Terrorists target America

from Canadian soil.

Drugs & Terrorism

Investigations in the rolling countryside east of Toronto lead journalist Josh Radley to a consortium of companies laundering drug money to finance terrorism. In an Arabic file, he discovers the key to a plot aimed at striking a devastating blow against American interests.

Romance

Just when Josh needs to concentrate on cracking the mysterious file that lists the terrorists’ targets, his marriage crashes. Angry and alone, Josh finds beautiful Pakistani psychiatrist, Nadia Khan, hard to resist. An internal struggle between his childhood faith and his adult skepticism adds to his turmoil.

 Media Release

May 20, 2008

For immediate release

LOCAL WRITER FINALIST FOR NATIONAL AWARD

COLBORNE—Eric E. Wright of Little Lake Road in Salem has been shortlisted in a national writing competition for his suspense novel, The Lightning File..

 
Wright, a retired pastor, has six published books to his credit including Through a Country Window, the widely appreciated story of his and his wife’s move from the city to a log home in the country. Wright is also the editor of the Fellowship LINK magazine, a quarterly for mature adults.

 
Wright’s book, in a highly readable style, highlights gaps in Canada’s security systems that invite the attention of potential terrorists. The story follows the fictional investigations of journalist Josh Radley as he seeks to unravel an Arabic file containing the key to a four-pronged plot targeting American interests from Canadian soil.

 
Wright will be signing copies of The Lightning File at this weekend’s Apple Blossom Tyme Festival in Colborne.

 
The winner in the  mystery/suspense category will be announced on June 11 at a black-tie Awards Gala at World Vision’s headquarters in Mississauga, Ontario, to which the public is invited. The Gala is the premier event honouring the work of Canadian writers who are Christian. The 30 award categories include the best non-fiction books, novels, articles, columns, poems, scripts and song lyrics written by Canadian citizens or permanent residents who affirm The Apostles’ Creed. In all, there were 225 entries from writers in eight provinces.

 
“I am very gratified to be shortlisted for this award,” Wright said. “Readers have told me that they found The Lightning File a pulse-racing thriller that is hard to put down. They also appreciate that it is set in Northumberland and Toronto.”

 
This year’s contestants include some of Canada’s best-known Christian writers, including Jean Vanier (founder of L’Arche), Lorna Dueck (TV host of Listen Up), James Houston, Mark Buchanan, Bruxy Cavey, Jim Cantelon, John Redekop, Grace Fox and Linda Hall. William P. Young, a missionary kid born in Grande Prairie, Alberta who now lives in Oregon, is shortlisted in the contemporary novel category for his book, The Shack. When no Christian or mainstream publisher would publish his manuscript, Young’s friends formed a publishing company and released the novel in May 2007. It is now a bestseller with more than 500,000 books in print.

 
The Awards Gala will be hosted by Herbie Kuhn, popular speaker and in-house announcer for the Toronto Raptors basketball team. The Gala will include a reception, book signings, and the formal launch of Hot Apple Cider, an anthology featuring 30 Canadian authors who are Christian. Wright has written two chapters of Hot Apple Cider.

 
The Leslie K. Tarr Award for career achievement, sponsored by Tyndale University College and Seminary, will be presented to Connie Brummel Crook of Peterborough, Ont. Crook is the author of 12 award-winning books about Canadian history that are used in public school classrooms and libraries across Canada. Her young adult novels and children’s picture books have portrayed such Canadian heroines as Laura Secord and Nellie McClung. Previous Tarr Award recipients include Governor General’s Award winners poet Margaret Avison and novelist Rudy Wiebe.

 
“The whole purpose of our writing contests and Awards Gala is to showcase examples of excellence, and to increase public awareness of the variety and quality of writing by Canadians who are Christian,” commented Wendy Elaine Nelles, co-founder of The Word Guild, the association that sponsors the contest.

 
The Word Guild’s membership consists of more than 325 writers and editors across Canada who write from a Christian perspective and publish work in a variety of genres.

 
To see the complete shortlist of finalists, or to obtain more information about the Gala or The Word Guild, visit www.thewordguild.com or telephone 519-886-4196.

QUOTATIONS
on
the LIGHTNING FILE

KIMBERLEY J. PAYNE, author, June 30,. 2005

“At a time when fears of further terrorist attacks haunt us, Eric Wright offers a sophisticated theiroy of a possible international threat of terrorism in our very own backyard.

 
Northern Threat provides the reader with a valuable insight into Christianity and the Muslim beliefs and traditions while entertaining us with characters that are believably drawn.

A captivating, thought-provoking., pulse-racing thriller.”

SANDRA GRANT :

What if . . . Ever since September 11, 2001, many of us have asked the what if... questions. What if the terrorists attacked a target closer to me and my home? What if there are 'sleepers' living and working in my city or town? What if my family was in danger from a terrorist attack? Eric Wright's new book, "The Lightning File" gives our imagination a voice.

Blessings. Sandra grant

FRANK MEREDITH, writer, musician

Very believable characters and situations -- I felt like I was reading a real life story. I'd open the newspaper some mornings half expecting to be able to read an update on your story!

