When I got up this morning and checked the temperature, it was a balmy 32F/0C. At least it was compared to the past few days. The dusting of snow we received still lingers but I suspect its days are numbered.
Despite our cold spell, Tommy, one of our cats, insists on staying outside, coming in only for a brief bite to eat before he’s out the door again. While we normally have our cats indoors for the evening, he’s the exception. He was a feral who joined us in January 2017, and it took almost eighteen months before we could handle him. Now, he’s a regular member of the family.
So who was born on this date in history? Let’s find out who in the writing world was born on February 3rd. (compliments of http://www.onthisday.com/today/birthdays):
Caroline von Wolzogen, [von Lengefeld], German author; Horace Greeley, editor (“Go west, young man”); Sidney Clopton Lanier, American composer/poet (Hall of Fame); Martinus Ballings, Flemish Jesuit/author (Will Power); Gertrude Stein, Penn, author (Autobiography of Alice B Toklas); Clarence Mulford, Ill, western writer (Hopalong Cassidy); Georg Trakl, Austrian poet (Autumn of the Lonely); Johannes Urzidil, writer; Lao She, Chinese writer; James A. Michener, American author (Tales of the South Pacific, Hawaii); Jann Willem Holsbergen, author (Zakenmensen Fair as Gold); Joop C Swart, Dutch publisher/founder (World Press Photo); Joan Lowery Nixon, American writer; Randolfe “Randy” Wicker [Charles Gervin Hayden Jr.], American author, LGBT and pro-cloning activist and blogger; Paul Auster, US author/poet/director (Mr Vertigo, Smoke); Henning Mankell, Swedish playwright and author (Wallander novels); Stephen Euin Cobb, American novelist; Lizzie Borden, director/writer (Love Crimes, Working Girls); and Sarah Lewitinn, American writer.
How many are you familiar with? There’s definitely one who should be recognizable. Whether you recognize anyone on the list or not, if today’s your special day I hope you have a great one and many more to follow!
News About My Published Work
Dangerous Alliance was covered under new releases in the February 1st edition of the monthly magazine, The Big Thrill, issued by the International Thriller Writers. To check out this magazine, click here.
Stay tuned for more news about semi-finalist Dangerous Alliance and The Kurdish Connection as the Global Thriller Book Awards moves toward the finals.
My Work in Progress
Editing is progressing nicely on my third novel, Carnage in Singapore. So far I’m still on 
track to submit the manuscript to my publisher in May/June. Here’s a snippet:
Evelyn slipped past Ollie and stood between them. “Listen, you two. You’ve been at each other for hours. You act like siblings instead of professionals. Button it.”
Ollie leaned to the side to catch Barbara’s eye. Both burst into laughter.
Unable to maintain a stern expression, Evelyn joined in the laughter. “I understand, twenty-one hours is a long journey. Sometimes, sacrifices must be made.”
“Well, we’ve achieved success.” Ollie stifled a yawn with the back of his hand. “Between mediocre food, cramped seats, and old movies, we’ve made enough sacrifices.”
They chuckled as the seats in front of them emptied, allowing them to move closer to the exit. As they left the plane and walked up the jetway, a police officer stepped forward, holding a small sign: ‘Evin Party.’
“Hey, Evelyn, there’s our contact.” Ollie adjusted his backpack after a passenger shoved past, knocking the bag from his shoulder.
Evelyn stepped toward the officer and pointed at his sign. “I’m Evelyn Evinrude. I believe you’re expecting me?”
“Yes. I’m Kusuma Bagus with Detasemen Khusus Eighty-Eight—a Special Forces counterterrorism squad attached to the police. I’ll be your escort while you are here.”
“Thank you for meeting us. We’re ready to go.”
Kusuma led them to a nondescript blue van parked in a no parking zone. After they piled in, Kusuma turned the key. The engine started and died. He tried again with the same results. Getting out of the van, he walked to the front, lifted the hood, and let it drop.
Evelyn observed Kusuma muttering to the vehicle before he climbed back in, but couldn’t lip read his words.
He tried to start the vehicle for the third time—success. He smiled and pulled away from the curb.
“What did you say to the engine after you closed the hood?” Evelyn glanced over her shoulder at her team.
Kusuma chuckled. “I said if it wouldn’t start this time, I’d recommend the van be used for target practice on the range.” He patted the dash. “We have our ways of persuasion.”
More next time.
I’ve also continued working on the fourth and final novel in the Bedlam series, Ultimate Escalation. So far, the drafts of two chapters have been posted to the two subscription writing sites I use, with twenty chapter reviews coming in. All contain excellent suggestions as I move forward with this story.
Books I’m Reading
I recently finished reading Stone of Fire (ARKANE Book 1) by J. F. Penn. Follow Morgan Sierra as she searches for twelve stones. These aren’t just any stones lying around, but supposedly given to each of the Apostles at Pentecost. This is an excellent blend of myth, psychology, and beliefs, which will keep action-adventure readers glued to their seats.
Will Morgan and the secretive ARKANE group recover the stones before they fall into the hands of others? Stone of Fire is any easy read with plenty of twists and turns to delight most readers. Look forward to reading the second book in the series.
My Favorite Authors
The first books I remember reading were Westerns and the Nancy Drew mystery series. I don’t recall when I first picked up a book written by Robert Ludlum, the author of twenty-seven thriller novels, but I was immediately hooked and became an avid fan.
Looking back at my own writing, I can see he was one of the authors who contributed to my choice of genres. As I continue to explore some of my favorite authors, I’ll try to identify why the thriller genre was for me. Perhaps it was living in numerous countries and wanting to share with readers a story set in exotic locations, hoping to bring other cultures into our lives, irrespective of beliefs and norms. I guess we’ll find out.
This brings us to a close for another week. I hope you found something of interest or at least useful for your own writing. If you have any suggestions for a topic you’d like to read about, please let me know. Until the next time, thank you for reading.
© Copyright 2019 Randall Krzak. All rights reserved
