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74 Comments
Alf Fry
Hi, Ray – nice thing you’ve got going here. Not sure you want to offer me discounts on books when it costs so much to mail them to me from UK. My new email address is above (don’t often use the ******@*****.***.** one much any more). The http://www.psrunes.com/ website is one of my ventures and is free and I hope fun to use, with no strings attached. It’s a variation on the Nordic runes, being over a million years old and originating with a very ancient seer of the Hodrin species….
Ray
Hi Alf. It’s nice to hear from one of my very first supporters and reviewers. Developing Matchbox Memories seems a long time ago now. Thanks for checking out the site, and thanks for the link to your psrunes – very, erm, mystical indeed.
Nancy
Just read your book The Sugar Men – A Story of Holocaust Echoes. What a great story . Told my family they need to read it. Really. enjoyed it. Cried at the end.
Ray
Thank you very much, Nancy. That’s very sweet of you.
Sue
I have read a number of books about WWII and the holocaust but I have never read anything that made the story more real to me than The Sugar Men. Very well written and something I will never forget.
Ray
That means a lot to me, Sue. Thank you very much.
Nikki
Hi Ray,
Its so nice to see the face of the author of books I enjoy reading. I’m almost finished reading hostage to love a killer. So well written that I get lost in it. I love books like this.
Thx Nikki
Ray
Thanks right back to you Nikki. Well, you can see *some* of my face.
JOHN SUMNER
Hi, Recently read Match Box Memories, a great tale, thoroughly enjoyed. I then had a look at your website. Although I am 71 I still love the modern technology so had a look at your blog on American Pie, this reminded me of a song by John Steward called I Remember America. If you have not listened to it please do so, it sums up a lot of what you say in your blog. I thought you may find it interesting. Good luck for the future
Ray
Thanks, John. Glad you enjoyed Matchbox Memories. I’ll take a look at that song too.
Pat Douglas
Just finished reading Matchbox Memories.
I just wrote a review (Under the name Susiecat)
I must admit, I was hesitant about reading a book about such a terrible disease. but this book was so much more than about this illness! Loved the characters and their interactions. And you dealt with Ruth in such a gentle and dignified way.
Thank You for this book!
Pat
Ray
Hi Pat. Thank you very much for this comment and also leaving such a well-thought-out review on Amazon. Writing Matchbox Memories was hard work at times, but reactions like this make it all worthwhile.
Laurie Berwald
Dear Mr. Kingfisher:
I am currently reading “The Sugar Men,” and I am thoroughly enjoying it!!! It is a compelling story and extremely well written! I have read A LOT of Holocaust literature, and your method of presentation is creative and very different from what I have read in the past!
As I was reading it, I was so surprised (and delighted!) that Reuben went to America with his friends, the Berwalds. That is my last name, and not a very common one. Also, ironic is that my husband’s grandparents left Poland in 1938, traveled through the UK on their way to the United States. They were sponsored by an Uncle Paul, who had a daughter, Helene! My family is all very curious to know why/how you picked the name Berwald, and if there is any connection, or if it is merely coincidental?
Thanks so much, and I can’t wait to finish the book tonight!!
Laurie Berwald
Ray
First of all, thank you for reading my book. I hope the rest of it doesn’t disappoint. For both ‘The Sugar Men’ and ‘Rosa’s Gold’ I was trying to write something new and relevant to today, but without losing the essential wartime story. And as you’re so widely read on the subject your comments mean a lot to me.
I wrote The Sugar Men in 2013, so it’s not fresh in my mind. But I’ll try to answer your question.
I have a method for picking names in stories, which I occasionally stick to (!). Firstly they have to be relevant to the era, place and character background. I think for both ‘The Sugar Men’ and ‘Rosa’s Gold’ I looked at historical records and picked the names that felt ‘right’ to me – the ones that I just liked. I can’t specifically say where ‘Berwald’ came from – it’s likely I spotted it in some record of Jewish prisoners in Belsen and thought it fitted the characters in my mind. So I’m afraid the answer is that it just has to be one of those spooky coincidences. Sorry.
