Wednesday – Story Day – AKA Hump Day

November 11, 2015November 10, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 14 Comments

It is Wednesday Story Day and Veterans Day. First I want to thank all veterans and current active military personnel for their service and recognize this day as a celebration of their sacrifice.

Funny college572x700

Also, I’m back with a new episode of our continuing saga about Ben, Alexis, Mrs. Worthe, and dad. The last time we visited these troubled folks the two kids were asking the father about giving them some C4 explosives. The dad was almost convinced when in walks Mrs. Worthe. Let’s join the happy family.

“Mom what are you doing home so early?”

“For heaven’s sakes Alexis. I live here and can come and go as I please.”

“I-I know that. I mean we didn’t expect you to be here.”

“I’m well aware of that Alexis. You and Benny here were trying to convince your poor father to give you some explosives weren’t you?”

“Yes, dear. We were discussing the point. I was telling these two that I am worried about them blowing themselves up.”

“Yes, I heard you. You were just telling Alexis that you can’t deny her anything that she asks.”

“You know what I mean.”

“Yes, I do. The fact that she hangs around this Ben character is evidence of your softness.”

“Come on dear. Let’s not make a scene.”

“There will be no scene and no C4 either.

“Aw, mom. You don’t run the plant. You don’t have a say. Does she daddy?”

“I’m afraid so. I sold the company to your mother a couple of months ago.”

“Why did you do that daddy? That was your father’s company.”

“I know. Sadly I just couldn’t make it profitable.”

“I can’t believe that. Mother, what did you do to daddy? That company has been making money for years.”

“Oh, shut up Alexis. I didn’t do anything. Your father here is a terrible business person is all. On top of his expensive habits that is.”

“What habits?”

“Go ahead dear tell your loving daughter about your proclivities to excess with wine, women, and song.”

Tuesday – Anything Possible – Kreative Kue with Keith Channing

November 10, 2015November 16, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 22 Comments

As you may know, I have become enamored by the talent of Keith Channing. He has a weekly prompt named Kreative Kue, which runs on Mondays. Here are the instructions from Keith for the prompt. “Using this photo as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; and either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithkreates@channing.fr before 6pm on Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated.”

His advice. “Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries, with links to your blog or website, next Monday.” Here is the photo.

Kreative Kue #50

Here is my interpretation:

“I know it sounds strange officer, but I’m telling you the truth.”

“Let’s just go over a couple of things a little more slowly.”

“Yes, sir.”

“So you say you were sitting in that chair.”

“Yes, officer. Minding my own business.”

“I’m sure sir. Then what did you see?”

“Well, this fella comes running around the corner—”

“Did you get a good look at him?”

“I sure did.”

“What did he look like?”

“Well, he was big.”

“What do you mean big? Tall? Fat?”

“No. I mean he was about seven feet high and about the same across.”

“he was seven feet by seven feet.”

“Yeah, scared the crap out of me.”

“Then what?”

“He grabbed a bunch of chickens and kept running.”

“A bunch? How many?”

“I would say ten crates with ten in each.”

“One hundred chickens? How’s that possible?”

“Beats me officer but I think the way he was dress had something to do with it.”

“Dressed how?”

“He was in a chicken suit. He looked like a fat chicken.”

“Excuse me for asking sir.”

“Yes, officer.”

“What’s that you have in that paper bag?”

“Oh, this? it’s my lunch.”

“Your lunch looks very much like a bottle.”

“To each his own sir. To each his own.”

Thanks to Patrick and Sandra Jones for the Help Launching His Revenge

November 9, 2015November 9, 2015 ~ John W. Howell

Patrick and His wife Sandy are a great team. They have posted a launch announcement on their blog. You can go HERE and see it.

Patrick is the author of two very frightening books, The wolf’s Moon, and The River. I have read both and swear I will never go hunting and fishing again. You can find Patrick’s books on Amazon. Also, Sandy has been so very supportive on Twitter that I had to give her a shout out as well and her twitter handle @SandraJones44.

