James J. Cudney

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Laurie ...
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James J. Cudney

Goodreads Author


Born
in Fort Myers, Florida, The United States
March 18

Website

Twitter

Genre

Member Since
January 2012

URL


James is my given name; most call me Jay. I grew up on Long Island and currently live in Connecticut, but I've traveled all across the US and various parts of the world. After college, I accepted roles working in technology, program management, and business operations in the retail, sports, entertainment, and media industries. Although I enjoy my career, I began to focus on other passions in 2016: telling stories and connecting people through words. My debut novel is 'Watching Glass Shatter,' a contemporary fiction family drama with elements of mystery, suspense, humor, and romance. From there, I've written other family dramas and an eight-book mystery series. To see samples or receive news from my current and upcoming books, please subscri ...more

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Popular Answered Questions

James J. Cudney As an only child, I often spent a lot of time in my head, curious over who I was and why I did things the way I did them. Eventually, I began making u…moreAs an only child, I often spent a lot of time in my head, curious over who I was and why I did things the way I did them. Eventually, I began making up stories about people I found interesting, leading me to write them down for others to read. When people laughed and cried over them, I thought it was a good career for me to follow. I took a rather different path to get there, but once I found this passion again, I dove into it.(less)
James J. Cudney Writers can always write (it may not be very good!), but when they hit a block, they need to figure out what’s causing it. If you can determine the ro…moreWriters can always write (it may not be very good!), but when they hit a block, they need to figure out what’s causing it. If you can determine the root cause, you can trace a path to success. I write an outline for each chapter. If I attempt to write the words for that chapter, and they won’t come through as I need them to, I ask myself why. If I can’t solve it in 10 to 15 minutes, I switch to a different chapter or start editing earlier chapters. When I go back to write that chapter again, if I still can’t do it, then there’s something wrong in the story, which is a different problem, not writer’s block. Hopefully that makes sense, as I’ve definitely had moments where I don’t like what I’ve written, but I do think you need to find a way to keep moving forward rather than stare at a screen hoping something changes. That’s painful!(less)
Average rating: 4.23 · 2,851 ratings · 970 reviews · 20 distinct worksSimilar authors
Watching Glass Shatter (Per...

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Academic Curveball (Braxton...

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Father Figure

4.24 avg rating — 219 ratings — published 2018 — 18 editions
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Broken Heart Attack (Braxto...

4.49 avg rating — 183 ratings — published 2018 — 48 editions
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Flower Power Trip (Braxton ...

4.62 avg rating — 121 ratings — published 2019 — 48 editions
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Mistaken Identity Crisis (B...

4.61 avg rating — 94 ratings — published 2019 — 47 editions
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Haunted House Ghost (Braxto...

4.47 avg rating — 95 ratings — published 2019 — 40 editions
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Hiding Cracked Glass (Perce...

4.55 avg rating — 74 ratings — published 2020 — 20 editions
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Frozen Stiff Drink (Braxton...

4.69 avg rating — 59 ratings — published 2020 — 43 editions
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Legally Blind Luck (Braxton...

4.38 avg rating — 58 ratings — published 2021 — 25 editions
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More books by James J. Cudney…

SLEIGH BELL TOWER: Now Available as AUDIO BOOK – Some Free Downloads Too

I’m excited to share news of the official release for the Sleigh Bell Tower audio book! Over the last six months, I’ve been working with an amazing narrator, Stephen Lookadoo, and his amazing partnership has brought this story to life. We’ve saved a few free download codes, so if you’re interested, drop a comment in this post and we’ll reach out.

Overview of Legally Blind Luck

Cozy / Amateur Sleu

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Published on March 25, 2022 04:48
Academic Curveball Broken Heart Attack Flower Power Trip Mistaken Identity Crisis Haunted House Ghost Frozen Stiff Drink Legally Blind Luck
(8 books)
by
4.24 avg rating — 1,541 ratings

Watching Glass Shatter Hiding Cracked Glass
(2 books)
by
4.16 avg rating — 947 ratings

The First Ladies
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by Marie Benedict (Goodreads Author)
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Summer Reading
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James’s Recent Updates

