As the saying goes, “Beware the Ides of March.” History tells us Julius Caesar was assassinated on this day in 44 BC, thereby ending an event in the Roman Empire, but triggering a civil war which ultimately gave power to his heir, Octavia (later called Augustus). Today, we face a new crisis–the coronavirus. Let’s hope people get through this latest pandemic unscathed.
On to better things. Who was born on this date in history? Let’s find out who in the writing world was born on March 15th. (Compliments of http://www.onthisday.com/today/birthdays):
Charles Knight, English publisher; Aernout Drost, Dutch literary (Hermingard van de Eikenterpen); Branko Radicevic, Serbian poet (1st Serbian Uprising); Paul von Heyse, German writer (Nobel 1910); Alice Cunningham Fletcher, ethnologist (Stranger in Her Native Land); Augusta, Lady Gregory, Irish playwright, poet and patron of Yates; Lionel Pigot Johnson, British poet and critic (Ireland & Other Poems); Gerrit J Heering, Dutch theologist (Fall of Christianity); Gilberto Freye, Brazilian sociologist/writer; An Rutgers van der Loeff-Basenau, children book writer (Skating Race); Louis Paul Boon, Flemish writer (Kapellekensbaan); Geert Lubberhuizen, publisher (Busy Bee); Richard Ellmann, American literary scholar and biographer (Oscar Wilde); Lawrence Sanders, American novelist; Madelyn Pugh, American television writer; Yuri Bondarev, Russian writer (Silence); Cecil Percival Taylor, American pianist and poet (U of Wisconsin); Valentin Rasputin, Russian writer (To Live and Remember); Robert Nye, British novelist and poet (Facts of Life & other fiction); Jack Whyte, Scottish-Canadian author; Jacques Doillon director/writer (La Fille de Quinze Ans); Mark J Green, American lawyer/author (Closed Enterprise System); Kate Bornstein, American author; Lisa Holton, American writer; Fabio Lanzoni, romance novels model (Fabio After Dark); Jose Sanchez Zolliker, Mexican writer; and F.V.A. Morriello, Canadian author.
Recognize anyone? No one stood out for me this time. 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!
New Release!
I mentioned last week the release of Colombian Betrayal, the first novel in my Bruce & Smith thriller series.
To celebrate its release, I’ve teamed with other thriller authors to bring you a bevy of reading material. Some authors you might recognize, while others could very well be new to you.
To find out more, click on BookFunnel and explore the options available! I hope you find something of interest!
My Work in Progress
When I’m not working on marketing/promoting Colombian Betrayal, I’m continuing to move forward with my next novel, Xavier Sear: Angola. This week, chapters ten and eleven were posted to the two online subscription writing sites I use. Although only posted for a short time, Angola has now received eigthy-three chapter reviews, an increase of eighteen in the past week. Plenty of good advice from my faithful reviewers to provide as good a story for you as possible.
Here’s the another snippet from Angola:
Joao walked the upper hall of his family’s nineteenth-century home, awarded to one of his ancestors for services rendered to King Manuel III. He worked his way down the spiraling grand staircase, pausing to gaze out the windows at the botanic gardens. I’m not sure whether Catarina fell in love with me first or the gardens. He chuckled as he reached the bottom of the stairs and pushed the library door open.
He walked across the polished oak floor and settled himself behind the ornate wooden desk, another gift to his aristocratic family.
A discreet knock signaled the arrival of his mid-morning snack: a bica and a pasties de natal. The servant placed his coffee and custard cup on the desk and departed.
Joao savored the aroma of the espresso as he leaned back in the padded oak swivel chair, reminiscing about how he came to lead the Regaleira family.
The second son of Donato and Gabriela, he followed in the footsteps of other men in his position in wealthy families—he joined the army. His elder brother, Fabio, took over control of the family’s varied interests, continuing to provide behind-the-scenes advice to the president and prime minister.
When Fabio died in a fiery crash in the Algarve after his Ferrari sailed over a cliff, Joao resigned his commission and assumed his current role.
He shook his head, finished his snack, and logged onto his computer. He dealt with numerous business emails related to the family’s portfolio of banks, wineries, and energy companies. A personal email caught his attention.
My Dear Joao,
It’s been a year or more since we last spoke. Things have gotten worse here, at least for family and me. Marxist Rebels in the DRC kidnapped Peter and a group of women and young girls. Since qualifying as a doctor, he’s been working for the Christian Aid Mission in the DRC.
I’ve contacted other members of the Angolan government, but so far there’s been no assistance offered. We’re still waiting for specific demands from a Jonah Alimasi Masudi, who says he’s holding Peter and the others. I realize you no longer serve in the Portuguese Army, but you’re the only person I could think of who might be able to arrange Peter’s release.
Time is running out.
Your friend, Theo
Joao slapped a hand against his forehead. Peter! What happened! Joao typed up a response:
My dear Theo,
What tragic news! I want to help, but I’m tied up with work commitments and my upcoming marriage. While I can delegate work to others, my charming Catarina must be involved in the decision on when I can travel to your region.
Please give me a call—the same number—when you can so we can discuss this more.
Best regards, Joao
More next time.
Books I’m Reading
I recently finished reading Nothing New Under The Sun, the first novel in the Carter Devereux mystery series by JC Ryan. This is a superb start to the archeological mystery which we find Carter embroiled in as he searches the world for new discoveries.
With a riveting plot, realistic characters, and the possibility of an alternate theory regarding the creation of the human species (don’t want to give anything else away), if you enjoy archeological mysteries, this is one for you. I thoroughly enjoyed Nothing New Under The Sun and look forward to reading the next book in the series.
This brings us to a close for this 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 2020 Randall Krzak. All rights reserved
Interesting stuff. I look forward to learning more about you. Catarina is the most beautiful female name I’ve heard (outside of Christine of course)!
Many thanks!