A Virtuoso in America: Adrian by Fred Raymond Goldman

The Coffee Pot Book Club Blog Tour

Today’s Coffee Pot Blog Tour features A Virtuoso in America: Adrian, book two in the Holocaust-related series. I’m providing an excerpt (see below), but first, take a look at the book description.

How do you reconcile a decision you made in the past when the world erupts in war, threatening the life of someone you love and believe you were protecting?

Adrian Mazurek immigrated to the United States from Krakow, Poland, 14 years ago and is now a successful violin soloist and concertmaster of The Eleventh State Symphony Orchestra in New York. But despite his outward success, Adrian is inwardly harboring a shameful secret, one he has not revealed to anyone.

However, that is about to change. Adrian plans to propose marriage to Suzanne, but he knows he must tell her the truth about his past before doing so. Riddled with guilt and shame, Adrian can barely look at himself in the mirror. How can he look Suzanne in the eyes and tell her that he left his infant son, Simon, in the care of his aunt and uncle in Poland 14 years ago? If only confessing the truth to Suzanne was the most difficult part.

Adrian soon learns that Germany has invaded Poland and World War II has begun. Fearing the Germans will learn that his son is of Jewish heritage, Adrian must do something to ensure Simon's safety. But what? And will Suzanne stand by his side or will she turn away because of his deceit?​

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The Excerpt (Number 5 if you’re following the tour)

On a Saturday morning in mid-April Adrian was sitting at the piano in his living room pounding keys, trying out sounds for a scene he was reading in the script of the newest in the Two by Two series, still untitled. He heard the roar of a motorcycle in the driveway and went out to find Jonny kicking down the kickstand.

 “Hi, Adrian.”

 “Jonny, so good to see you. It’s been a while. Come on in. How about a Coke?”

 “Sure.”

 Adrian went to the kitchen and came back with a bottle and handed it to Jonny.

 “I hope I’m not interrupting,” Jonny said.

 “Not at all. It’s great to see you. How are you?”

 “A little nervous.”

 Adrian could see that now that he looked at Jonny more closely. “What’s going on? Tell me what’s bothering you.”

 “I got my Greetings letter. I’m due at the draft office next week. I heard you and the crew at the Studio were there. Eddie said he saw you standing in line outside when he drove by a while back.”

 Adrian gave an understanding nod. “That was work, my friend. We went there to get firsthand experience before we started filming.”

 Jonny was bouncing up and down on his toes. “My folks are really besides themselves. I’m their only child. I’m uptight about it too. I thought you could tell me what to expect.”

 “Sure. Let’s go sit by the pool. It’ll be more comfortable there. Want another Coke?”

 Jonny’s hand shook as he held up his bottle. “No thanks. I’m good.”

 Adrian told Jonny about his experiences at the draft and training centers.

 “What I can tell you, Jonny, is that just about everyone at both places was scared. What impressed me most at the induction center was no matter whether the inductees wanted to be there or not, they quickly bonded. Their common fears, anxiety, whatever you want to call it, united them.” Adrian leaned forward. “I know you’re facing something scary, but you’re not alone. You’ll have plenty of company, and you and the others will get through it together.”

 Jonny’s toes tapped rapidly on the ground as he listened to Adrian.

 “I know you can’t see that now, but if you’re inducted, you’ll find that out.”

 “If you say so, Adrian. I hope that’s true, but you’re right about one thing. I can’t see that now.”

 Adrian nodded. “I know, Jonny. I know.” He wished he could say something better to take away Jonny’s anxiety.

 Jonny took a sip of his Coke and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “Where’s the studio with its follow up to Three by Three?” Jonny said, changing the subject. “What’s the new title?”

 “No one’s come up with a good one yet. Got any ideas?”

 Jonny laughed. “Well, the obvious is Four by Four, isn’t it?”

 “Of course,” Adrian said. “That would give it instant recognition. But the question is, who or what is the ‘Four’ for?”

 “That’s simple. It would be their drill sergeants. Make a poster of each young family of three with a drill sergeant hovering over them.”

 It was so obvious and perfect. Adrian couldn’t believe no one had thought of it. “Jonny, you’re a genius. You were made to work in the entertainment industry. Do you mind if I tell the Studio your idea?”

 “No, sir. Just give me the credit.”

 “Of course.” Adrian raised an eyebrow. “And why are you suddenly calling me ‘Sir’”?

 Jonny saluted. “Just practicing,” he said.

 Adrian laughed. He placed his arm around the young man’s shoulder and walked him out. “Let me know how it goes,” he said to Jonny before he got on his motorcycle.

 “You bet.”

 Adrian watched Jonny ride off. He wondered if, someday, Simon would look up to him and seek out his advice the way Jonny had. He wanted to think so. He thought about his relationship with the contessa, how she had always been in the background cheering for him without his knowing until he was a grown man on his own. He hoped Simon would learn one day that he’d always been there, thinking about him, searching for him, wishing they’d been together instead of strangers.

Author Bio:

Fred Raymond Goldman, Author

Fred Raymond Goldman graduated from Western Maryland College in Westminster, MD (now McDaniel College) in June 1962 with a B.A. in psychology. In 1964, he earned an M.S.W. degree from the University of Maryland School of Social Work.

Most of his career was devoted to the Jewish Communal Service. He served as the administrator of Northwest Drug Alert, a methadone maintenance program at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, where he also became the community’s reference point for steering drug abusers to Jewish resources. The work focused on helping individuals achieve abstinence, receive counseling, and find employment.

Following this role, Fred was hired as Assistant to the Director of Jewish Family Services in Baltimore.

The final position in his professional career was with Har Sinai Congregation, a Jewish Reform synagogue in Baltimore, where he served as Executive Director for 23 years before retiring in October 2005.

In retirement, Fred pursued his interests in hiking with The Maryland Hiking Club, exploring nature, and volunteering at The Irvine Nature Center, where he guided schoolchildren on nature hikes and assisted in the Center’s nature store.

Writing had been an interest since childhood, though Fred did not pursue it seriously until retirement. Beginning with children’s books, he became a member of the Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Association. Among the works he wrote were Vera and the Blue Bear Go to the Zoo, Never Bite an Elephant (And Other Bits of Wisdom), The Day the School Bus Drivers Went on Strike, If You Count, and The Day the School Devices Went on Strike. Although these works were never published, Fred hopes that if the CONCERTO books gain recognition, opportunities for these earlier works may follow.

The journey of writing the CONCERTO companion books began after Fred noticed a note on the local library bulletin board announcing the formation of a writer’s group led voluntarily by a local author. Joining the group with nine others, he learned the essentials of writing—maintaining the protagonist’s point of view, building tension toward a climax, rewriting, and developing complex characters with flaws, peculiarities, and unique personalities.

Over four years, Fred devoted significant time to writing, researching, rewriting, and submitting the manuscript. Originally one book titled The Auschwitz Concerto, the project was later divided into two volumes and self-published. For a time, the title The Box was also considered.

Encouragement from the teacher and fellow writers in the group played a pivotal role in shaping the novels, as Fred also contributed to the successes of others through critique and support.

In the Author’s Notes, Fred explains the purpose of making the books available to the public. Before embarking on the project, he knew little about the Holocaust beyond its staggering toll of nine million lives and its place as one of history’s darkest chapters. In writing the novels, he not only gained deeper knowledge of history and human suffering but also developed a heightened awareness of current issues that demand attention. As he notes, what affects one group of people has the potential to affect all of us.

Author Links:

 Author Page on Publisher’s Website: https://www.historiumpress.com/fred-goldman

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Fred-Raymond-Goldman/author/B0C2QMBZ9X