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.

TC Slonaker –Virtual Book Tour

April 6, 2014April 4, 2014 ~ John W. Howell ~ 2 Comments

Author of The Angelmen Series

The Angelmen Series chronicles the discovery of four leaders of the long forgotten race of the Nephilim who have just been identified by the enemy. Satan wants to activate his army of old to boost his chances in the final battle against all that is God. God is determined to rescue his people, who, although originally propagated by the meeting of demons and women, became more human than angelic other than a few latent powers activated in the presence of one another. God will not save them without the obedience of a sacrifice. Will the leaders work together to save their race from Satan’s regime? Who will be the sacrifice?

Amity of the Angelmen:

Paperback: 242 pages

Publisher: Martin Sisters Publishing (December 30, 2012)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1937273857

ISBN-13: 978-1937273859

Amity David is the first angelman to learn of her new heritage. As a pastor’s daughter, this seventeen-year-old student doesn’t think there is much she has not already learned about God and His plans. Her own personal angel has come to tell her she’s wrong. The mission she is given flies in the face of her quiet life and can only be sorted out with the help of the young priest, Mackenzie Abel, who wants to help Amity solve her identity crisis to avoid his own. Mackenzie sends Amity on her way to complete her mission, not knowing how much more God will ask of him in this war as well.

http://www.amazon.com/Amity-Angelmen-T-C-Slonaker/dp/1937273857/

Asher of the Angelmen:

Paperback: 228 pages

Publisher: Martin Sisters Publishing (January 31, 2014)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 162553065X

ISBN-13: 978-1625530653

Nothing could stop Asher Andrews. The high school football and track star was on his way to stardom as a professional athlete. One day in October, however, his life made an interesting twist as he was told by an angel that he’s only partly human. His new life as an angelman would involve finding Amity, finding love, and protecting the Cause. Realizing how lonely his fame had made him, Asher was ready to accept his mission. However, demons were sent to bring the angelman down before he could complete his mission.

Nothing could stop Asher Andrews… but the forces of Satan would surely try.

http://www.amazon.com/Asher-Angelmen-2-T-C-Slonaker/dp/162553065X/

Author Bio:

After finishing a career as a teacher to stay at home raising children, T.C. Slonaker found herself with many hours of to fill with thoughts and books. She began filling those hours by running outside on the trail with books on her iPod. After completing the Chronicles of Narnia books, she was determined to also give light to God’s story through allegorical writing about curious creatures. The idea came to her to start a series about the Nephilim to show a story of God’s redemption.

When she’s not writing, T.C. enjoys sports such as baseball and football, riding her bike and running, and spending time with her husband and three kids at their home in South Central Pennsylvania. And if any of that could be done on the beach at the Jersey shore with a bowl of ice cream, so much the better.

http://www.amazon.com/T.C.-Slonaker/e/B00AX8Q7AQ/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6883683.T_C_Slonaker

http://protectthecause.weebly.com/

Friday is the best Day for a Haiku and a Margarita

April 4, 2014 ~ John W. Howell ~ 31 Comments

Been a long week for me. How about you. Well one of the nice things about a fairly tough week when Friday finally comes, it is cause for celebration. Of course, most of us have to define tough within the same context as our overall life profile. For some, tough may be defined as not being able to find a parking place in front of our favorite lunch spot and actually having to pay for valet. For others it may be going without several meals for several days. It is kind of strange how our lives take on a standard of normal. I guess we have Maslow and the hierarchy of needs to thank for that. Once basic needs are met the human condition dictates that we try to move up the hierarchy until we achieve what we consider to be the top. Of course, if we somehow find ourselves where basic needs are not being met, we go right back to the basics. Enough of the social theory for now. You came for the Haiku and here it is.

Life is hard for some,

For others it is so easy. . .

Until things go wrong.

The Tophat Raven Art and Literary Magazine – Issue Two Now Available

April 2, 2014 ~ John W. Howell ~ 13 Comments

If you have not had a look at The Tophat Raven Art and Literary Magazine yet, I would suggest you go HERE and check it out. The magazine is on-line and is chock full of poetry, art, stories and photos. It is really something to occupy many moments of pleasurable reading. Oh yes, I should mention one of my stories titled The Card is included and starting on page 20. I was so delighted when informed my story submission was selected and I’m sure you will be delighted in reading issue two as well.