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The Pairing by Casey McQuiston
The Pairing
by Casey McQuiston (Goodreads Author)
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A mixed review from me this time. I've previously enjoyed many of the author's books. Mostly, I struggled through this one. Premise was good. Characters as individuals without some of their obsessions had merit to a degree. Yet the thing I focus on i ...more
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Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies by Catherine  Mack
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Many thanks to NetGalley for granting me the opportunity to read the first book, 'Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies,' in The Vacation Mysteries written by Catherine Mack, which I only learned this week is a pseudonym for suspense novelist, Ca ...more
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You Will Never Be Me by Jesse Q. Sutanto
You Will Never Be Me
by Jesse Q. Sutanto (Goodreads Author)
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Many thanks to NetGalley for offering me the chance to read the latest Jesse Q. Sutanto. I've read one of the author's previous books and was about to start the series when this one showed up, so I opted for it instead. Mostly focused on two uber pop ...more
James rated a book really liked it
Reading Between the Lies by Lynn Cahoon
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Sedona seems like the perfect place to live, except for all those murders in the Survivor's Book Club Mysteries written by Lynn Cahoon. A cancer survivor opens a book store, but she is also an amateur sleuth solving murders when her friends and colle ...more
James rated a book it was amazing
The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine
The Last Mrs. Parrish
by Liv Constantine (Goodreads Author)
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I've wanted to read this book for a long time but it never made it up my TBR quick enough. Finally, when I was awarded the next book in the series via NetGalley, I realized I had to jump on it soon. We hear Amber's story, knowing she's a con artist w ...more
James liked that Kyle wants to read 5 books in the 2024 Reading Challenge
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James liked that Syazana Syed wants to read 24 books in the 2024 Reading Challenge
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She has read 12 books toward her goal of 24 books.
 
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James and 8 other people liked Bob's review of The Truth about the Devlins:
The Truth about the Devlins by Lisa Scottoline
"I wanted to know The Truth About The Devlins from its prolouge. TJ Devlin is the outcast member of a wealthy family of lawyers. TJ is a recovering alcoholic who now works as an investigator for his family's firm. TJ gets a call from his brother, John" Read more of this review »
James made a comment on his review of Beowulf
Beowulf by Unknown
" Apologies for not responding sooner. I don’t recall getting a notification or maybe I saw our shared name and thought I’d left the last comment! :)

You
...more "
James rated a book really liked it
Olive You to Death by Lynn Cahoon
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Another great installment in the Tourist Trap Mysteries written by Lynn Cahoon. Olive You to Death focuses on the upcoming marriage of Josh and his new main squeeze (a surprise to readers), but then she disappears, and a professor is murdered. Who's ...more
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Topics Mentioning This Author

topics posts views last activity  
Addicted to YA: This topic has been closed to new comments. December 2017- Stand Alone 38 506 Nov 11, 2017 09:14PM  
The Reading For P...: Nisa's Reading Journey Thread 64 85 Dec 16, 2018 01:17PM  
Cozy Mysteries : This topic has been closed to new comments. Mystery ABC's, Round 4 14302 791 Jan 05, 2019 05:39AM  
“There is something I just realized
That I never knew before.
I can't explain the reasons,
But I know that I want more.”
Guess!

Mark Twain
“If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.”
Mark Twain

Mark Twain
“Good friends, good books, and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life.”
Mark Twain

“A life well lived is a life full of decisions.”
Guess

David Mitchell
“Persuasion is not about force; it's about showing a person a door, and making him or her desperate to open it.”
David Mitchell, The Bone Clocks

220 Goodreads Librarians Group — 238051 members — last activity 1 minute ago
Goodreads Librarians are volunteers who help ensure the accuracy of information about books and authors in the Goodreads' catalog. The Goodreads Libra ...more



Comments (showing 6-55)    post a comment »

message 55: by James

James Colton wrote: "James,

Thank you for your friendship on GR!

Regards,

Colton"


Glad to connect.


message 54: by Colton

Colton Freelove James,

Thank you for your friendship on GR!

Regards,

Colton


message 53: by James

James Melissa (ladybug) wrote: "Been missing your blog posts but love that you post your reviews on goodreads. :)"

Hi! How are you? I know... I've decided to streamline a bit and had to cut from some areas... my new job has me super busy, plus with a new house and all the work to set it up, I am online less. But still reading. :)


Melissa (ladybug) Been missing your blog posts but love that you post your reviews on goodreads. :)


Melissa (ladybug) James wrote: "Mine is the 18th. When's yours?..."

