Tag: fiction favorites

Today I’m with Staci Troilo

~ John W. Howell ~ 79 Comments

Today I’m with Staci Troilo on her blog. We have another excerpt from Eternal Road – The final stop. Come on over. Here’s the link

https://stacitroilo.wordpress.com/2020/09/22/eternal-road/

A little about Staci in her own words

“I grew up in Western Pennsylvania writing stories and poetry in my free time, so no one was surprised when I became a writing major in college. After receiving creative and professional writing degrees from Carnegie Mellon University, I went on to get my Master’s Degree in Professional Writing, and I worked in corporate communications until I had my children. Now I’m a freelance writer and editor and even work under a pen name or two.

Bonus! Ten (Little Known?) Facts About Me

  1. In addition to being an award-winning author, I’m an award-winning recipe developer. I think I got that skill from my grandmother. We both love cooking and baking, especially for family.
  2. When I had my wisdom teeth removed, the surgeon insisted I’d feel like my cheeks were sewn to my gums but assured me they wouldn’t be and the feeling would pass. My parents grew increasingly frustrated with me over the week I was recovering because I couldn’t open my mouth. They thought I was “being overly dramatic” and I should just deal with the pain and use my mouth. Guess what… my cheeks were in fact sewn to my gums. It’s unheard of, but if it could happen to anyone, it would happen to me.
  3. Speaking of teeth…I’ve never had a cavity. Ever. Baby teeth or permanent teeth.
  4. I adore my pets. I know; most pet owners do. But it might interest you to know I never had a pet until we got first Casey, then Max, and finally Lucky. I had a pet-free childhood. Not even a goldfish.
  5. I can still do a split. Enough said.
  6. I play the clarinet, although I’m pretty rusty right now. (Use it or lose it, and I haven’t been using it lately.)
  7. I taught myself how to type. You can’t really be a writer hunting-and-pecking the keys.
  8. While most of my work is inspired by my Italian heritage, I’m also part Irish, Scottish, German, and Swedish. (All from Dad’s side. Mom is full-blooded Italian.) I’m working on integrating more of my dad’s side into my work. (My serial Laci and Del series focuses on the Irish heritage, but I haven’t explored those roots too much yet.)
  9. I could spell “Valentine” by the time I was three.
  10. The first time I earned four-figures from freelancing, it was actually a ghost-writing job, so my name isn’t even on the project.”

Her Books:

Today I’m with Helen Valentina

~ John W. Howell ~ 13 Comments

Today I’m with Helen Valentina with a new excerpt from Eternal Road – The final stop. Come join us. Here is the link

New Book Launch Eternal Road -The final stop by John W. Howell

 

A Little about Helen in her words

“My name is Helen Valentina, and I am a writer who loves to explore why we do the things we do and how our characters are formed by our beliefs and actions. This blog will mainly showcase my poetry, but will also promote my longer works – such as novels.

The theme of Elemental Writing I am using is an attempt to identify the key element of any piece of work – for instance, poetry or prose that mainly reflects emotional ideas would be ‘water’, whereas ego, action, and passion ideas might be best identified as ‘fire’ and so on.

This partly reflects a separate interest of mine, the tarot deck, and its elucidation of life in terms of the elements depicted in the Minor Arcana (Cups= Water/emotions, Swords= Air/intellect, Pentacles = Earth/the material, and Wands= Fire/passion, action and ego.) when considered against the journey of the soul’s development through the Major Arcana.

But this isn’t a New Age blog, it’s just a theme to organise my work, so don’t feel you have to get out incense and meditation tapes to spend any time here. 🙂

Now my words.

Helen writes passionate and compelling poetry and stories. Her work always leaves me thinking about what she wrote. I have images to consider that Helen has conjured with her words. She is a true artist whose medium is the written word.

Here is a short poem written by Helen

Weep for Us

In this hour
As our foolishness descends
And of our friends
Are only foes
We scarce can comprehend our woes
Then close your wings
Around these sacred things
And weep for us

In this year
When sanity gave way to fear
And all comes clear
This wretched fate
We only understand too late
Please close your wings
And from the seat of heaven sing
And weep for us

(c) Helen Valentina 2020

 

Top Ten Things Not to Do at the First Cannes Film Festival in 1946

~ John W. Howell ~ 61 Comments
Official poster of the 1st Cannes Film Festival illustrated by Leblanc

This week marks the 74th anniversary of the first Cannes Film Festival. We all want to go, I’m sure so let’s pile into the Olds and head back there. Do not forget the list, so we all can avoid a time continuum tear. All set. Let’s go.

