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.
I decided to go by the Leonabell Turnbull Birding Center to see how much progress has been made on the Hurricane Harvey reconstruction. Join me as we walk about
The Farley boat has been replanted
The plant labels are back. This is a Firecracker plant.
A new information sign with leaflet containers.
This is a sign detailing the recovery plan. It also asks for patience.
I retook this photo since it amazes me how much vegetation was taken by the storm. Those three mothballed oil rigs were not visible before the Hurricane.
The Port Aransas Garden Club has adopted a site at the center.
There is always some idiot who sticks their head in the Alligator sign.
I had hoped to see a lot of birds listed. But we do know Big Bird Little Bird, a coot, a pelican, Kristi, James, and Jane were spotted. I can’t read the frown face
Unfortunately, the access to the birding center is still not repaired.
The alligator’s swamp is still filled with debris (He is fine and living in another part of the reserve)
The Cattails are beautiful.
Reminders not to feed the wildlife anything including yourself. Sorry that the center is still under construction but it looks a lot better than it did. I’ll come back when the walkways are finished.
Sally Cronin has invited me in for tea and an interview. You should visit Sally to see all the ways she can help an indie author. Thank you so much, Sally. The scones were delicious. Sorry about the sand on your foyer floor.
It is Stream of Conscious Saturday time again and this weeks prompt is “bug.” Linda Hill says we can use it any way we want. (that’s a relief. I hate to be shoved into using a word in a way I don’t want.” If you would like to have a go at this fun visit Linda Hill’s blog and read how. Here is the link.
“Okay, so what weird thing do we have going today?”
“Read my lips.”
“I can’t understand a thing you are saying with those chapped lips.”
“For heaven’s sake. I think our place has a bug in it.”
“A bug? No biggie. Get some Raid.”
“Not that kind of bug you idiot. A listening device bug.”
“I see we’ve been reading too many spy novels.”
“I’m serious. I think someone is listening.”
“Okay genius. If so you have tipped them off that you know they are listening.”
“I tried to give you a sign.”
“Pig Latin is not a sign.”
“I mean with my lips.”
“You looked like you were passing gas. Your lips didn’t tell me a thing.”
“So now what do we do?”
“I don’t know about you, but I’m going to confess to tearing off the mattress tags.”
“Come on. Be serious.”
“I think it’s time for you to be serious. What makes you think someone is listening.”
“Strange things happening.”
“Like what?”
“Well, I was in that fast food place and ordered a hamburger.”
“Yes?”
“You know how much I love french fries. I even said to you before I left the house that I wish I could have some fries.”
“Yeah, I remember. You want to lose some weight, so you are not having any.”
“Well, that’s just it. When I placed my order, the server said, “Do you want fries with that?”
“So?”
“How did the server know I wanted the fries unless whoever is listening called ahead and told.”
“I think you need to lay down.”
“And supersize. How did the server know to ask? It keeps going on and on. When I couldn’t find the rye bread at the supermarket how did the checker know to ask if I found everything okay?” How does the gas pump know to ask “debit or credit?”
“I’m going to call the doctor in a minute if you don’t stop.”
“You better heed these warnings. As for me, I’m going to stop talking in the house. Do you hear that Mr. CIA? No more talking.”
It’s time for the next subject for my 2018 author interview series. Author interviews are posted every Friday throughout the year.
This week is a two for one special. I’m happy to be interviewing Gwen Plano and John Howell. Gwen and John have just released a book that they co-authored called The Contract. I’m happy to have them both join me in a ‘he said/she said’ type of format.
You can catch up with all of my past author interviews (nearly 200) on my Author Directory page.
If you’re an author interested in being interviewed in this series, I still have limited spots available for 2018. You can email me at don@donmassenzio.com
Now, please enjoy this interview with Gwen Plano and John Howell:
Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
Gwen: This is an interesting question, Don. I write because I am…
Gwen and I are concluding our tour with a visit to Don Massenzio. Don is the author of the exciting Frank Rozzani detective series and is launching a new book titled Extra Innings. He also offers author services from his DSM Publications company. Check out his blog for more details.
The CONTRACT is a different story for writers John W. Howell and Gwen M. Plano. For either of them, it is their first attempt at co-authorship. After a year of Hurricane Harvey and other challenges, they have created, what they have termed, an inspirational thriller that bridges heaven and earth.
Here is the blurb:
The earth is threatened with a catastrophic political event which could result in international warfare and destroy all life on the planet. In heaven, a divine council decides that extraordinary measures are essential. They call for an intervention that involves two souls returning to earth…
Another week rolled by and the promise of a weekend to come. Today is the end of the blog tours for The Contract. Gwen and I have enjoyed interacting with all the tour hosts and all you fine folks who visited and commented. I want to once again thank everyone who volunteered their precious time to post information about the book. Also thanks to everyone who visited the twenty-six posts. I hope you found the hosts interesting enough to come back for more visits. After all, this line-up was the creme de la creme of the blogging community.
So how did The Contract do?
We were recognized by Amazon as the number one new release in several categories. In addition, we were recognized by Amazon as a hot new release internationally and in the US. We also managed to achieve a number one kindle position in the US and Australia. So, all in all, I say we had a pretty good run. We are currently sitting at number five in Kindle.
There are some that would like to tell you that blog tours don’t do much for sales. I think we have shown that the myth is just that, a myth. So here is one last thank you for all your hard work to each and everyone who made these results possible. Today’s John Ku is all about gratitude.
Today Gwen and I are visiting Mae Clair. Mae is very supportive of other authors and writes fascinating urban mystery stories. Currently, Mae is introducing her new book Cusp of Night which is getting a lot of attention and excellent reviews. Visit her site and check out some of her other books. You won’t be disappointed. Thank you, Mae. We know you are very busy and we so appreciate your help.
