We just finished this month’s three-day small business market a the local mall. Overall, things went very well, although some vendors found things very slow. Twenty-three of my novels were sold, along with twenty of Sylvia’s laminated poetry sheets and three of her poetry books. Many thanks to all who supported us!
The price of gasoline (petrol) increased by three pence a liter this past week. This brings the cost to £1.50 a liter or $7.67 for a U.S. gallon. Good thing my car has a small engine!
Here’s this week’s quote (Compliments of http://www.wisdomquotesandstories.com/): “If you didn’t hear it with your own ears or see it with your own eyes, don’t invent it with your small mind and share it with your big mouth.”
So who was born on this date in history? Let’s find out who in the writing world was born on March 6, the first Sunday of the month.
Michelangelo, Italian sculptor, painter, architect and poet of the High Renaissance (David, Ceiling of the Sistine Chapel); Luigi Alamanni, Italian poet (Opere Toscane, La Coltivazione); Jan Zoet, Dutch actor, author, playwright and poet (Parnasssus aan ‘t Y); Cyrano de Bergerac, French playwright (Voyage to the Moon); Francis Atterbury, English man of letters, politician, and priest (Church of England Bishop of Rochester, 1713-23; Giovanni Meli, Siclian poet (Buccolica); Elizabeth Barrett Browning, English poet (“Sonnets from the Portuguese”); George du Maurier, Franco-British illustrator and writer (Trilby); Ringgold “Ring” Lardner, US sports writer (You Know Me Al); John Henry Pyle Pafford, British librarian (University of London); Hugh Williams, British dramatist, actor and writer (Wuthering Heights, Bank Holiday); Lewis Gilbert, British director, producer and screenwriter (You Only Live Twice, Sink the Bismarck!); John Fairchild, CEO (Fairchild publishing); Gabriel García Márquez, Colombian novelist, short-story writer, screenwriter and journalist (1982 Nobel Prize in Literature); David Haddon Whitaker, British publisher (Whitaker’s Almanack); Teru Miyamoto, Japanese author; and Jan Kjærstad, Norwegian author.
Any names familiar to you? I know two names on today’s list: Michaelanglo and Hugh Williams. 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 Mystery & Suspense / Mystery, Mystery & Suspense / Suspense, and Mystery & Suspense / Thriller promotion called Mayhem and Motives. Why not stop by and check it out? There are 100 novels to choose from:
https://books.bookfunnel.com/m…
Colombian Betrayal and Revenge are also participating in a separate Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense / Mystery, and Mystery & Suspense / Women Sleuths promotion entitled March Fun Reads. There are 99 novels available in this one:
https://books.bookfunnel.com/c…
And finally, The Kurdish Connection and Dangerous Alliance are participating in a Kindle Unlimited Mystery & Suspense and Mystery & Suspense / Thriller promotion. There are 41 novels to check out:
https://books.bookfunnel.com/m…
If you’re looking for a Mother’s Day gift (at least in the UK since it’s coming up on 27 March) for those special people in your life, look no further. Sylvia’s debut poetry and prose book, Colours of My Life, would make the perfect gift.
Someone recently left a review on Amazon, entitled, ‘Remarkable Book of Poetry!’ It went on to say, “
Colours of My Life is available across the Amazon network. Just click on the title anywhere in this article to find the universal link and your perfect gift.
My Work in Progress
This week I completed another chapter of Ultimate Escalation. My manuscript received another forty-one reviews, bringing the total to 570. As always, plenty of suggestions to enhance my writing.
Here’s another snippet:
Admiral Richard Blakely leaned back in his captain’s chair, feet draped over the edge of his desk. Although his regular role as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff required him to spend most of his time at the Pentagon, as the mastermind behind the Bedlam program and the Alpha team overseer, he visited their headquarters at least once a week.
He sat upright after scanning an email on his desktop. Whatever Nikolaev is planning, if it involves nuclear weapons-capable Pakistan and India, can’t be good. He hit a button on his console. “CC, can you come in for a minute?”
“Aye, Admiral. Be right there.”
Moments later, CC entered the admiral’s office. “Tina wanted me to remind you about the upcoming VTC with Sir Richard and Harrison.”
“Yes, I want you to sit in as well. We might need to deploy all three teams.”
“What’s happened, sir?” CC frowned. “I didn’t notice anything on the threat board.”
“This is breaking news—just received an update from a source—Major Bangash. Seems Nikolaev might try to stir things up between Pakistan and India. He’s heading toward Lahore, while another Russian team associated with him flew to India.”
