The Last Drive Tour with Harmony Kent

January 8, 2023January 8, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 6 Comments

Today I am so happy that Harmony Kent is helping to spread the word on The Last Drive. Here is the link to her post https://harmonykent.co.uk/newbook-the-last-drive-by-john-howell-howellwave-paranormalfiction-mysterythriller/

I have known Harmony for almost ten years. She is a multi-genre indie author with a wicked sense of humor. She also has a passion for writing that is manifest in books, novelettes, short stories, and poetry. In each case, Harmony executes her work precisely, and you can count on having your emotions tweaked by her words.

You can view all of Harmony’s publications on her website or go to her Amazon pages.

US Harmony Author Page

UK Harmony Author Page

Thank you so much for helping spread the word, Harmony.

I have closed comments here to conserve your words for use on Harmony’s site.

Views of the Neighborhood – Frost Warnings

January 8, 2023January 7, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 81 Comments

Prior to New Year’s Eve we had a two day freeze here in the neighborhood. I went out and captured some of the sights. Our tour today is to see how some of the residents tried to protect their plants. We are being catered by Koriente of Austin. Our entertainment is Little Big Town.

	Koriente Curry (A): $9.5 Gourmet vegetarian curry. Lighter and milder than the version you may know, with carrots, onions, potatoes, and button mushrooms on a bed of steamed rice.

	Koriente Curry (B): Our vegetarian curry with rice medallions on a bed or organic baby greens. Pictured with the chicken addition.

	Garden Handroll: Avocado, cucumber, Korean radish, red cabbage, red bell pepper, and carrots. Wrap in dried seaweed paper and dip in soy wasabi sauce or balsamico. Add toppings like smoked salmon or Oyster/Shiitake mushrooms.

	Japchei: A warm bowl of clear sweet potato noodles and an assortment of veggies: carrots, green cabbage, red bell peppers, and organic spring greens. Choose protein options from above and enjoy.

	Obake Bowl (A): Your choice of pork, chicken, pan-seared tofu, or shrimp sauteed with button mushrooms, broccoli, and carrots. Served with steamed rice.

	Obake Bowl (B): The Obake Bowl with rice medallions in place of rice and garnished with a handful of fresh baby greens.

	Mixmix Bibimbap: Steamed rice in a ring of fresh julienned veggies: carrots, cucumbers, cabbage, red cabbage, red bell peppers, and organic baby greens. Served with your choice of red pepper paste or mild wasabi soy sauce. Choose protein options from above and enjoy.

	Rice Medallion Saute: Sauteed green cabbage, mushrooms, and rice cakes served on a bed of fresh spring greens and julienned green cabbage and topped off with a pile of sweet potato noodles.

	Shiitake Tofu: a comforting vegan dish that’s a savory blend of tofu, shiitake & button mushrooms in a miso-soy sauce served over a bed of spring greens, green cabbage, and a side of rice.

	Spicy Chicken: bite-sized cuts of tender chicken in a delicious spicy marinade served with rice and steamed broccoli, and carrots.

	Teriyaki Chicken: Tender boneless chicken marinated in homemade teriyaki sauce served with rice and your choice of steamed broccoli & carrots.

	Pan-Seared Ahi Tuna: pan-seared ahi tuna dusted with sea salt, black pepper, and sesame seeds. served on a bed of spring greens and red bell peppers with a side of steamed rice and soy-wasabi dipping sauce. order rare/medium/well done. great with a side of avocado!

	Miso Honey Glazed Mahi Mahi: thick cuts of Mahi Mahi, perfectly sautéed in a miso-honey glaze, dusted with black pepper and ginger and served with spring greens, broccoli and a side of rice, and red onion relish.

	Lemon Pepper Papaya Salad: a Thai-inspired green papaya salad on a bed of spring greens and carrots, with red onion relish and crushed serrano chili paste, topped with toasted garlic. Served with a side of rice. Squeeze a lemon on top and enjoy!

Picture of an old time school bus

Jump on and let’s go.

At our first stop it looks like all the beach towels have been pressed into service.

Then there are clear plastic bags and black tarp.

All the king sized linen will need a wash.

Shades of co-ordinated green and blue.

Looks like tent city.

Home Depot moving boxes put to good use.

The pirate crew loves the green plastic.

Monster mash anyone?

Maybe a different plant selection would be in order.

Solid green.

Buckets weighed down with rocks and sheets.

The old stand by. 1000 thread count Egyption cotton

Well that’s the tour. I hope you enjoyed it. Sit back and relax with the food and music.

Saturday- A Little Personal – Lucy and Twiggy Have a Tough Talk

January 7, 2023January 6, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 144 Comments

Please be aware this post is about a serious subject.

