A Certain Paradise

Publisher Marketing: Two weeks on a Caribbean island.... This novel paints a picture of British West Indian island life and renders a behind the scenes view of a luxury resort. The novel is based on a two week visit to a Caribbean island resort by Morton, its English managing director. The resort is open but the final stages of construction are still in progress. Morton is seen to be at odds with his fellow workers, his Maker and himself and the story details the sometimes painful, sometimes laughable misunderstandings he has with those around him - and they with each other. Interweaved with his life are the lives of the expatriates and islanders - the educated West Indians and the peasant farmers - each involved with the resort in some way but each living their own very different lives and holding quite dissimilar views of their place in the scheme of things. Morton struggles to establish order but this proves to be no easy thing. As the story unfolds the odds stacked him seem to increase and increase. But surely paradise is close at hand.... "Here at last is the successor to 'Don't Stop the Carnival, ' a compelling tale of island tragic-comedy bought to life with colorful, yet believable characters. A Certain Paradise captures the culture clash of the Caribbean, the mix of dialogues and dynamics that only an island at the global crossroads can achieve" Lisa Burnett, The Daily Herald, St. Martin, Dutch West Indies. "James Ryan's portrayal of Caribbean life with such precision is remarkable because it captures in detail the language and colour of Caribbean people. This is a must read for lovers of a great story - and one that shows our people in a positive light." Kasi Senge Senghor, President, Trinidad and Tobago Writers Union "An engaging insight into a Caribbean resort - it all rings true to me" Rob Shearman, Managing Director, Curtain Bluff Hotel, Antigua Contributor Bio:  Ryan, James JAMES RYAN knows what he's talking about -- about politics and government, that is, not necessarily insanity. He's worked on a bevy of political campaigns since age 14. Ryan came to Washington in 1985 to work for a U. S. senator from California, then went on to serve as press secretary for a Texas congressional candidate and subsequently for a congressman from Georgia. He was a news reporter for a television station in Virginia, then worked in public affairs for two national associations and later a U. S. government agency. He is also active in Northern Virginia politics. Jim has also been an English teacher in Japan, and, perhaps the most demanding job of all, a night-shift taxi driver in Los Angeles. Jim is interested in just about everything, a predilection that helped him become a four-time champion on the popular TV quiz show "Jeopardy!" Ryan holds a B. A. in Political Science from UCLA and an M. A. in Journalism and Public Affairs from The American University in Washington, D. C. Jim's articles have appeared in The Washington Post (on local history) and BBW magazine (on weight discrimination). He had his first published story at age 7, and at age 14 a satirical story of his on the gun control issue appeared in a teen magazine. This is his first novel. The author has long been active in the movement supporting the international language Esperanto and has been President of the Esperanto Society of Washington for several years. Among his other avocations are history, literature, hiking, genealogy, making pilgrimages to historic sites, foreign languages, Beatles lore, and playing electric guitar and bass. Jim's rock bands have played clubs in California, the Washington area and Japan, and made four appearances on national television. He lives in Chantilly, Virginia.