Randall’s Ramblings, August 6, 2017

Welcome to August! Named for Augustus Caesar, it means dignified or imposing (among other definitions). Let’s hope Leo the Lion’s month brings fantastic weather as summer heads towards its finale. I also hope August brings inspiration to all.

My Work in Progress

Writing remained slow over the past week, so chapter 22 of Dangerous Alliance is still a work in progress. Overall, the summer has hindered my writing and reading to the point I’m falling behind with my self-imposed goals and deadlines. However, I can’t do everything at the same time, so the most important events and tasks come first, with writing time squeezed in whenever possible.

The Kurdish Connection recently received its ninth five-start review on Amazon. This one thrilled me as its written by an author with six published novels and five non-fiction works. Russell Moran had the following to say about The Kurdish Connection:

“A non-stop thriller may seem like an overdone phrase, but that is what Mr. Krzak has created in this book. Hard to believe that it’s his debut novel.

“The characters are so real that you feel affection – or fear, as the different groups look for or try to hide a deadly cache of Sarin gas canisters left over from Saddam Hussein.

“Krzak keeps you turning pages as you follow the different characters as they wend their way through the exciting plot. The proverbial “clock is ticking” as you watch the drama unfold. You find yourself saying, “no don’t do that, do this,” because the author has given you enough information to be a couple of steps in front of the protagonists.

“The “Bedlam Alpha” team was a brilliant move on the author’s part. It consists of butt kicking characters readily believable by a fan of thriller novels. The author has a fine ear for language, such as his Canadian character’s often ending a sentence with the familiar Canuck, “eh.”

“It was easy to give this excellent novel a five star rating. I look forward to his next book.”

Any author would be thrilled with this kind of feedback. Perhaps you’ll be my next reviewer?

Here’s a bit from the the sequel, Dangerous Alliance:

Gari grinned. “What do we need with armored vehicles like Harbi wants? We’ll take what we want from the Kenyans.” He pressed his hands down the front of his captain’s uniform to remove the wrinkles.

His driver, a gray-haired man named Hasan Fido, laughed. “You are a handsome captain. But why not a general?”

“Generals don’t chase across the desert. They send captains and sometimes majors.”

“Next time, I want to be a lieutenant.”

“We’ll need to find a lieutenant willing to part with his uniform.”

***

Hasan glanced at Gari. “When we reach the square, should I stop?”

“Yes, we want to make as much noise as possible. Since you speak Swahili, I want you to accompany me and yell at anyone in the way. We’ll spend a few minutes in the village establishing ourselves as a Kenyan military unit chasing al-Shabaab terrorists.”

“Aah! I understand. No one will suspect us when we pursue the terrorists.”

***

Gari woke before the rest of his men. He dreamed of death during the night. A premonition of what might happen today? My death or someone else?

Perhaps more next time.

Books I’m Reading

I recently had the pleasure to read the first novel in a new series by Preston Holtry. My anticipation this would be as good as his Morgan Westphal mystery series was fulfilled.

Arrius Volume I: Sacramentum (Oath) introduces readers to an up and coming Roman soldier. He doesn’t follow blindly, but offers his opinion on matters, even to his own detriment. Arrius eventually becomes embroiled in the Roman fight against the Jews revolt in Judaea, focusing on his duty and little else.

Once the conquest is completed, Arrius still refuses to serve in Rome and at his request, ends up at Hadrian’s Wall. A complex but well-written story and I can’t wait to see whether he made the right choice!

Blogs/Author Pages/Writing Sites I’d Like to Share

I’ve expanded this section from being only about blogs that I follow but also introduce you to some new authors and a few writing sites.

Preston Holtry – in case you haven’t read any of the Morgan Westphal series, here’s a link to learn more about Preston and his novels.  Enjoy!

I’m afraid that’s all the time I have today. Hope you’ve found something of interest or at least useful for your own writing.  Until the next time, thank you for reading!

© Copyright 2017 Randall Krzak. All rights reserved