Blog Categories
Blog Entries by Month
Stay in Touch
Charles sends out an email every time a new book is released. If interested please sign-up for Charles' newsletter.
A Short Biography
Posted in The Kitchen Sink on Mon, July 07, 2008
A paragraph or two on my path from there to here.
I grew up in Jacksonville, Florida on the St. John’s River. Somewhat of a Huck Finn childhood. Most afternoons were spent mullet fishing—of which I’ve caught my fair share, canoeing, pegging cars with overripe tangerines—it really got fun when the red tail lights lit and the reverse gears ground metal on metal, or the backyard Superbowl which we replayed most everyday. Through high school, football was my life. School was the avenue that allowed me to play. I walked on at Georgia Tech in 1999 and played one year under Bobby Ross. “Played” might be a bit too liberal use of the term. I dressed out for the games and served as a tackling dummy until I got hurt, cracking a vertebrae in my back and they carried me off. Transferred to Florida State and tried to become a student. As an escape, I starting racing bicycles up and down the east coast. Not very good, but it allowed me an outlet. Eventually landed in the English department after escaping Accounting with a ‘D.’ I was de-lighted. After graduation, I moved to Atlanta and started waiting tables at Houston’s Restaurant so I could save up money to buy a ring. Christy and I married in 1993, we drove to Virginia Beach, where she put me through Grad school. When I wasn’t in class, I worked the morning preload for Ma’ Brown. (UPS). Went to work at 2 or 3 am, and clocked out about 9 am. Didn’t get much sleep for almost 3 years. In 1997, we got pregnant with Charlie and returned to Jacksonville—so our kids could grow up around our families. When not a single educational institution in Jacksonville would hire me (including my alma mater, Bolles High School), my brother-in-law had mercy on me and gave me a job selling insurance. 2 years passed and to make a real long story short, a fortune 500 company offered me a VP’s position with a 6-figure salary, 6-figure signing bonus, etc. I turned them down, resigned from the insurance agency, began pressure washing, building docks, etc., and began trying to sell my novel—what is now The Dead Don’t Dance. That was 8 years ago. ‘Where the River Ends” is my 6th novel.
Loved, LOVED, LOVED The Dead Don’t Dance, Maggie too! My book club and I are real Goupies! We feel we know Charlie well. We’ve even watched “Life is Beautiful” after his suggestion. Outside, on the deck with a projector and lots of M&M;’s. Ended in tears, and prayer. You have touched our lives, Charles Martin! Can’t wait to get to “Where the River Ends”!
Dear Mr. Charles,
Delighted to hear about your new novel,"Where the River Ends”, and can’t wait to have it. Only thing is, it will be read so fast, that I will be ready for the next one ,way before you can get it written.
Needless to say, I really enjoy your novels, and have read each one, and shared them with my friends. We are glad to see that you will be in Jackson, Ms. August 13th, so maybe we can get to meet you. Thanks for all the hard work, and for sharing your life with us. God Bless you and your family.
Glenn
We have all loved everyone of your books, and look forward to “Where the River Ends”. You are a very special person, if you remember we had you to our book club meetings twice for the reading of your first two books, and we all fell in love with you and them…
Please keep writing and telling those wonderful stories, with characters that seem like family or very good friends. My personal favorite so far it “ Wrapped In Rain”, Miss Ella Rain will always be special to me. If anyone reading this hasn’t read it (I doubt that) Please make it a “Must” reading .
.Smiles and Hugs, Ruth
Charles, I have just finished your new book, The Mountain Between Us and wanted to let you know the dry spell is over. It was hard to put down. I loved your sensitivity and the way you write. My book club here in Macclenny, Florida, has read all of your books and Wrapped In Rain was chosen one year as our favorite. Thank you for a much needed escape with your newest book this past weekend. Continued success and blessings. Debbie Lamb
Really appreciated the recent posted reaction to The Mountain Between Us - just started it last night....will get back to this posting when I finish!
Have any men read your books? I usually do not read this type of book, “The Mountain Between Us,” as it seems like a romance novel, but our book club selected it. Just reading the blurb made me smile. I learned to fly a prop plane in case my husband would have a heart attack, but to have a doctor in there, with all the right ropes for mountain climbing and a dog...well..I think I will try writing a book!