Here are Patrick’s books.

Here is more about Patrick Jones

Pat Jones was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. His special interests include the science of paleoanthropology and archeology. Woodworking is one of his favorite hobbies, with special emphasis on the unique grains and textures of various species of trees. He and his wife, Sandy, thrive on designing and creating a flower garden of perennials, second to none! Constantly evolving, the garden began as a way that he could surprise his wife on her birthday. The rest is history! The garden now spans one-fourth of an acre!

When their children graduated from school, the couple relocated to rural Missouri where they now reside with their four dogs. The love of the area, in combination with the uniqueness of the people, provided the impedance for “The Wolf’s Moon”. A short story, “The River,” followed shortly thereafter. The sequel to “The Wolf’s Moon” is already in the works and proves to be yet another suspenseful page-turner!

Pat believes that there is a story in everything. Everybody that he meets has their own special story; one simply has to take the time to listen. The story then writes itself. Please visit our website at http://www.thelindenchronicles.com Thank you for your interest!

Thank You Rebecca Reilly for Your Help Launching His Revenge #RRBC

November 9, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 2 Comments

Rebecca is the host of today’s 4Wills Publishing His Revenge Tour. You can visit her HERE. I want to thank Rebecca for her help. Rebecca is the author of seven books. You can see all of them HERE. In addition, she serves on the board of Rave Reviews Book Club and is very supportive of other authors.

Here are her books.

Here is more about Rebecca.

Rebecca Reilly is a pastor and has been working in ministry for over thirty years. A wife and mother of two and grandmother of one, Rebecca enjoys hiking, jogging, and taking cruises. When she’s in her Northern California home, she works as a pastor of student ministries, a massage therapist, a health coach, and a writer. Rebecca enjoys writing mysteries (Into Dark Waters and Haunting Megan), but has also written humor (Diary of a Christian Woman: How I Used 50 Shades of Grey to Spice Up My Marriage), a children’s chapter book (The Geek Club), and two picture books (Heart of a Kitty and Jammers and His Flying Bed Adventure). Right now, Rebecca is working on follow-up novels in all four genres.
You can follow Rebecca on Facebook
(facebook.com/RebeccaLynnReilly),

Twitter (twitter.com/RebeccaReillyL),

Goodreads, and at www.rebeccareilly.net.

Top Ten Things Not to do on a Windy Day

November 9, 2015November 8, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 29 Comments

Windy

The inspiration for this list is the over twenty-five mile an hour winds we have been experiencing since Thursday. Most of these warnings are a matter of common sense, but in the spirit of public service I will state the obvious. Hope you enjoy.

The Things Not to do on a Windy Day

10 On a windy day, do not think it is a good time to inspect your roof for leaks. If you do, at best the fire department rescue team will not be happy getting you down from there. At worst, you now need the rescue team to splint and bandage the results of a three-story fall. (Recall your last words? “Honest honey I’ll be careful.”)

9 On a windy day do not spit period. If you do, at best you might catch a gust in the opposite direction. At worst, you will need to pause your busy schedule for a shower. (Too bad you were eating licorice at the time.)

8 On a windy day do not think you can control the weed and grass killer spray. If you do, At best you will only take out the edge of the lawn. At worst, in three days your yard will have all the life of the Sahara Desert. (Did you not see the warning on the label? By the way, the damage is permanent)

7 On a windy day do not think you can spray paint that swing set. If you do, at best you will have an ongoing shadow of it on your lawn. At worst, the next door neighbor just realizes his new yellow convertible has a light overlay of Rustoleum brown. (Is that him at the front door with the police?)

6 On a windy day do not get up on that twenty-four-foot extension ladder. If you do, at best you will soon be calling for help as you slowly lose your grip on the top eavestrough. At worst, you and the ladder will end up in your living room after passing through the largest and most expensive picture window in the house. (Don’t worry a tourniquet properly applied will stop that gushing. You don’t know what I’m talking about you say?)

