The past week has seen plenty of sunshine, with cloudy skies most days. However, predictions of rain weren’t realized. Some of the ground became so dry I had to do some watering so we didn’t lose any plants, but the grass continues to grow, so I couldn’t skip mowing.
Today’s no exception–we’re off to a brilliant start to the day. I hope it continues, although there are already hints of water shortages despite the very wet winter and spring.
Here’s this week’s quote (Compliments of http://www.wisdomquotesandstories.com/): “Anyone who has common sense will remember that the bewilderments of the eyes are of two kinds, and arise from two causes, either from coming out of the light or from going into the light, which is true of the mind’s eye, quite as much as of the bodily eye.” ~ Plato
So who was born on this date in history? Let’s find out who in the writing world was born on June 6th. (Compliments of http://www.onthisday.com/today/birthdays):
Pierre Corneille, French poet and dramatist (El Cid, Horace); Cornelis Loots, Dutch accountant and poet (Dwingelandij); Alexander Pushkin, Russian writer and poet (Eugene Onegin); Eliza Orzeszkowa, Polish novelist (Dziurdziowie); Steele MacKaye [James Morrison Steele MacKaye], American playwright and actor (Spectatorium, Paul Kauvar); Gerben Postma [Ids], Frisian writer (Swealtsjeblommen); William Inge, English author, theologist and Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral; Henry John Newbolt, English poet and author (Studies Green & Gray); Paul Keller, German writer (Ferien vom Ich); Thomas Mann, German novelist (Magic Mountain-Nobel 1929); Dorothy Heyward, American playwright (Porgy); Violet Trefusis, English writer and socialite who had a famous affair with writer Vita Sackville-West; R. C. Sherriff, English playwright (Journey’s End); Tom Scott, Scottish poet (Sea Dirge: A Mither’s Keenin); V. C. Andrews, American author (Flowers in the Attic); Bogusław Schaffer, Polish composer and playwright; Viktor Konetsky, Russian screenwriter; Lasse Hallström, Swedish writer and director (Once Around, My Life as a Dog, ABBA); Harvey Fierstein, playwright (Torch Song Trilogy, ID4); Cynthia Rylant, American author; François Avard, Canadian writer and scenarist; and Sarah Dessen, American author.
Any names familiar to you? None stood out for me, but that’s not unusual. 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
The 2020 Chanticleer International Book Awards finals ceremony was held last night. I’m please to announced Colombian Betrayal was selected as one of seven First in Category winners in the Global Thrillers category. Needless to say, I’m absolutely thrilled!
All of my novels are participating in various promotions throughout June. Why not check these out–never know when you’ll come across your next favorite author. Here they are:
Thriller Reputation Builder: https://books.bookfunnel.com/alexablake/y4v4ep6lli
Faced Paced Thrillers: https://books.bookfunnel.com/fastpacedthrillers/r9qv4ero70
Chilling Reads: https://books.bookfunnel.com/chillingreads/gyniozpth8
Thriller, Mystery & Suspense: https://books.bookfunnel.com/audreywalker/col6tc780v
I’m sure I can say on behalf of all of the participating authors, many thanks for your support!
My Work in Progress
I’ve had another writing frenzy this week, completing chapters forty-two through forty-five of Revenge, the sequel to Colombian 
Betrayal. All are now posted to the two online subscription writing sites I use. Only one more chapter to go, and then editing will begin.
Over the past week, there were another thirty-four new chapter reviews, bringing the total number to 648. As always, plenty of useful suggestions as always to improve my writing.
Here’s this week’s snippet:
After dusk set, Bennie and Justin headed to the basement. Both wore clown masks. One of them flicked on the dim light, and they thundered down the stairs.
Heidi bolted upright, keeping the chair between her and the two men. “Stay away from me!”
“Relax, princess.” Justin stepped closer, a cloth in his hand. “We’re going to take a little ride.”
Heidi rushed to a corner of the room, pressing her back against the wall. “Don’t come any closer or I’ll—”
“You’ll what?” Bennie pointed at the ceiling. “Sound-suppression tiles. While someone upstairs might hear you, no one outside this building will.” He grinned. “You belong to us.”
Heidi jerked away as Bennie tried to grab her hand. She swung a fist, catching him on the side of his mouth. “Bastard!” She stepped forward, thrusting a knee into his groin.
He collapsed to the floor, hands covering his wounded parts.
Before Heidi realized where the other clown was, Justin grabbed her in a bear hug. He worked the cloth into Heidi’s mouth before pinning her against the wall.
“Help me, Bennie!” Justin grabbed one of Heidi’s hands and wrenched it behind her back. “Quit playing with yourself and help tie her up.”
“But she kneed me. It hurts like hell!”
“Just help me.” Justin grabbed Heidi’s hair and slammed her forehead into the wall.
She dropped like a stone.
***
The rocking of a vehicle brought Heidi out of her stupor. She moaned as she struggled against her bonds, eventually freeing herself from the loosely-tied rope. Where are they taking me? Need to wait for a chance to escape.
The car slowed and turned to the right, continuing along a rut-filled road.
Heidi bounced a few times against the trunk’s roof. “Ow!”
A few minutes later, the vehicle stopped. Two doors slammed.
Footsteps drew near.
Heidi tensed.
The trunk opened. Hands reached inside and yanked her out, dumping her onto the ground.
Both men laughed.
One waved a gun. “Get up, princess. Time to go.” He gestured toward a copse. “We’re gonna have some fun.”
Heidi pretended to stumble as she followed a narrow path along the edge of a lake. When one of them grabbed her, she lashed out, catching the man in the kneecap.
“Get out of the way, Bennie! She’s gonna escape!”
Heidi ran through the thick trees. “Help! Rape!”
A shot echoed across the water. “Come back, bitch!”
Another shot.
Heidi screamed and lurched forward.
Justin stood over her, the pistol aimed at her head. “You’re mine.”
More next time.
Books I’m Reading
With all of the writing this week, I didn’t finish the novel I’m currently reading. All being well, I’ll present my review next time.
That’s all for this week. I hope you found something of interest or at least useful for your own writing and reading. 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
