Welcome to Harmony Kent and Her New Release – The Vanished Boy

~ John W. Howell ~ 82 Comments

I am very pleased to welcome Harmony Kent to my blog to talk about her latest mystery suspense novel. So without further delay . . .

Hi everyone. Harmony here. Thanks so much, John, for letting me visit with you today. I’m so thrilled to share the launch of my latest book with you all.

The Vanished Boy is a mystery suspense novel based around a teenaged boy, who’s gone missing. The book follows the mother as she trawls through her missing son’s online life and realises, to her horror, how out of the loop she’s become.

The inspiration for this novel came from watching a number of movies based on how our lives both revolve around and are influenced by the Internet and mobile devices. Although these movies covered many genres such as murder/mystery, thriller, and the supernatural, they all centered around the same theme: Apps and living life online. This led me to ponder how many of us spend our lives in digital pursuits rather than physical—both the old and the young? For many people, their actual physical lives become but a shadow compared to their online existence.

Mostly, the shift to a digital world happens slowly. It’s incremental and, too often, insidious. All of which led me to ask how well do we actually know our children? Our loved ones? Those around us? What might be going on in the shadows?

From that inspiration and questioning, this story was born. Much of life and our actions originate from the same needs and wants: to be loved and accepted, the ability to differentiate between truth and lies, and the things we do to cover our mistakes and make ourselves look better than the reality instead of owning who we are. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

Below is an excerpt from the book:

His words remind Carole she was supposed to have submitted the final draft of the marketing agreement over the weekend. No wonder Dan sounds so annoyed with her. But it’s so unfair. She’s never let him down once until now. And, quite frankly, until she has Jayden back safe and sound, her boss and her work can go to hell.

She mumbles a curt ‘thanks’ and hangs up. More tears spill onto her cheeks and drip off her chin. Carole grabs more kitchen towels and scrubs at her face with hard, angry strokes. She balls up all the coffee-and-snot-sodden sheets and throws them into the bin. With a sigh, Carole grabs her mug, rinses and dries it, and fixes a fresh cup of coffee.

Exhaustion drags her down, and she falls onto the chair rather than sits. The kitchen clock accuses her of wasting hours. At a little past nine, she hasn’t opened the laptop yet. Guilt pierces her guts, and her stomach roils sickeningly. Carole bites her lower lip and drags the machine toward her. At least she left it plugged in when she fell asleep. When she lifts the lid, and the screen loads, the battery indicator glows green and full.

Carole keeps digging, though somewhat aimlessly after yesterday’s dead end. She’d felt so sure those two accounts would have led the police toward Jayden. Something nags at her, but every time she tries to focus on it, the damn thing slithers away like a spiteful snake. Her phone rings. Again.

The blurb.

It’s so remote out here. Anything could happen …

A missed phone call in the night is all it takes.

When Carole’s 18-year-old son goes missing, she breaks into Jayden’s laptop to try to understand his life.

All too soon, Carole discovers just how little she knew her boy.

And when one lead after another dead-ends, the distraught mother has to face the unthinkable.

Sucked into a sticky web of deceit and lies, nothing is as it seems.

When your life turns

inside out and upside down,

who would you trust?

Author Bio

 After spending around thirteen years as an ordained Buddhist monk, living in a Zen Buddhist temple, and six years after a life-changing injury following a surgical error, Harmony Kent returned to the world at the tender age of forty.

Now, she is famous for her laughter, and has made quite the name for herself … she’s also, um, a writer … and fairly well known for that too. She’s even won a few awards. Harmony lives in rural Cornwall with her adorable husband, ever-present sense of humour, and quirky neighbours.

Harmony is passionate about supporting her fellow authors.

Links

Website: https://harmonykent.co.uk/

Story Empire (co-authored): https://storyempirecom.wordpress.com/

Amazon Author Page: author.to/HarmonysBooks

Twitter: @harmony_kent

Goodreads: Author Page

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/harmony-kent

 

The Vanished Boy Sales Link: http://mybook.to/TheVanishedBoy

 

 

 

Smorgasbord Posts from Your Archives 2021 – #Potluck – Top Ten Things Not to Do at the Start of Construction of Mount Rushmore in 1927 by John. W. Howell

~ John W. Howell ~ 15 Comments

Sally G. Cronin has honored me with a repeat of one of my posts. As you may be aware, Sally a big promoter of indie authors. A visit to her blog will show you how you can take advantage of Sally’s professionalism. Look around and you will see there are so many ways she can help promote you. Thanks again, Sally

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #307 by Keith Channing

~ John W. Howell ~ 69 Comments

In Keith’s words.

