Larry B. Gray

I grew up in Eastern North Carolina in the small rural town of Aurora. My early years were spent working on my grandparents' tobacco farm and exploring my world of family, friends and school.

After marrying my high school sweetheart in 1972, I moved to Lakeland, Florida where I spent my adult years raising a beautiful family and working in the citrus industry with over 39 years of manufacturing management experience, selling real estate and being a writer wannabe, all at the same time.

In my spare time I attended and graduated from Florida Southern College while working full time and starting a family.

I am still married to my high school sweetheart and have 3 beautiful children and two wonderful grandchildren.

Life is not always easy but in the scheme of things it is fun and gets better everyday. Come join me on this great adventure, remembering the past and building the future.

Website: http://www.larrygraysells.com
Twitter: @larry_b_gray
Facebook: Facebook profile
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/larry-b-gray/17/4a2/862
Wattpad: larrygraysells
Blog: http://www.aboyfromdowneast.com

https://www.createspace.com/4689888

alone    antiwar marches    audience    aurora    aurora high school    basketball    business communication    captian kangeroo    career    career planning    civil rights    communication    cover letter    date night    dating    do bees    draft lottery    duck and cover    durham creek    electronic job bulleting boards    employment    executive    football    god    greenville    growing up    happiness    human resources leadership management motivation professional    interview    interviewing    job search    lecture    love poems    management    meetings    memoirs    minnesott beach    monster    mr rogers    new bern    north carolina    poem    poetry    presentation    profession    professional    public address    public speaking    raleigh    recruiter    religion    resume    segregation    self improvement supervisor problem employee    seventies    sixties    space opera poems    speech    supervision business communication executive    tarheel    teaching    teenage    tobacco    training    unemployment    university of north carolina    vietnam war    washington    year book    youth   

• The Secrets to Ebook Publishing Success on April 10, 2012
  
  This is an excellent guide and must-read for all ebook authors and writer wannabes such as myself. I look forward to applying the tips to my works and seeing the results.
  
• Meeting Myself-Snippets from a Binging and Bulging Mind on June 13, 2012
  
  I enjoyed reading “Meeting Myself: Snippets from a Binging and Bulging Mind” by Brenda J. Wood. It is her story of overcoming struggles with abuse and bulimia. She tells the story through “snippets” from her journals and relates how God enabled her to triumph over them. The story is well written and easy to read and follow. Many of us can find points of commonality with her life story and struggles with our own various vices. Like Brenda the victory is found in the total surrender to God. I highly recommend this book.
  
• The Dreamer Genome on Dec. 21, 2012
  
  The Dreamer Genome by Steve S. Grant is an excellent sci-fi novel. I thoroughly enjoyed every page of this book. From page one to the end it kept me glued to the story. The author did a great job weaving a tail of suspense and a little intrigue together into a well-developed storyline. Each new plot and twist tied into the main story and was easy to follow. My only problem was it ended and now I HAVE to read the next book, it was that good. The characters were well developed and very believable. It was easy to relate to each of the main characters, both the good guys and the bad. I found myself joining into the action as an unseen extra, cheering on each of the other characters. I really liked The Dreamer Genome by Steve S. Grant. I highly recommend this book to all readers. [Please note: I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.]
  
• A Far Traveler: The First Alien on Feb. 20, 2013
  
  How would like a mix of ancient Egyptian, modern adventure and science fiction? If so A Far Traveler – The First Alien by W. Blake Heitzman is the novel for you. This fast paced, high action adventure will keep you on the edge of your reading seat from start to finish. The storyline is well developed and thought-out. It is easy to follow even with the many twist and turns it takes. Add to this jumping back and forth over 3,000 years and you stay on your toes. But, like I said it is easy to follow. W. Blake Heitzman did a great job developing each of the characters in the story. They were both believable and easy to identify with. I found myself following along the story and characters as an unseen member of the cast and cheering everybody on. I really enjoyed and got into reading A Far Traveler by W. Blake Heitzman and I highly recommend it to all readers. [Please note: I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.]
  