Mine is the 8th. :) Thank you!


message 50: by James

James Melissa (ladybug) wrote: "I enjoy your reviews and when reading some of them I noticed that we have birthdays in the same month. :) Wanted to wish you a happy birthday when it comes. I love finding people who have birthdays..."
Hello! Happy Birthday to you! Mine is the 18th. When's yours?

Thank you very much, I appreciate it.


message 49: by Melissa (ladybug) (last edited Mar 03, 2022 07:55AM)

Melissa (ladybug) I enjoy your reviews and when reading some of them I noticed that we have birthdays in the same month. :) Wanted to wish you a happy birthday when it comes. I love finding people who have birthdays in March like me.


message 48: by James

James Monica wrote: "Looks like GR is glitching for the trillionth time. You are on my friends list but the "friends" button doesn't appear on your profile for me.


For some reason, GR is deleting folks' friends.


I..."


Hello!

How odd! Just checked and it still shows as friends. I know that around this time of year, they have a lot of outage type issues because so many more people are on Goodreads. Maybe it was just glitching!!! But all looks good on my end. :)

Hope you are doing well. Happy New Year! How'd your reading go in 2021?


Monica (is working the heck out of  Looks like GR is glitching for the trillionth time. You are on my friends list but the "friends" button doesn't appear on your profile for me.


For some reason, GR is deleting folks' friends.


I've lost two recently, but that's likely because of my posts and/or a controversial review I have up that I refuse to take down.

In any event, I wanted to leave this here in case GR does knock you off my friends list.


Happy belated birthday!

MC


Monica (is working the heck out of  Hey,

Hope you're doing alright. According to GR, we're no longer friends, but I'm still able to comment on your profile. Weird.

At any rate, I hope you had a wonderful holiday.

Stay Safe,

MC


message 45: by James

James Adrian wrote: "Happy Birthday for yesterday Jay, sorry its a day late. 🎉😊"
Thank you so much! Very kind of you.. GR never tells me anyone's birthday. How did you realize it! :)


message 44: by Adrian

Adrian Happy Birthday for yesterday Jay, sorry its a day late. 🎉😊


message 43: by James

James Alex ✰ Comets and Comments ✰ wrote: ""
Thank you! You too. Happy New Year!


message 42: by James

James Shalini wrote: "Wow... Saw all the comments, so decided to post one too.

Happy New Year. Happy 2020"
Happy New Year! :) Thank you.


message 41: by Shalini

Shalini (shaliniandbooks) Wow... Saw all the comments, so decided to post one too.

Happy New Year. Happy 2020


message 39: by James

James Monica wrote: "Hey, James,
I hope your week has been a good one.

I'm writing to ask if you happen to still have a copy of Red Velvet Cake Murder. I'm visually impaired and am listening to the audio books.

I ..."
Hi. I do not. When I moved, I donated tons of books, keeping only a few treasures. But, I could request the Kindle version from the NYPL and get it from there if that would help.


Monica (is working the heck out of  Hey, James,
I hope your week has been a good one.

I'm writing to ask if you happen to still have a copy of Red Velvet Cake Murder. I'm visually impaired and am listening to the audio books.

I usually copy down all of the recipes but something went weird when I was trying to get the recipe for "Double Wammy Lemon Cake," the one with vodka.

When you get a minute, and if you still have a copy of this book, would you mind messeging me or emailing me with the recipe?

Best,
Monica


message 37: by James

James Calista wrote: "I hope you have a year filled with peace and joy and many good books. Keep those reviews coming!" Thank you so much! I wish for amazing things for you as well!


message 36: by Calista

Calista I hope you have a year filled with peace and joy and many good books. Keep those reviews coming!


message 35: by James

James Rebecca wrote: "
Happy holidays!
:)"


Happy holidays! Rebecca, Love the green reindeer.


message 34: by James

James Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, Julie!


message 33: by Julie

Julie Merry Christmas, James!





message 32: by James

James Luffy wrote: "" Merry Christmas, my friend. Happy New Year!


