It appears we’ve turned the tide regarding the weather. No more frosty mornings, although on a few days the temperature was just above freezing. This week we purchased another fifteen plants for the borders at the front of the house. Plenty of color already there, but this will finish it off. Once everything’s in bloom, I’ll include a photo.
Sylvia and I received our second Pfizer Covid vaccination this week. No major issues, except the nurse administering the injections must have been a carpenter/joiner in a previous life. The way she shoved the needles into our arms was like she was driving a nail home in a piece of wood.
Here’s this week’s quote (Compliments of http://www.wisdomquotesandstories.com/):
“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.” ~ Mother Teresa
So who was born on this date in history? Let’s find out who in the writing world was born on April 25th. (Compliments of http://www.onthisday.com/today/birthdays)
Roger Boyle, 1st Earl of Orrery, British soldier, statesman, and dramatist; Antonio Fogazzarro, Italian writer and poet (Il santo, Leila); Leopoldo Alas, Spanish novelist (La Regenta); Walter de la Mare, British poet and author (The Listeners, Memoirs of a Midget); Rubén M. Campos, Mexican novelist (Claudio Oranos) and musicologist (El folklore y la musica mexicana); Sally Salminen, Finnish writer (Katrina); Claude Mauriac, French writer (Le Temps immobile); Ross Lockridge, Jr., American novelist (Raintree County); William Goyen, American writer; Jean Mogin, Belgian poet; Albert Uderzo, French cartoonist and script writer (Asterix comic books); Corín Tellado, Spanish romance novelist; José Ángel Valente, Spanish poet (A modo the esperanza); Paul Mazursky, American writer/director (Moscow on the Hudson); ed Kooser, American poet and US Poet Laureate; James Fenton, English poet and journalist; and Dinesh D’Souza, Indian-American author (2016: Obama’s America).
Were any names familiar to you? I didn’t spot any I know. 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
I’m delighted to announce Colombian Betrayal is now a finalist in the 2020 Chanticleer International Book Awards in their Global Thrillers category. This year’s competition must be extremely intense as the judges decided to move all fourteen semifinalists into the finals.
The five First in Category winners and the category grand prize winner will be announced on June 5th. In addition, the grand prize winners from each of the seventeen genres will compete for the overall winner of this year’s competition. Many congratulations to all those who are now in the finals. Good luck!
My Work in Progress
This week I completed chapters thirty-one of Revenge, the sequel to Colombian 
Betrayal. Its now posted on the two online subscription writing sites I use.
Over the past week, there were another twenty-two new chapter reviews, bringing the total number of chapter reviews to 494. Plenty of useful suggestions as always to improve my writing.
Here’s this week’s snippet:
“Excuse me?”
Javier glanced up.
A clean-shaven man with a short slender build and red hair stood at the end of the table. “I-I’m a bit early. I’m Elton. Elton Taylor. I applied for the receptionist job.”
Javier motioned to the chair on his right. “Take a seat, Elton. Let me pull up your application and do a quick review.” He read through the document. “Huh. Uh-huh.”
“Excuse me, sir. May I have a glass of water?”
“Help yourself. And do us both a favor.”
“What’s that, sir?”
“Relax. Your application looks fine.” Javier smiled. “So, why are you interested in working for the Brusch Agency?”
“Since I finished my degree at Northern Virginia Community College two years ago, I’ve been working as a receptionist at a senior citizens’ home. It’s okay, but ….”
Javier nodded.
“I prefer something more exciting, and when I saw this position advertised online, I thought it was perfect. I live with my parents two blocks away, so I can be here whenever I’m needed. I’m a hard worker, too.” A glimmer of a smile creased Elton’s face.
“There are seven other applicants for this job.”
Elton glanced at the table, rejection apparent in his demeanor.
Javier raised a hand. “However, you’re the only one with previous experience. You would still need some training, but it’s not a stumbling block. The job is yours—on one condition.”
Elton locked his eyes on Javier’s. “Yes, sir?”
“Well, there’re two conditions. The first is, stop calling me sir. And would it be okay for me to call you ET?”
“Yes, sir! I mean …. What should I call you?”
“My parents named me Javier, so that’ll work.” He stretched out a hand. “Welcome to the Brusch Agency. What are your plans for the rest of the day?”
ET grinned. “I was too nervous to eat, so I’m going to get a burger downstairs. Afterward, I’ll share the news with my parents.”
“I tell you what. I’ll pay for your meal. After you eat, if you want to get on the clock right away, come back up. You can use my laptop to take notes during the rest of the interviews.”
“I’ll be right back!” ET jumped to his feet and rushed away.
***
“Count me in.” TJ half-rose and offered a hand to Javier.
He stuck his hand into the vice and tried not to wince as TJ crushed it. Javier stood. “Welcome aboard. We’ll be in touch in a few days with the contract.”
TJ waved a hand and departed.
As soon as he was gone, Javier flexed the fingers in his hand. “Hope the last guy doesn’t have a grip like his. We better make sure our gym is fully equipped.”
ET nodded and pointed toward the far end of the table. “Your visitor.”
Javier turned and spotted a tall, well-toned woman with blonde hair and blue eyes. “Can I help you?”
The woman stepped forward. “I made an appointment—Samantha Bennett. Call me Sam.”
Javier glanced at ET, who shrugged.
“Well, Sam, why didn’t you put your full name on the application?” Javier gestured at an empty chair. “Please sit.” He did the same.
“If I had done that, would you have given me an interview?”
“Sure, why not? I don’t care about anyone’s gender or sexual preferences. What’s important to me is whether a person can hold their own if they end up in a tough situation.”
Sam gazed into Javier’s eyes. “I believe you. Serving in a combat role in Afghanistan shows what I can do when cornered.”
“Agreed. The job is yours if you want it.”
“I accept.”
More next time.
Books I’m Reading
I’m almost finished with Event: An Event Group Thriller by David L. Golemon and will offer my review next time. I have several other books lined up to read, so I better start turning the pages!
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
Thank you for the update. In Quebec we have also ended winter with a one day small snow storm It looks like spring is really here. A little too early to plant on our side of the world probably ok in mid May. I always enjoy your posts. Good luck in the contest. Being a finalist in such a big group is already a fine compliment to your writing skills.
Have a good weekend.
Mike