Author: John W. Howell

I have been working in business for over forty years and now have the time to work in special areas of interest. My passion has always been to create compelling stories of fiction. I have authored six novels and am working on my Seventh. The first novel is still in manuscript form and being utilized as a door stop in the laundry room. The second is a contemporary fiction novel of 89,000 words and is complete and I am currently seeking a publisher. I also write poetry but have not had the guts to share any with anyone. The one time I read a piece to a person their only comment was, “it doesn’t rhyme.” I will continue to write and hopefully my blog, Fiction Favorites at www.johnwhowell.com will provide some entertainment and an interesting thought or two. I live in the Austin area with my wife Molly and an assortment of loving pets.

Joan Hall Guesting Today to Talk About Her #newbook – Menagerie

February 8, 2023January 17, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 82 Comments

I am so happy to have Joan Hall visit today. Joan is a fellow member of Story Empire, and she has a new book that sounds fascinating. Come on in, Joan, and tell us about your latest.

The Homecoming

Thanks so much for hosting me today, John. It’s a pleasure to visit you and to share news about my latest release, Menagerie. It’s a mixed-genre compilation of thirteen short stories. Each tour stop features a different story and what inspired me to write it. Today, I’d like to talk about The Homecoming, a contemporary fiction story about a military family.

I have a deep respect for the men and women who serve and have served in the military. While I’m grateful to all the generations who have served, I have a special place in my heart for those who served in Vietnam. I had two cousins who served during that time—one in the Navy, the other Army.

In 2019, I first heard the story of Colonel Roy Knight, an Air Force pilot whose plane was shot down over Laos in 1967. He was listed as missing in action for many years before being declared killed in action. In February 2019, fifty-two years after being shot down, his remains were identified. That same August, his remains were flown home to Texas, his final resting place.

The story itself is touching, but what made it even more of a tearjerker is the fact his son, a pilot for Southwest Airlines, flew the plane with his father’s casket into Dallas Love Field Airport. The same airport then five-year-old Bryan and other members of his family last saw him as he departed Texas for what proved to be his final tour of duty.

I shed a few tears when watching the video and still do each time I see it. Colonel Knight’s story inspired me to write The Homecoming.

It’s the story of the Atwood family. Four generations have served in the Navy—except for the youngest son. Brady Atwood decided against a military career, which didn’t make his father happy. Brady reluctantly joins his family when his grandfather’s remains are returned from Vietnam a half-century after he went missing.

Told from four different points of view—Brady, his father Bruce, his mother Cindy, and his brother Chris, The Homecoming is story of family dynamics, mending relationships, and most of all honoring a fallen hero.

Excerpt:

I had long given up hope of this day ever happening. Now that it’s here, it seems surreal. I was six years old on that February morning in 1968 when we saw my father off at this same airport for what proved to be his final tour of duty. As the youngest child, it was hard for me to grasp what was happening. Growing up in a military family, I was accustomed to him leaving from time to time. It was all part of life, but Dad would always come back.

Vietnam was on the other side of the world. I’d seen clips of the war on television but never expected it to change our lives forever.

It’s funny how my memories of that day are as plain as if they’d happened last week. Dad was a handsome man with dark hair, twinkling blue eyes, and a smile that would light up any room. Mom said his smile was what she first noticed about him. It’s also what I remember most. He’d started up the jet bridge when he turned back. He waved and flashed a grin at us then continued toward the plane. It was the last time we saw him alive.

Blurb:

King’s. The Tower of London. Glass. What do these have in common?

Each is a famous menagerie.

While this Menagerie doesn’t focus on exotic animals, it does contain a collection of stories that explore various trials people face and how their reactions shape their worlds.

Survivors of a haunted bridge. Women who wait while their husbands fight a war. Former partners reuniting to solve a cold-case murder.

These are just three of the thirteen stories in this compendium, encompassing past and present, natural and supernatural, legend and reality. The genres and timelines are varied, but there’s a little something for everyone who enjoys reading about simpler times and small-town life.

Purchase Link: https://books2read.com/jh-menagerie

About the Author

Social Media Links

Website | Blog | BookBub | Goodreads

Smorgasbord Posts from Your Archives 2023 – #PotLuck – Top Ten Things Not to Do on a Windy Day by John W. Howell

February 7, 2023February 7, 2023 ~ John W. Howell

Sally Cronin has a new feature for 2023. It is called Potluck, and she hand-selects posts she feels her readers might enjoy. She is featuring one of my Top Ten lists from 2022. I am very honored and hope you’ll visit. She has a lot going on at her place, and I’m sure there is something she offers that will help you get better known.

