Happy December to one and all! For those who just celebrated American Thanksgiving Day, hope you and yours had an enjoyable holiday.
My favorite football teams had mixed results over the past week. The Detroit Lions did well, winning their game last Sunday, and raising their record to 10-1. On Thanksgiving Day, they played the Chicago Bears and squeaked through 23-20, to up their record to 11-1. They don’t play again until December 8th.
Meanwhile, the Michigan Wolverines took their 6-5 record to Ohio as they faced the 2nd ranked Ohio State Buckeyes. This is an annual clash and both teams take it seriously. Fortunately, the Wolverines prevailed, beating the 10-1 Buckeyes 13-10. Since they won at least six games in the regular season, they are eligible for post season bowl games.
Unfortunately, the Michigan State Spartans didn’t fare as well against Rutgers, losing 41-14 in a snowstorm in East Lansing Michigan. Since the Spartans didn’t win six games during the regular season as they ended up 5-7, they aren’t eligible for post season play.
“We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master.” – Ernest Hemingway. Compliments of https://getfreewrite.com/blogs/writing-success/32-inspirational-hemingway-quotes-to-get-you-writing.
So who was born on this date in history? Let’s find out who in the writing world was born on December 1st, the first Sunday of the month. (Compliments of https://www.onthisday.com/birthdays/).
Anna Comnena, Byzantine princess and historian (Alexiad); Anna Louisa Karsch “Die Karschin”, German poet; Eggert Ólafsson, Icelandic explorer, writer (Reise igiennem Island – Travels In Iceland), and language conservationist; Nikolai Mikhailovich Karamzin, Russian writer; Valery Bryusov, Russian poet; Pierre Kemp, Dutch poet (Fugitives & Constants); Rex Stout, American mystery writer (Nero Wolf novels); Ernst Toller, German playwright, President of Bavarian Soviet Republic (1919); Henry Williamson, English author (Tarka the Otter); Charles G. Finney, American fantasy author (Circus of Dr Lao); Jan Koplowitz, German writer; Harold Strachan, South African writer, anti-apartheid activist, and explosives expert; Joachim Hoffmann, German historian; John Crowley, American sci-fi author (Deep, Beasts, Novelty); Peter Kalikow, Queens real estate developer/publisher (NY Post); Daniel Pennac, French writer; Tahar Ben Jelloun, Moroccan writer (L’Enfant de Sable (The Sand Child)); Norbert Wójtowicz, Polish historian and theologian; and Brently Heilbron, American satirist.
Any names familiar to you? There was one for me this week: Rex Stout. Whether you recognize anyone on the list or not, if today’s your special day I hope you have a great one!
My Work In Progress
Editing of Mission: Yemen, Xavier Sear Thriller Book 2 is well underway. Since my last blog post, 
a few more reviews have trickled in as most of my faithful readers have already provided their input, so the total is now 632. I went through over 100 reviews and picked out what I think will improve the story.
Here’s another snippet:
A servant escorted Sear back into the Bashari residence into the same room where he previously met with Abdullah and Yasmin. He shook hands with Abdullah and acknowledged Yasmin’s smile with a slight bow.
Abdullah beckoned two men forward. “These are my brothers.” He pointed to the one on the left. “This is Omar, and the other is Rahman.”
The two men, both taller and broader than Abdullah, with graying hair and beards, stepped forward, hands outstretched.
Sear shook their hands, wincing as he pulled his hand back. “I’m pleased to meet you.
“Likewise, Sayyid Sear.” Omar’s deep voice resonated throughout the room.
“I agree with my brother.” Rahman spoke in a higher-pitched voice.
Abdullah waved both men back to their sofa. He sat next to Sear on another while Jasmin sat in her customary chair.
“So, we must begin our hunt for Shatara.” Sear pursed his lips. “Two of my long-time colleagues are meeting with a member of the PSO to learn anything the organization might have uncovered.”
The brothers glanced at each other but couldn’t hide their apparent look of alarm.
“Not to worry—these men used to work in the embassy’s security office and can be trusted. I will meet with their PSO contact later.”
Omar smiled. “If Abdullah trusts you, then who are Rahman and I to challenge his opinion? We shall do the same.”
