I’d like to start today’s post with a resounding THANK YOU! to all those dealing with the coronavirus, from the medical professionals to those ensuring we have sufficient food and necessary supplies available, and everyone in between. We’ve had several neighbors offer to give us a hand if we need something during this trying time. Thank you!
It’s another crisp and sunny start to the day, so it’s a good time to continue working in the flower beds and getting them prepared. Plenty to do, but we’ll also take time to enjoy a coffee and tea on our new porch, which is an excellent morning suntrap.
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 22nd. (Compliments of http://www.onthisday.com/today/birthdays):
Antonio Francesco Grazzini, Italian writer; Edward Moore, English writer; Heinrich D Zschokke, Swiss author (Das Goldmacherdorf); Theodor Birt, [Beatus Rhenanus], German classical/writer; Arnold Sauwen, Flemish poet (Along the Meuse); Ellen Glasgow, novelist; Giulia D De Albertis, writer; Ellin Berlin, [MacKay], Mrs Irving Berlin, writer (Lace Curtain); Jochen Klepper, writer; Phyllis McGinley, poet; Albrecht Goes, German writer and theologian; Louis D L’Amour, American best-selling author (Hondo, Jubal Sackett); Gabrielle Roy, French-Canadian novelist (Tin Flute); Nicholas Monsarrat, English novelist (The Cruel Sea); Georgiy Zhzhonov, Russian actor and writer (The Secret Agent’s Blunder); Charles Pick, British publisher (William Heinemann); Al Neuharth, newspaper founder (USA Today); Paul Fussell, American historian (The Great War and Modern Memory); Igor Hajek, translator/writer; William Shatner, Canadian author, director and actor (Star Trek, T J Hooker); Billy Collins, American poet; Rudy/Rudolf [von Bittner] Rucker, American sci-fi author (Wetware); James Patterson, American author (Alex Cross, Witch and Wizard)
Recognize anyone? I spotted three very familiar names: Louis D L’Amour, William Shatner (although I know him for Star Trek, not as a writer), and James Patterson. 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, chapter tweleve posted to the two online subscription writing sites I use. Although only posted for a short time, Angola has now received 103 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:
João enjoyed a meandering stroll through the narrow cobbled streets of the Alfama district of Lisbon, winding his way through small plazas and dozens of four-to-five table restaurants. The aroma of cooking meat and spices aroused his appetite. The music of Fado singers intertwined with excited voices in numerous languages created a carnival-like atmosphere.
He entered the ground floor of Casa do Alentejo, a restaurant housed in a Moorish-style palace not far from Rossio Square. Still a bit early for his rendezvous with Catarina, he browsed in the attached gift shop selling handicrafts, searching for a small gift.
As he glanced up from a table laden with colorful scented candles, he spotted a man with African features staring at him. When João took a step forward, the man rushed out of the shop and disappeared.
He purchased two cranberry-scented candles and hurried to the second floor of the building and into the restaurant. With wood-paneled walls, Casa do Alentejo offered fine dining for its guests.
Catarina was seated at their usual table.
João kissed her cheek and took a chair opposite. A guitarist approached, providing a romantic backdrop to the setting as he gently strummed love songs.
“I’m famished, so I ordered tuna steaks for both of us.” Catarina gave João a heart-melting smile. “Since they stock your family’s wine, I left it to the waiter to choose a special one for tonight.
“Thank you, Catarina. Sorry, I’m late. I wandered through the area and lost track of time.” He held out a blue box tied with a green ribbon. “For you, my darling.”
She opened the box and clapped her hands. “My favorite scent. Shall we ask the waiter to light one of them?”
“Of course.” João snapped his fingers, and a waiter rushed to his side.
“Senhor, I shall take care of this for you.” He pulled a lighter from his pocket, and after two attempts, a glow came from the candle as the light cranberry scent filled the air.
“I spoke with Sear this morning.” João grinned. “He agreed to be my best man—again.”
“Fantastic! I know he’s one of your best friends, even if you don’t keep in regular contact.”
“Just the way I am.” João shrugged. “But, he knows I’m always here if he needs my help—and vice versa.”
The waiter set plates of seared tuna steaks and seasonal vegetables in front of them. He popped the cork out of a bottle of white wine and poured a sample for João to taste.
A sniff, a twirl around the glass, and João held it toward the light before taking a careful sip. João smacked his lips as he enjoyed the perfect blend of plums and other dark fruits. “Perfect.”
* * *
After a delightful meal, they exited the restaurant arm-in-arm.
Two men approached, stopping them. One brandished a knife and spoke in accented Portuguese. “Give me your wallet.”
Catarina’s eyes grew wide. “Give them what they want.”
João pushed her behind him and stepped forward. “No. Get out of our way.”
The man lunged, the blade aimed toward his chest.
João parried the thrust and reached for the man’s arm. With a deft twist, he brought the attacker’s arm across his leg and bent the assailant’s wrist until something snapped.
Howling with pain, the coward fled.
Meanwhile, the second man circled behind Catarina and grabbed her.
She dug her elbow into his side and stomped her high-heeled shoe into his sneaker.
He released his grip. An evil grin etched his face as he waved his knife toward her face.
Bang!
The shot echoed off the nearby buildings.
João leveled his SIG Sauer P228 at Catarina’s attacker. “Leave her, or I won’t miss.”
Another snippet next time.
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
Congratulations, Randall, on the new release! I’m glad you’re taking some time to enjoy your new porch! Stay safe!
Hi Randy,
Great to know that you and Sylvia have neighbors/friends ready to help both of you whenever it’s needed! Some people think that this corona thing will blow over in 6 to 8 wks, but I’m quite skeptical…
Keep up your awesome writing, man, and keep trying to get Sylvia to publish at least some of her poetry. I don’t want to be a pest; just thinking it’d be great if she too got her work out there!!
The very best to both of you!!
Mike
Many thanks, Mike. I’ll keep on Sylvia to get her poetry published. 🙂