Smorgasbord Blog Magazine

Welcome to the new series of Posts from Your Archives 2023 where I will be sharing posts from the last six months of 2022 I have selected from the archives of willing participants. If you wish to be included the information is at the the end of the post.

This is the second post from John Howell and another Top Ten Things Not To Do which strikes a chord, since over here in Ireland, particularly this last few weeks, high winds accompanied by lashing rain has been a feature.

Photo by Khamkéo Vilaysing on Unsplash6

The inspiration for this list is the over twenty-five-mile-an-hour winds we have been experiencing since Thursday. Most of these warnings are a matter of common sense, but in the spirit of public service, I will state the obvious. Hope you enjoy it.

The Top Things Not to do on a Windy Day

10 On a…

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The Last Drive Tour with Robbie Cheadle

February 7, 2023February 6, 2023 ~ John W. Howell

I am delighted to be with Robbie Cheadle for the last stop on the tour of The Last Drive. You can visit Robbie’s post HERE.

I enjoy following Robbie. She offers so much on her blog. There are recipes to try, book reviews to follow up on, and Children’s stories to delight a child in your life. There is always something new at Robbie’s place. In addition, Robbie works full-time as a Charted Accountant, which is the equivalent of a CPA here in the US. She is also a spouse and a mother of two boys. With all this and 25 published titles, to say she is very accomplished is an understatement.

Here is a little more about Robbie.

Roberta Eaton Cheadle is a South African writer and poet specialising in historical, paranormal, and horror novels and short stories. She is an avid reader in these genres, and her writing has been influenced by famous authors, including Bram Stoker, Edgar Allan Poe, Amor Towles, Stephen Crane, Enrich Maria Remarque, George Orwell, Stephen King, and Colleen McCullough.

Roberta has short stories and poems in seven anthologies and has two published novels:

Through the Nethergate, a historical supernatural fantasy; and
A Ghost and His Gold, a historical paranormal novel set in South Africa.

Roberta has ten children’s books published under the name Robbie Cheadle.

You can visit her Amazon Author’s page to review them all

Roberta was educated at the University of South Africa, where she achieved a Bachelor of Accounting Science in 1996 and an Honours Bachelor of Accounting Science in 1997. She was admitted as a member of The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants in 2000.

Roberta has worked in corporate finance from 2001 until the present date and has written seven publications relating to investing in Africa. She has won several awards over her 20-year career in the category of Transactional Support Services.

One of Robbie’s Books – click for Amazon.

Thank you, Robbie, for helping to spread the word about The Last Drive.

I have closed the comments, so you only feel the need to scribe once.

Smorgasbord Book Promotions – Book Review – #Supernatural Adventure The Last Drive by John W. Howell

February 6, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 32 Comments

Sally Cronin has written an excellent review for The Last Drive. As you know, Sally is very supportive of indie authors. A visit to her place will give you an idea of the possibilities of taking advantage of her huge heart when it comes to supporting indie authors. Do yourself a favor and check out what she offers.

Smorgasbord Blog Magazine

Delighted to share my review for the latest release by John W. Howell the sequel to the excellent Eternal Road... another supernatural adventure…The Last Drive

About the book

In the sequel to Eternal Road – The final stop, Sam and James are reunited to look for two souls, Ryan and Eddie. Ryan was killed in Afghanistan, trying to avoid a schoolyard with his crippled plane. Eddie Rickenbacker, Ryan’s hero, is to guide Ryan to his Eternal Home, and now both are missing.

The higher-ups believe that there has been some interference in Ryan and Eddie’s journey by Lucifer, so Sam and James have the task of finding Ryan and Eddie to get them back on the road despite the evil interference. Unfortunately, the machinations designed to prevent Ryan and Eddy from completing their journey takes the pair to horrifying testing grounds. The places visited represent the best work…

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The Last Drive with Jaye Marie and Anita Dawes.

February 6, 2023February 6, 2023 ~ John W. Howell

Jaye Marie and Anita invited me to their blog to help explain The Last Drive. I am thrilled to be with them, and you can visit their post HERE.