• Season Of The Harvest (Harvest Trilogy, Book 1) on March 04, 2013
  
  Do you like a book which grabs you by the seat of your pants and refuses to let you go? Season of the Harvest by Michael R. Hicks is just such a book. I hated putting this book down once I started reading. In fact I got completely caught up into the story and adventure. The author did an excellent job of developing the storyline of this action packed adventure. Even with all the great twist and turns it was easy to keep up with the action. At times you will be holding your breath waiting for the next unexpected twist to occur. I really like the way Michael R. Hicks develop each of the main characters in the story. They were both real and easy to identify with. Being able to identify with the characters made the story all the more believable. If the next two books of the trilogy are as exciting as the first, look out. I really enjoyed reading Season of the Harvest by Michael R. Hicks and I highly recommend this book to all readers. [Please note: I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.]
  
• The Last Praetorian on March 27, 2013
  (no rating)
  One of my favorite genres is science fiction/space opera and The Last Praetorian by Mike Smith is the epitome of this genre. I really liked this book. The storyline was full of non-stop action and adventure. It was hard to catch my breath between the twist and turns. Mike Smith did a great job developing the story making it easy to follow and get into. This was one of those stories that I did just that and got absorbed by it. The action and space battles were written in such a way as to be very real and believable. I also liked the way the author developed each of the main characters. The background into their lives and history made it easy to identify with each of them. I found myself cheering them on. It was hard not to get emotionally involved with each character. I really enjoyed The Last Praetorian by Mike Smith and highly recommend this book to all readers. [Please note: I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.]
  
• Seventh Dimension - The Door, Book 1, A Young Adult Fantasy on April 09, 2013
  
  If you are looking for a fantastic young adult Christian novel, then Seventh Dimension - The Door by Lorilyn Roberts is the book for you. It is story of a trouble young teen coming to an understanding knowledge of herself and, more importantly, knowledge of the love of Christ. I found this book hard to put down. The author's unique story telling style makes the book real and very believable. The story is both well developed and defined. It is easy to read and follow as the plot develops and takes on various twist and turns. I really enjoyed the characters in the story. They were easy to identify with and very real to life. It was easy to put myself into the story and follow along with the action. Seventh Dimension - The Door by Lorilyn Roberts is an excellent book and I highly recommend it to all ages.
  
• Guiamo on July 09, 2013
  (no rating)
  Guiamo by Marshall Best is an outstanding historical novel of life and times in the ancient Roman era. It is full of action and adventure plus a great story of the life of our hero, Guiamo. The author did an excellent job of developing the storyline, making it both real and believable. By sticking to known facts of this era he made his story come alive and become all the more believable. There were times I had to remind myself this was fiction. It was easy to follow the story and keep up with each new twist and turn. I really had trouble putting this book down. Marshall Best’s writing style brought the characters to life. He was able to instill emotion and character into each of them making it easy to identify and follow them. I really like a book where you can feel and sense what the characters are feeling and sensing. Marshall Best did an excellent job with Guiamo and I really enjoyed this book. I highly recommend this book to all readers and ages. [Please note: I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.]
  
• The Choosing (The Blood and Brotherhood Saga book 1) on July 18, 2013
  
  Every once in a while you come across a book that captures your imagination and soul, a book you can’t put it down. The Choosing by Jeremy Laszlo is just such a book. This fantasy novel is so full of adventure and excitement it was hard for me to take a breath. The storyline is very well develop and easy to follow. It keeps you glued to the book as the author does a great job of continually building to the climax. I liked the way the author developed each new twist so they flowed with the storyline and were not disjointed. He made the book real and easily believable. Jeremy Laszlo did an excellent job with character development. They were both believable and easy to identify with. The author’s writing style allowed you to get into the characters and feel their emotions, dreams and inter turmoil. I really liked each of the characters and their personalities. I enjoyed The Choosing by Jeremy Laszlo and I highly recommend it to all readers and age groups.
  
