After another week of dry weather, we’ve had to start watering some of the shrubs and flower pots so we don’t loose the plants. The forecast for the next week is mainly sunny days. We’ll see what happens.
The June small business market began on Friday. While the foot traffic was light in the mall, it did pick up yesterday and hopefully it will be good today. So far, I sold ten of my autographed novels, while Sylvia sold one of her poetry books and thirteen of her laminated poetry sheets.
Get it down. Take chances. It may be bad, but it’s the only way you can do anything really good. ~William Faulkner. Compliments of https://www.writerswrite.co.za/motivational-quotes-on-writing/.
So who was born on this date in history? Let’s find out who in the writing world was born on 4 June, the first Sunday of the month. (Compliments of https://www.onthisday.com/birthdays/):
Apollon Maykov, Russian poet; Servaas Daems [Peeter Klein], Flemish writer (Lute & Flute); John Blair Scribner, American magazine and book publisher; Mabel Lucie Attwell, English children’s author and illustrator; Daan Boens, Flemish poet (Man who sold his Wife); Jacques Roumain, Haitian writer (Gouverneurs de la Rosée); Patience Strong [Winifred Emma May], English poet and journalist; Willy-August Linnemann, Danish writer and journalist; Maurice Shadbolt, New Zealand writer (Season of the Jew); Robert Fulghum, American author (All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten); Joyce Meyer, American Charismatic Christian author and speaker; Daniel Topolski, British writer and rowing coach; Charles Dickinson, American author (Waltz in Marathon); Wendy Pini, American comic book writer (Elfquest); and Paul Stewart, British writer (The Edge Chronicles, Far Flung Adventures).
Any names familiar to you? There was one for me: Patience Strong. 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
This week, I completed chapters the final two chapters (forty-three and forty-four) of Frozen Conquest. As always, I posted them to the two online subscription writing sites I use. Now the hard work begins–getting the manuscript ready to submit to my publisher!
Frozen Conquest received seventy-one reviews this week, bringing the total to 781! Once again, there are plenty of good suggestions to improve my story and I’m greatly appreciative of the continued support.
Here’s another snippet:
Brown’s phone rang. Another interruption. Don’t these people realize I’m busy? He picked up. “Yes, what is it?”
Sawyer Johnson, head of Brown’s security team, chuckled. “Sorry to bother you, Mister Brown, but you wanted to be notified when the new demolitions expert arrived.”
“Show him to my office in thirty minutes.” Brown glanced at the clock. “No, make it an hour.”
“Uh … sir, he’s a she. I mean, the bomb expert is a woman.”
“So? I still want to meet her.”
“Yes, sir.”
An hour later, Sawyer knocked on Brown’s door.
“Come in.”
Sawyer and a petite brunette with large brown eyes and shoulder-length hair stepped into Brown’s office. “Sir, this is Madeleine Fingerhut.”
Brown remained seated, reached over his desk, and shook hands with the young woman. He gestured toward a visitor’s chair.
Sawyer stood back and leaned against the door.
She took the seat. “Please, call me Maddie.” A timid smile creased her face.
Brown nodded. “Is this your first visit to Antarctica, Madeleine—I mean Maddie?”
“Yes. I find it hauntingly beautiful.”
“I remember thinking something similar when I first came here. Just remember when you’re outside, Antarctica is very dangerous, especially on the ice.”
“Yes, sir.” She smiled. “I’m looking forward to working here. If I may ask, what happened to your previous explosives expert? I understand his departure was rather abrupt.”
A thin smile creased Brown’s face. “I guess you could call it an abrupt departure—he blew himself up.”
“Oh!” Maddie’s right hand covered her mouth. “I’m so sorry.”
Brown shrugged. “What are you sorry for? Did you know Samson?”
“Oh … well … no.” Her face reddened. “That’s what people say at unexpected news.”
“Hmm.” Brown picked up a folder from his desk and extracted two sheets of paper. “You have a very interesting resume, working in various exotic places around the world.” I know that people say 1 page is good for a resume. If she has a REAL interesting resume, then turn it into a curriculum vitae – “Wow, interesting pictures! How many people died in that one?”, “Newspaper articles. Very good! How high was the rubble?” “You took out how much of the government? With only one blast! Impressive.” George
“Yes, sir. For the past six years, I’ve spent most of my time outside the U.S.”
“I see.” Brown rubbed his chin. “Any boyfriends, a husband, or significant other? Who’s your next of kin?”
Maddie shook her head. “No, sir. Why do you ask?”
“Never mind—not important.” He waved a hand. “Just wondered who we should notify if something should happen to you.”
Maddie gulped. “I-I shall take all necessary precautions when I’m working.”
“It’s not just the ice which is dangerous.” Brown stared at her. “Danger comes in many forms.” He stood and extended a hand. “Welcome to Antarctica. Do a professional job, and we shall get along just fine.” He turned to Sawyer. “Escort her around the premises and show her to her quarters.”
“Yes, Mister Brown.” Sawyer opened the door to allow Maddie to leave first.
“One more thing, Maddie.”
She stood. “Yes, Mister Brown?”
“Sawyer will point out areas that are off-limits to all but a select few employees. These areas are marked with skull and crossbones signs. For your own safety, never venture inside unless you are summoned. If you require entrance, Sawyer will escort you.” He studied her. “It could be very devastating—for you.”
More next time.
Promotions
Dangerous Alliance, Colombian Betrayal, and Ultimate Escalation are participating in a Murdrs, Mysteries and the Paranormal promotion, running until the end of June for Mystery & Suspense / Paranormal, Mystery & Suspense / Thriller, and Mystery & Suspense / Women Sleuths. There are currently ninety-four novels participating. Why not check it out?
https://books.bookfunnel.com/murdermysteriespromo3/f3fke10rs2
All of my novels are participating in June’s MAYHEM & MOTIVES: Mystery, Thriller, & Suspense Reads. There are 234 novels to choose from. Please stop in when you have a chance. You could find your next best author!
https://books.bookfunnel.com/mysthrillsus-jun/nwprjw7ql4
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 2023 Randall Krzak. All rights reserved
Memorial Day – a federal holiday in the United States for honoring and mourning the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. It’s observed on the last Monday of May. Let’s honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice so our way of life might be preserved.
I was thrilled to see the results of the 2022 Chanticleer International Book Awards (CIBAs) this week. For the fifth consecutive year, one of my novels was selected as a first place, best in category winner for global thrillers, joining six others receiving this accolade. While Revenge wasn’t picked as the genre grand prize winner, it’s still a huge honor.
This week, I completed chapters thirty-five and thirty-six of Frozen Conquest and posted them to the two online subscription writing sites I use.