5 On a windy day do not be coerced into allowing the kids to fly their kites. If you do, at best on may be dragged through Mrs. Jones rose bushes. At worst, the FAA will be asking some tough questions about the violation of airspace by your kid and his Sponge Bob Square Pant kite.(You were almost sure that tree would have stopped him)

4 On a windy day do not think going fishing is a good way to spend the day. If you do, at best you’ll end up cold and wet without any fish. At worst, your rescue will be featured on the six o’clock news with the tagline,”Foolish tourist risks life by ignoring the small craft warnings.” (Forgot to turn on the radio did we?)

3 On a windy day do not think the golf game can go on a usual. If you do, at best you will break your record of high score and lost balls. At worst, the wind direction is such that you teed off, and the ball comes back and knocks you off your feet, and you get an expensive airlift to the hospital.(You thought that was going to be one of your longest drives)

2 On a windy day do not take a leisurely walk on the beach. If you do, at best you will be covered in sand from head to foot. At worst, you will receive a dermabrasion with the delightful side benefit of a bird dropping mask.( No. That stuff does not wash off.)

1 On a windy day do not think it is a good time to fertilize the lawn. If you do, at best you will waste a lot of fertilizer on your neighbor’s lawn and shrubs. At worst, you will end up in the pulmonology wing of the hospital as a subject of study of the after effects of poop in the lungs. (Could have worn a mask but nooo too much trouble.)

A Big Thanks to Beem Weeks for the help on the His Revenge Tour #RRBC

November 7, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 2 Comments

Beem Weeks is hosting today’s 4Wills Publishing His Revenge Weekend Tour. You can visit his post HERE. I want to thank Beem for helping with the launch. Beem is a member of Rave Reviews Book Club and active participant in the Board as well as host of Rave Waves BlogTalkRadio “BEYOND THE COVER” interview show. Beem is also a talented writer and you can visit his books on Amazon. He also likes my alma mater Michigan State University. (Good thing in my book)

His Books

Here is a little more about Beem

Beem Weeks is the 40-something-year-old indie author of several short stories, poems, essays, and the historical fiction/coming-of-age novel Jazz Baby. He has also released a collection of short stories entitled Slivers Of Life. A divorced father of two grown children, Beem has lived in Florida and Georgia, and is currently calling Michigan home. Among his literary influences he counts Daniel Woodrell, Barbara Kingsolver, and Stephen Geez. He’s been writing since childhood, having co-authored a play he saw performed by and for classmates and staff during his time in fifth grade. As a teenager and young adult, Beem wrote concert and record reviews for a small publication. Journalism had been his intended field from an early age, but all that changed with the publication of a short story that eventually led to his first novel, Jazz Baby. Beem enjoys indie films, loud music, and a well-told story. He is currently hard at work on his second novel–though that’s a slow-go at times

Thanks, to John Fioravanti for the help on the My Revenge Launch #RRBC

November 6, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 2 Comments

As part of the 4Wills Publishing His Revenge Weekend Launch Tour, John Fioravanti is hosting a stop today. You can see his post HERE. I would like to give you some information about John. He is a member of Rave Reviews Book Club and an officer on the Board of Governors as well as a good friend. Thank you, John.

John Fioravanti author has written four books. You can see them on Amazon. His newest is THE GENESIS SAGA: BOOK TWO

Here is the blurb.

Marco Rossini is the Vice President of Genesis, and the civilian commander of the elite Alpha Corps special forces. His skills and courage are about to be tested in ways he could not have foreseen.

It is 2797 CE, and after centuries fractured along religious and social lines, planet Genesis is inching painfully toward unity. The civilian and Churcher executives of a new, hybrid government are convinced that without reform their society will not survive… but they are beset by challenges from fanatics who are determined to destroy all initiatives that might lead to positive change.

