... to CharlieRat, Elaine S, and everyone else who took a chance on my novel, An Island Away. Yesterday, we held the official Aruba launch of the book at Charlie's Bar in San Nicolaas and some people mentioned they heard about it on the boards. There were literally hundreds of people who came to Charlie's to meet me, enjoy a beverage, and soak up some authentic Aruban atmosphere.

I want to take this opportunity on this forum to let everyone know how much I sincerely appreciate them taking the time from their vacations to come down and get the book, say a few words, and share their experiences with me. This is one of the best parts about writing a book: meeting people who are interested and want more.

So THANK YOU again, and rest assured that I am working diligently on the sequel, Under A Blue Flag.

Photos of the event can be found on my blog and website.

44

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Novelist, Pilot
http://www.bentpage.wordpress.com/

Daniel .... I know I'm probably pushing it, but I hope the sequel is ready by February when I return to the island. I want to know how certain lives turned out. Notice that I don't want to give any hints to anyone who hasn't read the book.

And, for those of you who haven't read An Island Away, but are thinking of ordering it, you won't be sorry.

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Everything Elaine said, I echo. I am anything but an avid reader but I really, really liked An Island Away. I am also a pretty harsh critic when it comes to depictions of things that I have some personal knowledge about, yet I found nothing to criticize. Well done, Daniel. I'm really glad that the meet and greet was a success.

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Once in a while you can get shown the light, in the strangest of places if you look at it right.

I just got off the phone with one of my best friends, who is both a voracious reader and a harsh critic. I had loaned her my copy of An Island Away and I had to ask her how she liked it.

She positively gushed her approval!

Daniel, take this one to heart. This woman would not tell me she liked anything just to be polite. This is a journalism major and former English professor (and current on-air radio personality in Birmingham) and she said she couldn't put it down. She finished it in two days. Like the rest of us, she is eagerly awaiting the sequel.

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Once in a while you can get shown the light, in the strangest of places if you look at it right.

Elaine - I'm with you! I simply CAN-NOT-WAIT to see what happens to the characters next! I think Feb for the sequel might be pushing it though Hurry Dan Hurry! BTW Elaine, I almost missed your review on Amazon. I see you made it a comment on someone else's review. I noticed a couple of new reviews went up since the last time I looked, all positive. I think it's safe to say you have a winner on your hands Dan. CONGRATS!

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Paradise, But Not for Amateurs ... Are You Ready?
www.DanielPutkowski.com

Uh oh Trudie, did I screw up where I put my review??? First time I gave an opinion over at Amazon...

ETA: I just went back to Amazon and did it correctly!!

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My husband read it and is passing it around to his friends. I will be reading it in Jamaica in Oct. (and hopefully not regretting my decision to go to Jamaica instead of Aruba when reading about Aruba)

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DiviAruba,

Thanks for your comments about the book. An Island Away is mostly about San Nicolaas as opposed to the "other side of the bridge" which is much more about the hotels and beaches. Nonetheless, I think you will find it a fascinating look at a part of Aruba you may or may not know.

Let me know your thoughts here or through my website.

44

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http://www.bentpage.wordpress.com/

My husband actually ended up in San Nicolaas one night during a trip. An Aruban friend was going out with another American and asked my husband. He thought they were just going out drinking. He was not very happy with the experience (big difference between drinking and San Nicolaas at night) and now comes up with comments such as... that's why they would not give me another beer was among one. He never would have gone if he had known where had was going. I giess the other guy from the US goes to Aruba twice a year and does so just to go to San Nicolaas. I actually laughed when my husband told me about it. That was why one of our friends at the hotel gave my husband a dirty look when he said he was going out with _____. I made him tell the employee what DID NOT happen on the night out. Still think it's funny. My husband never new it existed and my comment was, Don't you read the Aruba Today?

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Well, An Island Away will show you all the details. I find San Nicolaas to be an interesting place. It's not for everyone and you don't have to partake of all on offer. Just the same, the novel is a story with San Nicolaas as much a character as the people who move through it.

44

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Novelist, Pilot
http://www.bentpage.wordpress.com/

My mother who is a big reader loves to buy me and my kids BOOKS for holidays! So I just placed my order for x-mas 2008...your book!! Don't know if I can wait till December...but I will!

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"These are a few of my favorite things"
...Elisa
defecting to St. Thomas 5/24-5/31/08, Lauderdale by the Sea 2/4-2/11/09; St. Croix Oct. '09!

I just received Island Away from Amazon. I can't wait to read it. My husband is a faster reader than I so he will get to read it first.

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I'M IN ARUBA Dec. 16-Jan. 16



28 days - April 1-28

Aruba since 1985

Thanks again to everyone who came out to the Samson Bookstore on Thursday and others who came out today, Saturday. It was a pleasure meeting all of you, hearing how you came to Aruba, and listening to some of your stories.

Let me know what you think of the book and whatever you do, wear your sunscreen.

All the best,

44

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Novelist, Pilot
http://www.bentpage.wordpress.com/

Instead of my husband, I gave my book to my girlfriend since he still has a way to go with the book he is reading. My girlfriend Barbara called me about 1/2 hour ago to tell me she is 3/4 through and loves the book. Can't wait to hear about it when I see her tomorrow.

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I'M IN ARUBA Dec. 16-Jan. 16



28 days - April 1-28

Aruba since 1985

Thanks to everyone who came out on Friday night to the Doylestown Bookshop. Some of you just got back from Aruba and it was fun trading stories and talking about An Island Away.

Next event is in Collingswood, NJ which may be closer for some of you. Details are on my website. Also, photos from Doylestown are up there, too.

See you in NJ or in Aruba.

All the best,

44

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Novelist, Pilot
http://www.bentpage.wordpress.com/

Daniel, I wish you would have put a reminder on the board about Doylestown!! I totally forgot!!

How's the sequel coming???? Any chance it'll be ready to be read by February???

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Elaine,

Well, we'll just have to meet up on the island or elsewhere.

I'm hard at work on Under A Blue Flag. It won't be out until 2010. Long way to go. However, my other book, Bonk's Bar, which is about a guy who runs his old man's bar in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia should be out in the spring. That could keep you busy....

Talk to you soon and thanks for all the good things you say and support for the book.

Sincerely,

44

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Novelist, Pilot
http://www.bentpage.wordpress.com/

I'll certainly buy your next book because I so totally enjoyed An Island Away, and am familiar with Port Richmond.

As you can see from my tagline, I'll be on the island from January 30th to February 28th... maybe you'll be there at that time, too. Would love to meet you and Mrs. 44 for a drink one night, and a little conversation.

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Elaine,

Si dios permite, I'll be on the island when you're there. Looking forward to some quality conversation.

Mean time, I'll be in Collingswood, NJ at the book fair, October 4th. That's a bit of a hike for you, plus Aruba is probably more fun.

Anyway, talk to you soon. Keep reading.

44

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Dios knows ami mester un fakansi!

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