“Using this photo ( below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before 6pm next Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next Monday.”

The photo

Kreative Kue #307

The Wait by John W. Howell © 2021

“So Trevor, old boy.  How have you been lately?”

“You are talking like we don’t share living space. You know how things have been lately.”

“I’m just trying to make conversation while we wait.”

“Yeah, well, don’t bother. Those humans will be in there forever. Or at least, it will seem forever.”

“What goes on in there.”

“See that horseshoe?”

“Yes, I do now.”

“That is a sign of luck.”

“And what does a sign of luck mean?”

“We’ll be lucky to get out of here in less than two hours.”

“Why do you say that?”

“See that beaded curtain?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Once a human goes through a beaded curtain, it is like the brain is wiped clean.”

“I still don’t understand.”

“Inside beaded curtains are all kinds of weird things. There’s tea to drink.”

“That doesn’t take long.”

“Cakes to eat.”

“Yum. I could do that in a second.”

“Leaves to read.”

“Huh?”

“These people finish their tea and then look at the dregs at the bottom for guidance.”

“Like sniffing a fireplug?”

“I suppose. They put their nose in it and get all up in the leaves.”

“I know I need to get my nose all up in things to get a read on them too.”

“Also, there are things.”

“Things?”

“Yes, shelves of things. Useless crap like soap and those smelly sticks.”

“I remember we ate a couple of those. Mom kept yelling about her defusers. I thought that maybe there would be an explosion.”

“I remember that too. Pretty funny. The most feared of all items is a scarf or hat the gets put on for a picture.”

“A picture of the humans?”

“No, you dolt. A picture of us.”

“Us?”

“See my pose.”

“Yes.”

“Imagine some hideous scarf or bunny ears.”

“The horror, the horror.”

“Yes. You describe it well. Was that your Marlon Brando voice?”

“Thanks. Been working on that. Why don’t we just take off?”

“Whhhaaaattt? We were given the command ‘wait.'”

“So it is just a word.”

“Don’t be a fool. Behind that word is all the things we hold dear. Kibble, treats, ear scratch, belly rub, fetch, delivery person barking—”

“Okay, I get it. We will stay till our hinnies hurt. I just hope the hat and scarf thing is not in the cards.”

“You want to play a game of cards?”

“Sure, which one?”

“I’m thinking of a card. You tell me which one.”

“The three of clubs.”

“Nope. That’s not it.”

“Hey wait a minute.”

“You are too quick for me. It was the Ace of Spades. I’m thinking of another.”

“Queen of hearts.”

“Nope.”

 

Top Ten Things Not to Do While Birdwatching

~ John W. Howell ~ 73 Comments

Top Ten things not to do

This post was originally run on April 11th, 2016. I hope you enjoy it.

The inspiration for this list is the fact that birds of all kinds are in the process of migration and spring has sprung.  I thought I would start off with a little bird joke.

Vultures
As migration approached, two elderly vultures doubted they could make the trip south, so they decided to go by airplane. When they checked their baggage, the attendant noticed that they were carrying two dead raccoons.

“Do you wish to check the raccoons through as luggage?” she asked.

“No, thanks,” replied the vultures. “They’re carrion.”*

*Courtesy of http://Hungarianbirdwatching.com

Top Ten Things Not to Do While Birdwatching

10 If you are birdwatching, do not leave home without your species checklist. If you do, at best, you will not know the species of birds in your area. At worst, you will broadcast to every watcher for ten miles that you have no idea what you are doing. (Which is the case, right? Slick.)

9 If you are birdwatching, do not ask someone if you could borrow their binoculars. If you do, at best, you will get a lecture on proper preparedness for birdwatching. At worst, the folks you ask will spread the word that you are an escaped mental patient. (Who else would ask for binoculars. It’s like using someone else’s toothbrush.)

8 If you are birdwatching, do not take a guess out loud about the species of bird. If you do, and you are wrong, your fellow birders will pounce as if they are Panthers to correct you. At worst, the leader of the group will ask you kindly to sit at the edge of the road with the hopes you will be run over. (Man, these folks are serious)

7 If you are birdwatching, do not toss terms like mantle, bib, and flair around lightly. If you do, at best, you will broadcast the fact that you should have stayed home. At worst, you might be responsible for that kindly old gent finally going postal after being so patient with you. (He is certainly agile with that cane, isn’t he?)

