Merry Christmas 2018 !!

I just wanted to take a moment to extend my sincere best wishes to everyone and my hope is that you will all have a happy & very blessed Christmas, as well as a safe & prosperous New Year.

At this time of year we all tend to be focused on shopping and the hustle & bustle surrounding Christmas, but I think it is very important to take a moment and focus on what is truly important.

At this time last year I was dealing with the diagnosis that I had cancer. Certainly not what anyone wants to hear, but within a matter of days I would also learn that I had lost my old partner, Paul Murphy, to this insidious disease. Most people would be rocked by the news, but in a way it was very cathartic for me. My diagnosis allowed me to stop for a moment and deeply consider things I had always taken for granted. One of those things was my relationship with Christ.

For several years I had been toiling, unsuccessfully I might add, at writing a book entitled: Where Was God? Suddenly, my diagnosis created a sense of urgency in addressing this, but what started out as a question of where God was on 9/11, soon turned into my investigation if there even was a God.

The very nature of this topic was daunting, but I opened my heart, as well as my mind, to the task. It is nice to ‘believe’ in something, but if that belief is predicated on a fallacy than what is the point? Who’s benefit does it serve? As someone once said: “I’m an investigator, I search for facts, I don’t ‘create’ them.”

When I was finished, I was satisfied that I had explored things to their proper conclusion and I was ready to present it to the reader; the same way an investigator passes a case along to the prosecutor. What I found particularly interesting was that one of the responses I received was from an actual attorney. He wrote in part, “Early in my journey with God I read ‘The Case for Christ’ [Strobel] and I was disappointed. It was not persuasive and frankly left more food for the cynic in me. Your book felt like a real case for Christ, as if a seasoned trial lawyer was putting on a case.”

The reality is, as we come face to face with our own mortality, we all begin to question what we believe in. Beyond the twinkling lights, and the festive decorations on the tree, is the real Reason for this Season: Jesus Christ.

We have all ‘heard’ the story about the innocent little baby, born in a humble manger, who would soon change the entire world, but was it just a story or was it real? The answer, based upon my investigation, is a resounding: YES.

The real Christmas gift is that Jesus came into this world to save us.

This Christmas I ask you to take pause amidst the holiday chaos, and give thanks for the gift of Eternal Life.

“Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." John 16:33

No matter what you are going through, God is Always Faithful.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and God bless you all,
Andrew

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My 2018 Christmas Gift To You

When you give the gift of reading, you give the gift of wonder.

Growing up, I always had a book nearby. Whether it was science fiction by Frank Herbert or a police procedural by Joe Wambaugh, I enjoyed the experience of being immersed in another world. It is one of the reasons I enjoy writing.

This Christmas, I am making my debut novel, Perfect Pawn, available on the Amazon Kindle e-Book platform for only $.99.

Starting December 24th, 2018 (8 a.m. PST) and running through December 31st, 2018 (12 a.m. PST) you can dive head first into the world of James Maguire, a former U.S. Navy SEAL and retired NYPD detective.

This page turning literary roller-coaster ride will take you from the concrete jungle of New York City to the idyllic mountains of upstate New York and beyond.

This Christmas, give yourself a gift that the only regret you’ll have is why you didn’t read it sooner.

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Radio Interview: Your Book, Your Business, Your Brand w/ Daria Anne

I recently had the opportunity to do an interview with the incredible Daria Anne on her show: ‘Your Book, Your Brand, Your Business’ which aired on iHeart Radio Network.

We had a great time discussing my books, the general topic of mystery novels, as well as some of the perils and pitfalls of the publishing industry. I was also happy to answer some listener questions.

The episode is available by following the link below:

Interview with Former NYPD Cop and Author Andrew Nelson

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In the news: Where Was God?

The initial period, following the release of any new book, is always a time of great trepidation for an author. It isn’t till the first reviews come in that you’re finally able to breathe a sigh of relief. Fortunately for me, the reviews are coming in for my latest book: Where Was God? An NYPD first responder’s search for answers following the terror attack of September 11th 2001, and they are all positive:

“I have read this book during a time of personal struggle and pain. While I try to make a correct decision in life, this book has shined [a] light and reminded me of what I need to do.”

“If you are a skeptic and you think God is all BS. Give this book a chance, it will very possibly change your life forever.”

It is one thing to receive a positive review for a fiction book, but getting them for a book on spirituality is deeply humbling.  I recently received a letter from one reader that I wanted to share. He wrote in part, “Early in my journey with God I read ‘The Case for Christ’ and I was disappointed. It was not persuasive and frankly left more food for the cynic in me. Your book felt like a real case for Christ, as if a seasoned trial lawyer was putting on a case.”

This statement was significant to me because the writer is an attorney by profession. Receiving that type of compliment, from someone who is in the legal profession, is truly remarkable.

I was also honored by the fact that FRONTLINE Magazine, the official publication of the NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association, featured Where Was God? in their latest edition. I have attached a copy below.

In closing, I would just like to reiterate the importance of leaving book reviews, especially for indie authors. So if you have enjoyed any of my books please head on over to Amazon or Barnes & Noble and leave a quick review. I’d greatly appreciate it.

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Interview - The Authors Show

I recently had the honor and privilege of being interviewed by Linda Thompson for The Authors Show. It is an online radio outlet that interviews authors from a wide variety of genres.

My interview will play for twenty-four (24) hours on October 9th. You can access the interview by clicking on the link below, scrolling down to the date and selecting the book title: PERFECT PAWN

Hope you enjoy and feel free to share this with other readers you know.

https://www.wnbnetworkwest.com/

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