Could easily identify with your characters, and I CARED about them -- especially with the way you handled the marital situations.

Very intriguing plot, and I liked the way it wound up involving the dome.

And I liked the unusual Pakistani connections.

 -From: "REBECCA MILLER" <rluellam@+++++.net>

Date: May 2, 2007 1:35 PM

I love the new name! Have you decided on a self-publisher yet? Some are
better than others. I’d strongly encourage you to look into Wine Press. I
think they have superior distribution, which gives the book a chance.
 I do hope you consider writing some articles for Fellowship LINK that will
highlight the book.

– Josh Radley’s problems are not foreign. He struggles to balance his work
life with his private life and doesn’t know how his faith fits into either.
He fights temptation ... and sometimes loses. He worries about his family
and growing terrorist activity, but here¹s where he separates himself from
the average person‹he actually has a chance to do something about it. Josh’s
realistic problems and his efforts to overcome them make for an intriguing,
fast-paced story. A real thrill ride.
 
Rebecca LuElla Miller, author and editor <<<feel free to use or not>>

KIM GROVE,

 
The Lightning File is about the three great qualities of life – hope, faith, and love.

Eric Wright uses the current political concerns about terrorism to create a fast-paced novel. He captures our attention with his sympathetic character, Jake, who is not afraid to risk anything to discover what is really important in his life.

Jake walks a tight rope in balancing his job and his marriage, both about to end because they are in continuous conflict. Everything in Jake’s life is in question, including his faith. But this is more than a mid-life crisis as Jake has stumbled across a crucial story that he pursues on his own. Should it lead to a story for his newspaper it would not only make him a celebrity where he works, but also a hero in preventing a terrorist disaster.

KIM GROVE, May 19, 2007

Eric,

I don't think I've ever felt like a work of writing needs to be out in the public like I do about your work. I think it makes us all stop to think about what's important in life while enjoying the suspense of each page. It doesn't just entertain, it makes us think which is greatly needed these days.

Kim

ERIC J.

The pages turn themselves . . . A delivery of precise slivers of action culminating in a literary explosion.  Eric J. Kregel, writer & adventurer.

ELMA SCHEMENAUER

Readers will identify with Josh Radley. He procrastinates, speaks before he thinks, and falls far short of his goals. Yet in the end he’s a winner, in a weird kind of way.    One has to admire the dogged way he pursues a story even when it lands him in serious danger. Elma Schemenauer, author of 75 published books and editor of many others.

Hello Mr Wright

Just a short note to say how much I enjoyed your new book;

it was such a touch of the reality of the world we live in today.

the characters were so real,and story line so full of reality.

Charlie Kingyens;

Oshawa

Shona Wright

Loved the book

Misc.

Loved it . Enjoyed it very much

Couldn’t put it down.

This will come out as a movie….. Or others, this should be made into a movie.

Thought was real, factual.

Driving near Darlington and saw a low flying plane and thought. Oh, oh.

Really enjoyed the book.

Beth Primeau, reporter Community Press

I am really enjoying the book, half way through, look forward to finishing it. Love the interaction in the family and with relationships. My boyfriend will enjoy the action.

Jane  Catlin,

“I was already halfway through another book, but stopped to read you book. I can’t put it down, a great story, I’m thoroughly enjoying. “

Eric,
I read your new book last week. I just wanted to
let you know I really enjoyed it. I read thrillers
all the time and it was very exciting. I liked the
Canadian setting and familiar landmarks.
I read it within 24 hours. I don't know if you'll
take that as a compliment because I couldn't put it
down, or an insult considering how much work you must
have put into it. It's meant as a compliment.
Keep them coming. I'll be waiting.

Pia Thompson

From Shona re Libby,

I saw Libby at the Ladie's Meeting last night and she said that she has already finished your book. She has been staying up late at night because she couldn't put it down. She loved the fact that the book was set in our part of the world. She said it was GREAT!!

Sept. 27, from Stephen on phone

 
I finished your novel. Great. Well done. You’ve developed a great character that you can use in future books. Well done.

Oct. 1

Dear Eric and Mary Helen,

I have just finished reading The Lightning File. I can hardl imagine the
months of writing and research which you folks must have put into it. I
don't know how you ever did it, because it involved getting correct
information and wording on so many subjects. Perhaps you had to know
everything about everything as a prerequisite. Wow! Everything sounded so
logical in the story and your Pakistani background was a very novel benefit
from the years you spent there. I was glad to see the careful and
respectful way you handled certain aspects which had a Christian or
religious connotation so as to give no offence yet still leave a message.

I hope that the book will prove to be a good Christmas gift for many in the
near future. My congratulations to the both of you on a tremendous job well
done. I can only imagine that you two must have proof read the book a
hundred times to make it run so smoothly. My only criticism is that every
time I put the book down, my wife grabbed it!

Eric, re that last e-mail of yours, please keep the cheque I sent. It was
sent before I received your e-mail and I had not noticed the note you left
in the fly-leaf at the time (only that the package was open). We both know
to Whom the credit is due.