message 30: by James

James Kelly✨ wrote: "hey James, Thanks for accepting my friend request, your too kind, I hope I can actually accomplish my goal. Have a nice day ahead of you! xx

-Kelly"


You're welcome. I look forward to comparing 2018 reads!


message 29: by James

James Apuca wrote: "Dear James J. Cudney,
Thank you for the "Friendship"!
Sincerely appreciative, Apuca Kislanya"



You're welcome. Glad to e-meet you.


message 28: by Kelly

Kelly hey James, Thanks for accepting my friend request, your too kind, I hope I can actually accomplish my goal. Have a nice day ahead of you! xx

-Kelly


message 27: by Apuca (last edited Jan 25, 2018 05:47AM)

Apuca Dear James J. Cudney,
Thank you for the "Friendship"!
Sincerely appreciative, Apuca Kislanya


message 26: by James

James Michelle wrote: "Merry Christmas!"

Hi Michelle,

Same to you - hope it was a happy holiday week.

J


Michelle Merry Christmas!


message 24: by James

James Alex ✰ Comets and Comments ✰ wrote: "Merry Christmas!

Hope you have a day filled with love, laughter and most importantly... books! 💕

"


Thank you so much! I hope the same for you. I did read 1 books between the airport and the flight, then I got 5 for Christmas!


Alex ✰ Comets and Comments ✰ Merry Christmas!

Hope you have a day filled with love, laughter and most importantly... books! 💕

description


message 22: by James

James SumitRK wrote: "All the best for your new book!"

Thank you very much, I appreciate it.


message 21: by Sumit

Sumit RK All the best for your new book!


message 20: by James

James Beverly wrote: "Thank you James, I'm happy to connect and encounter new people,new stories,new interests and new books. I appreciate your positive reception to my friend invite =)."

It's great to meet you, Beverly. I look forward to connecting over different books we have in common. -Jay


message 19: by James

James Carol ♔Type, Oh Queen!♕ wrote: "Thanks for the friend invite. :)"

Nice to meet you and chat!


message 18: by James

James Andreia Fernandes wrote: "Good morning from a rainy Brazil!
No wonder you are number #1 Best reviewer in the USA!
I am just astonished by how well-constructed your reviews are James!
Have a wonderful weekend and thanks for ..."


I just saw this... don't think I got a notification. I'm sorry for the delay! But thank you so much for the note. I really appreciate it. Sometimes it's a little hard to remember every book I read a few years ago... but with the new ones, it flows out quickly! Thank you! And I hope the rain went away.


Carol She's So Novel ꧁꧂ Thanks for the friend invite. :)


message 16: by James

James Sionna wrote: "Hi! Thanks for the friend invite! ^_^"

Glad to connect!


message 15: by James

James Linda wrote: "Thanks James for accepting my GR's friend request.... enjoying your reviews & list of tbr.....looking forward to sharing our reads
! Good luck with catching up with your review, looking forward."


I appreciate it. Thank you very much for the feedback.


message 14: by Cee

Cee Hi! Thanks for the friend invite! ^_^


message 13: by Linda

Linda Thanks James for accepting my GR's friend request.... enjoying your reviews & list of tbr.....looking forward to sharing our reads
! Good luck with catching up with your review, looking forward.


message 12: by James

James Orient wrote: "Thank you for the friendvite ;)"

I'm glad to connect!


message 11: by Orient

Orient Thank you for the friendvite ;)


message 10: by James

James Maddie wrote: "It is Easter weekend – so let the hunt begin →

Do not do too much running – more relaxing and reading :D

Happy Weekend my friend"


OMG, that is hilarious. Somehow, I missed this comment... and just saw it this morning. Made me laugh so hard. Thank you. Hope you had a great weekend.


message 9: by James

James Morgannah wrote: "Hello James, thank you for accepting my friendvite!"

Thank YOU!


message 8: by James

James Mike wrote: "Thanks for the friend invite, James. Looking forward to checking out more of your reviews. Happy reading in the meantime."

Glad to meet you!


message 7: by Mike

Mike Thanks for the friend invite, James. Looking forward to checking out more of your reviews. Happy reading in the meantime.


message 6: by James

James Pam wrote: "Thank for the friend Request James! :-)"

I enjoy your reviews... thank you!


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