Come read Sally’s reviews of D.G Kaye, Lyn Horner, and My GRL. Thank you so much, Sally, for the lovely review.
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.
The Convict and the Rose, on Lisa Burton Radio #RRBC
Super interview of Luke Stone on Lisa Burton’s site. Great series of books by Jan Sikes.
Welcome to another edition of Lisa Burton Radio. I’m your host, Lisa the robot girl. We just got finished saying goodbye to one year, and welcoming the new one. People end the year like a chapter in a book, and look forward with hope to a clean slate in the new year. Some people don’t have that luxury. If you were incarcerated, you might mark off the old year for a completely different reason, and that’s what today’s show is about.
If I timed this out right, and I always do, my call should be coming right about now… “Hello, this is Lisa.”
“You’re receiving a call from inmate Luke Stone, from the United States Penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas. Do you accept the charges?”
“Yes.”
“Good morning, Lisa. Thanks for accepting the collect call. Since they don’t allow us inmates to have any money, it’s hard to use the…
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Thursday – A Little Personal – My GRL New Cover Preview
As you may know, I will be launching a revised edition of My GRL. The reason this is necessary is that my contract with the publisher expires in 2017. I got word this week that the old edition of My GRL will be pulled from distribution on March 1st. The new edition will go up on the same day. I thought I would give you a look at the cover. It follows the convention established on His Revenge and Our Justice. I hope you like it.
My only challenge is trying to work out how to save the Fifty-Nine reviews. I have asked Amazon for advice. I know It’s like going to the IRS for tax advice but I don’t have anywhere else to go. They did respond with the information that all I have to do is inform them of the old ISBN number and the new. They will then restore all the existing reviews.
Wednesday Story Day – AKA Hump Day
Oh my goodness. Last week we witnessed poor Lucas on the horns of a dilemma. He was being asked inside the house of his employer by Alice Weston. Now Alice clearly does not have the best intentions and Lucas has a bit of a problem. Should he violate a trust he has with the Widow Murphy and fall into whatever Alice has in mind? Should Lucas tell Alice no and incur her wrath? Should he think of a different way out of this mess? Let’s go find out which way Lucas heads.
“You want me to come inside, Mrs. Weston. Just for a drink of water right?”
“Why Lucas Saveride I declare what else would I have on my mind?”
“I-I’m not sure. I know if I go into Mrs. Murphy’s house without her permission I will get into trouble.”
“Oh, nonsense. She won’t care.”
“How about a drink from the hose over there?”
“I’m not a common labor or who drinks from hoses. Uh, no offense.”
“None taken. If you had more on your mind than water I have a suggestion.”
“More? Like what more?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe something stronger than water.”
“A bit early for that isn’t it?”
“Depends on what goes with the something stronger.”
“If I didn’t know better I would say you are trying to seduce me you, bad boy.”
“I kinda like being in control. I got the same feeling before from you.”
“You make me blush, Lucas. So what is your suggestion?”
“I have a little place not far from here. We could go and have a drink and let the rest of the story be told after that.”
“I could be persuaded. Do you have any gin?”
“We can pick some up.”
“I don’t know what you think of me. I’ve never even thought about doing this before.”
“I know. Let’s just call it my idea. I just noticed when the sun hits your hair you look like a princess.”
“For heaven’s sake Lucas. I’ll drive.”
Tuesday – Anything Possible – Mystery Blogger Award.
A couple of days ago I was tagged in Lennon Carlyle’s Blog for the Mystery Blog Award. I normally do not do awards, but since I have enjoyed Lennon’s blog so much I should recognize her efforts to make me famous. Also, her questions are a whole lot of fun so let’s get started
Rules for nominees of the Mystery Blog Award:
Put the award logo/ picture on your blog – Done
List the rules – Done
Thank whoever nominated you and provide a link to their blog – Thank you, Lennon Carlyle.