Blessings on thee, Love, Gil


Earnest Kennedy,

Hi Eric,

We are in the Calgary airport waiting for our connecting flight to Victoria - see old friends and then spend a week with our daughter, her husband and our 4 grandchildren. Such fun.

Eric, your book is terrific. It has been hard to put it down ever since Dave & Ella Mae brought it to me. You are an excellent author. I just finished it on the plane as we were taxiing into the terminal.

Adding a great deal to the story was my knowledge of the Toronto and east where the story takes place. I could imagine all the areas of which you wrote. Pickering, Rice Lake, etc. I even know a legalistic Pastor or two!

The log house on Rice Lake sounded too much like the Wright home I visited once - but I couldn't remember the red roof! I was sure that Allan Beatty was somehow related to Frank Beatty. - My only disappointment!!!

You held my attention throughout with such excellent turns in the story. My favourite mystery writer is John Grisham but your book held my attention even better. I really hope that you will have a wide circulation. I will talk about it where ever I can.

I will send this when I can get connected to a wireless that is free.

Blessings,

Ernest

Tracy Croal, Oct. 7, 07
Hi Eric,

Well, I read it just at bedtime every day and finished it in a week. The novel is a really good read and I found myself thinking of the characters during the daytime – something I don’t think I have ever done – but I’m wondering if it is because the setting is local.

I’d like to chat to you more about it at some point, but for now I wanted to just give you the feedback which is a good thumb’s up. Loved it – only put it down at night when I could read no longer.

Cheerio for now

Tracy

Oct. 12^th, from Shona

I was speaking with Monica today about some of John's stuff and she wanted me to let you know how much she is enjoying your book. She wishes she had more time to read it so that she could read it faster!! She had also wished for a signed copy so she might send her copy back to you so that you can sign it. I guess she figures it will be worth a lot of money some day!!!

Oct. 16^th. Talking to Phil and Janette Taylor. They are enjoying the book immensely and talking it up to others. Want two for family. The only problem is that Phil grabbed in when Janetter had only read to p. 47 or so and she didn’t get it back until he had finished. Phil felt there were one or two unfinished strands; eg. What did Nadia tell Steph?

This relates to a letter from Gil who made a similar comment about getting it back and forth with his wife. See Gil’s letter.

Oct. 17^th.

Anthea Hurtubise,

I have just finished reading The Lightning Files. What an excellent book!! It is one of those books that I didn't want to end it was so good. I hope you will be writing more books like this.

I hope that you and Mary Helen are keeping well. Keep on writing those mysteries!!

With love in Christ,

Anthea Hurtubise

Oct. 17th

Doug and Marg Bastian,

What a great novel (The Lightning File)! We enjoyed it very much. Shabash Eric!

Will there be a sequel? We also look forward to your Devotional

Computer Solutions, Colborne.

  Computer programmer came up to me and said a frined from Grafton said he should read this book. He does not read books much. But is really enjoying The Lightning File. Loves that much of it takes place in the area.

Nov. 1^st.

Hello Eric and Mary Helen. This is Alison Bogora (I used to be known as Alison Forrest! I'm Bill and Marilyn Forrest's daughter!). My father passed along to me your email and I do hope that you don't mind me sending you a quick email.

I just read Eric's book, The Lightning File, and I wanted to thank you for it. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and must say that I zoomed through it quite fast. Too fast as I'm now disappointed that I can't read it anymore! I had fun reading it especially since I have a connection to the St. Lawrence Seaway. My husband, Andrew, is the PR guy for the St. Lawrence River Corporation and when you bombed the Welland Canal, well I laughed to myself as you caused my husband to become very busy! Any time there is a "situation" with the Seaway, my husband is on the phones doing interviews with the media! I told him that you blew up part of the Welland Canal in the book and he thought, wow, talk about a nightmare for me at work!! :)

Hope you are doing well. Can't wait to read Eric's next book! But, do hope that you don't bomb any more of the Seaway! :)

Take care,

Love,

Alison

Jim Corkery, Computer Solutions, Colborne,

 
I love your book. I don’t read many books, but a friend loaned me a copy and said you’ve got to read this. I enjoyed it so much I went out a bought two copies, one copy for myself and one for my brother’s birthday.

Peter McFarlane

I don’t read much but I read this through. Here and there I thought, is this writer the Eric I know.

Dear Pastor Eric,

My name is Lynn and we spoke briefly at LBBC on Sunday (my husband is Peter "the chef"). We also met at John and Shona's during your book signing in September.

I just wanted to write a brief note to both congratulate you and to thank you for your fine writing. I read "The Lightening File" first and could hardly put it down. All the while I kept thinking "wow". Obviously, you put a great deal of effort into both your research and your writing.

Next on my night table was "Through a Country Window". Now, I'm a country girl at heart, having been born and raised in rural Nova Scotia, so it was with great delight that I could look through your eyes and once again appreciate all the beauty that God has created. Now, whenever I need a country "fix", I'll just look through my "Country Window" and feel better.

Keep up the good work. How's the sequel to the Lightening File coming along by the way? (hint, hint!).

Our best regards to Mary Helen also. God bless you both.

In His Service,

Peter and Lynn Ruttimann

 +++++++++++++++++++++++++

Elma, Jan 08