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Charles and Belle at the Cotton Club (Upcoming Book Sample)

Charles didn’t have to approach Belle. A few minutes after he walked back to the warehouse, one of the bottlers walked over to him as he was talking to Moses. “There’s a funny man here to see you.” Charles turned. “A funny man?” “Well, funny-looking, for sure.” The man turned and walked away. After getting a few more instructions on where Moses wanted the barrels placed, Charles walked towards the front of the warehouse. There was indeed a funny-looking man standing near the...

November 19, 2019By John NuckelBlog, Upcoming Book Sample0 CommentsRead more...

Joe Doyle (Upcoming Book Sample)

Meet Joe Doyle. A character in my upcoming book who’s story is based on my Grandfather, Joe McNally. A proud Irishman and American. Doyle stood and walked over to a window that looked out on the Hudson River. He leaned against the frame and crossed his arms. “Soldier to soldier. I have spent my entire life fighting against tyranny.” He suddenly slipped into a heavy Irish Brogue. “I was just a lad in Donegal when I saw my first act of terror. It...

January 17, 2019By John NuckelBlog, Upcoming Book Sample3 CommentsRead more...

A Night at the Cotton Club (Upcoming Book Sample)

All of Harlem was buzzing over Ellington and his band. He had been playing over a week but tonight was the first chance for Charles Merritt to see him. He dropped off a case of Rye and stood behind the bar near the exit door. He made sure to have his best suit on, it seemed like the thing to do.

December 10, 2018By John NuckelUpcoming Book SampleDuke Ellington, The Cotton Club1 CommentRead more...

Owney Madden and the Gopher Gang Cotton-Club-NYC-1920s

Breaking noses

By the time he was nineteen Owney Madden was running the Gopher Gang. He got to that level because he knew how to handle any mug that crossed him. One of his trademark moves was the way he would bust a guy’s nose. Left him marked for life. All of New York knew that if you crossed Owney Madden, you’re gonna remember it every time you look in the mirror. He taught each new member the way he wanted...

July 8, 2018By John NuckelUpcoming Book SampleGopher Gang, john nuckel, Owney Madden0 CommentsRead more...

Would you like a bag for that?

I’ve been asked that question three times this weekend. First time was when I was checking out at the grocery store. The bagger held up a plastic bottle of ketchup and asked if I would like a bag for it. I looked at her with disbelief but refrained from responding that I would like to carry the ketchup in my hand as I walked out to my car. I said yes. The second time was later that afternoon as I...

June 9, 2018By John NuckelBlogbag, baked ziti, grocery store0 CommentsRead more...

I don’t know if I like that guy

I’ve heard that a lot about the main character in my first three books. In fact, most opinions are more definitive than that. He has been called; moral center, toady, hero, shyster, genius, drunk, liar and savior. It mainly depends on who did the reading and thus did the defining. So what do I do with this guy? I can’t make him go away. He does make people form opinions, and if they hate him or love him; they care...

May 9, 2018By John NuckelBlogThe cat’s a zombie0 CommentsRead more...

Garbage Pickin’

I put out the recyclables last night and this morning I saw a man on my Manhattan street who collects cans. His cart was an engineering marvel. Blue bags hanging at odd angles from his shopping cart. Each bag looked like a half deflated Thanksgiving float. It was early, but his cart was already overstuffed to its limit. I didn’t look down on the guy, I identified with him. As a child I was him. I was taught my life’s credo while...

April 9, 2018By John NuckelBlogManhattan street, Never be ashamed of working1 CommentRead more...

Harder than it seemed

"That was harder than it seemed." How many times have you heard that? A lot I would think. You know what I never hear? "That was easier than it seemed." There's a reason of course. There are very few tasks that one could describe with such a bold statement. If it was so easy, you wouldn't bother saying anything about it. But there is one activity that has inspired me to shout that phrase aloud after accomplishing it. Skiing! Now stay...

March 9, 2018By John NuckelBlog0 CommentsRead more...

Trip Fiction Article

Talking Location With… author John Nuckel: Martha’s Vineyard 22nd February 2018 #TalkingLocationWith… author John Nuckel: Martha’s Vineyard where his novel “Drive” is set in part. I was jogging on Edgartown Bay Road in Martha’s Vineyard a few years ago. At the two-mile mark on my phone app I came across a sign that read “Huckleberry Barrens.” I will admit to not knowing what the hell a Huckleberry is but it was hot, I was tired and it looked like there might be some...

February 22, 2018By John NuckelArticlesauthor john nuckel martha's vineyard, martha's vineyard0 CommentsRead more...

Take the Stairs

Frank sat on a bench looking out at the Hudson River. He was in rehab, again. The facility was just north of Beacon in the Hudson Valley. His first time was around twenty years ago. He had fallen into the life of booze and coke with the late eighties Wall Street crowd. Down to the seaport for a gallon of beer than a few lines for the drive to the Hampton’s. Soon enough he started to miss the ride to the...