Randall Krzak's Blog, page 45

Randall’s Ramblings, March 5, 2017

Yesterday morning, I glanced out the window–a few snow flurries. Okay, nothing unusual in this part of the world. The snow was coming from the east, across the lake. I pulled up my favorite weather site, just to see what was in store. Mainly cloudy, outbreaks of sunshine, but cold. 

The flurries didn’t last long and the sun paid us a visit. A couple of hours later, it was hard to see much outside as the wind-driven snow was pelting down–a whiteout! In no time at all, over an inch of the white stuff was on the ground, with no sign of the storm abating.

I prepared a shopping list, figuring I’d head to the nearest store where I could pick up groceries and the all-important cat food for our five feline family members. By this time, the white-out had slowed, it was more of a regular storm. Bundled up, I climbed into our vehicle and headed out. The county road crew had already passed by, so the highway wasn’t too bad. Six miles inland, and there was hardly any snow, so I needn’t have rushed.

Now for birthday celebrations over the past week. According to historynet.com, the following members of the writing community had birthdays:

Howard Pyle, writer and illustrator (The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood); Frank Norris, novelist (McTeague, The Octopus); Leslie Marmon Silko, writer (Ceremony); Alan Sillitoe, novelist (Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner); James Merrill, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet (Divine Comedies); Nicolas Freeling, crime writer; Theodor Seuss Geisel [Dr. Seuss], author of numerous children’s books including The Cat in the Hat and Green Eggs and Ham; John Irving, novelist (The World According to Garp); William Dean Howells, novelist; Ralph Waldo Ellison, African-American author (Invisible Man); Robert Lowell, Jr., poet; won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1947 for Lord Weary’s Castle;  Richard Wilbur, writer and translator; won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1957 and 1989; Howard Nemerov, writer; won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1978; Ben Hecht, writer; Stephen Spender, English poet and critic; Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, American poet; John Steinbeck, American novelist (The Grapes of Wrath, Of Mice and Men); James T. Farrell, author (Young Lonigan); Peter De Vries, writer, poetry editor (Poetry Magazine, The New Yorker); and Lawrence Durrell, novelist (The Alexandria Quartet).

Recognize any names? I found a few. If you had a birthday during the past week, I hope you had an enjoyable day.

My Work in Progress

Marketing and publicity of The Kurdish Connection continued this week and will become part of my regular writing program.  Good news to report, at least I think so. Two district libraries have set dates for book signings. As part of their National Library Week activities, I’ll do a book signings on April 11th, followed by another one the next day. Along with the book signing, they also want me to talk about my writing journey.

Writing continued on Dangerous Alliance, with chapters eleven and twelve posted for review to the two subscription writing sites I use. Chapter thirteen is now underway.

A bit more from Dangerous Alliance:

The door swung open, a shadow crept across the carpet. Kim slammed the door shut and jumped on the intruder. He shoved him to the floor and rolled him over.

Soo stared up at him.

“Ambassador, what were you thinking? Where did you go?” Kim jumped to his feet and pulled Soo up. “You know nothing about this place.”

“I-I woke early and went for a walk. No one saw me—at least I don’t think so.”

Kim sat on the edge of the bed and motioned for Soo to do the same. He sighed, easing the adrenaline, which had built up in his system as he went into fight mode.

“Ambassador—Soo, you must understand. This is not Pyongyang or Beijing, where you travel with at least six bodyguards. I am your protection, and if you disappear without my knowledge, what might happen?”

He speaks to me like I’m a child. I am the ambassador to China, and he’s a lowly aide. Perhaps a spy for Sung.

Books I’m Reading

While I had planned to finish one novel this week and begin another, extra time in front of the computer cut into my reading time. Hope to have a review to share with you next week.

Blogs/Author Pages/Writing Sites I’d Like to Share

I’ve expanded this section from being only about blogs that I follow but also introduce you to some new authors and a few writing sites. I have two to share today:

MDNeu – Join MD Neu on his writing journey. Check out his novels in progress, poetry, and his blog. Well worth the visit!

