snippet – Writing by Randall

For all the fathers out there, Happy Father’s Day! Earlier this week I received a Father’s Day card through the mail and today there was an e-gift card in my email. Our son is like an elephant–he never forgets. Many thanks, Craig!

It’s been a pleasant week weather-wise, with our two hottest days of the year in our area, both at 71F (21C). Since the weather was so nice, a neighbor gave us a few plants for the front borders. One was a yellow geum but I don’t remember the name of the other twenty-seven plants he gave us. All of them have found homes in the borders, adding additional color.

Gasoline (Petrol) jumped again this week, with a three-pence a liter increase on Tuesday and another fiv on Saturday. Now it’s up to £1.89 a liter, making an equivalent U.S. gallon at $8.99. It would be even higher except Sterling weakened this week against the dollar. It was still a increase of thirty-eight cents for a U.S. gallon over the past week.

Here’s this week’s quote (Compliments of http://www.wisdomquotesandstories.com/):

“I have just Three things to teach: Simplicity, Patience & Compassion. These three are your greatest treasures.” ~ Lao Tzu

So who was born on this date in history? Let’s find out who in the writing world was born on June 19th, the third Sunday of the month: Annibale Caro, Italian writer and poet (Lettere familiare); Thomas Fuller, British scholar, preacher and historian (History of the Worthies of Britain); Christiaan de Placker, Flemish poet and composer; Hugues Felicité Robert de Lamennais, French Catholic priest and writer (L’avenir); Gustav Schwab, German writer; David Jayne Hill, American diplomat and author; Elbert Hubbard, American editor, publisher and author (Message to Garcia); José Rizal, Filipino nationalist, author (‘Noli Me Tángere’, ‘El Filibusterismo’) and ophthalmologist; Jóhann Sigurjónsson, Icelandic writer (Dr Rung); Georges Ribemont-Dessaignes, French Dadaist artist and writer; Robert Herberigs, Flemish composer and writer (Hiawatha’s Song); Laura Z. Hobson, American TV writer and panelist (I’ve Got a Secret); Osamu Dazai, Japan, novelist (Tsugaru, No Longer Human); Julius Schwartz, American editor and agent; Wassil Bykau, Belarusian writer; Sybren Polet [Sijbe Minnema], Dutch writer and poet (Mannekino); Barry Took, English comedy writer; Tobias Wolff, American writer (This Boy’s Life); Robert Franklin Palmer Jr., American writer, musicologist, and musician (Deep Blues); and Salman Rushdie, British-Indian novelist (Midnight’s Children, Satanic Verses).

Any names familiar to you? There was one for me this week: Salman Rushdie. 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

Things are moving along nicely on my next WIP, Frozen Conquest. The fifth chapter has been posted to the two online subscription writing site I use. Over the past week, Frozen Conquest received another eleven reviews, bringing the total to sixty-three, some from long-standing reviewers while others came from new people.

Here’s the next snippet:

Back in his own office, Chris eased into his chair, slamming a fist on the metal desk. Hired to handle Diablo’s information technology and communications needs, he found himself working more and more as a personal lackey. “On day … I’ll make Brown pay for his callous behavior.”

He booted his computer and logged in. Staring at the ceiling, he tapped a finger against his lips. Beware the Devil. Attack imminent.

Focusing on a mental image of his message, he encoded it as he typed:

To: Numerologist

From: Knuckle Cracker

25220 42609 22071 92223 22051 81500 26070 72624 16221 41418 13221 30700

Chris reread through it again, cracking his knuckles as he did so. Satisfied there were no errors, he connected to the Dark Web and sent his message.

He frowned. Hope Grandson remembers our university code.

A red strobe began flashing.

Chris picked up the phone and hit the appropriate button. “Yes, Mister Brown?”

“I want an update from our test team. No one is answering the phone. Where are they?”

Chris closed his eyes. The sooner I’m out of here, the better. “I’ll find out.”

Walter broke the connection.

Chris hit another button on his console.

Reginald immediately answered. “What’s up, Chris?”

“The usual. Why won’t you answer when Brown calls?”

“You know why.” Reginald sighed. “I told him it would be a few days before we can calve more of the ice. He doesn’t want excuses—just results. I told him we had to wait for the arrival of a new demolitions expert since Harold disappeared—probably dead. All he could say was, ‘It’s damn inconvenient of Harold to kill himself.’ So much for any concern about his nephew.”

“I thought Harold’s death was an accident.”

“It was. As far as Brown’s concerned, Harold was weak and couldn’t handle the pressure.”

“Okay, understood. But try to appease him and keep him off my back.”

“Will do. We’re almost finished drilling the holes for the explosives. But I’ve told the others not to touch it—no point in anyone else dying for this maniac. The money might be good, but I want to live to spend it.”

“I agree with you, Harold. Talk to you later.”

More next time.

Book Promotions

6 Novels

My novels are participating in three Bookfunnel promotions for the remainder of the month:

THE USUAL SUSPECTS: Mystery, Thriller, & Suspense Reads group promo. There are 171 novels to choose from:

https://books.bookfunnel.com/b…

THE COLOR OF Action: Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense, and Sci-Fi & Fantasy with 18 novels to choose from:

https://books.bookfunnel.com/t…

Thriller, Mystery and Suspense: There are 70 novels in this one.

https://books.bookfunnel.com/thrillertime/ai0n57rurm

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.

Happy Fourth of July! Whether you’re celebrating with friends and family or keeping a low profile, have a safe and happy holiday!

