Spring has officially arrived. We’ve had a great week of weather, with plenty of sunshine and just one short shower. Things are greening up, trying to remove the last vestiges of winter. Most of the dead leaves and branches have been removed, and pruning is well underway.
We even had great luck this week when our local grocery store received an order of garden plants. Nine viola plants (purple and yellow flowers) were successfully planted across the front border of our property. We also purchased eighteen Bellis daisies (pink flowers), and they’ll be planted later today. Eventually, the garden centres/nurseries will open back up, but I imagine they’ll be a madhouse, at least for the first few days. With any luck, we’ll be able to pick up a few more plants.
Keep going. Each step may get harder, but don’t stop. The view at the top is beautiful.” (Compliments of http://www.wisdomquotesandstories.com/)
So who was born on this date in history? Let’s find out who in the writing world was born on March 21st. (Compliments of http://www.onthisday.com/today/birthdays) Jean Paul, German romantic writer (Titan); Geoffrey Dearmer, poet; Phyllis McGinley, American poet (Pulitzer 1961, Love Letters); John Paxton, screenwriter (On The Beach, Kotch, Farewell My Lovely); Peter Bull, British actor and author (The African Queen, Tom Jones, Dr Strangelove); Frank Hardy, Australian author; Peter Hacks, German playwright (Tie Windloch); and Hubert Fichte, German writer.
Not many today. Was anyone familiar to you? 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
Mission: Angola is also participating in a promotion for New Releases – Mystery/Thriller. There are forty-two novels in this promotion, all of which have been released since October 2020. Please stop by–you might meet your next favorite author!
In case you missed it last week, I’m also pleased to announce the release of my first non-fiction feature article, “Black Ops in Fiction.” It’s now live on the web daily, Mystery & Suspense Magazine. Please check it out!
My Work in Progress
With all of the outdoors work this week, I didn’t have time to complete the next chapter of Revenge, the sequel to Colombian 
Betrayal. Over the past week, there were another nine new chapter reviews, bringing the total number of chapter reviews to 401. Plenty of useful suggestions to improve my writing. I hope to get back to working on this novel this coming week.
Here’s this week’s snippet:
Javier thundered down the two flights of stairs to the ground floor. The echo of his footsteps marked his passing. Even the plush stair carpeting couldn’t deaden the sound.
When he stepped into the reception area, Elton, Sindee, and Bruno stood in a semi-circle, their mouths open.
“What?” Javier glanced from face to face.
“Sounded like the place was caving in, boss.” A cheeky smile appeared on Bruno’s face. “I didn’t know whether to run or hide.”
Elton and Sindee both nodded, hands in front of their faces, attempting to block their grins.
“You guys should take a look in the mirror.” Javier laughed. “If I didn’t know any better, I would think this a model agency.” He put his hands on his hips. “I mean, check yourselves out.” He pointed at Elton. “What do I see? Someone who’s tall, rake thin with pronounced cheekbones and dark hair scraped back off his porcelain skin.”
“I wanted to become a model, but my mother was against it.” Elton pursed his lips. “She said to find a real job.”
“Well, she might be right. I’m not sure how much male models make, but I heard it was less than women earn.” Javier gestured at Sindee. “A gorgeous blonde, poker-straight hair, doe-eyed and bee-stung lips. Do I detect a hint of Eastern European bone structure?”
“Yes, my grandmother was from Poland.” Sindee flashed a glamourous smile. “I did try modeling, but one photographer was a perv—wanted me to strip and lie on a couch so he could shove his camera between my legs. That was enough for me—I went back to college.”
Javier turned to Bruno. “What about you? I’m sure with your height, deep-set eyes, dark Bedouin curly hair, and a long-distance runner’s physique, modeling would be something you might enjoy.”
Bruno shook his head. “No, thanks!”
Everyone laughed.
“Hello!” AJ strolled into the room. “Javier, I thought you were setting up an investigative agency. She smothered a grin with a hand. “Looks more like a talent agency.”
“How’d you get in? The front door is locked.” Javier turned and glared at his new receptionist.
Elton gulped. “Y-Yes.”
“You forgot you gave me access.” AJ dangled a set of keys.” I parked behind the building and came in through the front door.”
Javier pursed his lips. “Sorry, ET. I should have known better.”
“No worries, boss.”
“So, what brings you here? Shouldn’t you be saving the free world or something?”
AJ laughed. “Since you retired, your brain cells are diminishing. Did you forget you invited me over for a confab? MacKenzie will reach me if something urgent breaks.”
Javier raised shut his eyes as he shook his head. “Sorry, I forgot.” He turned to his employees. “Wrap up what you need to and take the rest of the day off. Be here early tomorrow, and we’ll move things forward.” He offered and arm to AJ. “Shall we head upstairs?”
“As long as you behave yourself. Otherwise, ….”
“Promises, promises.”
More next time.
Books I’m Reading
I recently finished reading American Assassin by the late Vince Flynn. For those you have read Vince’s work, you’ll recognize this as another of his great action-packed plots. Follow the creation of Mitch Rapp from university student to trained killer, seeking out American enemies. If you haven’t read this one yet, I suggest you do so–you won’t be disappointed!
That’s all 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 and hope you drop in again.
© Copyright 2021 Randall Krzak. All rights reserved