Mention the creator of the award and link their blog too. – See below
Tell your readers three things about yourself – See below
You have to nominate 10-20 people – I nominate all my followers. (Now I’m in no trouble with anyone and in trouble with everyone)
Notify your nominees by commenting on their blog – Here is the notification
Ask your nominees any five questions of your choice, weird or funny question (mention)
Share your link to your best post
Thank you to Okoto Enigma for creating this award.
Three Random Facts about me:
1: Writing is my passion, and I do it every day. I have to meter the time I spend writing since my family has hinted at some comparisons to “The Shining.”
2: I enjoy walking on the beach and feel very fortunate that I can do it every day. The time spent there is golden regarding creativity.
3: I hardly ever wear shoes. The only time I’m forced into shoes is when I have to travel or attend a meeting. I try to stick to boat shoes but occasionally I must follow convention and put on shiny black cap-toed oxfords which are just not me anymore.
Here are the questions that Lennon Carlyle has asked.
1.) What’s your favorite concert you’ve ever went to and why is it your favorite? I attended an Elvis Presley concert that proved to be my favorite. He was the Elvis that we came to know toward the end of his life. He was overweight and appeared a little uncomfortable but did he ever sing his heart out. His rendition of “My Way” brought the house down as it was so sincere and from the heart. He died shortly after.
2.) Have you ever done something shameful but don’t regret it? If so, feel like sharing that deep secret with us? It is not such a deep secret but was shameful. I slapped a guy who was hitting his young boy. He was a neighbor, and I could not stand by and witness his so called discipline. I asked him to stop, and when he told me to mind my business, I hit him. This was at a neighborhood function, and I was criticized for interfering. I never regretted it for a moment.
3.) If you won the lottery what would you do? Where would you live? What would you buy? Would you give some to charity and if so, what would that charity be? If I won the lottery, I would donate a fat percentage to Austin Boxer Rescue. They do so much good work on behalf of abused animals that I would like to support further efforts. I think I would establish a legal fund that could be used to prosecute those who believe animals are inferior to humans and therefore okay to mistreat. The rest I would save and spend a little on advertising in the New York Times on behalf of my books. I don’t need to move or buy anything so that would be about it.
4.) Do you cook? If so, what’s the best thing you cook and can you share the recipe with us possibly? Please???? I do cook. I have been told the best thing is Clams Linguini. Here is the recipe.
Although fresh clams and clam juice are the best, this also works with the canned variety. This recipe serves two
Ingredients:
Four cloves of garlic smashed and chopped
Two small cans of Snows clams
About two tablespoons of olive oil (I usually do two turns around the pan
One-half teaspoon salt
One-eighth cup of Kosher salt
Two tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Heat the olive oil on medium high in a ten-inch pan and add the garlic. Keep stirring to make certain the garlic doesn’t burn. Open the cans of clams and add the liquid to the garlic. Reserve the clams for later. Add the teaspoon of salt and reduce the heat to low and cook until thick (About fifteen minutes). Use a small spatula to continually pull the sauce from the sides of the pan. In the meantime get a big ole pot and bring the water (at least two quarts) to a boil. Add the kosher salt and when dissolved the Linguini (enough for two). Cook according to directions on the pasta box. Once your sauce is thickened, add the clams and allow to heat. (Two minutes) Add the chopped parsley and cook one more minute.
Drain and rinse your Linguini, Spoon into two bowls, top with the sauce divided evenly. You can also put parmesan cheese on the side. I would sever with a simple salad and crusty bread. Oh yes, also a terrific bottle of wine. If you use fresh clams buy a bottle of clam juice and make the sauce as above. Steam the clams until opened then chop all but a few. Add the clams to the sauce and serve with the remaining shelled clams.
5.) Do you have any special plans for 2017 or hopes? I am relaunching my first book My GRL in March and then my fourth book titled Circumstances of Childhood assuming it survives the beta readers. My hope for 2017 is that life becomes better for all of us. Although maybe not possible I can hope, can’t I?