“Shukran. I shall do my best to uphold my promise to find and recover Shatara.” But I won’t die in the process—that’s for fanatics. Sear rubbed his thickening beard. “So with my two colleagues, myself, Abdullah, and you two, that makes our team six. A good start, but I wonder if it’ll be enough? I think we’ll have to scour Sana’s and perhaps Aden, as well as any other areas our efforts lead us to.”
The brothers exchanged glances again and nodded.
“I speak for both of us.” Omar pointed at Rahman and himself. “Between us, we have four adult sons. They want to participate for the honor of the family.”
Sear smiled. Great. How many more rookies will we attract? “Thank them for me.”
Yasmin raised a hand. “Please do not forget my late husband’s family. They want to help as well. He had four brothers, and they have some grown-up sons who want to help.”
Sear rubbed his thickening beard. “Where are they now?”
“Like my late husband, they are all fishermen, so they live in Aden.”
Sear nodded. “If we head to Aden, they will be a welcome addition.” The more, the merrier. How did I allow Vincent to talk me into this? “Okay, first things first. I assume since you live in or near Sana’a, you know your way around the city. What about weapons? Have any of you fired them in the past?”
Omar and Rahman laughed.
“We grew up with weapons in the family.” Rahman smirked. “However, of the three of us, I am the best shot.”
Sear studied their faces. “Have you ever fired at a human and killed them?”
“Well … no. But we must protect the family’s honor and do whatever it takes.”
“Understood.” Sear nodded. I hope these amateurs won’t be my downfall. I definitely need to have an in-depth discussion with Vincent before accepting any other jobs.
“Okay. Any particular areas around the city you think we should search first?”
Rahman scratched his nose. “Outside the city walls is where I suggest we begin. For years, there have been rumors about children taken from the streets and hidden there before they are smuggled into Aden and where they are turned over to human traffickers.”
“Oohhhh!”
A gasp came from Yasmin. She wiped at tears beginning to stream down her face. She clutched a hand to her chest. “I hope this has not happened to my beloved daughter.”
Abdullah gritted his teeth. “If we find whoever took Shatara, I swear before Almighty Allah they may meet him sooner than they expect.” He shook a fist in the air. “I promise I will kill them!”
One of the servants entered the room. “Excuse me, Sayyid Abdullah. I went to bring Zahid to the meeting as you had requested. I have searched every room and outside.” The man swallowed. “I cannot find him anywhere?”
“Not even in his favorite tree in the courtyard?”
“I checked there as well. It is as if he has disappeared.”
Abdullah and Yasmin raced out of the room, calling for Zahid.
No response.
Sear studied Omar and Rahman’s posture. They don’t seem concerned. Do they know something about the boy’s disappearance, or are they just good poker players?
Omar and Rahman finally stood. Both men pulled weapons from under their thobes.
Rahman raised his. “We better help search for Zahid. We cannot and will not allow another member of this family to fall into the clutches of villains.”
More next time, I think.
My next novel will be Vendetta, the sixth story in my Bedlam series. The first two chapters are finished and posted to the two subscription writing sites I use. To date, there have already been twenty-eight reviews. The cover is a filler, as the final cover won’t be done until the entire first draft is completed. When I was going through the reviews of chapter two, I realized I needed to make a change to the location of the Council of Vengeance. Here is the revised description:
The Bedlam organization proceeded with their plans to create a fourth operational team, based in Pretoria, South Africa. The existing team leaders, Craig Cameron, Col Trevor Franklin ®, and Lady Evelyn Evinrude are sent to assist the designated advisor with team member selections.
What should be a routine deployment is anything but as they’re targeted by unknown assailants. Who or what organization is after them, and why?
While assisting with the creation of the new team and searching for those trying to eliminate them, Craig, Trevor, and Evelyn are given a new operational mission.
The Council of Vengeance, controlled by an extremist militant group, seeks to overthrow the Nigerian government through a culture of urban violence, political corruption, and juridical impunity. Extortion, bribery, kidnapping, and murder are part of the group’s modus operandi as they surge forward toward their objectives.
How will the Bedlam teams fare in the face of adversity? Or will the militants’ efforts be rewarded?
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 2024 Randall Krzak. All rights reserved