Here’s this week’s quote (Compliments of http://www.wisdomquotesandstories.com/): “Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly.” ~ Robert F. Kennedy

So who was born on this date in history? Let’s find out who in the writing world was born on June 27th. (Compliments of http://www.onthisday.com/today/birthdays):

Paul Scarron, French writer (Virgile Travesti); Christian Fürchtegott Gellert, German poet and novelist (Fables & Tales); Nathaniel Hawthorne, American author (House of 7 Gables, The Scarlet Letter); Lynette Roberts, British poet; Christine Lavant, Austrian poet and writer (Das Kind); Ann Landers [Eppie Lederer], American advice columnist “Ask Ann Landers,” twin sister of fellow advice columnist “Dear Abby” (Abigail Van Buren); Neil Simon, American playwright (The Odd Couple, Plaza Suite, Biloxi Blues); Patrick Tilley, British sci-fi author (1st Family, Blood River); Paul de Wispelaere, Flemish writer and critic; Colin Welland, British screenwriter (Chariots of Fire) and actor (Straw Dogs); and Ron Kovic, American anti-war activist and writer (Born on the Fourth of July).

Any names familiar to you? There were three for me: Nathaniel Hawthorne, Ann Landers, and Abigail Van Buren. 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

All of my novels are participating in a gripping reads promotion, covering action & adventure, mystery& suspense, and sci-fi & fantasy/horror. There are a total of seventy-nine novels available between now and the 15th. Why not check these out–never know when you’ll come across your next favorite author.

https://books.bookfunnel.com/grippingreadskuor99/yblerf0c6g

My Work in Progress

The editing process of Revenge is now underway. Over the past week, there were another six new chapter reviews, bringing the total number to 711. As always, plenty of useful suggestions as always to improve my writing and very timely with editing on the horizon.

Here’s another snippet:

The door slammed behind Bennie and Justin as they walked into the kitchen. Justin went to the fridge and yanked out a jug of orange juice while Bennie pulled glasses from a cupboard.

As they poured the juice and sat, Alberto walked into the room. “Well? Did you take care of things?”

“Piece of cake, as the Americans would say.” Justin glanced at Bennie. “After we sent her to her god, we weighted her body, took it to the middle of the lake, and pushed it in.”

Alberto glanced from Justin’s face to Bennie’s. “Where did you find a boat?”

“Uh. There was one on the beach.” Justin grinned. “No one was around, so we borrowed it.”

“I see.” Alberto drummed his fingers on the table as he stared at the ceiling. “That’s one loose end tied up.” He tossed a small piece of paper on the table. “The man we hired to kill the CIA woman in an accident was released from the hospital.” He smirked. “The man failed yet expects his payment—he sent me a text earlier, along with where he wants to collect the money.”

“Are all Americans so greedy?” Bennie laughed. “Where do we find him?”

Alberto gestured at the paper. “That’s the location. He’ll be there in two days. He wants the money in small bills and placed in a backpack. Take care of him—but make it slow and painful. Failure cannot be tolerated.”

Bennie and Justin glanced at each other and nodded.

Justin poured another glass of juice. “Anything else?”

“Leave me.” Alberto waved them away. “I must think.”

***

Left to his thoughts, Alberto wandered into the living room, and sat in a brown leather recliner, adjusting the chair’s position until he was comfortable. I think this immoral country is corrupting Bennie and Justin’s minds. He shook his head. Once we’ve exacted revenge, we’ll return to the Middle East, where we can continue our jihad against the Israelis and those rushing to be their friends.

He fished his phone from his shirt pocket and dialed.

“Hello?”

“No names. Do you recognize my voice?”

Silence. “Uh, yes.”

“Good. How is your work progressing?”

“By the end of the week, I will have twelve packages ready for your use.”

Alberto chuckled. “Excellent. Can you make two smaller ones which can be attached to the bottom of a vehicle?”

“As you wish. Do you want activation by a sensor or remote control?”

“Hmm.” He tapped his index finger against his lips. I want to witness their deaths. “Remote control.”

“Okay, I’ll put a test model together as soon as I can and find a place to test it. If it works, I’ll make two operational devices for you.”

“Keep me posted.” Alberto broke the connection and grinned. At least one of my team remains loyal to Allah. He put the phone back in his pocket and closed his eyes.

Two hours later, Alberto woke with a start. The room had dimmed as the sun headed toward the horizon. What disturbed me? He climbed out of his chair and walked from room to room, checking all windows remained locked.

After he finished examining every external door and window, he stepped into the utility room. There!

More next time.

In 2019-2020, I posted the first seven chapters of Ultimate Escalation on the two subscription writing sites I use, receiving 101 chapter reviews.

As of this morning, all seven chapters have been revised and reposted. So far, the they’ve received sixty-nine chapter reviews. Excellent suggestions to further tweak the story and fix a few typos.

Once I pull Revenge from the two writing sites, I’ll also stop posting snippets here and begin with ones from Ultimate Escalation.

Books I’m Reading

I recently finished reading The Swagger Sword: Templars, Colombus and the Vatican Cover-up (Templars in America Series Book 8) by David S. Brody. As with all of the novels in this series, there’s an excellent blend of truth, myth, and fiction.

Join Cameron Thorne, his fiance, Amanda Spencer-Gunn, and their adopted daughter Astarte, as they’re embroil in another chase to determine whether their is any validity to the engraving on a sword they stumble upon. Will this lead to a hidden scroll and undue centuries of mistruth?

Cameron and Amanda put their lives on the line as they attempt to solve the riddle. With plenty of twists and turns, this one will have you flipping the pages to find out what happens next. If you haven’t read any of the novels in this series, you don’t know what you’re missing!

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.

Tag: snippet

Randall’s Ramblings, June 19, 2022

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