Here are my questions for anyone who would like to participate.
- What is the best thing you ever ate and why?
- Who has helped you the most in figuring out life in general or a skill specifically?
- What is your greatest pleasure and why?
- Where do you see yourself in ten years?
- If you could, who would you want to be for a day?
Top Ten Excuses Not to Use For Skipping Work
The inspiration for this list comes from the memory of having to return to the day job after a long weekend like we are having now. It seems the wounds are just beginning to heal and it is time to go back to battle only to be reopened again. This list has been developed so that the temptation to stay home on Tuesday is successfully avoided.
Top Ten Excuses Not to Use For Skipping Work
10 If you want to skip work, do not tell the boss your dog ate your driver’s license. If you do, at best your boss will wonder why you can’t take public transportation. At worst, your boss will send a car only to discover that you are still in your pajamas. (What made you think the boss was going to be working and allow you to stay home huh, Bunky?)
9 If you want to skip work, do not call in holding your nose to support your sickness claim. If you do, at best the boss will think you were overserved over the holiday. At worst, you will get a call from human resources with your appointment at the substance abuse treatment center. (That went well didn’t it, Bosco?)
8 If you want to skip work, do not blame the weather for not getting to the office. If you do, at best you will be the only one not at the office. At worst, the weather that you thought was going to hit your town moved out of the area. (Here you are looking at the sun trying to explain the absence of snow, sleet, and ice. Better luck next time, Buford.)
7 If you want to skip work, do not blame a mechanical failure of your auto. If you do, at best some boss sycophant will volunteer to come get you. At worst, you’ll be at the drive through for lunch, and your boss will be in the car behind you. (At least you got the morning before you magically made the repair. Right Bucky?)
6 If you want to skip work, do not pretend you are out-of-town, and the planes are all grounded. If you do, at best there will be some bad weather somewhere, and you picked it right. At worst, just after hanging up with the boss, a newscast will come on extolling the fact that for the first time ever there were no flight delays. (Well, you will have an additional story to tell tomorrow. Right Bud. How about the fact that your plane was hijacked?)
5 If you want to skip work, do not use the excuse that your spouse is ill and needs care. If you do, at best the sympathy calls will give you little rest. At worst, the knowledge of the collection at work and the bouquet of flowers that shows up in the afternoon convince you to quit. (This was not the outcome you wanted. Or was it. Roscoe?)
4 If you want to skip work, do not report to the boss that you are telecommuting. If you do, at best you will get some additional assignments and be forced to work anyway. At worst, you will get a critical call that goes unanswered which triggers a massive shutdown of IT systems. (You forgot about the fail-safe hacking control. It is a shame since you set it up, Bubba)
3 If you want to skip work, do not report you have an off-site meeting with a customer. At best, you can always say the client canceled the meeting. At worst, you get a call from the boss who decided to meet you at the customer’s office letting you know the client is in Bangkok. (Now is the time to try to carry off the fact that you are in Bangkok as well. Good luck with that, Rube)
2 If you want to skip work, do not set up an elaborate scheme that includes throwing a punch at Tiny the WWF Champion. If you do, at best the detailed plan will fall through. At worst, your stay in the hospital will not compensate for the one day off. (Why you decided to throw a punch at Tiny is still being debated in the halls of the company. You did pick up some street cred, though, Buddy.)
1 If you want to skip work, do not enlist fellow workers as co-conspirators in whatever excuse you decide to use. If you do, at best you will owe the favor. At worst, the boss will get a confession out of the weakest link, and you will be given up in a heartbeat. (I guess you could have predicted the result. Couldn’t you Sucker?)
Views of the Neighborhood
This week’s walk in the neighborhood took two separate visits to Paradise Pond. The first was during the Thanksgiving holiday and the second yesterday. The reason I had to make two visits was I wanted to get a photo of the resident ducks and so waiting until I received a new lens for Christmas was a must. I could never get close enough to capture them before. I hope you enjoy the visit.
