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.

To Live Forever: An Afterlife Journey of Meriwether Lewis -A Review

September 16, 2014June 26, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 22 Comments

Just so we are clear, I don’t usually do reviews. I leave it up to the experts like Ionia Martin and Rosie Amber since they know what they are doing. I finished Andra Watkins book and was so impressed with the content I just couldn’t stop myself. I gave the book five stars and would have added a sixth if I could and yes, I decided to let you all know what I think. (dangerous I know)

I stayed up late night before last to finish Andrea’s wonderful book To Live Forever: An afterlife Journey of Meriwether Lewis. The reason I stayed up late is I could not put the book down for the last 20%. The book is so good the reader is compelled to continue as resolutely as possible to the end to see what happens. Of course, once finished then must deal with the remorse which comes with the realization the adventure is over.

The story is of Meriwether Lewis (yes, the explorer from the early eighteen hundreds) finding himself in the 1970’s with a job to do and if he does it well he may be released from his hellish position which is described in the book as Nowhere. Although to the casual observer who has not read this book this may seem a stretch. Let me assure you the author has done the ample research necessary to not only pull this juxtaposition of history off, but to make it perfectly logical and a story worth telling. The backstory is rich with the sense the author has experienced some out worldly inspiration to bring the kind of detail to the tale. After reading several chapters, the reader can discount any divine intervention and rely on the fact that the author does indeed know exactly what she is doing and has researched the facts thoroughly.

The narrative takes a unique two separate character first person point of view posture which lets the reader know exactly what the two main characters are feeling and thinking without getting into some kind of clumsy third-party voice that is unrealistic. The story is told in the present tense which is the best to involve the reader in the action and raise the tension level significantly. Not all authors can pull off this complex arrangement, Ms. Watkins does so flawlessly.

A final note. I would like to make about the story. The story itself is action packed and moves along at a pace that is very pleasing. Very little time is wasted on unnecessary prose so the reader is not held hostage to a writer’s own personal quirks on what is thought to be good writing. Trust that this is excellent writing and has all the elements of adventure, love, compassion, anger and compelling protagonists which can’t help, but become endearing to the reader. This book is for anyone who likes a good story well told.

You can find it here:

Amazon US Kindle version or
Amazon US Paperback
Amazon UK/Europe Kindle version
Amazon UK/Europe Paperback
Barnes & Noble Paperback
Also available in independent bookstores, including: Square Books in Oxford, MS; Parnassus Books in Nashville, TN; Landmark Booksellers in Franklin, TN, Reed’s Gum Tree Books in Tupelo, MS; and Turning Pages Books in Natchez, MS.

Top Things Not to Do While Working Outside

September 15, 2014June 26, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 34 Comments

It’s that time of the year again when certain outdoor chores have to be done in preparation for the coming change of seasons. The weather is finally turning a little cooler so the projects put off because of the heat can now be done. This list has been inspired by all the times I have not paid attention to the Top Ten Things Not to do While Doing Outdoor Work and is the 63^rd edition

The Top Ten Things Not to Do While Working Outdoors

10 If you need to fix or waterproof your outdoor deck, do not start the work after noon. If you do, at best you will have to work past dinner. At worst, you will quit the project only to find yourself doing the work in the snow.

9 If you need to go up on a ladder for anything, do not ask your spouse to spot you at the bottom of the ladder. At best, you may drop a tool which will be regrettable. At worst, your spouse may find themselves breaking your fall which will be unforgivable.

8 If you need to use a power tool, do not forget the safety glasses. If you do, at best you may get some debris in your eye. At worst, you might just get an exciting ride to the emergency room for significant eye repair.

7 If you need to use a chainsaw, do not try to saw off anything over your head. If you do, at best you may not be able to avoid a falling limb. At worst, you may find yourself trying to avoid a swinging chainsaw running at full speed.

6 If you need to paint anything, do not think a spray gun is the way to go if you have no experience. If you do, at best you may find the job harder than you expected. At worst, you may have covered the trees, shrubs and your car with the beautiful coral shade you are using.

5 If you decide to rent any kind of machinery to do your work, do not fail to read the directions. If you do forget or decide to ignore them, at best you may cause the machine to break down. At worst, you may find you and your machine in the living room when you actually intended to work on the driveway.

4 If you need to use any kind of grease on your project, do not fail to take off your shoes before entering the house. If you do forget, at best you might only have one small piece on your shoe. At worst, you will have walked all the way through the snow-white living room before you notice your tracks and hear the sound of a gun being cocked.