Today, I’m delighted to welcome John Howell and Gwen Plano as my guests with their new release, The Contract. I’ve read all of John’s previous work, plus Gwen’s amazing memoir, so it was a no-brainier to snatch this one up the moment it became available. I finished the story in two days and found it to be a thoroughly engaging read that combines intrigue, action, and even some romance. Here’s John and Gwen to share the details:
The CONTRACT between heaven and earth
By John W. Howell & Gwen M. Plano
Thank you, Mae, for inviting us to join you today. We are so grateful to be featured on your blog. We feel right at home exploring urban legends through mystery and suspense. Thank you!
Twiggy is off today. She is recovering from her spay surgery. She is fine just confined to the house. Lucy and Baily, on the other hand, have free rein.
As most of you know, I live on a barrier island of the South Coast of Texas. This year we have been suffering from a drought. Our rainfall is in a deficit condition. So we finally got some rain and today’s story is about two miscreant doggies.
Here is a photo of the pond behind our house. The water level is about twelve inches too low. This photo was taken on June 12th. That grey thing is a culvert pipe for the drains on the street.
As you can see with the rain, we had yesterday the pond is more than full.
Now on to Lucy and Bailey
“Bailey. What are you doing in that water?”
“I’d like to say the breaststroke, but it’s not deep enough.”
“For heaven’s sake Bailey the Boss is going to kill you.”
“It sure is fun, Lucy.”
“I think you ought to come out of there quick.”
“Um, just a few minutes.”
“Is that a frog, Bailey?”
“I’m not sure. Might even be a trout.”
“Move over. Let me look.”
“My goodness. Your white coat sure takes on the muddy hue, Lucy.”
“You are right. I have to go find some clean grass and clean up.”
“I would wait. I double dog guarantee Pops will be giving us a bath.”
“Looks like you are taking one now.”
“The beauty of a dark coat is the mud doesn’t show much, Lucy.”
“Of course when one is covered in mud.”
“You are in so much trouble, Bailey.”
“I think I have had enough.”
“You leaving?”
“Wait for me, Bailey.”
Yes, Bailey and Lucy did get baths, and yes they did have a good time.
Gwen and I are with Phil Taylor today. In addition to being in the running for the sexiest man alive and the funniest blogger on the planet, Phil is a talented writer. He is also very supportive of authors and does regular interviews of the rich and famous and the not so rich and famous. A visit to his blog will give you a taste of why Phil is someone to follow. Thank you for your support today, Phil.
Thank you, Phil, for inviting us to join you today. We are so excited to be featured on your blog: The Phil Factor, where sarcasm gets drunk and let’s its hair down. We promise to be on our best behavior and not take any silverware.
The CONTRACT is a different story for writers John W. Howell and Gwen M. Plano. For either of them, it is their first attempt at co-authorship. After a year of Hurricane Harvey and other challenges, they have created, what they have termed, an inspirational thriller that bridges heaven and earth.
Here is the blurb:
The earth is threatened with a catastrophic political event which could result in international warfare and destroy all life on the planet. In heaven…
I’m telling you, kid, its Wednesday. Friday is two days off.
Wednesday Story Day again. Last week we learned that a detective working on the Sandusky case was killed in an accident with a truck while he was on his way to church. Also, we witnessed Schmidt asking questions about Larry talking to his deceased wife. Before this confusion, Larry was going to contact the retired M.E. to determine if there is anything about the autopsy that wasn’t included in the report. I see Larry knocking on the M.E.’s door. Let’s go this should be good.
“Yeah, can I help you?”
“My name is Larry Dunfee with the Homicide Division, and I wonder if you have a few moments to speak with me?”
“Hold that badge closer will you detective. I don’t see as well as I used to.”
“No problem. Here you can hold it and the ID.”
“I assume you are a detective the way you are dressed.”
“Yes, sir. Homicide Division.”
“Yeah, that’s what your ID says too. What can I do for you?”
“Is there a place where we can talk?”
“Oh, my. Pardon my manners. Please come in.”
“Thank you. I have a case to discuss, and we should do so in private.”
“A case? Which one?”
“The Sandusky case.”
“You know I’m retired.”
“Yes, sir. After twenty-five years on the job.”
“And I never saw anything like it.”
“Like what sir?”
“Like a body without a heart and not a scratch on it.”
“That is why I wanted to talk to you. Is that possible?”
“I hardly think so. Would you like some coffee. I was just pouring a cup.”
“That would be terrific sir.”
“Call me Andrew. My name is Andrew. Sir makes me feel even older than I am.”
“Okay, Andrew. I wouldn’t want you feeling any older for sure.”
“Come into the kitchen. We can talk while I get us some coffee. You’ll have to excuse the place. I don’t get many visitors these days.”
“Looks swell to me.”
“The Mrs. would have my hide if she saw this.”
“She out of town?”
“In a manner of speaking. She passed a year ago.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry for your loss, Andrew.”
“Hit me hard. We were together for fifty years. I couldn’t believe it when she was gone.”
“I know how you feel. My wife passed a year ago as well.”
“I’ll be darned. What is the probability of two people in the same room having lost their wives a year ago? How long were you married?”
“Twenty-five years.”
“God that’s tough. At least I had more time with my Gina.”
“Gloria. My wife’s name is Gloria.”
“Both begin with a “G.”
“Hold on Doc. I’ve had enough on the fact our wives died a year ago. Let’s leave it at that.”
“As you say, Detective.”
“Call me Larry.”
“Do you take anything in your coffee, Larry?”
“Half and half and Splenda if you have it.”
“I take mine the same way. I’m sorry boy but there seems to be some kind of circumstance here, and you might as well go with it. Now, what about the Sandusky case?”