“Did Major Bangash give any idea what Nikolaev is up to?”
“Negative.” Admiral Blakely shook his head. “But, whatever he’s planning, it doesn’t bode well.”
“Aye. I—”
Soft gongs activated on the Marconi ViPr secure video conferencing system on the admiral’s desk. He turned and accepted both incoming connections. “Sir Alex. Glad you could make it. I see Trevor is with you.”
“Morning, Richard.” Blakely chuckled. “Looks like Harrison is having some technical difficulties again.”
“I’m prepared.” The admiral pulled up a sign and held it to the screen.
“Thank you, Richard.” Harrison grinned. “I forgot to unmute again.”
“No worries. Is Lady Evelyn with you?”
“Yes.” Harrison repositioned his unit, and Evelyn’s face appeared. “Better?”
“Much.” Admiral Blakely cleared his throat. “I sent you the latest report from our source in Pakistan’s ISI. As you’re aware, former Colonel Vladimir Aleksandrovich Nikolaev has been operating out of Peshawar for some time. According to the latest intel, he must be planning something along the Pak-Indian border. He’s apparently heading toward Lahore while some of his accomplices flew into India a few days ago.”
“Richard, did the source have any idea regarding Nikolaev’s motive?” Sir Alex scratched the top of his head. “I assume it must be more financial than ideological.”
“The source didn’t provide any specifics—perhaps he doesn’t know, or he’s dangling info in front of us to increase his stipend.” The admiral pursed his lips. “I asked him to dig further into Nikolaev’s motives and to keep us informed.”
“What do you propose we do, Admiral?” Harrison sipped from a cup, steam circling upward.
“Since our teams are back at their normal staging areas, and overall threat assessments are manageable, I suggest we pre-deploy. With two somewhat unstable governments, who knows what might happen and whether they’ll resort to nukes.”
“I agree.” Harrison nodded.
“I’m with Harrison, Admiral.” Evelyn’s lips tightened into a thin grimace.
“So do I.” Sir Alex glanced at Trevor.
Trevor gave a thumbs up.
“Here’s what I propose: Bravo will travel to Pakistan, and Charlie to India.”
“What about Alpha, Admiral?” CC glanced at the Marconi screen. “Forgetting about us?”
The admiral laughed. “No way! We’ll use Alpha as a QRF in case either of the teams requires assistance. You would be positioned at the Al Udeid Air Force Base in Doha. You could work out of Central Command’s forward headquarters.”
“Works for me, sir.” CC grinned. “Just don’t want to miss out on any action.”
“Understood.” The admiral gestured toward the screen. “I recommend Bravo proceed to Karachi and try to uncover any intel regarding Willie, Alfie, and Nate—they’re long overdue with a SITREP.”
“Agreed.” Sir Alex nodded. “When do you want the teams on the ground?”
Admiral Blakely rubbed an index finger along his jawline. “Five days—since we don’t have any specifics, no need to rush—yet. Any questions? If not, I need to prepare for a meeting with the National Security Advisor. She wants to brief the president.”
Sir Alex and Harrison shook their heads.
“Until next week.” The admiral broke the connection.
“I better get things organized for Alpha, Admiral.”
“Sorry, I couldn’t send you directly into one of the countries, but it’ll be easier for Alpha to coordinate access to Al Udeid.”
CC stood. “Aye, sir.”
* * *
CC chuckled as he entered the office used by Antonia “Toni” Turner, Ph.D., and Georgia White, Bedlam Alpha’s IT/Telecommunications consultant, and logistics whiz, respectively.
“Sharing recipes again?”
Toni and Georgia laughed.
“Something better—pictures of you.”
“Hope you picked good ones.” CC grinned. “Just finished a VTC with the other Bedlam teams. Alpha is heading to Al Udeid Air Force Base in Doha and will act as a backup to Bravo and Charlie going into Pakistan and India. Can the two of you work your magic and place us on the ground in five days at the latest? I prefer to go in on a C-130 or C-17, so we can take all of our equipment, to included weapons and ammo.”
“We’ll hop right on it, CC.” Georgia crossed her heart. “Consider it done.”
“Just take a few minutes to pull your communication devices and weapons from storage.” Toni pursed her lips. “I’ll do separate packages to send to the defense attaché offices in Islamabad and New Delphi.”
“Aye. Great idea. If you run into any difficulties, give me a shout.”
More next time.
This brings us to an end for another week. I hope you found something of interest. 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 2022 Randall Krzak. All rights reserved
