Extended Review on The Last Out in Royals Review

If you want to talk about a true ‘labor’, try running a successful blog about a wretched baseball franchise.

The crew over at Royals Review puts out a top-shelf product every night and hold quite an audience.  That cannot be easy to pull off 135 games into the season.

Coming across an opportunity for a review is always welcome for me and, I’d like to think, a welcome break in an abyss of losing for them.  A review for The Last Out is on there as well as my extended interview about the novel.  Check it out!

Read the September 2, 2009 review of The Last Out here.

Plus, a great deal for any Royals’ fans from the interview.  I’ll throw in a free, signed hardcover copy of my first novel, Gotcha Down, with any purchase.

Only a Handful of “The Interim” Remain – Pick Yours Up Pronto

This is that can be called a ‘good problem’.

We’re down to just a few copies of “The Interim”, my 2007 college basketball novel that picked up praise for its realism and pacing. Literally, about a half dozen remain.

I will probably print off more of them when we go to print next fall for my fourth novel, Out of Timeouts. Yet, in the meantime, we’ll just keep The Interim as a ‘collector’s item’.

Also, a free signed copy of Gotcha Down for anyone who orders The Last Out.

Enjoy and thanks as always! – Chris

Well…the Royals stink. May as well read The Last Out

Each year over the past twenty, with the notable exceptions of 1994 and 2003, I quietly mark the time of the year when I declare the Kansas City Royals, the “Team of My Youth”, as a team that stinks.

Well…we’re back here.

They stink.

As I write this, the Royals are 41-63. Worst record in the American League. What is really bothersome is that the Royals were 19-11 in May. That means, since their comeback win over the Twins at the Metrodome, the Royals are 22-52 since then. 22 wins in 74. Even awful baseball teams win 30% and this crew can’t even do that.

Thus…

If you need to read about a Kansas City baseball team actually winning and making a run for the playoffs, pick up The Last Out.

It’s solid.

Also, thanks to more libraries for coming on board to stock The Last Out. This month, more library directors in Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Minnesota, Ohio, Missouri, Wisconsin (of course) and Illinois are putting The Last Out on the shelves for their readers.

Thanks, all!

Midwest Book Review on The Last Out: “Exciting To The Very End.”

Always great to get the reviewers to spend time going through The Last Out.

This from the July 2009 edition of the respected Midwest Book Review:

The Last Out
Chris Earl
Gate 8 Publishing
2108 Larry Drive NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
9781607438007, $14.95, www.gate8publishing.com

The past always seems to stalk one, waiting for an opportunity to strike. “The Last Out” is the third novel from author Chris Earl. “The Last Out” follows Royal Cutter as he finally gains his chance at the major leagues; he finds himself traded to Kansas City, where decades ago Royal’s father, also a baseball player, met his premature end. The same forces may be out to get Royal. “The Last Out” follows Royal tries to realize his own dream while facing the past, an is an exciting story to the very end.

Thanks to the libraries — once again

As with The Interim back in 2007, a major ‘thank you’ goes out to the many libraries, large and small, as they are stocking my latest novel, The Last Out.

It’s proof that locating solid novels that are appropriate for teenage readers and do NOT involve gherkins, wizards, vampires, mythical cars, sorcerers or any other supernatural fictional character is HARD to find.

I’m always thrilled to write about “real” people in extraordinary situations.

So, for the libraries, large and small, of Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Iowa, especially, a hearty thank you!

- Chris

“A Tribute to Kansas City” – Latest Review on The Last Out

This latest review from Mark Meisenheimer with Blur Media of Kansas City…

If you’re looking for a sports-themed novel with great action and suspense, look no further than The Last Out. Author Chris Earl masterfully spins the tale of Royal Cutter, a career minor leaguer, who finally makes the big league roster of his hometown Kansas City team. Intricate character development and plenty of plot twists highlight this baseball story which transcends to the non-sports fan’s interest. The story of Royal Cutter also cuts to its author’s nostalgic look at his native Kansas City. For anyone who has spent time in KC, Earl points out the niches and nuances that make the Fountain City special.

But perhaps even more profound about this book is how Earl captures the characters’ struggles in life. In fact, it could be viewed that their shortcomings are just a reflection of the perennial losing Royals, who actually become contenders. Like rooting for Rocky, you can’t help but get behind the characters and the team who have in many cases been handed an uneven deck. These Royals are finding a way to overcome their adversity, and so is Cutter and those close to him. Victory and defeat find many different forms in The Last Out in relation to baseball and life. He pulls no punches when it comes to his team, town, and to baseball as a whole. Best of all, Earl embraces it all. The Last Out is a tribute to Kansas City and its long tradition tied to baseball…pay Chris Earl back and pick up his book for $14.95. Your return on Royal Cutter will be far greater.

The Last Out is ‘called out’ in This New Review.

This write-up from Volume One in Eau Claire on The Last Out… enjoy!  – Chris

http://volumeone.org/magazine/articles/602/Call_to_the_Pen.html

Return from Wisconsin Book Tour

Just got back from a wonderful visit back to Eau Claire as well as over to Milwaukee. I enjoyed a pair of successful signings in Eau Claire, at The Living Room Coffeehouse on West Cameron Street as well as Borders that evening.

Got a welcome note that Borders sold out of their stock of The Last Out. So…more is on the way to Borders on Commonwealth in Eau Claire.

Other places to find The Last Out:
- The Living Room Coffeehouse still has signed copies.
- www.chrisearlbooks.com. Oh…we always have signed copies here.

Thanks! – Chris

“Sensational!”. More Brag Time on the Early Feedback on The Last Out

This from a good friend — a person whose opinion I respect because he works in sports:

“I’ve been meaning to drop you a line for the past week — since I finished “The Last Out!  Chris…you a truly a gifted writer!!! I have so enjoyed all three of your books, and being the baseball diehard that I am, this was was partiuclarly enjoyable!  It’s the “detail” that I love about your writing, Chris!”

Thanks, “friend”.

What makes these words truly special is that he works the press box” for the home games of a Major League Baseball franchise.  He’s around the game 81 times a year, inside the rhythms and the natural drama of baseball.

As I wait on the ‘formal’ reviews to come back, I must say, the positive feedback from people – who may not be with the New York Times Book Review but who understand my subjects – is even more welcome.

Thanks!

Some of the Early Praise for The Last Out

Good to hear back from some of the early readers of The Last Out.

“Your best work yet.” – Steve in MN

“Couldn’t put the damn thing down, Earl!…this is your best book yet. Your writing style allows readers to effortlessly get caught up in the tension.” – Chris in MN

“Very enjoyable!” – Steve in WI
Take the plunge.  Enjoy The Last Out — it’s a good one.  – Chris