But you do have a fascinating family background. I do think – even now – there are a million and one Holocaust stories still waiting to be told.
Thanks again,
Ray.
Laurie Berwald
Thank you for your reply! I do appreciate it! I can’t wait to finish the rest of the book, and look forward to reading “Rosa’s Gold.”
Laurie
Linda
I just finished reading “Rosa’s Gold” and must comment right now while the story is fresh in my mind. I read a lot of books in a lot of genres, but I’m particularly drawn to Historical Fiction. Perhaps because I happen to be a Baby Boomer whose parents lived through the Great Depression and the Second World War, I have a special fascination for those times. Your book was an amazing find which left me emotional but speechless. Thank you so much for making it available through Amazon. It will remain on my Kindle as a special favorite to read again.
Ray
Hi Linda. What a lovely comment. And I feel very flattered to hear that you intend to read it again. Thank you very much.
Ms. Randy Cavaliere
Hi Ray! I’ve read 2 of your books and from now on, I’m hooked; if you write it, I’ll read it. I have a “thing” for Holocaust stories. The Sugar Men had me in tears more than once (I give it a 5 Tissue rating!), it was really so well done and moving. I wasn’t going to read Matchbox Memories as we have a very old, senile parent – I couldn’t see how you’d make a comedic story from this. But it was a wonderful, well-played story and I’m glad I read it. Next up is Rosa’s Gold. I will steal a read of a chapter or 2 between my editing work. Loved your “About Me” info, especially your sartorially (did I make up a word?) splendid cat. Thanks for the great writing!
Ray
Many thanks for your kind remarks, Randy. Love the 5 tissue rating idea – perhaps I’ll suggest that to Amazon. You’ll find my other books are a pretty varied selection, but I still hope you like whichever ones you decide to read. Also note that the third Holocaust book is coming along nicely. I’ll post updates on the Work in Progress section.
Caroline Perrin
Hello Ray, my Book Club’s book to read for June is “The Sugar Men”. We will be reviewing it on Wednesday, the 6th July and I shall let you know the verdict (!) shortly thereafter. So far I have heard only really good comments from members I have seen or spoken to. Every month I write our Book Club’s newsletter, in which, amongst other things, I give everyone a preview of the questions, about the book, which we will be discussing. Usually I find these discussion points somewhere on the web. However, I cannot find any discussion points for “The Sugar Men” and just wondered if you might be able to come up with some!! We usually stick to around 4/5 depending on how meaty they are! I really would appreciate your help with this. Regards, Caroline
Ray
Hello Caroline. I’m flattered that your Book Club has chosen The Sugar Men for its June read, hope it doesn’t disappoint. I’ll contact you by email with some discussion points.
Linda Gates
Hi, Ray
I just finished Rosa’s Gold. What an incredible find! As so many others have commented, I also have read a lot of holocaust accounts and literature. This is the first one I have read where the main character is not a Jew, which was eye-opening on its own. You are an incredible writer. Thank you for this story and for writing so many others…I am looking forward to opening the next one!
Linda
Ray
Hello Linda. Thank you very much for your generous comments. Yes, I’ve tried to approach the Holocaust from an original angle, so I’m glad and also a little relieved it’s been a success.
Helen C. Moir-Howes
hi Ray ,just read ,and much enjoyed”Rosa s Gold”.I do not usually comment on books .however it was the different approach that enthralled me.
My father was in the desert ,Italy and saw emptying of “camps” at times mentioned.
Thanks for all your very skilled work.
Ray
Hi Helen.
Thanks right back at you for buying my book. I’m pleased you found it different, I guess that’s the general idea.
And God bless your father, they were tough times to live through and I’m be sure he had some horrific tales to tell.
Sherry Goldberg
Dear Ray,
I read The Sugar Men and am now reading Rosa’s Gold. You are brilliant writer. You’ve touched my heart and made me cry.I read how you began writing and then stopped for a period of time. I am so glad, for your sake, as well as all your readers that you returned to your fountain of creativity in writing. I think your books should be required reading high school. Thank you.