• Empire (In Her Name, Book 4) on July 26, 2013
  
  Michael R Hicks has done it again with Empire – Book one of the In Her Name series. This is science fiction at it’s’ best. If you love sci-fi space opera you will love this book. Throughout his different trilogies dealing with the human and Kreelan empires Michael R Hicks has created a universe full action and adventure. This novel Empire is no different. In addition to all the action he has begun to develop and explain the warlike Kreelan culture and mentality. He has made it so real and believable it is easy to put yourself into the story and be consumed by it. The author has done an excellent job of developing the lead characters, making it easy to identify and follow them throughout the story. Through his story telling style and word usage I could feel the raw emotion of the heroes of the story. I have read several of Michael R Hicks' books and all I can say is that they are great. I really enjoyed reading Empire by Michael R Hicks and I highly recommend this book to all readers.
  
• Cumoro on Sep. 23, 2013
  
  Cumoro by Marshall Best, the second book of The Chronicles of Guiamo Durmius Stolo, is an excellent book which will leave you breathless each time you take a break. The action packed, and I mean action packed, adventure is non-stop from page one until the end. The author did an excellent job of moving seamlessly from where the first book ended directly into this story. The storylines continues to develop and new twists are constantly being added. This volume, though best if read with the first volume, can be read and enjoyed as a stand-alone story. I really like how in this story the author weaves historical facts into the mythological folklore of the era and region. Marshall Best is an excellent storyteller and part of what makes his stories so good is his character development. Each of his characters are both believable and real to life which makes them easy to identify with. Not only are they strong and wise as you would expect from a hero, but they each have a humanity which comes out in the story. I really liked Cumoro by Marshall Best and I highly recommend this book to all readers. I recommend you also read the first book of the series, Guiamo, in order to gain the full appreciation of this great series. [Please note: I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.]
  
• Morlanos on Dec. 04, 2013
  
  Morlanos by Marshall Best is Book 3 of The Chronicles of Guiamo Durmius Stolo and once again the author has left me exhausted. This fast paced adventure will leave you out of breath and wanting more. The fantasy adventures of Guiamo continued to build and develop into a story which is hard to put down. Just when you think it can’t get any better the author throws in another twist to the plot and off you go. The action is great and the adventure is fun. Marshall Best has done an excellent job of developing a great fantasy adventure. As in the first two books of the series, Marshall Best did a great job of character development. He continues to build and strengthen the lead character, Guiamo, making him more believable and a true hero. Not only did the author continued to develop the hero of the story, but also continued to build a supporting cast of characters which were easy to identify with. I really enjoyed reading Morlanos by Marshall Best and I highly recommend the book. [Please note: I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.]
  
• Beyond the Wildlands on Dec. 23, 2013
  
  Beyond the Wildlands by Lana Axe is an excellent short novella with will keep you glued to the pages from start to finish. I literally could not put this book down and read it straight through. The author did a great job of developing a storyline that was full of adventure and action. Each new plot and twist added to the story and kept you wanting more. The story was well developed and easy to follow. I liked the way Lana Axe developed her characters. She gave them a personality that was easy to relate to and believe. I really liked Beyond the Wildlands by Lana Axe and highly recommend this book.
  
• Orbiting Sins on Feb. 05, 2014
  
  Orbiting Sins by Steve S. Grant is an excellent sequel to The Dreamer Genome. It is fast pace sci-fi action that was hard to put down when I was reading. The author did a great job of continuing the story begun in The Dreamer Genome, meshing the story into a continuous tale. Yet, the book can stand along as great read and novel. I really like the way Steve S. Grant developed his storyline. It is full of fast paced action and adventure stretching from Pluto all the way back to earth. Even with all or the plot's twist and turns, it was easy to follow and very realistic. Steve S. Grant did a great job in continuing to develop his main characters. As they progress through the story we see their individual strength and personalities grow and come out in the story. This made them very believable and easy to identify with. I really like Orbiting Sins by Steve S. Grant and I highly recommend it to all readers. [Please note: I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.]
  