6 If you are birdwatching, do not snicker at the apparel of your fellow birdwatchers. If you do, at best, they all will be too busy to notice. At worst, they will all snicker at you when you need hospital care for the sunburn, chigger, and tick bites. (How’s that Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever treating you?)

5 If you are bird watching, do not make any sudden noises. If you do, at best, you will capture the frown crown. At worst, your noise caused the rare Tillywinkle Warbler to take flight, causing most of the group to miss the sighting. (Does that group murmuring sound like an old west posse?)

4 If you are bird watching, do not pull out a pastrami sandwich to munch on while looking at birds. If you do, at best, your fellow birders will try to ignore you and the pastrami. At worst, the leader will offer a kindly suggestion about the appropriate place for that sandwich. (No one told you that eating and bird watching are not allowed. The location suggested for the sandwich sounded quite impractical and dark, didn’t it?)

3 If you are bird watching, do not yell “Tally Ho” when you sight a rare species. If you do, at best, the bird will fly away. At worst, the group is not carrying a defibrillator to handle what could be resultant heart attacks. (Those old folks go down like ten-pins, right, Buster?)

2 If you are bird watching, do not offer your fellow watchers a pull from the old flask. If you do, at best, they will try to lose you in the woods. At worst, just as you thought you were getting along, you realize the group is setting you up for an intervention. (After all, no self-respecting birder would chance anything that would interfere with seeing the birds. Therefore, you need help)

1 If you are bird watching, do not walk and watch at the same time. If you do, At best, that hole you stepped in is only a few inches deep. At worst, you could walk off the end of the swamp pier and into the waiting jaws of “Old Hickory,” the crocodile. (He gets, at least, one a month this way.)

 

Views of the Neighborhood – Spring Flowers

~ John W. Howell ~ 97 Comments

Today we are going out to find the spring wildflowers, and as usual, we need to be fortified with good food and drink. Today we are being catered brunch from Matties in Austin.

Matties Brunch

STARTER
FriedGreenTomatoes shrimp+crabsalad,lemon,creoleremoulade . . . . .
SALADS
Farmhouse Salad (V) local greens, fennel relish, tarragon vinaigrette, cherry tomatoes

Beet Salad cardamom yogurt preserved lemon, arugula, hazelnuts

Frisée Salad pickled apples, arugula, roasted grapes, candied pecans, bleu cheese, lemon-poppyseed dressing

Little Gem Caesar (V) creamy cashew caesar dressing, rebel tomatoes, almond “parmesan,” garlic crostini  Add to any salad
Roasted chicken breast  Seared salmon
ENTRÉES
Biscuits+ChorizoCreamGravy ̊with scrambled eggs
Milk Punch French Toast macerated strawberries, candied pecans, whipped cream, bourbon maple syrup.
Green Chile Pork Chilaquiles tomatillo sauce, chunky pico de gallo, over-easy eggs, cotija cheese, tortilla chips
Breakfast Plate ̊ scrambled eggs, home fries, bacon, or house-made wild boar sausage.
Fried Chicken Eggs Benedict ̊ buttermilk biscuits, hollandaise, green salad
Basmati Rice Bowl (V) chickpeas, coconut curry, roasted vegetables, cilantro, tomato, green onions
Grassfield Farms Beef Burger ̊ aged Tillamook cheddar, tomato-bacon jam, Duke’s mayo, house frites. Add egg, bacon, or avocado
SIDES
Nueske’sBacon  HomeFries  Porfi’s Housemade Sage Sausage  FreshFruit(V)

Wine

Raventós i Blanc Blanc de Blancs Conca del Riu Anoia, Catalonia, Spain 2016

Moussé Fils ‘l’Extra Or d’Eugène’ Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut Champagne, France nv

Chateaude Brézé Cremantde Loire Brut Rosé France nv

Rose Gold Côtes de Provence,France 2018

Dessert

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Tart honey roasted peanuts, flourless brownie, salted caramel sauce

Mexican Vanilla Ice Cream peach curd, blackberry compote, sugar oat streusel

Hummingbird Cake  banana, coconut, pineapple, cashew, almond,
rum-cream cheese frosting

Today’s entertainment will be a soothing and relaxing time with a Cardinal at the falls.

So let’s get on board.

Views of the Neighborhood

Along the side of the main drag in Lakeway is a beautiful display of bluebonnets.

And some wild daisies.

Closeup of the bluebonnets.

A few four nerve daisies in with the bluebonnets

The California poppies are blooming

A close-up of the California poppies.

We are now at the greenbelt, and the iris are blooming.

A close-up of the iris.

Views of the Neighborhood

The cedar sage (Salvia roemeriana) is lovely.