James’ 1956 Oldsmobile from Eternal Road – The final stop

Top Ten Things Not to Do at the First Cannes Film Festival in 1946 by John W. Howell © 2020

10 If you go, do not take that plastic water bottle with you. If you do, at best, everyone will be looking at movie stars and not see you. At worst, someone will observe your bottle and want one. (The problem is, Marion, the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle was not invented until 1973. Now a person is yelling at you, demanding you tell them where you got the bottle. Oh-oh, A crowd and the gendarmes are headed your way.)

9 If you go, do not ask Tiny, the WWF champ, if he knows any movie stars. If you do, at best, he is pals with Lon Chaney. At worst, he does not know one. (This simple question, Markell, has caused Tiny to regress from his last group session on self-esteem. Tiny will assume everyone knows stars, and he is the only one who doesn’t. Prepare yourself for Tiny’s new wrestle hold called “The Pretzel.”)

8 If you go, do not ask directions to Palais des Festivals. If you do, at best, no one will know. At worst, you will ask a member of the planning committee. (Since the Palais des Festivals which is the home of the festival, was not built until 1952, you are now outed as either a spy or an alien, Marley. I think spy might be a better choice since there is no war going on, so you won’t be shot.)

7 If you go, do not ask which movie got the Palme d’Or this year. If you do, at best you’ll get strange looks. At worst, you’ll ask a member of the provincial government of France. (It just so happens, Marlow, that the member was in several meetings where the idea of a new award was tossed around. The current prize is Grand Prix du Festival. You now need to explain yourself. Quickly)

6 If you go, do not try to speak French. If you do, at best, no one will laugh. At worst, your American accent will cause most to walk away. (You have to realize, Marmion, not everyone appreciates you trying to speak the local language. In fact, here comes a representative of Berlitz Language Schools at the request of the locals.)

5 If you go, do not give your opinion about any of the films. If you do, at best, people will think you are a jurist. At worst, you may be overheard by a legitimate jurist. ( Now you are in it, Marque. These folks do not take impersonating a jurist lightly. Since there were only 18 jurists in total and the American was Iris Barry of MOMA, you didn’t stand a chance. Nice try with that wig.)

4 If you go, do not try to place bets that Lost Weekend by Billy Wilder will win an award. If you do, at best, no one will take the bet. At worst, even though the festival is being held in the Casino of Cannes, betting is not sanctioned. (It looks like the local gendarmes and French historian Georges Huisman acting as the Jury President want to speak to you. By the way, Marque you would have won all the bets. Too bad you can’t collect now that you are sitting in the hoosegow.)

3 If you go, do not argue with Italian director Roberto Rossellini about a better ending to his film Open City. If you do, at best, Roberto will think you are nuts. At worst, Roberto will take offense to your comments. (That glove slap to the face, Marsden means you two will be going outside for a duel. I hope you know how to use a sword or a cap lock pistol. Oh my. Well, maybe you can sneak off a Google them.)

2 If you go, do not say anything wrong about the Escargot served at the award banquet. If you do, at best, those around you may not like them either. At worst, your opinion will be overheard by the Chef. (You have to wonder, Marshal, how that person became such a renowned chef and yet be so thin-skinned. In any case, that butcher knife looks really sharp, and it may be time to test your 100 yard dash speed time.)

1 If you go, do not kid Alfred Hitchcock about the fact that his film Notorious’ three reels were shown in reverse order. If you do, at best, he’ll be preoccupied trying to find out who the projectionist was. At worst, since he’s not known as the most patient man, he will not appreciate your humor. (Alfred Hitchcock was once accused of saying, “Actors are cattle.” He violently denied the accusation, Martell, and corrected the accuser. “I never said Actors are cattle,” he argued. “What I said was actors should be treated like cattle.” So now he has a cattle prod, and you should be leaving.)