• Inis Emain Ablach on March 18, 2014
  
  I have just finished reading Inis Emain Ablach by Marshall Best. This is book 4 in The Chronicles of Guiamo Durmius Stolo series and I must say it has blown me away. I am trying to catch my breath before I can write this review. The author has done an excellent job of developing a tale throughout all four books which is both action packed and full of adventure. I found myself completely absorbed into the story and became a part of the tale as an unseen extra in the story. I love when a book, much less a series, can capture me and transport me to its world. The book was easy to follow but kept me on my toes because of all the plot twist. The entire series never slowed down and I found it hard to stop reading when I started. Marshall Best did an excellent job of developing all his characters. They were real and easy to believe in. I found it easy to identify with each character as the story progressed. It was fun to watch as the characters developed throughout the series and become the heroes of the story. I really liked reading Inis Emain Ablach and the entire series of The Chronicles of Guimo Durmius Stolo by Marshall Best and I highly recommend this book to all readers. ps. It is best to read this series in order to get the full affect, but each book can stand on its own. [Please note: I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.]
  
• Cafeteria Covenant: the Voice, the Choice, and the Challenge on March 24, 2014
  
  Cafeteria Covenant by Dee Marvin Emeigh is a great book about the author's coming to grips with her walk with God in a world of "religion." It is hard hitting and tells it like it is. I really liked the way the author opened up with her own failings and short comings and showed the hypocrisy of the world as she turned to religion. She showed how, as she stayed true to her walk with God, she began to find who God really is and his unending love he has for his children. Dee Marvin Emeigh did an excellent job of developing her story. By sharing her experiences and making them real it is easy for a reader, and myself, to identify with her and grow in our own walk. I really like Cafeteria Covenant by Dee Marvin Emeigh and recommend it to all readers. [Please note: I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.]
  
• The Camping Trip on April 03, 2014
  
  The Camping Trip by Derick Shawn Farris is a short read that will keep you on the edge of your seat and not wanting to turn your lights out at night. The author did a great job of developing a storyline that was easy to follow and get into. This book takes the old camp fire ghost stories to a hold new level. I could not put the book down from start to finish and hated to see it end. I liked the way Derick Shawn Farris developed his characters. He gave just enough background to make them real and draw you into their story. I really enjoyed reading The Camping Trip by Derick Shawn Farris and I recommend this book to all readers. [Please note: I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.]
  
• Good Sister, Bad Sister: Heart of the Staff on June 25, 2014
  
  Good Sister, Bad Sister by Carol Marrs Phipps and Tom Phipps is a very good fantasy tale of adventure and intrigue. It was full of plot twist and excitement which kept me glued to the story. The authors did a great job of weaving a tale full of magic, elves, wizards and even a few dragons. The storyline was both realistic and believable. There were a few editing issues but these failed to distract from the overall readability and otherwise great story. I like the way Carol Marrs Phipps and Tom Phipps developed the characters. Both ours heroes and the villains in the story were believable and easy to identify with. I always like when an author gives enough background information to make the characters seem like real people. I really enjoyed reading Good Sister, Bad Sister by Carol Marrs Phipps and Tom Phipps. I recommend this book to all readers. This is the first book of The Heart of the Staff series and I look forward to reading more.
  
• From Chaos Born (In Her Name, Book 7) on Oct. 09, 2014
  
  From the first page until the last page, From Chaos Born (The First Empress, Book 1) (In Her Name 9) by Michael R. Hicks, grabbed me by the seat of my pants and would not let me go. This action packed, sci-fi book will take your breath away. The author did an excellent job of developing a storyline that was realistic and fast paced. It was full of plot twist and turns which kept me guessing as to what was going to happen next. I really liked the author's style of storytelling, it made the tale come to life. Michael R. Hicks did an excellent job of creating his characters. They were both realistic and easy to identify with. Even though they were very alien I found them easy to follow. Again the author's style of storytelling created this world and its characters to be believable and relatable. I totally enjoyed From Chaos Born * The First Empress, Book 1) by Michael R. Hicks. It is an excellent book and I highly recommend it to all readers.
  