Ray
Hello Sherry.
Thank you so much for your comments on The Sugar Men and Rosa’s Gold. I often wish I’d started writing earlier in life, but in all honesty I don’t think it would have worked as well. Comments like yours make all the hard work worthwhile and I hope to write a lot more stories yet.
Kay
Ray, I’m an avid reader and I have just read your two novels. Rosa’s Gold and The Sugar Men. They are two of the best novels I’ve ever read. Thank you.
Ray
Wow. Many thanks for those generous words, Kay. It certainly puts the pressure on for my next story.
Jane
Hi Ray, on the back of your The Sugar Men book it should read Susannah Morgan managed to flee and not manage to flee. Just in case you can get it corrected for future printing.
Ray
Thanks, Jane, I’ll pass this on to Amazon Publishing.
Marlene Moore
I just finished reading “Rosa’s Gold”, I’ve posted a review on both Amazon and Goodreads. What a phenomenal book! You are truly a master of your craft. Was it hard for you to write? We’re your emotions as raw as mine were reading it? Will you write a second book about the children’s view and their journey from Europe to America? There were many groups helping families to get their children to a safe country so they would survive. With your brilliant writing and already a second story to pull from, it would be as great as this story.
I will definitely be a fan of yours and will follow your newsletter for any new books.
Please consider a second book as I’ve said above.
Thank you,
Marlene Moore
Ray
Hi Marlene. Thanks for reading Rosa’s Gold and leaving the reviews.
To answer your questions, all books are pretty hard to write, and it was emotional at times – especially the many real-life accounts I researched. I have no plans for a book about the children’s journey to America, but thanks for the idea. As they say, never say never.
I do however, have The Sugar Men already published and a third Holocaust-themed book waiting in the wings. You can subscribe to my newsletter on this website, or just email me and I’ll add you manually. Thank you so much for being a fan, reactions like yours make the hard work worth it.
Helen Anderson
Hi – I have just read The Sugar Men – it was a harrowing and emotional read. Characters jumping off the pages at me. On Easter Saturday morning I was reading about life in Bergen-Belson and the Liberation. Reading it through tears I have to say and had to put it down then. How strange that in the evening I was looking through twitter to see that Easter Saturday was the 72nd anniversary of the liberation of Bergen-Belson and there was a piece written there by Richard Dimbleby who went into the camp with the liberation troops. Your book is an absolute stunning piece of work with such well formed characters. I will be reading more of your books that’s for certain.
Ray
Hi Helen. Many thanks for your kind comments on The Sugar Men.
Yes, I remember finding Richard Dimbleby’s famous report on the horrific details when I was researching for the story. I’ve forgotten it was 15th April – last Saturday.
I hope my other books live up to your expectations.
Ray.
Angela Hughes
Angela Hughes
Hi Ray
I have just finished reading Rosa’s Gold and I absolutely loved the story. I’m not one for writing reviews but just wanted to contact you to say how much I enjoyed it. I will certainly look out for your other books.
Ray
Hi Angela. Many thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. It means a lot to me.
Kenneth Pearce
Good Day Ray,
Like you have done, I also visited Poland and toured Belsen and other Holocaust sites of inexplicable horror that I will carry in my mind for ever.
I have just read The Sugar Men and Rosa’s Gold and for some reason the harsh realities have softened in my mind and it due to your magnificent stories showing compassion and courage of those victims and their families. Well done Ray!
Cordially,
Kenneth
Ray
Hello Kenneth.
Thank you for your kind comments about The Sugar Men and Rosa’s Gold. Yes, horror is the word – real life horror stories. I’m glad you got something out of the stories.
Regards,
Ray.
Kenneth Pearce
Please be aware, Ray, that I did review both excellent stories under my literary title ‘Skipper’.
P.S. Do you know of a Biographer looking for a world travelled adventurer who survived the 1987 San Franciso earthquake, several passenger ship collisions and being outrun by a German Buzz Bomb?
Most cordially,
Kenneth
Ray
Yes, Kenneth. I saw those. Thank you very much again.