3 If you intend to fix any of the plumbing, do not forget to turn off the water. If you do forget at best you will get a face full and be drenched before you go and turn it off. At worst, you will wish you had built an ark before beginning the work and are now watching your belongings wash down the street.

2 If your project includes electrical work, do not forget to turn off the electricity to the item you are working on. If you do forget, at best you will cause some sparks and then go turn it off. At worst you will cause an arc of electricity with will melt the tool you are using and permanently clear your sinus while providing you with a full body hair removal treatment.

1 If you decide to dig in the yard to plant those big trees, do not forget to call the utilities to find out where all the lines are buried. If you do forget, at best you may accidentally cut your neighbor’s cable and they are a work at home IRS agent. At worst, you may cut more important lines and assume you survive you will be fighting the outage charges for the rest of your life.

Meet Guest Author John W. Howell

September 14, 2014 ~ John W. Howell ~ 4 Comments

I am pleased to guest post on Chris Graham’s’ supportive, indie author and publisher friendly blog. Thank you Chris for the opportunity to be present in the company of so many wonderful authors and of course, yourself.

Chris The Story Reading Ape's Blog

Tim Burdick First of all thank you Chris for allowing me the opportunity to talk about a subject which I have some familiarity, but not full understanding. I am, of course, referring to me. A basic introduction of who John W. Howell really is needs to start in Detroit Michigan. This is where I was born and yes continued to live there until my first job took me to another part of the state. Being as old as I am now has caused the childhood memories to be a bit fuzzy and I guess the first defining moment of my young life came when I was told my father had gone to heaven. I was ten years old and didn’t have a good idea of where heaven was or how I could visit him there. I soon became aware that what the family was trying to say is I would never see…

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Stream of Consciousness Saturday Prompt- Funny

September 13, 2014September 12, 2014 ~ John W. Howell ~ 13 Comments

The Stream of Consciousness Saturday prompt as put up on Linda Hill’s blog is funny. Could be funny strange or funny funny. Read about here: http://lindaghill.wordpress.com/2014/09/12/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-september-1314/ Here is my attempt to cover the prompt.(Pardon me I didn’t mean to create that alliteration. I can’t go back since this is Stream of Consciousness but I think it in itself is funny) Anyway the name of this piece is Funny Man. I hope you like it.

“You have to see this guy. He is the funniest stand up comic.”

“The funniest? That says something. Where is he appearing.’

“Right here. Right now.”

“What are you talking about Frank? You mean you?”

“Yes I mean me. I have a great routine. I’m telling you it is funny.”

“Bear with me if I’m not laughing, but you have never impressed me as someone who is particularly funny.”

“Okay, give me five bucks and I’ll show you.”

“Five bucks? You crazy?”

“Aw come on. I guarantee it will be worth it.”

“I know I will regret this, but okay here you go.”

“Thanks, Bill. Okay, here we go. This horse walks into a bar and goes up to the bartender, The bartender says, ‘Hey buddy why the long face?’”

“That’s it?”

“You get it, right? The horse has a long face and the bartender asks ‘why the long face?’”

“I get it Frank it’s just not funny.”

“How about the termite walks into the bar and says, ‘where’s the bartender?’”

“I hear crickets Frank. Give me my five back.”

“I thought they were funny.’

“You would Frank. You would.”

Friday JohnKu. TGIF

September 12, 2014September 5, 2014 ~ John W. Howell ~ 18 Comments

Friday is here. Happy days are here again, the sky above is clear again. Happy days are here again. Looks like we may all make the week. At least we have a good shot from this point. Eight hours and a margarita is mine. I have noticed a number of posts this week talking about the fall colors. Sitting here on the Gulf I really don’t get much change except for the lawn starts to turn pale with the shortening days. I do notice our Boxer Lucy is sleeping a little later since the sunrise is getting later each day. I think if we lived further North (like Scandinavia) she would never go to sleep in the summer. Today’s JohnKu (a term coined by Words4jp) is about season change. The title is Stay. I hope you like it

Stay by John W. Howell © 2104

The summer goes fast,

Makes room for the new colors. . .

Just wish it would stay.

Work Place Blog Hop

September 10, 2014June 26, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 32 Comments

The workplace Blog Hop post by Charles Yallowitz is intended to get some perspective of what our workplace looks like. You can read his post HERE

I have just recently moved my workplace from the dining room to an actual space which I can call my own. So I am very glad to show you all around.

