and you would like her. I feel bad that she must see me lingering in the twilight of my years and suffering through most days like I have. I didn’t have the nerve to tell her what I know to be true before she left; that she will never see me again.
 I need to tell Andrew goodbye. I wasn’t sure how but now I know. It’s the only way where I feel like I can make sense. 
You see, I’m done. I have nothing left in me anymore but I suspect you already know that. The bad times happen more and more and I am thankful for this moment of clarity so I can talk to you. I can feel the life draining away.
Are you there?
Can you hear me?
I can feel it…the end. It’s my time. Please find me wherever you are. I still don’t know if there is a heaven but if there is I hope you are there. If I make it there, please find me so I don’t have to be alone anymore.

Your ever-loving Husband,

Johnathan

About the Author:

Michael Melville lived and grew up in Grandville Michigan. With blue-collar beginnings, he is the son of a retired factory worker and an interior decorator. In 2002, he moved to Portland Oregon and spent several years living in the Pacific Northwest and northern Idaho. He spent a lot of his time traveling up and down the Oregon coast often with his dog, Harley, at his side. That coastline, the small towns, and the people he met and saw have inspired and become a part of him. Michael considers the Oregon coast his second home even while currently living in Michigan and goes back as often as he can.

Mike (Michael) strives to live his life on his own terms, to be different and not settle while seeking his own version of happiness. He spent years writing without most people knowing about it while secretly honing his style and voice. In 2012, he finally published his first novel, a romance called Running Northwest. Michael attends Grand Valley State University where he is a senior and is earning a BA in Writing with a focus on creative writing. He is newly married and the proud parent of a 2 1/2-year-old boy. Traveling is an important part of his life both professionally and personally and he draws inspiration for his stories from all the places he visits and the things he sees.









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2 comments:

Michae Melville said...

Thank you so much taking part in this tour.

maintenanceg said...
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