And no, I don’t know any biographers. The subject in question wouldn’t be you, would it? Sounds fascinating either way.
Kenneth Pearce
Thanks for responding Ray and your guess is correct. I so envy your extraordinary writing talent and research abilities.
Most cordially,
Kenneth
Ray
Well, thank you for commenting, Kenneth, and for the generous praise. And what an eventful life you’ve lived.
Catherine Goodjohn
I have just discovered you, your books are a complete departure from my normal choice, but I have thoroughly enjoyed the two books I have read. You have written as if you were really there and endured the dreadful experience. Well done!
Ray
Thanks for the praise, Catherine. Pleased and flattered you’ve enjoyed the two books so much and ‘got the experience’ of being there.
Peter Mullan
I was delighted to review Rosas Gold on Amazon
Best wishes
Peter
Ray
And what a generous review it was too. Many thanks, Peter. Sorry about the dinner party guests, but I hope you can watch the rugby on catchup and make it up to the grandkids somehow!
Haze
Hello Ray,
I just read The Sugar Men, I”m now a fan & will look for Rosa’s Gold. I’m very lucky I never had anyone in the Holocaust, thank God, I’ve only read some material about the horrors that happened. Usually stopped reading when it got too graphic and caused me nightmares. I had heard of Auschwitz & Dachau but not Bergen-Belseon? I can’t imagine people doing that to other people. While reading your book, I was pulled into your story so deeply that I had to wrap myself in a blanket to stay warm, even though my house was very warm, but I was lying next to Susannah in Bergen-Belson. I don’t think any book pulled me into it like your book did.
You are an amazing writer. Welll done!
Ray
Hello Haze. Thanks for reading my book and commenting here. I guess it looks like I did my job if you felt you were there. And yes, there were many more camps than most people realize, spread all over Europe. Thank you again for your kind comments.
Joyce
Hello Ray, just finish your brilliant book The Sugar Men and going too order Rosa’s Gold once I’ve done this(please forgive any spelling mistakes I’m still recovering from two strokes had to Liam to read and Wright again ) only 49
Ray
Hello Joyce! Many, many thanks for reading my book and taking the trouble to post your thoughts on here. I only hope Rosa’s Gold lives up to your expectations.
Judy
Hello Ray. I read The Sugar Men in one sitting. My mother is 90 and my name is Judy but from there the similarities end even though our families are in the military. So well written. I can never come to grips with what actually happened and can’t begin to imagine the horror. I have read many books on the Holocaust and I enjoy your style of writing and will continue reading more of your work. Well done Ray.
Ray
Hello Judy. Thanks for reading my book and popping by my website. Really pleased you enjoyed The Sugar Men so much.
Anaya Jennings
Hello Ray, I am doing my final book report for my college course on you and your book “The Sugar Men.” I would just like to know what made you write this book? What things inspired you to create a book like this?
Ray
Hello Anaya. I’m flattered that my book is the subject of a college course. There is some information on this website under ‘My Books’ > ‘The Stories Behind the Stories’. The only other thing I would add is that the seed of the story came from a scene in a concentration camp I had to write for a course exercise. I developed the scene into the short story ‘The Lucky One’. Later on, I thought more about what would make (for me) a more interesting novel, and so concentrated on how the experience would affect the woman for the rest of her life. The details of the novel came from research. If you have any specific question feel free to email me at raykingfisher@gmail.com.
lynne
Hi Ray just received your email update on the progress of your next three novels. Looking forward to reading them.
All the best Lynne
Ray
Thanks Lynne. I hope they live up to your expectations. I know it’s been (and still will be!) a long wait.
Lyndsey
Hi Ray
I finished reading Sugar Men last night and loved it! Not ashamed to say I shed a couple of tears towards the end.
Thought I’d do a bit of research into your other books and find out that you’re from the good old Black Country! So am I! Will definitely be purchasing more now I know that you’re a local too!
Looking forward to reading more of your books!!
Ray
Hi Lyndsey. Yes, we Black Country folk do get about a bit, don’t we?
Seriously, many thanks for reading my book and taking the trouble to research me.