Views of the Neighborhood

Path with bluebonnets on each side.

Views of the Neighborhood

A close-up of the bluebonnets

It could be Antelope horns (Asclepias Asperula), but I’m not sure.

Evening primrose close-up.

The evening primrose in the natural setting.

Views of the Neighborhood

Some prairie verbena (Glandularia bipinnatifida)

Views of the Neighborhood

A fern by a water feature.

We have finished our tour. Stay and have some food and listen to the falls and cardinal.

Have a great week.

 

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – Difference

~ John W. Howell ~ 53 Comments

 

A large box was left on the porch today. Since it wasn’t from Chewy, I was pretty sure Linda Hill had paid a visit with this week’s prompt. The box did have a sinister look about it.  Sure enough, after a precautionary soak in a tub of water, here is what was inside.

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “difference.” Whatever the word “difference” conjures first in your mind, write about it. Enjoy!

If you would like to enjoy little things like this and want to experience difference go to Linda’s blog and read how easy it is to participate.

Here is the link.

https://lindaghill.com/2021/04/09/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-april-10-2021/

Difference by John W. Howell © 2021

“Hey, there, my man. Why are you hanging that wet paper on the line?”

“This is the prompt from Linda Hill.”

“Why is it wet?”

“I wanted to make sure it wasn’t from a bomber, so I soaked the package in water.”

“Surely you know the difference between Linda’s messages and something strange like a package from a bomber?”

“I don’t like to be called Shirley. Yes, I know the difference between a Chewy box and Linda’s. This one looked a little strange.”

“How so? Give me an example of the difference.”

“The return address on this one was blacked out.”

“Yeah, okay. That does show a difference.”

“There was a printed warning on the side.”

“What did it day.”

“Explosives – Do not drop.”

“A total difference for sure. Anything else?”

“Another note.”

“Which said?”

“Loud ticking is normal.”

“Hahahaha. I think Linda was playing a trick on you.”

“See, that just shows the difference between you and me.”

“What difference?”

“You laugh at everything.”

“And you frown at everything.”

“Like I said, there is a difference between us. You see the glass as half full.”

“And you see the glass as half empty.”

“Speaking of.”

“Yeah, a nice full glass of beer.”

“You’re turn to buy.”

“I’ll make it a pitcher.”

“Even better.”

“Viva the difference.”

 

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

~ John W. Howell ~ 77 Comments

 

“Hey, Lucy. Look at these spots before my eyes”
“That’s dappled sunlight, Little One.”
“Who invented that?”
“The Big Dog over the Rainbow bridge.”

Hello, Friday you big beautiful thing you. It is so nice to see you again. Yes, indeed, it is Friday and close to the weekend.

This week has been pretty much a non-event. Yes, I worked on my WIP and am please about that. The new month started, and I can’t believe it is April already. Other than that not much to say

Today’s JohnKu talks about what to do when blogging news is scarce.

I hope you all have a great weekend.

No news by John W. Howell © 2021

When you have nothing,

New and ready to report . . .

Sign off gracefully.

Thursday – Anything possible – Lucy and Twiggy Mellow Harsh

~ John W. Howell ~ 79 Comments

Lucy and Twiggy

We going to do this, Little One?”

“Sure, why not?”

“Okay, Lucy. I guess we need to lay out the field.”

“The field? What do you mean?”

Lucy and Twiggy

“You know. Get the lime. Layout the boundaries. Set the goals.”

“Oh, blech. Can we just skip all that?”

“We can, but it won’t be much of a game.”

“My point exactly. Patio, here we come.”

“Lucy. What’s that ladder thing at the neighbors?’

“I don’t know. They are noisy, though.”

“You can say that again. What’s that rumble?”

“I think they are using a jackhammer on something.”

“A little of that goes a long way.”

“Can you say annoying?”

“Wait. Did it stop?”

“I think. you are right.”

“And there it goes again.”

“I have to believe they are going to be here all day.”

“Not sure I can handle this.”

“I know I can’t. I’m going to a quiet place.”

“Not much quiet over here either. I’m heading back to the patio. At least there is sun there.”

“I guess you are right. Little One.”

Twiggy and Lucy

“Well, it’s not perfect.  I guess it is better than nothing.”

“Now you’re talking. I love optimism.”

Lucy and Twiggy

“Yeah. It starts and stops, so I guess we can put up with it.”

“Dibs on this lounge. Gotta get some serious shut-eye. Send the server over if you can catch his eye.”