 

Today I’m with Charles E. Yallowitz at His Blog

~ John W. Howell ~ 7 Comments

I’m with Charles Yallowitz at his blog Legends of Windemere. Come on over there is another new excerpt from Eternal Road – The final stop. Here is the link.

http://legendsofwindemere.com/2020/09/20/new-release-eternal-road-by-john-w-howell/

A little about Charles.

Charles Yallowitz was born and raised on Long Island, NY, but he has spent most of his life wandering his own imagination in a blissful haze. Occasionally, he would return from this world for the necessities such as food, showers, and Saturday morning cartoons. One day he returned from his imagination and decided he would share his stories with the world. After spending many years fiddling with his thoughts and notebooks, he decided that it was time to follow his dream of being a fantasy author. So, locked within the house with only pizza and seltzer to sustain him, Charles brings you tales from the world of Windemere. He looks forward to sharing all of his stories with you and drawing you into a world of magic.

His books.

War of Nytefall

Legends of Windemere

 

Views of the Neighborhood – Deer Check

~ John W. Howell ~ 78 Comments

I thought we would cruise around and check the deer. We have our faithful bus companion, and it is loaded with brunch and bubbly.Views of the neighborhoodPhoto by unsplash

Hop aboard, and let’s see what we can find.

Views of the Neighborhood

Our first sighting is of a mama deer all by herself. I hope everything is okay in the deer household.

Here are a couple of this year’s fawns. Their camouflage spots are beginning to fade.

A young buck wondering what this yellow thing is doing here.

A middle-aged buck having a stroll.

Then there is grandpa. I wonder if we could get him to turn and show us his rack. “Hey, Grandpa.”

Wow. All the previous photos were taken by The Producer. She actually called to the buck, and he stopped and turned. I guess he couldn’t resist a pretty woman.

A whole family taking advantage of the rain refreshed grass. This is the only picture I took on this trip.

Views of the Neighborhood

This is an Axis deer who escaped from an exotic ranch nearby. Originally from southern India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, the axis deer was introduced to Molokai, Hawaii in the 1860s, Maui years after that, and Texas in 1932, intended as a game animal. Some escaped the ranches like this one. There are over 6000 roaming free in Texas. Photo by the Producer.

I hope you enjoyed our little safari. Feel free to refill those containers with bubbly but remember no drinking and driving. Have a safe and healthy week.

Stream of Consciousness Saturday – Prompt – “Tion”

~ John W. Howell ~ 54 Comments

Concentration is needed when it is Stream of Consciousness Saturday. You will see what I mean when Linda Hill explains this week’s prompt. Here is Linda now.

“Thanks, John. Okay, you get the bonus points.Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “-tion.” Find a word that ends with “tion.” Bonus points if you start your post with it. Have fun!”

Goodbye, Linda, and thanks for the prompt. Well, now, you can see why I started the post with the word “concentration.” Let’s hear it for the one step closer to the Bentley convertible. I can almost see it.

Views of the neighborhood

“Tion” by John W. Howell © 2020

“Fascination is the name of the game.”

“Do I get decryption of this message?”

“In your case, I will make an exception.”

“I hope I’m not violating a long-standing prohibition of yours.”

“No, it’s just when you come around I get the sensation that you don’t approve of these prompt days.”

“Wow, what a revelation. I can’t imagine how you got that idea.”

“Maybe it’s the friction that I feel between us.”

“Or the devotion that you have to this Saturday romp.”

“Now that you mention it, I guess it would look like that to you.”

“Or anyone who happens to observe your action.”

“Well, at least it’s not my vocation.”

“So, back to your original statement. What is the relation to fascination?”

“To win at Stream of Consciousness, you have to have a certain level of motivation.”

“Yeah? You sure it’s not a level of mutation?”

“See there you go again with a level of rejection.”

“Okay, I’ll put aside my dysfunction feelings and let you explain.”

“These prompts keep me from mental deprivation.”

“So they are a substitution for idleness of the brain.”

“Yes, an equalization for my lack of thinking activity during this lockdown.”

“I get it. How about something with some barley and carbonation.”

“Is it a celebration?”

“Yes. A declaration of your mental freedom.”

“I guess I could use the rehydration.”

“Spoken like a true academic.”

“Hey, you didn’t use a “tion” word.”

“My mortification for sure. Let’s go.”