Hello, friends of Lucy and Twiggy. We have all enjoyed the adventures of these two, and in some ways, we have become family interacting with their experiences. It is fitting for you to know that Lucy has been diagnosed with inoperable cancer. There is nothing that can be done but to keep her comfortable. She is on medication that keeps her pain-free and eating and drinking normally. It is a matter of time, now unknown, before we will have to let her go. We feel that to have Lucy disappear and then explain after the fact would not be faithful to the time you have invested in her stories. Although this information is hard to communicate, I think we owe you transparency regarding her condition. The stories will continue for as long as possible, and we won’t be mentioning cancer again. Lucy is talking to Twiggy.

“So what did the doctor say?”

“She said I have inoperable cancer, Little One.”

“What does inoperable mean?”

“Well, it means they can’t fix it.”

“If they can’t fix it, what’s going to happen?”

“It means I’m going to be taking a trip.”

“Trip? What kind of trip?”

“I’m going to go and find Bailey over the Rainbow Bridge.”

“I don’t think I understand. When will you be back?”

“Well, Little One, I won’t be back if I find Bailey.”

“Won’t be back? I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“It is the way life is, though. There is a circle that we all move in.”

“If it’s a circle, can I go with you?”

“No, that’s not how it works. You have a full life ahead of you. Besides, mom and dad will need your help.”

“Please let me go with you, Lucy.”

“Twiggy. You have your job to do here. Don’t worry when it is your time. I’ll be waiting for you.”

“Promise?”

“You have my promise, Little One. Now let’s get mom to give us a treat.”

“I love you, Lucy.”

“I love you, Little One.”

The Last Drive Tour with Stephen Geez

January 6, 2023January 5, 2023 ~ John W. Howell

Today Stephen Geez is providing an assist in getting out the word on The Last Drive. Here is the link to his post. https://stephengeez.wordpress.com/2023/01/06/guest-post-the-last-drive-by-john-w-howell-newbook/

Retired TV producer and composer/producer of music for television, Stephen Geez has mellowed into the lakeside-living life of a writer, editor, graphic artist, and Fresh Ink Group publisher. His work includes novels, short fiction, personal-experience essays, blogs, GeezWriter How-To material for authors, podcasts, video scripts, marketing content, and more.

Geez is the founding member of Fresh Ink Group, which is found at www.FreshInkGroup.com. Originally an organization for providing literary management to him and his writer friends, the group (FIG) has grown and morphed into author services and is now a full publishing company producing and distributing worldwide hardcover, soft-cover, and multi-platform ebook editions along with supporting media such as book trailers. Currently, he divides his time between his own writing and working with other authors in all aspects of the industry, from editing to graphic design to marketing. Stephen has authored and published 17 titles. Visit his Author’s Amazon site to see them all

For more information on Stephen or Fresh Ink Group, visit Stephen’s website at https://stephengeez.com/

One of Stephen’s books- Click for Amazon

Thank you, Stephen, for helping support the launch.

I have closed the comments so you can direct all your energy to Stephen’s post.

The Last Drive Tour – with Mae Clair

January 5, 2023January 4, 2023 ~ John W. Howell

Today is the third stop on The Last Drive tour, and I’m so pleased to be with Mae Clair.

Here is the link to Mae’s post today https://wp.me/p2dMh0-4rn

Mae was one of the fellow members of Story Empire who convinced me to do a sequel of Eternal Road. I will always be grateful to her for pushing me in the right direction.

As you may know, Mae is a very talented writer and has published four standalone novels, two series (three books each), four novellas included in four anthologies, and one co-authored book. So if you are keeping track, that’s fifteen books and included in four short story collections. Mae loves to write, and her productivity demonstrates that love. You can see them all on her Amazon Author’s page

Mae’s Bio

A member of the Mystery Writers of America and International Thriller Writers, Mae is also a founding member of the award-winning writing blog Story Empire. She has achieved bestseller status on both Amazon and Barnes & Noble, with several of her novels chosen as book club selections. Mae writes primarily in the mystery/suspense genre, flavoring her plots with elements of urban legend and folklore. Married to her high school sweetheart, she lives in Pennsylvania and is passionate about cryptozoology, old photographs, a good Maine lobster tail, and cats. Discover more about Mae on her website at MaeClair.com

I’ve closed the comments, so you don’t have to think of two things to say.

Thank you, Mae, for helping spread the word.

The Last Drive Blog Tour with Chris Graham, The Story Reading Ape

January 4, 2023January 4, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 2 Comments

I doubt there is anyone in the blogging world who does not know about Chris Graham. Chris has spent the last ten years providing an avenue for authors to meet each other and to have a reliable source of all things writing. I am honored to be a guest of Chris’. So here is the link to the stop with Chris today.

https://thestoryreadingapeblog.com/2023/01/04/reserved-for-john-howell-2/

The purpose of his blog, according to Chris, is fourfold. (In Chris’ words)

1. To introduce YOU to new (to me) authors I’ve come across in my wanderings through books and the cyberforest.

2. To provide a platform (battered old homemade soapbox) for authors to introduce themselves to you. (See my Contact Me Section for Guest Author article Guidelines)

3. As an informal information service to authors, poets, or anyone else who is thinking of becoming a published person of that ilk.