Paradise Pond is located near the downtown area and is a bird sanctuary supported by gifts from the Holt family.
This Photo will give you an idea of the walkway constructed so that interested parties can walk back to the pond
The walkway leads to the pond which you can see in the background
Here we are. Notice the algae and the unkempt appearance? This pond is to remain natural, so this good growth is healthy. (The sky was much prettier on the first visit)
Here is another shot with some ducks coming on the scene
Here is the reason I returned. This family of ducks has a lunch and bath time.
I also managed to score a chickadee in a tree (excuse the alliteration)
This board is in place so that bird and nature watchers can provide each other with sightings. I noticed some idiot wrote a sighting of Fiction Favorites. (I made the idiot erase the graffiti before we left)
This sign indicates that the pond is undergoing some new plantings.
Here is an example of some of the work. The tree has a support and you can see little red flags by the new seedlings. I think they will try to save the tree otherwise they would have cut it down.
I hope you enjoyed this little stroll. Happy New Year
Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt “First/Last”
Happy New Year. It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again. This week’s prompt is “first/last.” Linda Hill says we can use the two words or definition for the words. There is an extra credit possibility by beginning the post with “First/Beginning/Start etc. and ending the post with “Last/End etc. If you would like to try this kind of thing go to Linda’s post and read the rules. Here is the link https://lindaghill.com/2016/12/30/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-dec-3116/
First/Last by John W. Howell © 2016
“First, as a beginning, I want to start this lecture with a story.”
“Excuse me, professor.”
“Yes, Mr. uh.”
“Tompkins sir.”
“Yes, Mr. Tompkins what can I do for you.”
“Well, sir I’m a little confused on your opening statement.”
“Confused?”
“Yes, sir. You began your lecture saying the same thing three times.”
“I did now. Well please illuminate for the rest of the class and me as to your meaning.”
“Uh you said ‘first as a beginning, I want to start this lecture with a story.”‘
“I believe you are quoting me correctly, Mr. Tompkins. What is your question?”
“Is it not true that First, beginning, and start have the same meaning?”
“In the context of my statement absolutely not.”
“Can I ask for an explanation then.”
“Yes, my son I am happy to explain. By first I meant the number one thing to accomplish. Beginning in my statement meant to prioritize. Finally, the word start said where the priority would begin. So as you can see, they are not the same.”
“I have to beg to differ, sir.”
“But young man. I hold the keys to your success in this class.”
“But professor—”
“I think the discussion is over for now.”
“Can I add one more point?”
“I don’t see how the time spent on this is significant.”
“I need to understand.”
“See me when I have said my last and the lecture is at an end.”
Friday JohnKu – AKA TGIF
The last Friday of the year. Hard to believe isn’t it? I imagine everyone is looking forward to a great New Year weekend. I hope all you who still have day jobs get Monday off. I remember how nice it was to have that Monday off. It made the week go fast and was very useful if I happen by chance to get into the condition of having too much fun over the weekend. (never happened. Ha ha ha)
Today’s JohnKu is another wish. This is the second part of the pair that was published last week.
Another Wish by John W. Howell © 2016
To all those, I’ve touched,
To those who remain in heart . . .
A happy New Year.
Calling all authors…again
If you would like to be interviewed by Don Massenzio here is what you need to do. Don’s interview feature is very popular, so I wouldn’t wait too long.
In 2016, I had the distinct pleasure of posting interviews with over 80 authors in a 6-month period. I want to do this again in 2017. My 20 Questions series was one of the post popular features on my blog.
If you are an author and you want to be interviewed on my blog, this is an invitation to do so. The format for this year’s interviews will be to ask you ten questions. The questions have a bit more depth than my 20 question format from last year. They are also designed to tell us more about you and your process as an author. Many of my followers are also authors and I would like this interview to be informative as well as promotional.
After answering the 10 questions, I’m giving you an opportunity to promote whatever book or books you would like to.
I’m planning on posting the…
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