It’s been another glorious week, with the temperatures reaching as high as 79F (26C). No rain at all, so each day the more delicate plants have required a drink or two to keep them going, especially the newly-planted ones.
Even with the changes to current lockdown procedures now in place, we’re still sticking to our regular routine and minimizing our exposure. However, since our back yard (garden) is secluded, we’ve been able to spend several hours each day, puttering around, getting things just the way we want–subject to still needing a few plants. With the garden centers (nurseries) open in our area as of this past Friday, we’ve stayed away, expecting them to be mobbed. Hope to make a quick trip this coming week to pick up a few things.
So, who was born on this date in history? Let’s find out who in the writing world was born on May 31st. (Compliments of http://www.onthisday.com/today/birthdays):
Alexander Cruden “Alexander the Corrector”, Scottish biblical scholar and eccentric, compiler of a concordance to King James Bible; Ludwig Tieck, German writer; Georg Herwegh, German poet; Walt Whitman, American poet (Leaves of Grass) and volunteer nurse during the Civil War; Ernest Daudet, French journalist and writer (White Terror); Saint-John Perse, French diplomat and poet (Nobel 1960); Konstatin G Paustovski, Russian author (Bespokojnaja Joenostj); Johan Brouwer, Dutch pianist/writer/resistance fighter; Ilse Lagner, German antiwar writer; Leonid Leonov, Russian writer; Helma Wolf-Catz, Dutch author (Undercurrent, Coral Reef); Dave O’Brien [Fronabarger], American actor and writer (Reefer Madness, Kiss Me Kate, 1st Aid); Robert Arthur Ley, UK, sci-fi author (Telepath, Power of X); Svetlana Alexievich, journalist and author (Noble Prize for Literature 2015); and Laura Baugh, American golfer, writer, broadcaster (LPGA Tour Rookie of the Year 1973).
Recognize anyone? Walt Whitman was the only name I’m familiar with. 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!
My Published Work
Three of my novels continue to participate in a Kindle Unlimited promotion: Dangerous Alliance, Carnage in Singapore, and Colombian Betrayal. They’re also available for Kindle downloads or paperbacks. There are a total of 384 KU works included in the promotion, which ends in a few hours.
In addition, Colombian Betrayal is participating in a Sleepless Mind mystery, crime, suspense, and thriller sales promotions which also ends today. Please stop by and see if any of your favorite authors are listed, or perhaps you’ll find someone new to check out.
My Work in Progress
When I was outside enjoying the brilliant weather, I continued working on Xavier Sear: Angola. This week I finished chapter twenty-two and posted it to the two online subscription writing sites I use. Angola has now received 266 chapter reviews, an increase of twelve in the past week. As always, plenty of good advice from my faithful reviewers to provide as good a story for you as possible.
Here’s another snippet:
Here we go. Sear gestured for Vincent to continue.
He pointed to the envelope Sear held. “There are names, photos, and all the background info available on the two leading players in Angola. If something were to befall them in the process of your visiting their country, we would be grateful.”
“How grateful?”
“Enough to let you retire.”
“We?”
“You know how it is. Enough said.”
Sear offered his hand to his old friend. “I’ll do what I can. But, helping João is a priority for me.”
“That’s all I can hope for.”
Sear slipped from the car and made his way back into the house, making sure to lock the French doors. He headed up the stairs to his bedroom, flicked on a light on the bedside table, and dumped the contents of the envelope on the bed.
Let’s see what Vincent gave me. Sear flipped through the documents and photos. With a near eidetic memory, he cataloged as much as he could.
An hour later, he stuffed everything back in the envelope. I’ll leave this for Cat to hold. Can’t take it with me. He yawned and headed for the bathroom.
After a quick shower, he climbed into bed. Reaching over, he turned out the light and settled down. I hope João doesn’t do anything foolish before I arrive. Talk about heading into a viper’s nest. Is Theo part of the problem, or is he the solution? Only time will tell. I need to get there ASAP before it’s too late—for João, Peter, and Theo. He closed his eyes. And me. Otherwise, Cat will be attending a funeral instead of an anniversary celebration.
More next time.
This week I also completed the sixth chapter of Revenge, the sequel to Colombian Betrayal.
Reviews are coming in, with a total of sixty-eight so far, and increase of eleven over the past week. Here’s the opening to the story:
“Duty, Honor, Country. Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be.” General Douglas MacArthur, during his farewell speech at West Point Military Academy, 12 May 1962
Colonel Javier Smith woke to the strains of Born in the U.S.A. echoing in the room. He rolled over and grabbed his phone. “Yeah?”
“Are you up yet?” AJ Bruce chuckled. “It’s five a.m. You wanted me to make sure you were up for your big day.”
“You’re pretty cheerful this morning.” He glanced at the clock. Yep—five a.m. “How much coffee did you drink?”
“Just started my second cup.” She slurped her coffee. “See you tonight?”
“You betcha.” Javier broke the connection and shook the cobwebs from his head. He propelled his six-foot-four-inch muscular body from the bed and dashed into the bathroom for a quick shower. After drying himself and combing his black hair, he returned to the bedroom. Before he finished dressing, he glanced at the ribbon rack on his uniform. First and last time to wear all of them at once.
Perhaps a bit more next time.
Books I’m Reading
This week, I finished Only One Cure: A Medical Mystery Thriller (FBI and CDC Thriller Book One) by Jennifer Ruff. FBI antiterror specialist Quinn Traynor and CDC epidemiologist Madeline Hamilton find themselves trying to solve a deadly plot. Madeline is trying to determine the cause of a potentially fatal disease, which has infected several teens, including the president’s son. Terrorists claim they have the cure, and it’s up to Quinn to track them down.
This is a riveting plot with plenty of twists and turns. You’ll find yourself rooting for Madeline and Quinn, while at the same time, you’ll be hoping the terrorists are captured or killed. Will Madeline and Quinn be successful or will the president’s son die?
A riveting tale which will have you staying up late and turning the pages to find out what happens next. This is the first book of Jennifer’s I’ve read, and it won’t be the last!
I also read The Tomb of El Dorado (Sam Reilly Book 18) by Christopher Cartwright will not disappoint. A fantastic plot involving an ancient tribe and a city cloaked in mystery. Will Sam put the pieces together and uncover the lost tomb of El Dorado? Join him on his globe-hopping journey as he tracks down clues, not knowing a previous contact might not be as upfront as Sam thinks.
If you enjoy fast-paced and exciting stories, this is definitely one for you!
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
