“Hey, Lucy, its Friday. Want to ruckus?” “After my nap, Little One. After my nap.”
Another Friday is here and thank goodness for it. As you know from last week. I was on a break. It was terrific having mt eldest daughter visit. We did so many things, and she was a delight to have close.
I didn’t do any writing on the break. My goal was to be with my daughter, and that was accomplished. I did get back to work on Wednesday and have managed a thousand words a day since then. So in all, I took a break of six days, and I worked on my WIP for five days. I was at 28,000 words when I last reported, and I’m now at 34,000. That means the days I worked, I did a little over 1000 words a day. You may wonder why I am going through these gyrations? To stay on point is why. If I have to report my output to you guys weekly, then I’m more dedicated. So I think you for keeping my nose to the grindstone.
I am so pleased to welcome Harmony Kent to Fiction Favorites. Besides being an accomplished author, Harmony is also a terrific editor. She describes her new book.
Hi, everyone. Harmony here. Many thanks to John for hosting me today. I have a new book on pre-order called FALLOUT, which is a post-apocalyptic dystopia. This novel started out life by playing a little game. I sat and closed my eyes and imagined an empty room … in that room, a vial appeared. A dull orange plastic thing covered in scratches. It sloshed when I shook it. From that tiny beginning, the world of Exxon 1 and its deadly virus was born.
How come there’s only one vial?
How does the virus and antidote work?
WHEN EVERYTHING FALLS APART, WHAT CAN YOU DO?
The year is 3040.
The location is Exxon 1, part of a six-planet system in settled space.
Determined to avoid the mistakes of old Earth, the surviving humans avoided democracy and opted, instead, for a non-elective totalitarian system.
The new way worked well, until now.
A crazy, despotic president releases a nano-virus on the population.
No one was ready for the fallout. It came anyway.
In this post-apocalyptic world, can you stay safe?
Excerpt
Nobody knew her. And she intended to keep it that way. It’s easy to fool others. All you have to do is believe it yourself, and you make it real. People want to be manipulated. It keeps life simple for them. You watch and learn what their desires are, what their morals are, and what you can give them in return for what you want from them.
For the time being, it worked for Sasha to sleep with Ellie’s husband. And she enjoyed keeping the true nature of the lab project a secret, even from the boss. It was too funny: the lead scientist not having the first clue.
Sasha set up the accident perfectly.
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 ever-present sense of humour, adorable husband, and quirky neighbours.
Harmony is passionate about supporting her fellow authors.
Twiggy and Lucy don’t like the heat much. They are both sub-snout dogs and shouldn’t be in the weather because it is very hard on them to be able to vent correctly through panting. Does that mean they don’t want to go out? You be the judge.
“Hey, Lucy. Come here.”
“What Little One? I’m busy scratching my ear.”
“Do you see em?”
“I don’t see anything.”
“Look harder. Over there past the lamplight.”
“Sorry Potato, but I don’t see anything.”
“Just turn your head slightly. They are right there.”
“Okay. I still don’t see anything.”
“Maybe we are at the wrong window.”
“So let’s go to the Boss’ office.”
“There. Lucy, Do you see it?”
“Is that a squirrel?”
“Oh, boy lets go get it.”
Not so fast ladies. According to my watch it is 101 degrees out there. You’ll have to wait a little. Also, it looks like the DOW has reacted to the interest rate cut. But that’s not your worry”
“Aw, dad. We just spotted some interesting game. What is a DOW?”
“Never mind the DOW. Besides the temperature, the squirrel is in the front. You never go out front without a leash.”
The man makes sense, Little one. I think I’ll catch 40 winks.”
“Yeah, I could use a few myself. I’ll bet a DOW is something fun to chase.”
“I’m telling you, Twiggy. You can knock all you want but Friday is not going to answer. It’s still Wednesday.”
It is Wednesday story day again, and I am so glad to be back. I had a wonderful time with my oldest daughter, but now it is time to return.
Last week we were surprised to find Christine wasn’t lying dead in her house after offering to speak to Larry and Andrew about Rafferty’s murder. We were also ill at ease with Christine’s lassiez faire attitude once the boys came to her place. She went off to change clothes and asked our heroes to make her a drink. Some of us wondered if she was setting our guys up for a drive-by. I think we better get back there and hope no one comes through the door with a blazing automatic. I see Christine is returning to the living room where Andrew waits with her drink.
“Oh, my goodness this drink is exactly what I need. Aren’t you guys having any?”
“No thanks, Christine. We need to drive tonight.”
“You need to drive Larry. I could use a drink.”
“Yes, Larry. Please let the man have a drink. There’s some nice Willet Special Reserve bourbon over there.”