• Time Crystal 1 - The Convergence on July 21, 2015
  
  Time Crystal 1: The Convergence by Ethan Somerville and Max Kenny is a faced paced time traveling adventure that is full of intrigue and action. This is the type of book that is hard to put down. The author has done an excellent job developing a cast of characters that are easy to identify with. As varied and different as they can be they complement each other and make the story stronger. The storyline is well developed and easy to follow. The plot is full of twist and turns which kept it interesting and fast paced. I enjoyed it. I liked Time Crystal1: The Convergence by Ethan Somerville and Max Kenny and recommend it to all readers.
  
• Sixty-Four Days, A Sea Story on July 27, 2015
  
  Sixty-Four Days - A Sea Story by Malcolm Torres is an excellent short tale of fast paced action and adventure on board a navy aircraft carrier. Even though it is not long it will leave you out of breath and saying "WOW." I really like how Malcolm Torres developed his story and characters. The story grabs you and put you right in the middle of the action. His characters are very believable and this helps bring you even deeper into the tale. This is one action packed adventure. I really liked Sixty-Four Days - A Sea Story by Malcolm Torres and recommend it to all readers.
  
• Star Bridge on Sep. 24, 2015
  
  If you like a mix of science fiction and fantasy then Star Bridge by Jeanne Foguth is the book for you. This action packed adventure is full of nonstop intrigue. I really enjoyed the way the author developed her storyline weaving a woman from a seemly primitive culture and a man from a techno, spacefaring empire together in tale that I could not put down. This story was full of plot twist and turns but was easy to follow. I found myself getting caught up into the storyline. The characters developed by Jeanne Foguth had a quality about them that made them easy to relate. Their lives and tale had me following along as an unseen character, identifying with their story. I like when this happens as I am reading a book. Star Bridge by Jeanne Foguth is an excellent book and I highly recommend this book to all readers
  
• Sliding Void (Book 1 of the Sliding Void Science Fiction Series) on Dec. 07, 2015
  
  Sliding Void by Stephen Hunt has it all, adventure, intrigue, space opera and fantasy all wrapped up in one book. The fast past novella will keep you glued to its pages from start to finish. I really like the tale that Stephen Hunt developed. The storyline was well thought out and easy to get into. The nonstop action and plot twist made the story almost impossible to put down. I love this kind of action packed read. The author did an excellent job of developing a cast of characters that were both real and very believable. I was soon caught up in their individual stories as the tale developed. The characters were great. I really enjoyed Sliding Void by Stephen Hunt and I highly recommend this book to all readers. [Please note: I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.]
  
• Deep Crossing on Dec. 08, 2015
  
  If you like space opera and adventure then you need to get a copy of Deep Crossing by E.R. Mason and read it today. This book has all the elements of a great sci-fi read. The author has done a great job of developing a storyline that is easy to read but deep enough to keep you hooked. With its changing plot twist and fast paced style you will find you cannot put it down. I really enjoyed getting absorbed into the tale. E.R. Mason has put together a group of characters that are both real and believable. Their individuality and personalities make it easy to get into their life stories and place in the crew. I really liked Deep Crossing by E.R. Mason and I highly recommend this book to all readers.
  
• Exodus on Dec. 16, 2015
  
  Exodus (Part 1 of the Exodus Trilogy) by Andreas Christensen is good science fiction novel which will captivate you and keep you glued to its pages. The author has done a great job of developing a tail of survival on a planetary scale and all the intrigue that is tied into it. The storyline is very believable and easy to follow. It was full of twist and turns which keep me reading and wanting more. I liked the way Andreas Christensen developed a cast of characters that were easy to identify with and follow throughout the story. It was easy to get caught up with their individual stories and pulled deeper into the tale. I liked Exodus by Andreas Christensen and recommend this book to all readers.