Dr. James R. Gregory
Ghost Town
8x Author, Expert in Corporate Branding and retired owner of Madison Avenue advertising agency
Bradenton, FL (Sarasota, FL)
BOOK COVER
BOOK DETAILS
Pub Date: January 13, 2026
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Publisher: Morgan James Fiction
Page Count: 265
Format, ISBN, Price:
Paperback, 9781636987972, $15.95
ABOUT THE BOOK
In the isolated coal mining town of Sulphur Creek in the late 1800s, young Sammy Murphy’s world is a blend of shadowy tunnels and unspoken secrets. Born into solitude and pushed into reclusion, Sammy’s quiet life starkly contrasts with the booming industry that surrounds him. But as he searches for connection in an era of ruthless expansion, he finds himself at odds with forces far greater than he imagined.
Enter Barry Bacon, an ambitious industrialist who fancies himself a peer to magnates like Andrew Carnegie. Driven by unbridled ambition, Bacon’s dreams stretch far beyond the soot-covered rooftops of Sulphur Creek. But as the weight of his empire bears down, his unchecked arrogance threatens to unravel everything he’s built.
As Sammy faces an unexpected awakening brought forth by a fleeting love, and Bacon’s empire teeters on the brink of collapse, both men must face truths that transcend time—true love extends beyond mere attraction and real power is more than forceful arrogance.
Set against the raw, unforgiving landscape of America’s industrial ascent, Ghost Town is a gripping novel of ambition, isolation, and the pursuit of connection. With richly drawn characters and a hauntingly relevant message, it echoes through history, exploring what it truly means to lead, to love, and to belong.
Click here to view information about James’ previous titles, Killer App and Zephyr’s War
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. James R. Gregory, a renowned business author and entrepreneur, co-founded a highly successful global brand management consulting firm in New York City alongside his wife, Evelyn Clyburne. Their 40-year journey in business culminated in the sale of their company in 2013. Post-retirement, Dr. Gregory’s unquenchable thirst for knowledge led him to earn a doctorate from the Muma College of Business at the University of South Florida.
Transitioning from business to literature, Dr. Gregory began writing a series of captivating novellas under the collection ‘Small Fortunes,’ which earned a place on Amazon’s bestseller charts. He followed this with his debut novel, Zephyr’s War, then Killer App, and now Ghost Town. Dr. Gregory is also a seasoned business author of several influential books on corporate branding, including Marketing Corporate Image, Leveraging the Corporate Brand, Branding Across Borders, The Best of Branding, and his most recent international bestseller, Powerhouse – The Secrets of Corporate Branding.
Residing in Bradenton, Florida, with his wife, Dr. Gregory is also a devoted family man. He enjoys spending quality time with his two grown children, Becky and Will, and pursuing hobbies like biking, playing tennis, and painting with his beloved grandchildren, Charlotte and Maxwell.
TALKING POINTS
- Isolation vs. Connection: His characters underscore the human need for belonging, even in an age defined by industry and progress.
- Ambition and Corruption: How ambition, unchecked by empathy, can corrode both man and community.
- Industrial America as Character: How James’ experience in corporate America is reflected in his storytelling
- Power and Legacy: When fiction questions what “power” truly means.
TIMELY TIE-INS
2025
December
- Read a New Book Month
- Holiday Gift Guides
2026
January
- New Year New Book
- Ghost Town’s publication date – 13
February
- International Book Giving Day
- Library Lovers Day – 14
March
- National Read Across America Day (Dr. Seuss Day) – 2
- International Read to Me Day – 19
April
- School library Month
- National Library Week — 7-14
- D.E.A.R Month
May
- Screen Free Week — 1-7
- Get Caught Reading Month
- Mothers Day Gift Guides
- Graduation Gift Guides
June
- Father’s Day
- Summer Reading Roundups
PRAISE
PRAISE FOR GHOST TOWN
“This was a really great story and very different from the genres I typically go for. It’s hard to get stories like these right, but I think James Gregory nailed it… I think the characters were all well portrayed and the book kept me very engaged. The chapters were very short which kept the book moving along. I’ve never read a historical fiction but I very much enjoyed this one!”
—Kirsten Magers, NetGalley Reviewer
PRAISE FOR KILLER APP
“This author has a grand imagination, and talent for showing the story.”
—Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews
“There are various levels of thrilling story lines, and twists, especially unexpected realization of an AI experiment. It’s an embraceable story if you love the thrilling and unique stories about how AI could take over someone’s life, but there is always a human behind that creation.”
—Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews

BOOK DETAILS
Pub Date: May 17, 2022
Genre: Memoir / Christian Inspirational
Publisher: She Writes Press
Page Count: 304
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 978-1647429003
Price: $15.99