“Thank you, Miss. Don’t mind if I do.”
“You can call me Christine. So, Larry. Where was I?”
“You were telling us that you thought the reason Alexis was killed is he found out that his wife and a guy named Ned Dixon were in partnership together and out to defraud Cortez.”
“Ah, yes. You have to understand that the reason Alexis was not faithful to his wife is she took up with that Dixon guy. He actually was very upset about that.”
“So he took some comfort with you?”
“Well, in a manner of speaking. He used to come into the bar, and one thing led to another, and we struck up a relationship.”
“When was the last time you saw Mr. Rafferty?”
“The night he was killed. He and I got together, and then he said he had to go to a meeting.”
“Did he tell you who the meeting was with?”
“No, but the way he talked, I assume it was with Cortez.”
“Had he been drinking?”
“No, not at all. Alexis was not a big drinker. He would have maybe a glass of wine, but I never saw him drink more than one.”
“Okay, so he had a meeting with Cortez. Did you see him after?”
“No. He was supposed to come back to my place, but he never showed.”
“Was that unusual?”
“Larry. Take a look at this body. Would you not come back to my place?”
“Er uh.”
“Yes, it was unusual. I stayed up until two o’clock and finally fell asleep. When I got up in the morning, there was no Alexis. I only found out when I got to work what happened.”
“So what makes you think he was killed due to a plot on the part of his wife and Dixon.”
“he was on the phone with his wife before he left my place. He was telling her that he knew about her and Dixon and that her “little Ponzi scheme” wasn’t going to work.”
“Ponzi scheme? Is that what he called it?”
“Yes. Then when he got off the phone, he was agitated. In frustration, he told me that his wife and her lover were going to make a run at getting money from Cortez.”
“Did he say he was going to tell Cortez?”
“Oh, heavens no. Alexis would never do that. He would meet with the wife and threaten to expose her.”
“Is that what he said he was going to do?”
“In so many words.”
“Do you know if they met.”
“I’m not sure, but I have a theory.”
“What’s that?”
“I think he set up the meeting and she and Dixon did him in. Could you make me another drink please.”
“You know Lucy?” “What?” “Friday is so far from Wednesday.” “Profound Little One. Profound.”
It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week we were relieved that Larry and Andrew ran into someone who had some information about the Rafferty murder. Christine Bonner knew Alexis Rafferty and his connection to the Cartel boss Cortez. She didn’t want to talk in the bar, so she made an appointment to meet at her place at 7:00. Okay, it’s five minutes after seven. Larry and Andrew are at her door. Let’s get over there quick.
“Did you try the bell?”
“Yes, Andrew, you saw me push the bell.”
“Why doesn’t she answer?”
“You know, Andrew. If I knew that I would go on stage as a mind reader.”
“A very grumpy mind reader I might add.”
“Let me try the door. Nope locked uptight.”
“Should we go around back and see if another door is open?”
“If this were a weekly cop show I would say yes. Since it is just you and I standing here, I would say we have been stood up.”
“If this were a weekly cop show I would say ole Christine is laying in the kitchen deader than a doornail cause Cortez found out she was going to talk to us and we would discover her body by going around back.”
“What body boys?”
“Oh, hello, Christine. Andrew was waxing dramatic.”
“Let’s go inside quickly. Sorry. I’m late. A big bunch of party types and my relief person was late. Stupid stoner.”
“After you.”
“Please, gentlemen, have a seat. Let me get you something.”
“We are good, Christine. I think we should talk and then let you relax for the evening.”
“Very kind of you, detective.”
“Larry. You can call me Larry. So tell me. How well did you know Alexis?”
“Pretty darned well. He and I were having an affair for the last year or so.”
“Affair? Did anyone know about it?”
“We didn’t think so.”
“Okay, so what makes you think he was murdered?”
“The important question is why, Larry.”
“Okay, why?”
“I think he got into a scrape with Cortez. One night he was telling me about some invention that Cortez wanted him to certify as defective. He was pretty pissed that Cortez wanted him to lie.”
“So he thought it wasn’t defective?”
“Yes, that’s right. In fact, he thought it was a wonderful thing. I don’t know too much about the machine, but Alexis was crazy about it.”
“So, Cortez had him killed.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“I guess I should let you tell it then.”
“Thanks. I think the reason Alexis was killed is he found out that his wife and a guy named Ned Dixon were in partnership together and out to defraud Cortez.”
“How did that work?”
“Let me take a minute and just change out of my work clothes. This is a pretty involved story and might take some time. Also, I need a drink. While I’m changing why don’t one of you nice guys make me a tall bourbon and water. You’ll find the makings in the bar over there. While you are at it make something for yourself. I’ll be right back.”