Marco’s close brush with death and his miraculous recovery with the help of the Earthers has steeled his resolve to fight for an egalitarian society… but can this academic-turned-political leader vanquish his enemies, save his love, and still preserve his own humanity?

The rest of his books

Thank You Olga Núñez Miret for helping with the His Revenge Launch

November 5, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 4 Comments

Olga Núñez Miret has published a post helping to announce the availability of His Revenge. You can visit the post HERE. I am appreciative of Olga’s support and want you to know a little about her. To see all her twenty books (some are published in two versions, Spanish and English) go to her author site on Amazon

In Olga’s words. “My name is Olga Núñez Miret and I’m a writer. I also do translations of other author’s work. What else? I was born in Barcelona, Spain, but have lived in the UK for a long time. Over the years, I’ve done many things and had other lives but however far I wander I keep coming back to books and stories, my two earliest loves. When reading was no longer enough, I started writing. My first book was published in 2012 and my publications span different genres, from literary fiction to romance, Young Adult and psychological thrillers. I plan on writing more novels in the same genres and if my imagination so dictates, I will explore others. I love to connect with readers, so don’t hesitate to get in touch.
If you want to keep informed of all my news, offers, and promos, you can sign up for my e-mail list here:
http://eepurl.com/bAUc0v
You can also find me in the usual places and I always include links in the books. Don’t forget to check my website and my blog. There are always surprises.”

Big Thanks to Helen Valentina for the Help with the His Revenge Launch

November 5, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 2 Comments

Helen Valentina is helping launch His Revenge with a post that you can find HERE. I want to thank her by giving you a little information. She is the author of several intriguing dark stories called Darker Realms which she publishes right HERE. You have to go and read just one. You will be hooked. Trust me. She is also an accomplished poet and has given is a number of poems worthy of deep thought,

Helen Valentina was born, grew up in and still lives in Australia. She writes as a way to understand why we feel what we feel, think what we think and ultimately do what we do. She writes poetry and novels in broad themes that reflect the elements – love stories and emotion reflecting water, satire and comedy reflecting air and so forth. Future works will also include novels that reflect different elements and genres but will always return to the one central question: what is it that makes us who we are? Check out the Darker Realms.

Thank you, Helen.

Thank you Professor V.J. Duke for the Assist on the His Revenge Launch

November 4, 2015November 4, 2015 ~ John W. Howell ~ 6 Comments

The above header is the entrance to a fabled place called The Punchy Lands. It is here that Professor V.J.Duke resides and holds forth with his minions. I have to admit I have come under the spell of the place since it is a wonderful spot to go to escape. The professor has helped with the launch of His Revenge by granting an interview which he seldom does. As with all things professorish, the interview is wonderful indeed. Check it out HERE.

I have the latest picture of the professor which was taken in a Tea Shop (don’t ask)

Here is more about the Professor in his words

This professor would tell you a lot about himself, but inexplicably, I would end up telling you only uninteresting and dull particulars which would leave you crying in supreme boredom. In fact, you’d probably be left wondering why you had wanted to hear anything in the first place. So, I’ll just give you some dull facts:

(1) My favorite author is Mark Twain. (Even though he wasn’t professorish.)

(2) I don’t like coffee or chocolate–much.

(3) Butterflies hate me, I think.

(4) I’m never quite myself.

(5) Transposing Nocturnes–notably, Chopin’s–is dreadfully vexing.

(6) I change often. Sometimes unexpectedly.

(7) I think I collect rocks and old coins. (Preferably, nice-looking rocks with red streaks, and nice-looking old coins without red streaks.)

(8) I have a blue desk with ugly crayon drawings in the drawers that I’m not at all responsible for. The culprit has yet to be found, I fear.

(9) Sometimes I feel like myself.

(10) The professor can be mathematically explained. This is a wonder since his equation has yet to be discovered.

(11) Pride and Prejudice scares me, but I haven’t had a nightmare yet.

(12) I’m heartless. (I lost my heart on the plains of Troy.)