Anyway, tara a bit. I must go and open that tin of mushy paes and sink that pint of Banks’s bitter!
Monica Byles
Hi, Ray, just to say how much I enjoyed working with you on your latest. It’s a great book! You really deserve that pint. Monica x
Ray
Thanks Monica. After all your hard work on it I think I owe you a pint / Gin&Tonic *
(*Delete as appropriate. Oh, you can’t, can you.)
In the meantime, just for once, mine’s a Guinness!
Ray xx
Karen Graham
Hi, Ray,
I just finished reading “Shadow and Beyond.” I must tell you how much I enjoyed your book, even though it was about a terrible time in our world’s history. But I want you to know that I am looking forward to reading your other novels.
Also, with all the comments about “Sugar Men,” I guess that will be the next one I read.
Ray
Hi Karen.
Thank you very much for buying Beyond the Shadow of Night (my abbreviation is BTSON, btw!) and of course I’m thrilled you liked it enough to consider reading The Sugar Men. If you do, I hope you enjoy it just as much. And please don’t forget to leave a review if that’s possible.
Thanks again.
Ray.
Cindy
Friday evening, March 22, 2019
Ray,
I just finished your pseudonym Rachel Quinn AN OCEAN BETWEEN US and intend on searching for other novels by you , writing as Rachel Quinn and/or yourself; as Ray kingfisher, if I can find other novels written in the same vein, as my attention was absolutely riveted to the love story between Aileen and Niall, and in regards to the more than unfair treatment the two of them and others were subjected to during WWII, because of the hostilities between Great Britain & Ireland!
I’m looking forward to reading adding additional books by your various pennames, to my IMMEDIATE BOOKS TO GET LIST!!
Warmly,
Cindy.
Ray
Many thanks, Cindy. Glad you enjoyed my first (but hopefully not last) foray into Historical Romance.
Cindy
I should have said trom, from….. correct?
David
Congratulations on Beyond the Shadow of Night . This was a compelling narrative with strong characters and a very real sense of place. Some of the writing is exceptional – particularly the section in the Warsaw Ghetto. It also deals well with survival and the human spirit in almost impossibly terrible times. Well done.
Ray
Hi David. Many thanks for that, really pleased you enjoyed it so much.
Laura
I just read three of your books: The Sugar Men, Beyond the Shadow of Night, and Under Darkening Skies. I really enjoyed the stories. I was born near Atlanta Georgia where a great many survivors of the Holocaust chose to make their homes after the war. I grew up listening to the stories of those who would share their experiences and feel you have captured the essence of their lives during the war.
I look forward to reading more of your books in the future.
Best wishes,
Laura
Ray
Hi Laura. Thank you for reading my books. It means a lot to me to hear that from someone who has listened to the experiences of Holocaust survivors. God bless them all.
Trish Woodroof
Hi Ray
I’ve just discovered you and am now bingeing on Ray Kingfisher novels. I have read Rosa’s Gold and The Sugar Men and am now in the middle of Beyond the Shadow of Night. I thoroughly enjoyed them, even shedding a little tear. I found them quite harrowing. We all know about the holocaust, but it really brings it home reading about it.
I am definitely going to seek out your other novels.
Trish
Ray
Hello Trish. Many thanks for reading my novels. Creating novels is hard work but it’s rewarding when someone says they’ve just ‘discovered’ you (and it feels a bit odd). Good luck with BTSON – I hope it lives up to your expectations.
Gina
Hi Mr. Kingfisher,
I just want to tell you how much I enjoyed “The Sugar Men”. The story was so well told and kept me wanting to read faster to find out what happened to Susannah. While there were parts hard to read, I felt they were very necessary to tell make the reader feel the true nature of what happened to many people through no fault of their own. I read a lot of historical fiction especially WWll told stories. Your story made me cry through the end . I appreciate your writing style and the way you tell a story. I am beginning “Under Darkening Skies”.
Ray
Hi Gina. Apologies for the delay in replying. Many thanks for your praise – fingers crossed that you enjoy “Under Darkening Skies” just as much!