I have been following Anita and Jaye Marie for several years and have always been very impressed with their ability to capture the emotions that come from great accomplishment and disappointment. Their writing comes from the heart and never fails to elicit a response due to their fine work. Jaye Marie has four books available, which you can see on her Amazon Author’s page.

Anita has six novels available, which can be seen on her Amazon Author’s page.

Here is a little more about Jaye Marie and Anita.

Jaye Marie came to writing rather late but has always loved books. She enjoys reading many different genres, so was surprised to discover a passion for writing detective thrillers. Five of them to date, with more to follow. She also enjoys running a website/blog, https://jenanita01.com, and loves meeting all the wonderful people who drop in to say hello!

Anita Dawes loves all things esoteric, magical, and the otherworldly and would prefer to live in a fairy tale. In between these moments, she likes to visit old churches and ancient buildings. She has written six fiction novels in various genres, Bad Moon, Simple, Secrets, The Scarlet Ribbon; Let it Go, and Not My Life. She is presently working on a sequel to her popular supernatural romance, The Scarlet Ribbon.

Anita has recently rediscovered her childhood love of poetry and often writes and posts them online.

Once owned by an egocentric black and white cat called Merlin, named after her favourite hero, Anita dislikes computers and prefers to write longhand, sharing a website http://jenanita01.com with Jaye Marie, who transcribes and edits her work…

Thank you, Jaye and Anita, for helping spread the word on The Last Drive

I have closed comments, so you only have to write once on Anita and Jaye’s post.

Views of the Neighborhood – The Ice Man Comith

February 5, 2023February 4, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 104 Comments

Today we will motor around and check out the ice damage from the storm that passed through Texas. No need to leave the bus since we will be catered to by Paperboy of Austin. Our entertainment is who else but Vanilla Ice.

BRUNCH

classic breakfast – two eggs, maple sausage, potato wedges, buttered toast, apple butter

texas hash – roasted pork, sweet potato, onion, kale, poached egg, pecan mole
add avocado

paperboy pancake – warm maple syrup, brown butter, sea salt 11 add blueberries or chocolate chips

migas – egg, avocado, pico de gallo, cotija, serrano hot sauce, grilled tortillas add pork carnitas

steak & eggs – 44 farms steak, chimichurri, sunny eggs, potato wedges, secret sauce, arugula

chicken & biscuit – crispy-fried chicken, country gravy, sunny egg, spicy honey

lox plate – grilled toast points, everything spice, caper cream cheese, tomato, cucumber, dill

Picture of an old time school bus

So let’s get rolling.

So here is a juniper pretty well split.

Downed limbs, but also the ice is beautiful

Limbs in the street.

More beauty

Another juniper.

A tree uprooted. Seems the drought caused the surface roots to dry out and weaken.

The same tree is now available for pick-up.

More brush for city pick up, which Lakeway said they will do beginning Monday.

Closer to home. Our artichoke agave is covered in ice.

The mountain laurel on the right and the magnolia tree on the left took hits.

Closer view of the mountain laurel

The magnolia is my 80th birthday tree and looks worse for wear.

She is all cleaned up now and feeling better, although lighter.

Time to relax and enjoy the food and music. I hope you have a wonderful week.

Saturday – A Little Personal – Lucy and Twiggy Survey Ice Damage

February 4, 2023February 3, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 118 Comments

“Where you going Little One?”

“I thought I heard dad say there was some damage to the trees from the ice storm.”

“The damage is over here on the patio side.”

“Oh. I don’t know why I thought it was the potting bench plants.”

“Well, they are toast too. But take a look at the mountain laurel.”

“There are some limbs here on the ground.”

“So true. The weight of the ice broke those limbs off the tree.”

“Can we put them back on?”

“I’m afraid not. Once a limb has been severed it will die.”

“OMG. That sounds pretty severe.”

“Did you notice Dad’s magnolia?”

“He’s not going to like all those limbs on the ground.”

“I think we’ve seen enough, Little One. Let’s go play.”

“This stuff still smells alive. Are you sure it can’t be put back?”

“I’m sure Little One. It is the way nature works.”

“Well then we ought to invent a way that things can live even if they have something wrong wth them.”

“You talking about trees, now?”

“Like these leaves, Lucy. Why do they have to lie here.”

