After a week of low morning temperatures (42-58F/6-14C) and predominantly overcast and/or rain, it was a delight to have plenty of sunshine to start today. Although still on the chilly side at 46F/8C, the sunshine makes up for it. Leaves are turning, but rather than fantastic autumn shades, most of what I see are a sickly yellow. Can’t be help.
Here’s this week’s quote (Compliments of http://www.wisdomquotesandstories.com/): “Sometimes what you want isn’t always what you get, but in the end what you get is so much better than what you wanted.”
So who was born on this date in history? Let’s find out who in the writing world was born on October 10th, the second Sunday of the month. (Compliments of http://www.onthisday.com/today/birthdays):
Jacob Aertsz Colom, Dutch publisher (Consolation of the Sea); Aleksis Kivi, Finnish writer and poet (Nummisuutarit); Louise Mack, Australian poet and novelist; Ferdinand Bordewijk, Dutch lawyer and writer (Bint); Rie Cramer, Dutch writer and illustrator; R.K. Narayan, Indian novelist (Malguidi Days); Mercè Rodoreda, Catalan novelist (La plaça del diamant); Luc van Brabant, Flemish writer and erotic poet; Charles Henry Madge, English poet and founder of Mass-Observation; Claude Simon, Malagasy-French writer (Nobel Prize Literature 1985); Jean Gimpel, French author and medievalist; Boeli van Leeuwen, Antillian writer (Vreemdeling Op Aarde); James Clavell, British-American author (The Asian Saga); Ivan Sviták, Czech philosopher and poet; Harold Pinter, British playwright (The Homecoming, Servant); Mustafa Zaidi, Pakistani Urdu poet; Gerald Masters, South African-British author (Pan Book of Dates); Ken Saro-Wiwa, Nigerian writer and environmentalist; James Marshall, American illustrator and author (George and Martha, The Stupids); Frederick Barthelme, American author (There Must be Some Mistake); Mildred Grieveson, English writer (Leopard in the Snow); Nora Roberts, American novelist (Angels Fall); and Jonathan Littell, French-American writer (The Kindly Ones).
Any names familiar to you? There were two for me: James Clavell and Nora Roberts. 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!
New Release!
I’m delighted to announce the release of the Kindle version of Revenge. The paperback will be out in a couple of days.
In case you missed the synopsis, here it is:
Relegated to a desk job at the Pentagon despite his last field mission being a success, Colonel Javier Smith submits his retirement papers. He moves forward with his plans to create a security and investigative agency called the Brusch Agency. The focus will be aiding international clientele.
AJ Bruce, who co-led the mission with Smith, finds herself rooted at CIA Headquarters. Although now in charge of the division responsible for tracking terrorist groups in Latin America, she misses the action from being in the field.
Meanwhile, Alberto Cabrera was one of four terrorists who survived Bruce and Smith’s mission. Also known as Abdul Rahman, he enlists the assistance of the others who escaped and vows to track down those who killed his friends and comrades.
As Javier and AJ grow closer together, will the future hold wedding bells or funerals? Hang onto your hats as the story unfolds.
My Published Work
Until the 15th of october, all of my novels are participating in a Kindle Unlimited spy thrillers promotion. There are forty-five novels available through this promotion, so you’re bound to find something of interest. If you’re not a member of Kindle Unlimited, what better time to join?
Colombian Betrayal and Mission: Angola are also participating in a promotion of the first books in a mystery or thriller series. I could only include two, so The Kurdish Connection missed out. There are thirty-eight books in this Kindle and paperback promotion, so why not stop by?
My Work in Progress
I’m finally back to work on Ultimate Escalation. All being well, chapter fifteen will be posted in a couple of days to the two online subscription writing sites I use. Meanwhile, seven chapter reviews came in this week, bringing the total to 293.
Here’s another snippet:
The team leaders hoisted their drinks.
Evelyn gazed into CC’s eyes and smiled. “Here’s to—”
Ping. Ping. Ping.
CC grabbed his cellphone as the first bars of Rossini’s “William Tell Overture” sounded.
Evelyn and Trevor yanked phones from their belts when their own Bedlam message tunes shrilled.
All received the same message.
To: Alpha, Bravo, Charlie
From: Bedlam
EMERGENCY ALERT
Please be advised multiple drones have violated DC Flight Restricted Zone. Fighter aircraft are responding from Joint Base Langley-Eustis. Implement Directive X-ray immediately. A Chinook with two Apaches as escort inbound your location for extraction. Acknowledge.
Evelyn looked up. “CC, respond. Trevor and I’ll round up the teams and grab our kit—yours, too.”
CC nodded as Trevor and Evelyn rushed out of the room.
To: Bedlam, Bravo, Charlie
From: Alpha
Message received. Teams will be ready for extraction in ten minutes. When circumstances permit, please provide updates.
As CC hit send, Admiral Blakely approached, waving his phone. “Did you acknowledge?”
“Aye, sir. We’ll be at the rendezvous point when the birds arrive.”
“Excellent. Keep us posted.” He offered his hand to CC. “Godspeed.”
CC shook hands and raced outside.
Evelyn met him as he approached, her slight limp more noticeable.
He took his harness and weapons bag from her. “Your limp seems worse. Will you be alright for the mission?”
“Don’t stand in my way, CC.” A wry smile etched across her face. “I’ll always have this limp, according to the doctors who repaired the bullet damage, but it’ll never slow me down.”
The three teams crouched by the landing pad. Before long, a massive shadow descended.
After the Chinook touched down, fifteen operatives sprinted to the helicopter’s rear and up the ramp. The Apaches circled overhead as if daring anyone to approach.
A member from each team grabbed the handles of the CH-47E’s machine guns: two in the crew door on the starboard side and one window-mounted on the port side.
CC, Trevor, and Evelyn donned intercom headsets as they confirmed their respective team members were on board.
“Alpha, holler when you’re ready.” The pilot’s voice came through the headsets loud and clear.
CC glanced at the others before keying his mic. “Aye, Bedlam-One. We’re ready.”
With a lurch, the Chinook climbed into the late afternoon sky, an Apache on either side.
More next time.
Books I’m Reading
I recently read Blair Howard’s Extinction Protocol, the third novel in his Peacemaker series is better than ever. Join Nero, Lizette, and Casey Wu as they become embroiled in a Peacemaker plot to sterilize the world. A riveting plot filled with plenty of twists and turns, along with your favorite characters will keep you on the edge of your seat and flipping the pages to find out what happens next. Heartily recommended to those looking for an exciting series to sink their teeth into. Look forward to reading more of Blair’s work!
I also read an advanced copy of Michael Kent’s upcoming release, Deadly Storm, the latest adventure in the Lieutenant Beaudry series. This is another smooth and fast-paced read. With a plot filled with plenty of twists and turns and larger-than-life characters, Michael’s unique brand of storytelling will have you flipping the pages to find out what happens next. An excellent addition to the Lieutenant Beaudry series, and one not to miss.
That 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 2021 Randall Krzak. All rights reserved