Reader’s Abode – This is a new site started by an international group of writers. Spread across four continents, they’ll share their short stories and poetry with you. There’s sure to be a genre of interest!

Once again, we’ve reached the end of another ramble.  Hope you’ve found something of interest or at least useful for your own writing.  Until the next time, thank you for reading!

© Copyright 2017 Randall Krzak. All rights reserved.

 

The Kurdish Connection

Have you met Haggis, Mountie, Rebel, Aussie, and Kiwi yet? What do they have in common? Check them out!

 

 

Randall’s Ramblings, February 26, 2017

On the weather front, it’s been a crazy week, with a forty-degree (Fahrenheit) swing. Brilliant sunshine, lashing rain, blustery snowfall–we’ve had it all, sometimes on the same day. Right now it’s 23F/-3C, well down from the week’s high of 63F/17C, but plenty of sunny weather, and calm lake waters. Several nights this week, before the clouds rolled in, we were able to see a brilliant light in the sky, caused by the alignment of Venus and Jupiter. An amazing sight to behold!

Speaking of amazing sights, did anyone have a birthday over the past week? Does another year make a difference or is it all a mindset?  Here’s a list of folks associated with the writing world who had birthdays. Recognize anyone?

Victor Hugo, French novelist and poet (Les Misérables); Mabel Dodge Luhan, American biographer; Anthony Burgess, English writer (A Clockwork Orange); Wilhelm Carl Grimm, compiler, with his brother, of fairy tales; Mary Ellen Chase, writer from New England; August Derleth, writer (Still is the Summer Night, The Shield of the Valiant); Erich Kastner, German poet, novelist and children’s author (Emil and the Detectives); William Shirer, CBS broadcaster and author (The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich); Edna St. Vincent Millay, poet; Sean O’Faolain, Irish short story writer; Edward Gorey, American writer and illustrator; John Henry Newman, English theologian and writer; Charles Scribner; founded the publishing firm which became Charles Scribner’s Sons and also founded Scribner’s magazine; W.H. Auden, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet (The Age of Anxiety); and Erma Bombeck, author and humorist (The Grass is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank).

Happy birthday to all!

My Work in Progress

Marketing and publicity of The Kurdish Connection continued this week. Four district libraries have agreed to host book signing events for me. The dates haven’t been set yet, but will be after the weather settles down. The library directors recommended holding the sessions between April and June. A monthly newspaper, distributed throughout four counties, is currently reviewing my story and will be publishing a review. Stay tuned.:)

 These efforts haven’t stopped me from moving forward with the sequel, Dangerous Alliance. Chapters nine and ten were posted this week on the two subscription writing sites I use. Chapter eleven is already underway.

Here’s a bit of a taster from Dangerous Alliance:

“What is the oil to weapons ratio? I hope you worked a favorable deal.”

“Two tankers for each shipload of arms, Supreme Leader.” Soo continued to rock on his heels. I wish he’d let me sit. Dare I hope he’ll offer me something to eat?

“Generous terms—too generous. Three tankers for each load of weapons. No missiles requiring a mobile launcher, hand-held only. Assault rifles, pistols, ammunition, and grenades. Toss in a few military vehicles.”

“B-But we reached an agreement to—”

Sung waved a hand, silencing Soo. “Make the change. I decide what agreements are approved. Do you presume to question my authority?”

Books I’m Reading

I’m currently reading, Leviathan: An Event Group Thriller by David L. Goleman. Once I’m finished, I’ll post my review.  Next up will be When The Tree is Dry by Alice Hill. I have several more lined up, so I better get busy!

Blogs/Author Pages/Writing Sites I’d Like to Share

I’ve expanded this section from being only about blogs that I follow but also introduce you to some new authors and a few writing sites. I have another one to share today:

The Writing Chimp – follow the writing adventures of G. L. Cromarty, currently living Down Under.

Once again, we’ve reached the end of another ramble.  Hope you’ve found something of interest or at least useful for your own writing.  Until the next time, thank you for reading!

© Copyright 2017 Randall Krzak. All rights reserved.