 

Friday JohnKu – AKA – TGIF

~ John W. Howell ~ 70 Comments

 

“What? I’m just asking if Lucy wants to play.”
“It just looked like you were going to pounce on her.”
“Who me? Pounce on this water buffalo? Not a chance.”

I am over at Story Empire today. I’m talking about a review link to your book on Amazon. Here is the link. (speaking of links)

https://storyempirecom.wordpress.com/2020/09/18/book-review-link-on-amazon/

Friday is here, and for the life of me, I can’t figure out a good reason to be overjoyed at the prospect. For those working, of course, it is a good thing to take a couple of days off. So I guess I’ll celebrate for you. 🎶 toot 🎶 (love that party horn.)

Not much going on around here. Yes, I’m still touring and am grateful for all the support. The last stop will be on the 30th, so there is a little way to go. A quick reminder that the price of Eternal Road will go up mid-October. It will go from 99¢ to $2.99. As I have said before, the price will never go below 99¢.

We have to keep Hurricane Sally victims in mind today. There is no such thing as an inconsequential Hurricane. Think of the last time you dropped some water on the floor. A Hurricane drops so much more water that usually everything on the main floor of homes is destroyed. Also, without power and A/C, the mold starts to grow immediately. These folks have a tough road ahead.

Today’s JohnKu talks about facing tough times. I hope you all have a beautiful weekend.

Catastrophes by John W. Howell © 2020

You hear of a storm,

And feel good it’s not near you . . .

Pray, you are not next.

Today I’m with Jill Weatherholt at Her Place

~ John W. Howell ~ 23 Comments

I’m with Jill Weatherholt at her lovely blog. I really like her description of her mission. “Writing Stories of Love, Faith, and Happy Endings While Enjoying the Journey.” I am there with another excerpt from Eternal Road- The Final Stop. Come on over. Here is the link

https://jillweatherholt.wordpress.com/2020/09/18/eternal-road-the-final-stop-by-john-w-howell-newrelease/

Here is a little about Jill.

By day, Jill Weatherholt works for the City of Charlotte. At night, and on the weekend, she writes contemporary stories about love, faith, and forgiveness for Harlequin Love Inspired.
Raised in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., she now resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, but her heart belongs to Virginia.
She holds a degree in Psychology from George Mason University and Paralegal Studies Certification from Duke University.
She shares her life with her real-life hero and number one supporter. Their relationship grew on the golf course, and now they have one in their backyard.
Jill believes in enjoying every moment of this journey because God has everything under control.

Her books

Thursday – A Little Personal – Lawn Day

~ John W. Howell ~ 90 Comments

Lucy and Twiggy

“I hear something, Lucy.”

“There is someone working next door.”

“Now, I hear something, Little One.”

“What is it?”

“Sounds like the gate opened. Let’s check it out.”

“Whoa, look at this equipment.”

“Whose stuff is that anyway?”

“I heard the boss was going to do his own lawn. Looks like he has the mower, trimmer, and blower out.”

“You think he can do it?”

“Oh yeah. He’s been mowing his own lawn for decades.”

“A decade is ten years, right? How many decades?”

“Hmmm. I think he started when he was ten years old.”

“Okay, we don’t have enough toes to count. Let’s just leave it at he has experience. What happened to the crew?”

“You know the boss. All type A and such. They didn’t do a good enough job.”

“Yeah, I can get that. Plus, they made me bark till I was hoarse. Let’s go play before he comes out.”

“I still hear something, Lucy.”

“Forget it. I’ll give you till three to haul butt to the side patio. Last one there is a cat.”

Today I’m with Joan Hall On Her Blog

~ John W. Howell ~ 20 Comments

I am at Joan Hall’s place. I have another excerpt from Eternal Road – The final stop. Come on over. Here is the link.

https://wp.me/p9CiJH-1PV

 

A little about Joan.

Joan Hall likes to create character-driven fiction with strong, determined female leads and enigmatic male characters. She has always enjoyed reading a good mystery or suspense story, so it’s only natural that’s her favorite writing genre. She’s also a romantic at heart. When she’s not writing, Joan likes to take nature walks, observe the night skies, explore old cemeteries, and visit America’s National Parks and historical sites. She also likes ghost walks and learning about local folklore. She and her husband live in Texas.

Here are the covers from her Driscoll Lake series.

Her Legends of Madeira Series Book One, Cold Dark Night, will be available in 2020