
Jameson Parker. I swiped this photo from his website, which is why there’s a big BIO across the front of it. Sorry, JP!
Jameson Parker
I found Jameson Parker to be intelligent, charismatic, and possessing a wickedly dry sense of humor. He is a forthright man and boy, does he know his way around words!
I read his book An Accidental Cowboy back in December. A memoir told in chunks of chopped up time, his experiences, the way he writes, just dug its hooks into me and after reading it I felt like I knew him. I knew we were friends, and there were all these things I could say to him that he’d get, because I knew him. Which to me is amazing, since I read a lot – and I’ve never had that connection to the writer like that before this book. Plus, I’d never met the man, so it felt kinda really weird, that connection to his words.
Of course, when I did get a chance to meet him not that long ago, I kept my mouth shut because JP is a very private person. And his beautiful wife would have decked me had I been inappropriate. Which I also knew, from reading An Accidental Cowboy. Yes, you should pick up that book!
And for those of you who are thinking, wasn’t Jameson Parker an actor? Yes, he was. For 30 years. He played opposite Gerald McRaney on Simon & Simon for 8 years. (He’s not that other Parker, so put that out of your mind right now.)
But this post isn’t about that.
Jameson Parker has a new book out that I can’t wait to get my hands on, and that I had to share with you. It’s called Return to Laughter, and it’s – well, here’s the blurb for you.
Return to Laughter is an insider’s account of the rise and fall and bittersweet redemption of a wild and wildly ambitious young star. Young Rocky Stone rebels against the stuffy and circumscribed world of his upbringing and climbs up the acting ladder to the top of the most glamorous profession there is, a world of wealth, fame, and privilege, as well as sex, drugs, and self-destruction. The birth of a child stops Rocky Stone’s downward spiral, but Hollywood is also a world where cheating and embezzlement are ways of life, and lives are considered disposable. When real disaster strikes, can a little girl save him?
Perhaps a novel, perhaps a roman à clef, perhaps a biography, Return to Laughter weaves reality and fiction together to paint a portrait of Hollywood that is as true today as it has always been, a transient place of youth and beauty and adoration and the shadow of something evil.
So – it’s a little bit tell-all, a little bit biography – with a heaping helping of fictionalized reality is my guess. Can you see why I’m interested in reading this book? Just as soon as I’m done reading my “homework” novels…
Jameson’s Author Page on Amazon: Go HERE.
Jameson’s Website: http://www.readjamesonparker.com
Do me a favor, please?
Click on the links to his books (above or below) and then click “like” on those books on Amazon. I love this man’s writings, I treasure the time I spent with him in his kitchen drinking coffee, and the only way I know how to repay him for that time is to share him and his novels with you. And, in a way, share you with him. He doesn’t have a writing support fellowship like I do; so I’d really, really appreciate it if you’d help him out.
I believe in the power of social media, and in the generosity of writers. I’d like you, my friends, to help me turn Jameson Parker into a believer, too. If I’m very lucky, I’ll have him on the blog some day with an interview. We shall see! In the meantime, let’s get those “likes” to above 100, shall we? Pass it on to your friends!
One commenter will receive an ecopy of either Return to Laughter or An Accidental Cowboy from me. Just make sure you let me know what number you are in the comments when you “like” either Return to Laughter or An Accidental Cowboy – if you “like” both, you’ll get entered twice in the drawing (I am VERY proud to say that I was the first “like” – Number 1 – for both those books!), and make sure you leave your email in the comments so I can gift you a copy from Amazon. This giveaway will end at midnight on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2013.
So – when was the last time you felt you knew the author, just by reading their words? I’d love to know!
~ Until the next time, cheers! ~
~oOo~
Demon Soul, Blood Dreams and Demon Hunt are all available for the Kindle! Have you fallen into the Caine Brothers’ world yet?
I’m headed over to Like everything. I always did Like Jameson and my hubby and I wondered what he was up to. Now we know.
Thanks for the interview.
I am a total fan of the Author Jameson. Never really knew him as an actor, funnily enough!
I will go in and LIKE the books! Happy Monday!!
Happy Monday, Charlene! I’ve missed you – and Thanks!
You’re welcome, Sandy! Feel free to share.
I went to the author page and was #3 Like. However, I didn’t see a “Like” option for the books individually in Amazon. What am I missing?
GAH!!! It figures – the one day I try to do something nice…I don’t know why, hopefully it’s temporary. I checked – NO ONE’s books have the “Like” button right now. Sigh…But you can always “like” his author page! THat helps, too!
The books sound delightful, and I’ll most definitely “like.”
Thanks, Roben! Pass the word!
Hi Christine! Thanks for the introduction. Yeah, I noticed all the “likes” are gone, but I did go and like his author page!
Thanks for liking his author page, Robin! That totally works!
I would love to ‘like’ the books but was unable to. I am #5 on the author page. I am devastated to hear what he went through and am glad that he found a way to work through his trauma. (and yes, I was one of the many people who drooled over him way back when, lol)
elewkf1@yahoo dot com
ELF
http://thereadingaddict-elf.blogspot.com/
Hey Elf, I know – for some reason Amazon chose TODAY to futz with the “Like” buttons! *headdesk* Another entry in the “it’s always something” file, huh? But you’re definitely in the giveaway. Feel free to tweet, FaceBook, etcetera!
Holy…moley, my “like” buttons are gone! Weird. I’ll try again later. The very weird thing is I was just thinking about Simon & Simon last week during one of our rainy days. I think the show took place in San Diego, and the opener had this great scene of the brothers driving down a trafficless freeway on a sunny day in So. Cal.
Authors I automatically connected with via the writing? Um…Christine Ashworth!
Sam, you sweetheart! LOL…yeah, not sure what’s up with the “Like” buttons…but the giveaway will go on through Valentine’s Day. And yes, I believe Simon & Simon did film in San Diego – I believe my dad was an extra on a few of those shows! Small world, huh?
This is sooo cool, Christine. I loved Mr. Parker in his role as AJ Simon! In fact, I named my second son Andrew Joseph just so he could have the nickname AJ:-) Although the AJ in AJ Simon stood for Andrew Jackson, I believe. Seriously…I was a huge fan of the show and have enjoyed catching Jameson in many movies and guest spots over the years. I had no idea he was a writer and author. I’ve “liked” his page and will pass your blog post around. I would positively stop back in for an interview with him and a chance to say hi.Thanks for bringing this to our attention. You’re awesome!
Paula, JP has been writing for many years now. Lots of magazine articles and such, as it shows on his website (I think?). Thanks so much for spreading the word! His work is awesome and I hope you pick it up!
I really enjoyed Simon & Simon way back when, and that gives me incentive to read Jameson Parker’s books! Sorry I can’t “like” him on his author page or them on Amazon, though. Great post, Christine!
Linda, thanks! And check back – you never know when the “like” buttons will reappear.