Stephen Jordan

Profile Updated: June 1, 2018
Residing In Elmhurst, IL USA
Spouse/Partner Susan P. Jordan
Occupation Retired banker; currently an author
Children None
Yes! Attending Reunion
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Stephen Jordan’s fiction is often inspired from living and working overseas combined with a passion for history. He grew up in Napa in the 1950s in a family of readers—dinner-table conversations often centered on books. Of his parents’ gifts, love of literature is his most cherished.

Stephen's first novel, TATIANA AND THE RUSSIAN WOLVES, will be published in October 2018. www.tatianaswolves.com. Stephen will be available for a book signing event at BookMine in Napa on October 6th.

While at Stanford, Stephen discovered art history and considered a career in the arts. But practicality prevailed, and he opted for business school and joined Bank of America’s International Department. Speaking good Spanish at the time, he was bewildered—but not entirely surprised—when he was assigned to the Asia Division and later transferred to Indonesia. His banking career involved assignments in Jakarta, Singapore, London, East Africa and Chicago. He describes Chicago as the most dangerous, Singapore the cleanest.

Despite his initial misgivings, Stephen found living in Asia fascinating, frustrating, and life threatening at times. Inspired by Paul Theroux’s Asian collection, The Counsel’s File, Stephen has written a collection of short stories centered in Southeast Asia. “A Complete Overhaul” and “Raju,” were published during 2014 in EASTLIT, the online journal promoting English literature on South and South East Asia. “Snake Charmed” was published in GEM STREET: COLLECTOR'S EDITION, a print-only anthology by Labello Press in Ireland; Stephen received Labello’s Excellence in Contemporary Narrative Award. He also won an award from Negative Capability for “Prince Charles and the Texans,” set in Singapore. He has been a regular contributor to KEYSTROKES, selected works of the Oak Park Writers Group. His commentaries have appeared in the CHICAGO DAILY OBSERVER and the Western Neighborhoods Project (San Francisco).

Stephen enjoys French bistro cooking, long walks, and reading. He and his wife, Susan, reside in Elmhurst—just west of Chicago—with their cats Lucy and Muffin.

School Story

Three friends from my college days committed suicide; I’m still dealing with the Lingering sadness. Suicide can run in families as loved ones face the bewildering jumble of frustration, depression, guilt, and a subliminal anger that can trigger self-loathing: TATIANA AND THE RUSSIAN WOLVES deals with the questions left behind.

I’ve been fascinated with Russian history, especially the Revolution’s futuristic promises that devolved into a sinister despotism lasting seventy years. The Revolution’s casualties are incalculable and include the many émigrés who fled Russia and fell into penury and despair, as did Tatiana’s family. Tatiana, Alexander Romanovsky’s mother, suffered from depression that became insanity (the Russian Wolves) and led to her suicide—leaving Alexander fragile and vulnerable. The primary story deals with Russian business intrigue, family origins, collaboration with the Nazis, and an unconventional relationship that provokes blackmail. Today’s headlines have prompted a renewed interest in Russia; the back story’s characters, plot development, and themes are distinctly Russian. The fulcrum between the back and primary stories includes Tatiana’s secrets and Alexander’s attempts to unravel them.

The novel invites the reader to journey with Alexander to discover if he will withstand the gales that are sweeping through his life. Will he atone for his past dishonesty and be reconciled with those he loves? Or will he too succumb to Tatiana’s Russian wolves?

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Stephen Jordan posted a message.
Jul 15, 2019 at 12:48 PM

Stephen Jordan’s novel, Tatiana and the Russian Wolves, which was launched in print and e-format in October 2018, is now available as an audio book—either on Audible (Amazon) or iTunes (Apple). The novel is a psychological thriller blended with historical romance. The protagonist, Alexander Romanovsky, is a Russian émigré who becomes an international banker and attempts to unravel his mother’s shadowy past following her suicide. His fervent desire is to reconcile with himself, his mother, his ancestral country and the woman he loves.

Here’s an excerpt from Kirkus Reviews: "Jordan’s book shines … the narrative should leave readers curious about the fates of the people Alexander meets on his serpentine journey."

Jordan’s fiction is inspired from living overseas combined with a passion for history. He grew up in the Napa Valley in the 1950s in a family of readers—conversations often centered on books. Of his parents’ gifts, love of literature is his most cherished. Stephen discovered art history at Stanford and considered a career in the arts. He opted instead for international banking—with assignments in Southeast Asia and Africa. His short stories have been published in Ireland and in online journals.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
stephenevansjordan@gmail.com
https://stephenevansjordan.com/

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Stephen Jordan updated his profile. View.
Jun 01, 2018 at 8:39 AM