It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday time again, and this weeks prompt is, “frame.” Here is how Lind Hill describes the assignment. “Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “frame.” Use it as a noun or a verb or any way you like. Have fun!” Notice how easy it is for her to say, “have fun.” If you would like to join in and have some fun, go to Linda’s blog and read how easy it is. Here is the link.
“I call this living Little One.” “Me too, Lucy. Me too.”
Friday is here at last. “Gee, I wish it was Monday,” said no one ever. Always lovely to see the weekend within sight.
If you checked out my post yesterday then you know the landscaping at our place is done. We are all so happy to have that item checked off. We were plagued with gumbo mud every time it rained, which was often. The dogs were forced to stay on a leash until the mess dried, which was about three days. Then we would get a day or two of no rain followed by rain and another three days of the leash. Well, those days are hopefully over.
My WIP is plugging along. I am at 28,000 plus words, which means my 1000 word a day goal is being met. The story is developing well, and it sounds like it might fit the speculative fiction genre. A lot of stuff happening that is not necessarily confined to one or more traditional genres. All I know is it is fun to write, and so I’ll just keep plugging.
Today’s JohnKu talks about fun and writing. I hope you have a very restful and fun weekend.
“Twiggy? You ready for Wednesday? “Ask me on Friday.”
It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week we witnessed Larry going off on a security manager at the Heavenly Ski Resort. The manager did not take kindly to his rudeness and told him to take a walk. If he needed more information, it would require a warrant. Larry and Andrew are not local investigators so an order probably won’t happen. Let’s join them at the California bar where Andrew took Larry to cool off.
“So, what do we do now, Larry?”
“Let’s get a drink, and then think about this for a moment.”
“Yes, gentlemen, can I help you?”
“You can. I think I’ll have whatever IPA you have on draft. How about you, Andrew?”
“I have a taste for a nice Bourbon. Do you have Willet Reserve?”
“We do sir. How would you like that?”
“Just neat is fine for me.”
“Very good sir. As far as the draft is concerned, we have a couple. There’s Hoppadillo which has a wonderful hop infusion, and there is Slam Your Face which carries a 10 percent load of Alcohol.”
“I’ll take the Hoppadillo. Not sure I can handle the other.”
“Yes, gentlemen. Coming right up.”
“Thank you. So, Andrew. We need to get information, and we don’t have a portfolio to force it.”
“And we have a hot head from Boston who gets us tossed out of the places we need to be in.”
“Yeah, sorry about that. I do have an idea, though.”
“Love to hear it. Oh, here are the drinks.”
“Here, you are, gentlemen. If you would like to order food, I brought the menu.”
“Thank you so much. We have a drink and then see from there.”
“Yes, sir. I’ll keep an eye on you. Give me a wave if you need anything.”
“Thanks. So Andrew here’s to Rafferty.”
“Hear, hear.”
“Excuse me, gentlemen. Did you just say, Rafferty?”
“We did miss er..”
“Name’s Christine. Christine Bonner.”
“Pleased to meet you, Christine. My name is Larry, and this is Andrew. Does the name Rafferty mean anything to you?”
“Yeah, he used to come in here all the time. That was before his, …uh…accident. You friends of his?”
“Well, no. We are Police officers from Boston.”
“What does Rafferty have to do with Boston?”
“It sounds like you knew him pretty well.”
“You know, before I say more, I would like to know why you two are asking. I was very fond of Alexis and don’t want to denigrate his memory.”
“Oh no, we wouldn’t do that. We are investigating a murder that happened in Boston, and his name came up as someone who might know something.”
“He worked for one of the biggest cartel bosses. You know that, right?”
“Yes, we know that.”
“So, you don’t think his death was an accident?”
“Why do you ask?”
“I don’t think you would be here if you thought it was an accident. Look I’m not comfortable talking in this place. I would like to help find those who killed Alexis and see justice done, but I have to protect myself. You boys don’t know how vicious that Cortez can be.”
“We have an idea. Is there a place we can talk?”
“Yes. I have a place in South Lake Tahoe. 21 Rancho Circle. It’s near the Bijou Community Park.”
“I think we can find it.”
“I get off at six. Why don’t you meet me there at about seven? That will give me time to get some dinner.”
“We would be happy to buy you dinner.”
“You don’t get it. I can’t be seen with you. In fact, pick up that menu and pretend to be asking me something. We have been talking way too long.”
“Okay. So is the fish sandwich good?”
“Yes, it is excellent.”
“We’ll take two with fries and see you tonight.”
“Excellent choice, sir. This will be right up. Do not tell anyone about our meeting.”