Wednesday – Mid Week Story Day

April 2, 2014March 28, 2014 ~ John W. Howell ~ 21 Comments

Wednesday is upon us again and time for a story. Please tell me if this Wednesday thing is too routinized cause if it is, I sure don’t want to keep busting my hump (heh heh worked it in) on the day to create something you don’t like. After all this blog is not for me . . . hold on. Wait this blog is for me. What am I saying? I have been reading too much about how to write an interesting blog. I’m starting to get sensitive to what I think y’all would like to see. STUFF THAT. I need to tell a story about a sensitive man in an insensitive world and that’s what I’m going to do. The title is “Hey You” I really do hope you like it.

“Hey you. Where you going?”

“I was just going to get a bite to eat.”

“You can’t leave the room. Your number hasn’t been called.”

“Yeah, but I’m really hungry. I haven’t had a thing to eat all day.”

“Well that is your problem you were told to bring a lunch.”

“Yes I know, but you see my wife is in the hospital and I went to see her this morning and didn’t have time to grab a lunch.”

“Still not my problem chief. Now go sit down before I need to call someone.”

“She’s very sick and I have a couple of kids that need to be cared for as well.”

“Sure we all have kids. I will ask you to sit one more time before I call security.”

“Okay I am sitting. No need to get anyone else in here.”

“So where is your wife?”

“She is in Mercy hospital. She came down with the flu and then it got worse.”

“That’s not good. Where are the kids?”

“We have a sitter who comes in.”

“Well that’s good. At least they are not alone. What is your number anyway?”

“Uh, let me get it. Here it is, number sixty-five.”

“Oh man. They are only on twenty-one. You have quite a wait. Tell you what. You go grab some lunch and promise me you’ll be back in a half hour.”

“Oh sir that is so nice of you.”

“Yeah well, don’t mention it and don’t tell anybody.”

“Okay I will just slip out.”

“Go ahead.”

“Hey where is that guy going?

“He needs to go see a sick wife. What’s it to you?”

“Well I know he is number sixty-five and I am sixty-six. If he doesn’t come back then my number will be up when possibly I wouldn’t have been served today.”

“Yeah so?”

“I know this euthanasia for science research thing is voluntary and the money is good, but I don’t think I am ready to go through with it.”

“Shoulda thought of that before you signed the contract. Now go sit down.”

It’s No Joke – Memoirs of a Dilettante Volume One is NOW AVAILABLE

April 1, 2014 ~ John W. Howell ~ 1 Comment

Here is all the info you need to buy Helena Hann-Basquiat’s book (released today) and also a fun sounding contest.

Top Ten Things Not to Do When Playing Sports with Friends

March 31, 2014March 28, 2014 ~ John W. Howell ~ 19 Comments

Here is the 39th installment of Ten Top Lists of What Not to Do by Marie Ann Bailey of 1WriteWay at http://1writeway.com and John W. Howell of Fiction Favorites at http://johnwhowell.com. These lists are simu-published on our blogs each Monday. We hope you enjoy.

Top Ten Things Not to do When Bowling, Golfing, Playing Tennis or Eight Ball with Friends

10. When playing sports with friends, do not laugh at a missed shot. If you do, at best, they may laugh at you in turn. At worst, you may be wearing an imbedded racket, club or bowling ball on your trip to the hospital.

9. When playing sports with friends, do not play doubles with your spouse as a partner. If you do, at best, you will have a small argument about the missed shot. At worst, you might just end up asking your friends for a marriage counselor recommendation before the game is over.

8. When playing sports with friends, do not try to adjust the score to make your team look better. If you do, at best, you will get caught and look foolish. At worst, you may just win as a result of cheating and will need to atone for your indiscretion someday.

7. When playing sports with friends, do not try to avoid paying your fair share of the expenses. If you do, at best, you will be eventually found out and will have to pay anyway. At worst, your friend s will figure out a way to stick you with a bill someday which will require a bank loan to cover.

6. When playing sports with friend, do not purposefully try to outspend them on equipment and clothing. If you do, at best, your play quality will need to match your clothing and equipment price. At worst, your friends will come to some conclusion about your self-esteem which may or may not be accurate.

5. When playing sports with friends, do not drink too much alcohol especially if you are playing mixed doubles. If you become over-served, at best, you may be the cause for the loss of the game. At worst, you may just lose all inhibitions and decide to tell your friends and spouse what you really think of their playing ability, which will make for a quiet ride home and bad morning after.

4. When playing sports with friends, do not come up with the idea to put money on the game. If you do, at best, you will only win a few dollars. At worst, you may lose a few friends.

3. When playing sports with friends, do not set yourself up as the rule cop. If you do, at best, everyone will get tired of your reminders. At worst, you may find yourself gagged and tied up on the twelfth green with a note to the grounds keeper to let you go if you promise not to say anything more about rules.

2. When playing sports with friends, do not be the one who decides which game to play. If you do, at best, you will be blamed if the events turn out badly. At worst, you might be forced into a role of peace keeper since everyone will assume the thing went badly because you suggested it.