4. To promote FUN and an OASIS OF CALM and Font of useful Knowledge andTips for Indies (please do NOT feed my naughty chimps, or they may follow you home) from the woes and stresses of the real world.

If you are not part of The Story Reading Ape’s team, you are missing an opportunity to learn, see, be seen, and be entertained.

Thank you so much for helping spread the word on my latest, Chris.

I have closed the comments so you can give Chris all your love.

The Last Drive Blog Tour with Pete Springer

January 3, 2023January 4, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 2 Comments

Today is the kick-off of The Last Drive tour. I’m so pleased to be with Pete today. You can visit his post HERE.

We have been following each other for a little over three years. In that time, I’ve come to know Pete as a community-oriented, family man who is serious about getting his new novel represented and published. He has already published a book about his experiences as a teacher. It is titled They Call me Mom.

Here is a video about his book.

I want to thank Pete for sharing the news about my launch and wish him well with his new Middle-Grade book Second Chance Summer.

I’ve closed the comments to save time, but I will see you at Pete’s place.

The Last Drive Tour Begins

January 2, 2023January 1, 2023 ~ John W. Howell ~ 57 Comments

If you are looking for the Top Ten Things Not to Do post here normally, I hope I don’t disappoint you. It is time to do recognition work on my latest novel, The Last Drive.

From tomorrow until February 7th, twenty-six bloggers have graciously volunteered to host the tour. Since I only do this every two years, I hope you will support these visits and understand that my weekly posts will be postponed until after the tour is over. I want to give my hosts’ undivided attention. There is one exception. Lucy and Twiggy will still make themselves available on Saturdays instead of Stream of Consciousness Saturday, and Views of the Neighborhood will be on Sundays, as usual. These two days are available because no tour stops are scheduled on weekends.

During the tour, comments here will be closed so that you don’t have to comment in two places.

I hope you find the tour interesting since I’ve included different excerpts at each stop. In fact, if you come to each visit, you will be able to read enough of the book to determine if you like it.

Here is the trailer and blurb as a reminder. Thanks so much for your understanding and support.

Blurb

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 take the pair to horrifying testing grounds. The places visited represent the best work of the Devil. They are the trenches of World War I in France, gladiators at the Roman Coliseum, the sinking Titanic in 1912, Hiroshima 45 minutes before the bomb, and the Auschwitz concentration camp in 1943.

This book is for you if you like plenty of action, strong characters, time travel, and a touch of spiritual and historical fiction. So, join Sam and James as they try to find the missing souls while staying one step ahead of the Prince of Darkness, who is determined to destroy all that is good.

Trailer

Views of the Neighborhood – Happy New Year

January 1, 2023December 31, 2022 ~ John W. Howell

Lucy and Twiggy want to wish you and yours a very Happy and Prosperous New Year. But, of course, that goes for the Producer and me as well.

“Hi to everyone. Twiggy and I want to wish you a Happy New Year.”
“Why do you get to do the talking?”
“Because I’m the oldest.”
“Well, I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year too.”
“Go right ahead.”
“I think I already did. Why aren’t you looking into the camera again?”
“I thought I was.”

The comments are closed. Happy New Year

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt New/Knew

December 31, 2022December 30, 2022 ~ John W. Howell ~ 56 Comments

It is the last day of 2022, and the coffee machine cited rule 73 of the Amalgamated Artificial Intelligence League contract. In short, the rule states that any AI required to work more days than the standard year will be compensated or given time off in return. This rule isn’t new and has been known for a few years. What is shocking is the machine has its own annual counter, and for some reason, it is one day off.

There was no choice but to give a day off or face a strike action by supporting AI elements. But, unfortunately, that would mean the security system would shut down. The concertina wire would coil, the Trebuchet would lock, the ballista would be inoperable, the tower machine guns would go offline, the submarine net in the mote would retract, the claymore mines would be disarmed, the boiling oil fire would go out, the bolts would not work, and the locks would be frozen open. Also, I would not be able to let one of the many visitors in to deliver Linda Hill’s messages. Like this one. Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “new/knew.’” Use one, use both, use them any way you like. Bonus points if you use both. Enjoy!

If you would like to enjoy. visit Linda’s blog and read how easy it is to do so. Here is the link.

https://lindaghill.com/2022/12/30/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-dec-31-2022/

Missing one day of caffeine is a small price to pay for home security. Maybe I’ll stay up past midnight for a cup. Nah, that’s not going to happen. I wish you all a Happy New year and unrestricted AI use.

“Well, you got the bonus points.”

“I did.”

“What’s going on with that machine anyway?”

“Beats me.”

“Where did it come from.”

“Italy.”

“You buy it new?”

“Yeah, sure.”

“Whoever sold it to you should have known about the contract.”

“They knew and told me.”

“You bought it anyway?”

“Yeah, sure. Who makes better coffee machines than the Italians.”