“It’s a cycle that we have talked about before. It is the way nature works.”

“Doesn’t mean we have to like it.”

“You can stay there and sniff that turf all the way to St Louis. As for me? I’m thinking about a soft chew.”

“Hold on. I think I found an acorn.”

“Too early. It’s a rock.”

“Tomato, tomahto. Still interesting.”

“You coming?”

“Right behind you.”

The Last Drive Tour with Lauren Scott

February 3, 2023February 3, 2023 ~ John W. Howell

Laren Scott is hosting this stop on the tour. I am grateful for her help in spreading the word about The Last Drive. You can visit her post HERE.

I have been following Lauren since 2015. I have always been impressed by the passion she puts into her work. Lauren writes prose and poetry. She has four titles published. Three are stand-alone, authored by her, and one is an anthology. You can see them all on Lauren’s Amazon author’s page.

A little more about Lauren in her words.

Currently, California is my home where my husband, Matt, of thirty-three years, and our cuddly canine, Copper, reside; we have two grown children. I have authored two collections of poetry: New Day, New Dreams (2013) and Finding a Balance (2015), and my latest book, More than Coffee: Memories in Verse and Prose, was published in September of 2021.

My writing projects are sometimes serious – drawn from painful subjects and raw emotions – or they spotlight my silly side – pulled from humorous moments. I am inspired to write about family, love, loss, and nature – the marvelous wild world that surrounds me: the smell of the woods, the sound of a babbling brook, and the chorus of birds singing. Recent backpacking trips with my husband along the California coast and Sierra Nevada mountains have stirred up thoughts to pen about fear, loss of friendship, overcoming challenges, and the possibility that anything can happen. Hikes along the Paper Mill Creek remind me that life is fragile. From trout hatchlings to swallowtail butterflies, I marvel at how the world is interconnected and every living thing matters. I hope my readers will find a little nugget of delight, comfort, or understanding in my poetry and stories – some detail that resonates with them beyond my words.

Thank you, Lauren, for hosting me today. I appreciate you.

I have closed comments so that all the words fit to write are left at Lauren’s place.

The Last Drive Tour with Elizabeth Gauffreau

February 2, 2023January 27, 2023 ~ John W. Howell

I’m honored to be with Liz Gauffreau, talking about The Last Drive. You can visit her post HERE.

Liz is amazing. She has had multiple positions in higher education. She was a navy wife for twenty years and is a poet and novelist. She has one book of poetry in print and a novel. She is also one of eight authors contributing stories to an anthology. You can see all her books on her Amazon author’s page.

Here is more about Liz.

Elizabeth Gauffreau writes fiction and poetry with a strong connection to family and place. She holds a BA in English/Writing from Old Dominion University and an MA in English/Fiction Writing from the University of New Hampshire. Her fiction publications include short stories in Woven Tale Press, The Long Story, Soundings East, Ad Hoc Monadnock, Rio Grande Review, Blueline, Slow Trains, Hospital Drive, and Serving House Journal, among others. Her poetry has appeared in North of Oxford, The Writing On The Wall, The Larcom Review, and Natural Bridge. Her debut novel Telling Sonny, was published by Adelaide Books, New York, in 2018.

Liz grew up a child of the 1960s in northern New England before spending twenty years in the South as a Navy wife. After working for Granite State College in Concord, New Hampshire, for eighteen years, she accepted a faculty position as Assistant Dean of Curriculum and Assessment at Champlain College Online in Burlington, Vermont. In addition to academic advising, teaching, and higher education administration, her professional background includes assessment of prior experiential learning for college credit. Liz lives in Nottingham, New Hampshire, with her husband; their daughter has flown the nest to live in sunny California.

Thank you, Liz, for helping spread the word about The Last Drive.

I have closed comments, so you will be fresh at Liz’s site.

The Last Drive Tour with Geoff Le Pard

February 1, 2023February 1, 2023 ~ John W. Howell

I am excited to be with Geoff Le Pard to talk about The Last Drive. You can visit Geoff’s post HERE.

Geoff lives in London with his wife and Dog and has embarked upon writing after a successful law career that saw him achieve the position of partner in his firm. Geoff’s talents include cooking, gardening, and a killer sense of humor. He has authored 17 titles and has been included in three anthologies. You can view all his books on his Amazon author page.