Here is a picture of our cat Frankie waiting on my desk. One would think he is waiting to greet me and to wish me a joyous day of writing. No, what he really wants is to get fresh water from my glass and walk on my keyboard. The windows open to a view of a pond in the rear of the house. This is a third-floor location so the view also includes the Corpus Christi bay which is barely visible through the houses. Here is a photo of the view. The owl is not a pet, but is standing guard over the mourning doves.

This last photo is another view of the desk. The two doors off to the right lead out to the porch where some serious suntan and snooze time can be had. Needless to say, I don’t often go out there.

The item I can’t do without is music. I write while listening and it seems to keep me focused on my work. I especially enjoy Queen and have every one of their songs on a rotation. I also have a number of other favorites and basically hit shuffle. My iTune library is quite large and covers the sixties to present. Now for my nominees:

Now for my Tagees:

Wednesday Story – Hump Day

September 10, 2014September 5, 2014 ~ John W. Howell ~ 16 Comments

Wednesday again and time for a story. This week’s story involves our boy Frank actually trying to do a good deed for someone and getting a little bit overwhelmed. The title is Help and I hope you like it.

“So sir can I help you.”

“What makes you think I need help.”

“Well, you are sitting on the curb and you haven’t moved for the last ten minutes.”

“How do you know. Are you watching me?”

“Well no. I was just sitting on that bench over there having my lunch and noticed you sitting here with your feet in that mud puddle.”

“What’s your name anyway?”

“Frank. How about yours?”

“I don’t have a name you would understand. I was left here from another planet. Now get outta here and leave me alone.”

“Another planet? Which one.”

“Yeah right. You get me to tell where and you go there and turn me in.”

“Turn you in? Turn you in to who?”

“To whom. To whom. Turn in to whom. Damn, I have to listen to the language being slaughtered after ten years of lessons. Just makes you want to spit.”

“Okay sir. I get it. You are a crank and you want to be left alone. Here take this.”

“What’s that?”

“It’s five bucks. Maybe you can get enough wine to kill yourself you old goat.”

“Wine? I don’t drink wine. I’m an officer in the imperial force. We don’t have time for wine.”

“Whatever. Do you want the fiver or not?’

“Not Frank”

“Okay then I tried. See you around old man.”

“Agent Zorra. You okay?”

“Yeah, I never thought that guy would leave.I’m glad I kept my helmet on being under water all this time and holding onto your feet. Pull me out of this water will Ya.”

“The next time we do a transport, I hope you pick a dry spot.’

“Who would have thought a pothole in New York would swallow our ship? I think we better tell Zamboo we have a problem.”

Rave Reviews Spotlight Author Tour – Tamie Dearen

September 9, 2014June 26, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 22 Comments

I want to Welcome Tamie Dearen to Fiction Favorites. She is being honored by Rave Reviews Book Club as a spotlight author. She is now on tour and I am so happy one of her chosen stops is here. She is the author of the critically acclaimed Best Girls Series. Her latest release is Best Foot Forward. The first of the series is Best is Yet to Come. Best is Yet to Come. All can be seen and bought here on Amazon. So Tamie the blog is yours.

Hi! I’m Tamie Dearen—wife, mother, grandmother, dentist, Jesus-lover, musician, composer, and author (as of 2013). I’ve published four books and a novella in The Best Girls Series, and one Young Adult Fantasy, Alora: The Wander-Jewel. As a relatively new author, I’ve found Rave Reviews Book Club to be a great resource for information and a wonderful place for mutual support. I thought I’d share this fun poem.

The City of Flout

I must say, I dare say, it was quite a shock

When I heard that Count Koffner had stolen the lock,

The lock that protected the City of Flout

Kept the good people in and the bad people out

I knew it the minute I opened the door

And saw laughing and dancing and people galore.

So I asked them, “Who did this? Who opened the gate?

Why didn’t you stop him before ‘twas too late?”

The answered, “’Twas taken by some tall dark feller.”

So I set out to find him, in attic or cellar.

I searched for to find him and put him in jail.

I searched for three days, but ‘twas to no avail.

And meanwhile the people so much I did pity

For the terrible things that went on in that city.

The bad people flocked in by hundreds each day

And I, though the mayor, had nothing to say.

They brought toys for the young and books for the old

And jewels in lockets of silver and gold.

There was feasting—what feasting—they ate and they ate.

But what could I do with no lock on the gate?

Then one day I saw in the midst of a crowd

Count Koffner proposing a toast right out loud.

“A toast,” he said, “to the City of Flout,

The most wonderful place in the world without doubt!”