Wednesday Story Day – AKA – Hump Day

~ John W. Howell ~ 47 Comments

It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week, we learned that Cortez’s men were driving a late model Chevrolet Suburban. Also, we know that neither Lieutenant Mayfield nor ADA Thomas was in sight of the security camera that recorded their departure from the Highway Patrol headquarters. Agent Moore ordered a car to be brought around to be ready if the Suburban was spotted. I see Agent Moore’s phone is ringing, so that may mean the car has arrived. Let’s go to ADA Thomas’s office and see what is going on.

 

“Yes, this is Moore. When? Okay, get a couple of Troopers over there. Test me the address we are on our way. Moore out.”

“Sounds like they found something.”

“Yes, they located the Suburban outside a warehouse in the commercial district. We need to move now. I just got the address.”

“You driving?”

“Yes, the car is federal property, so I have to drive. It’s policy.”

“Right behind you.”

“Larry, please sit upfront with me. Andrew, do you mind riding in the back?”

“No, I’m good. Probably more legroom anyway.”

“Hahaha. Good one, Andrew. Oh, shoot.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I forgot to ask them to kit the car out.”

“What does that mean.”

“Here, get in. The door is unlocked.”

“Okay, what did you mean by kit out?”

“I wanted some other weapon other than my Glock. I should have ordered an MP5/10 submachine gun.”

“I see a shotgun in the rack. Isn’t that enough?”

“I guess it will have to be. You okay back there, Andrew.”

“Yup, ready to go.”

“Let me punch the address into the GPS, and we’ll be off.”

“The screen says we will be there in ten minutes.”

“Well, I hope we aren’t too late.”

“You think these guys ate in the warehouse?”

“It makes sense, doesn’t it? Out of the way place to make a trade.”

“I guess so. Don’t know why they didn’t pull into the warehouse to at least hide the car.”

“Yeah, good point. I see where you are going. Maybe they dropped the Suburban and took off in another car.”

“Well, that’s what I would do.”

“That would not be a good thing.”

“Tell me about it.”

There’s the warehouse. I see the Suburban.”

“And three patrol cars.”

“Let me get on the radio and get this thing organized. Patrol one, this is Moore.”

“Go ahead, Moore.”

“Do not penetrate the building until I order it, okay?”

“Copy that. We are standing by.”

“Thank you Patrol One. Moore out. Okay, let’s see what we have.”

 

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue #306 by Keith Channing

~ John W. Howell ~ 64 Comments

In Keith’s words.

“Using this photo (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before 6pm next Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please also mention it in a comment here.

Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next Monday.”

The photo.

Kreative Kue #306

Directions by John W. Howell © 2021

“Yes, ma’am, I’m on duty today.”

“Where are the guards?”

“Guards, ma’am?”

“Yes, you know, with the big furry hats and red coats.”

“As far as I know, we have had no such guards here.”

“But all the travel brochures have them pictured. Here look.”

“I see. They do look rather disciplined.”

“I’ve traveled a long way, had to test negative on covid, and was quarantined for 14 days, and now I want to see them.”

“I can understand.”

“So where are they.”

“My guess would be Kensington Palace.”

“Isn’t that where I am?”

“No, ma’am. This is not Kensington Palace.”

“Oh dear, I’m so sorry. I guess I got my directions wrong.”

“No worries, ma’am, it happens to all of us.”

“Can you give me directions to Kensington palace?”

“Well, I can give you general directions. Then you can get more specific when you get closer.”

“How far away am I?”

“Are you driving?”

“Yes, I have rented a car.”

“It is about five and one-half hours.”

“Five and one-half hours? I could be to Paris in five and one-half hours.”

“Um, ma’am.”

“Yes, young man.”

“You are in Paris.”

“Wait. What?”

“You are in Paris. ma’am.”

“I can’t imagine how I got here.”

“I would say via route 1A.”

“It did seem like a long time to get here. I asked the nice young man at the hotel desk for directions. He wrote them down for me.”

“Let me see them.”

“Here.”

“Ah yes. I see the problem.”

“You do?”

“The directions to Kensington Palace were written on a paper that also has directions to Paris on the back.”

“And I got the wrong side.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Still have to wonder how that can happen?”

“We will probably never know.”

“It could have been when I took a nap.”

“Nap?”

“Yes, I rented a Tesla, and it had an autopilot feature. I turned it on and then got into the backseat for a nap. I guess I slept too long. Darned jet lag anyway.”

“You are lucky to be here, ma’am.”

“Oh, I don’t know.”

“Ma’am?”

“Would have rather gone to Kensington Palace.”