Randall’s Ramblings, January 9, 2022

So far, the dreaded ‘s’ word has stay away. We’ve had a mixture of rain, sunshine, and dry spells, with temperatures in the low 40s F/single digits C) but that’s good enough for now.

This weekend has been the first small business market of the year. While it’s been slow, eight of my novels have sold, along with two of Sylvia’s poetry books and thirteen of her poetry sheets. Today’s the final day for January, so hopefully, we’ll add to those totals.

Here’s this week’s quote (Compliments of http://www.wisdomquotesandstories.com/): Regrets? I have no Regrets. Even if I could, I would not change anything in my past. Rather, I look back with Gratitude because if weren’t for my Past, I would not be who I am Today.

So who was born on this date in history? Let’s find out who in the writing world was born on January 9th, the second Sunday of the new year. (Compliments of http://www.onthisday.com/today/birthdays):

Thomas Warton, critic and poet (Pleasures of Melancholy) British Poet Laureate (1785-90); Gilbert Abbott à Beckett, English writer; Thomas William Robertson, England, playwright (Caste); Félix-Gabriel Marchand, journalist, author and politician, Premier of Quebec; Anton Askerc, Slavic priest/poet (Primoz Trubar); Lizette Woodworth Reese, American poet (Branch of May, Tears); Henry B Fuller, American writer (Under the Skylights); Hayyim Nahman Bialik, Jewish poet; Hans Bethge, German poet; Giovanni Papini, Italian writer (Il Diavolo); Lascelles Abercrombie, English poet/critic (Revaluations); Karel Čapek, Czech writer, playwright and critic (R.U.R.); coined the word “robot”; Kurt Tucholsky, German journalist/writer (Panther Tiger & Co); August Gailit, Estonia, writer (Ekke Moor); Simone de Beauvoir, French author & feminist (The Mandarins, The Second Sex); Stafford WIlliam Somerfield, British newspaper editor; Lister Sinclair, Canadian broadcaster and playwright; Abdelhamid ben Hadouga, Algerian writer; Judith Krantz, Jewish-American novelist (Scruples, Princess Daisy, Dazzle); Heiner Muller, German dramatist; Brian Friel, Irish dramatist “Irish Chekhov” (Dancing at Lughnasa); Algis Budrys, Lithuanian-American sci-fi author (Man of Earth); Sonia Garmers, Curaçao writer (Dear Queen); Wilbur Smith, Zambian novelist (War Cry, River God); Anne Rivers Siddons, American writer; Klaus Schlesinger, German writer; Robert Drewe, Australian author; Harun Farocki, German filmmaker & author (Nicht loeschbares Feur); Morris Gleitzman, British-Australian children’s author; Michiko Kakutani, American literary critic; Oliver Goldstick, American screenwriter; and Hal Niedzviecki, Canadian novelist & cultural critic.

Any names familiar to you? The only name I know is Judith Krantz. Whether you recognize anyone on the list or not, if today’s your special day I hope you have a great one!

My Published Work

All of my novels are participating in a Terrifying New Year promotion, running from now until the end of January. With 118 novels available, there’s bound to me something to catch your interest.

My Work in Progress

I finally posted chapter twenty-one to the two online subscription writing sites I used. Ultimate Escalation received another chapter ten reviews, bringing the total to 468. Plenty of suggestions to enhance my writing.

Here’s another snippet:

The Bedlam operatives congregated in Willie’s room. They removed the false bottoms of their suitcases. Inside each one was a SIG Sauer P226, a shoulder holster, and three magazines. A Ka-Bar knife and small whetstone completed their arsenals.

Alfie shoved a magazine into his pistol and chambered a round. “Now, I don’t feel naked.”

“Please—that’s a picture I don’t want to see.” Nate covered his eyes. “Promise you won’t walk around without any clothes on.”

Alfie laughed. “Just for you, I might do it.”

“Calm down, guys.” Willie finished logging into his email. “Something from headquarters. Let’s see what’s up.”

To: Rebel, Bedlam, Alpha, Bravo, Charlie

From: Bedlam Actual

Source reports associates of primary target transited Karachi and are now in Peshawar. Recommend flying to Islamabad and driving the rest of the way as the Peshawar Airport is likely under surveillance. Advise caution. Remaining team members now on standby. ACK.

Willie acknowledged their new orders and turned to Nate and Alfie.  “Looks like we’re on the road again. Vladimir’s associates are now in Peshawar.”

“Isn’t Nikolaev holed up in Pesh?” Nate yawned.

“According to the latest intel, that’s his current base of operations.” Willie scanned the list of flights. “Next flight to Islamabad is tomorrow at 07:00.  Once there, we’ll rent a vehicle for the remainder of the journey.”

“No flights tonight?” Alfie slid the blade of his Ka-Bar across the whetstone.

“Yes, one, but we won’t arrive at the airport in time for departure. Suggest we eat in the hotel and have an early night. Our sleep’s likely to be minimal once we reach Peshawar.” He picked up the phone from the desk. “I better let them know our plans changes and were leaving in the morning.”

More next time.

Books I’m Reading

I’ll resume posting my reviews next time, beginning with The Lair of Anubis (The Project Book 20) by Alex Lukeman.