As we begin the final month of 2019, Mother Nature is certainly hard at work. Locally, the continued frosty mornings has now resulted in the grass having the appearance of being snow-covered. However, a quick check revealed this is indeed frost. So far, no white flakes have appeared. In fact, it’s a bit warmer this morning at 28F (-2C).
Yesterday we attended the monthly ‘makers’ market’ in Kirkcaldy. While a chilly day as it’s held in a covered walkway, the organizers ensured all vendors kept warm by supplying free coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. I was delighted to sign copies of my novels for four customers!
So who was born on this date in history? Let’s find out who in the writing world was born on December 1st. (Compliments of http://www.onthisday.com/today/birthdays):
Anna Comnena, Byzantine historian; Anna Louisa Karsch “Die Karschin”, German poet; Eggert Olafsson, Icelandic writer; Nikolai Mikhailovich Karamzin, Russian writer; Valery Bryusov, Russian poet; Pierre Kemp, Dutch poet (Fugitives & Constants); Rex Stout, American mystery writer (Nero Wolf novels); Willem E Crown, Antillian writer; Henry Williamson, English author; Manuel A Neat, Curacaos author (Nobleza di Coerazon); Charles Finney, American author (Circus of Dr Lao); Jan Koplowitz, German writer; Joachim Hoffmann, German historian; John Crowley, American sci-fi author (Deep, Beasts, Novelty); Tahar Ben Jelloun, French writer of Moroccan origin; Daniel Pennac, French writer; and John Schlimm, American author.
Were any names familiar to you? There were a couple for me, including Rex Stout and John Crowley. 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
Yesterday was the final day for submissions to the 2019 Chanticleer International Books Awards for the global thrillers category. Since there are sixteen categories, they close at different times during the year.
I submitted Carnage in Singapore in early September to ensure I made the deadline. Now, it’s a case of waiting for the results. The first notification will be in late December/early January when the move from the slush pile to the long list is announced. This will be followed by the short list, semi-finals, etc, until the first in category winners and the grand prize division winners are announced on April 18th.
As a reminder, Dangerous Alliance was one of the seven Global Thrillers category winners for the 2018 competition. It would be fantastic to have Carnage in Singapore match or exceed this result, but as always, the competition will be stiff. Of course, even getting to the semi-finals like The Kurdish Connection did would be a thrill. Good luck to all who entered!
Stay tuned for more news as it becomes available.
My Work in Progress
Editing of A Cartel’s Revenge is well underway. Plenty still to do as I continue to move forward. I’m still working my way through a myriad of potential covers, but I still have time to make a decision.
Here’s another snippet from A Cartel’s Revenge:
AJ and Javier found Tex’s office empty and made themselves comfortable.
“I don’t think Bill’s too happy with us being here.” Javier stared at the ceiling as if he suspected there might be listening devices.
“We informed him about our mission before we departed.” AJ shrugged. “Most station chiefs dislike encroachment on their territory, so his comments didn’t bother me. I could tell you some stories—”
“Sorry, I stepped out.” Tex entered the office and handed over cold Cokes, popping the top on his. “Been checking over the vehicle I requisitioned. Nondescript. Dented. Local plates. Should fit right in.”
“Is there someplace we can crash for a few hours?” Javier nodded toward AJ. “I think we should rest.”
“Sure, the embassy maintains a few Conex boxes set up for visitors. Nothing fancy: bed, TV, fridge, shower, and toilet. We’ll stop by the commissary so you can grab a few things.”
After a quick trip for some provisions, Tex took them to their sleeping quarters. “What time do you want to meet this evening?”
“About six p.m.” AJ stuck out her hand. “Thanks for your help.”
***
“Get ready … go.”
Javier and AJ bailed out of the vehicle as Tex slowed, weapon pouches attached to a belt below their vests. A waterproof black bag containing a breathing apparatus and swim fins was secured to the back of their belts. They rolled, came to their feet, and scurried to the ten-foot-high chain link fence.
Javier knelt by the mesh while AJ grabbed wire cutters from her belt. She snipped through the rusted fence, creating a hole to slide through. After pushing the wire back in place, they hugged the ground while Javier used night vision goggles to scope out the ship.
Quiet, no guards in sight. Two lights onboard, one fore, one aft. No traffic on the street, so they dashed to the ship’s side. A metal gangplank led from the dock to the ship toward the bow. Near the stern, the ship’s accommodation ladder was lowered to form a second access point.
Weapons in hand, AJ and Javier stole up the stern walkway, their heads swiveling left to right.
Silent as a tomb.
More next time.
Whenever I need an editing break, I continue to work on Ultimate Escalation. Chapter four is currently underway. To date, the first three chapters have received thirty reviews on the two online subscription writing sites I use. Excellent suggestions as always to enhance my stories.
For those who enjoy the twists and turns I include in my novels, there will be more appearing in this one.
Books I’m Reading
I recently finished The Power of Three, the second novel in JC Ryan’s Rex Dalton Thriller series.
Rex was sent on a mission to Afghanistan to gather information about the opium trade. His mission brief was to find out who were the key players, the trade routes, and to follow the money trail from the producers, distributors into the coffers of Taliban and other terrorist organizations. Before long he had opened a can of worms revealing spine chilling deceit and corruption that reached into the highest hallways of power in Afghanistan, America, and Europe.
Once again JC has created realistic characters to augment Rex. Stand by for a whirlwind tour through various locations, as Rex fights for his survival while still helping those who have are mired in helplessness by unfortunate circumstances. A fantastic story, which will keep you up late at night turning the pages!
I also thoroughly enjoyed Tabula Rasa by Gordon Bickerstaff. Join Lambeth Group agents, Zoe Tampsin and Gavin Shawlens, as they try to unravel mystery surrounding the unusual death of a government scientist. Once again, Gordon has developed an exciting plot with plenty of twists and turns as the story unfolds.
For those who enjoy non-stop action, this one is for you! With realistic characters, several intriguing settings and a group of visionaries trying to recreate the world as they want it to be, you’ll find yourself burning the midnight oil as you won’t want to put it down!
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