I rushed to Count Koffner and cut off his head.

Then I shot him three times to make sure he was dead.

And then I chased all of the bad people out

And locked up the gates to the City of Flout.

Now the laughing and dancing and feasting are o’er.

The children don’t play with their toys anymore.

I burned all the books and the jewels in lockets.

I searched every home and I emptied all pockets.

But even though everything’s normal again,

With the bad people out and the good people in.

For some silly reason, I really can’t wait

Until somebody else steals the lock from the gate.

By Tamie Dearen

Follow

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TamieDearen

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tamie-Dearen/1384772145109650

Website: http://tamiedearen.weebly.com/

Amazon Author Page:

http://www.amazon.com/Tamie-Dearen/e/B00FS21B4Y/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=undefined&sr=1-2-ent

Top Ten Things Not to Do While Drinking

September 8, 2014June 26, 2024 ~ John W. Howell ~ 19 Comments

This is the 62^nd installment of Ten Things Not to Do. This was inspired by seeing some very strange things happen on the beach over Labor Day. I hope you enjoy.

Top Ten Things Not to Do When You Have Been Drinking.

10. If you have been drinking, do not think the soft sand on the beach will prevent you from serious injury as you fall out of the back of your ten foot high monster truck. If you do, at best you’ll get a nasty bump. At worst, you may end up buried up to your neck upside down.

9, If you have been drinking, do not think your four-wheel drive Hemi V8 will pull you out of the surf. If you do, At best you might need to figure out how to get towed back to reality. At worst, you may be the new captain of the good ship Dodge Tough that is slowly going down for the last time.

8. If you have been drinking, do not stand up in the back of your pickup truck yelling an offer to trade beads for bras. If you do, at best you may be spotted by the beach patrol and given a PI ticket. At worst, you may be asked to pay an additional amount in the form of tooth contribution for the poor judgment you have demonstrated by a band of unappreciative Hells Angles.

7. If you have been drinking, do not think doing donuts in the sand with your diesel powerhouse is entertainment for all who watch. If you do, at best you might eventually get stuck to the relief of everyone on the beach. At worst, trying to get unstuck will only see your high-powered monster bury itself well below the place where it will cost more than $500.00 to tow you out.

6. If you have been drinking, do not think the world wants to join you in a skinny dip. If you do at best, the cooler water will bring you to a point where you now realize your mistake and a friendly person will bring your swimsuit to you.. At worst, you will be spending the rest of the day in the water waiting for nightfall so you can finally sneak back to your swimsuit.

5. If you have been drinking, do not think the fire which you intend to build is not big enough. If you do, at best you won’t be able to find any more wood. At worst, you will look high and low for objects that will burn including; beach chairs, tents and tons of beer cans only to discover they don’t.

4, If you have been drinking, do not think you can play beach volleyball as good as the people who are younger than you. If you do, at best the next morning will point out your limitations for the next time. At worst, you may pull several unused muscles and windup at the ER to get straightened out.

3. If you have been drinking, do not think you can fish from the back of your truck way after the tide has come in. If you do, at best you may be there until the tide goes out again. At worst, you may not be there since the tide was stronger than your truck.

2. If you have been drinking, do not think the rest of the beach would enjoy your Dr. Dre turned up to the pain level. If you do you, at best you may get a visit from a big neighbor asking you to turn it down. At worst, you may find your sound system being tested for its water resistance.

1. If you have been drinking, do not get behind the wheel of that monster wagon with the intent to drive home. If you do, at best you might be caught for a DUI. At worst, you may actually be responsible for the injury or death of an innocent person or animal.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt

September 6, 2014September 5, 2014 ~ John W. Howell ~ 8 Comments

The Stream of Consciousness Saturday, prompt for this week is re-. After the re the writer can to anything with it. I have to admit these prompts are starting to get real esoteric. The fact I enjoy esoteric makes me like them. If you want to know more go to Linda Hill’s site and check it out right here: http://lindaghill.wordpress.com/2014/09/05/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-september-614/

So here is my impression of re-. The title is Rewind. I hope you like it.

“So what the hell you doing?”

“trying to get this thing to work.”

“What is it?”

“Can’t you see it’s a lamp?”

“No I can’t see it’s a lamp. Doesn’t even look like a lamp. Looks like something out of

“Hello. Wasn’t that a lamp?”

“W-Well yes, I guess─”

“You guess? Don’t you know what I have here?”

“Tell me Frank.”

“This is the damn lamp from

“Yeah, okay Frank. You go boy.”