1. When playing sports with friends, try to remember the purpose of the game is to have fun. If you don’t, at best, you will be miserable. At worst, all those around you will be miserable as well and may not want to play with you anymore.

Book Review: A Pleasantly Different Kind of Thriller

March 30, 2014 ~ John W. Howell ~ 11 Comments

Really well done and thoughtful review of My GRL by Marie Ann Bailey.

Marie at 1 Write Way

John W. Howell’s new novel, My GRL, is a pleasantly different kind of thriller. The hero, John D. Cannon, lacks a few of the standard hero qualities that you might expect in a thriller novel. He doesn’t seek out danger. In fact, at one point, danger has to literally run him off the road and onto the beach to get his attention. Cannon is somewhat naive as well, especially when it comes to women. He takes them at face value, trusting them in spite of all the red flags they wave in his face. [Ahem, Mr. Cannon, when a woman tells you she had great fun infiltrating another company while pretending to be someone else, in effect, SPYING, you might want to put your trust in her on hold for a bit.] Cannon is also one of the most polite, respectful, and well-adjusted heroes I’ve ever met, and he’s…

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Come to Letum Wood… Brand new release by Katie Cross

March 29, 2014 ~ John W. Howell ~ 4 Comments

Here is a cleaver announcement of Katie Cross’ new release Miss Mabel’s School for Girls by Olivia Stocum author of Moon Stone. While you are at it you could pick up both (the books that is) All the info you need is in the post.

Olivia Stocum Romance Fiction

The absolutely awesome Katie cross has released her first novel, a YA fantasy, Miss Mabel’s School for Girls.

<BEEP> THIS HAS BEEN A TEST OF THE EMERGENCY BROADCAST SYSTEM. IF THIS HAD BEEN AN ACTUAL EMERGENCY, YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN TOLD TO HEAD DIRECTLY TO AMAZON TO BUY MISS MABEL’S SCHOOL FOR GIRLS>

Oh, go over there and buy it anyway!

It’s not like it’s the Zombie Apocalypse and you don’t have time to read because your too busy trying to stay alive. (or dead as the case may be)

Here’s what it looks like. So, you don’t mistake it for something else. (You know, something not nearly as cool that might disappoint you, then causing you to write your first ever one star review, that then has the author calling the police and having a restraining order put out against you. I mean, you wouldn’t want THAT, now would you?)

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Friday, Friday, Friday Woo Woo slap – Ahem Haiku Time.

March 28, 2014March 22, 2014 ~ John W. Howell ~ 24 Comments

Making it to the end of the workweek doesn’t necessarily mean we can totally forget our jobs over the weekend. Imagine if you will (Rod Serling visual here) the prospect of having to re-learn everything you knew last Friday when you return to work on Monday. Also think of the pain of learning how some of your job sucks all over again as well. This week’s Haiku looks at the idea of completely forgetting ones work over the weekend.

Out of bed Monday,

Can’t remember what I do . . .

Hope I’m a doctor.

Have a great weekend

Look Out it is Wednesday – Story Day

March 26, 2014March 22, 2014 ~ John W. Howell ~ 14 Comments

Wednesday is as Wednesday Does which is basically the job to provide hope the week will eventually reach Friday. Once Wednesday is over, it is just one wake-up till Friday which we all believe we can endure. After all, what is one twenty-four hour day between the workweek and our precious weekend? Wednesday is also story day here on Fiction Favorites. Today’s story explores the concept of show time which is something we all have some concern about during the week if we plan on attending an event on the weekend. I hope you enjoy it.

“What time did you say the show starts?”

“Not sure I said, but it is eight o’clock.”

“Oh good. That gives us some time to grab a bite to eat before.”

“Well I’m not sure you should eat before.”

“Not eat before? Are you kidding? Eight o’clock is way past my dinner time.”

“Yeah I understand, but sometimes you should try to break out of your routine and do something different.”

“What do you mean routine?”

“Well you insist on eating dinner at six-thirty. I would think just this once you could wait a little longer since the show is part of the dinner hour.”

“Are you saying they will be serving dinner at the show?”

“Well not exactly serving dinner, but some dinner might be available.”

“What are you saying then?”

“Well we will be going out into the coliseum right?”

“Yeah I understand that.”

“Who else do you think will be going out into the coliseum?”

“I don’t really know.”

“You don’t? I am really surprised. Have you never been to the coliseum before?”

“No this is my first time.”

“Well you will enjoy it then. They send a bunch of humans out onto the coliseum floor with us.”

“What do they do that for?”

“Ah you are going to like this part. We get to eat them.”