 

 

Randall’s Ramblings, February 19, 2017

Yesterday we were greeted with brilliant sunshine and warm temperatures–59F/15C.  A year ago it was 28F/-2C.  Great weather for Michigan in February!  The forecasters are predicting about a week of nice weather, before colder temperatures and snow return. But then, it’s still winter!

Do you have someone in your life you were able to share the recent Valentine’s Day with? Hope so.  Do you know why it’s called Valentine’s Day? I didn’t until I checked it out. According to According to Historynet.com,  it’s actually St. Valentine’s Day, the feast day of two Christian martyrs named Valentine: one a priest and physician, the other the Bishop of Terni. Both are purported to have been beheaded on this day. The custom of sending handmade ‘valentines’ to one’s beloved became popular during the 17th century and was first commercialized in the United States in the 1840s.

If you had a birthday during the past week, you might have shared it with one of these writers: Kay Boyle, short story writer (“The White Horses of Vienna”); Carson McCullers, writer (The Heart is a Lonely Hunter); Amy Tan, novelist (The Joy Luck Club, The Kitchen God’s Wife); Shalom Aleichem, Yiddish author; Wallace Stegner, Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist (Angle of Repose); Helen Gurley Brown, editor of Cosmopolitan magazine; Len Deighton, English spy writer (The Ipcress File); Toni Morrison, Nobel laureate and Pulitzer Prize-winning author (The Bluest Eye, Beloved); Audre Lord, poet; Andrew Barton “Banjo” Paterson, Australian poet and journalist; Chaim Potok, novelist (The Chosen, The Promise); Van Wyck Brooks, biographer, critic and literary historian; Richard Ford, Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist (The Sportswriter, Independence Day); Frederick Douglass, slave, and later, activist and author; Georges Simenon, novelist; and Harold “Hal” Moore Jr., US Army lieutenant general, author, his best-known book, co-authored with combat journalist Joe Galloway, is We Were Soldiers Once … And Young. A belated happy birthday and hope you enjoyed your special day.

Available Through Your Favorite Bookseller (or at least Amazon and Barnes&Noble!)

It’s been an exciting week since the launch of my debut novel, The Kurdish Connection. I can’t thank Gene and his staff at Moonshine Cove Publishing, LLC enough for this fantastic opportunity.  A dozen people requested signed copies so far–greatly feeling to sign them!  Three libraries in the local area (within a fifty-mile radius) are setting up book signing events for me. A non-profit monthly newspaper, available from over 325 locations is reviewing my novel and will publish a book review.

Social media contacts are growing as the word spreads. Many thanks to those retweeting or sharing my links. More work is still needed but the momentum is growing!

Just in case you haven’t heard about my novel, here’s a bit for you:

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KURDISH SCAVENGERS UNCOVER A CACHE OF NERVE GAS IN IRAQ AND OFFER THEM TO KURDISH FIGHTERS IN TURKEY. THE SPECIAL OPERATIONS BEDLAM ALPHA TEAM MUST SECURE THE WEAPONS BEFORE THEY CAN BE USED.

“You must swear by Allah never to say a word of what I’m going to tell you. This is the most important secret. Ever!”

In their daily struggle for survival, Iraqi Kurdish scavengers uncover a cache of chemical weapons. They offer the weapons to Kurdish rebels in Turkey and Syria to assist in their quest to free an imprisoned leader and create a unified homeland. After receiving a tip from an unlikely source, the newly formed Special Operations Bedlam team is called to arms. Can the team recover the weapons before it’s too late?

My Work in Progress

Marketing/publicity hasn’t stopped me from moving forward with the sequel, Dangerous Alliance. Chapters seven and eight were recently posted on the two subscription writing sites I use. The next chapter, introducing a new character and scene, which will be important as the story unfolds, is currently underway.

All work on A Cartel’s Revenge and New World Revolution are on hold until the first draft of Dangerous Alliance is completed.  Beginning next week, I’ll resume posting glimpses into this story.

Books I’m Reading

I just finished a beta read of the first in a three-book series by Preston Holtry, the author of the outstanding Morgan Westphal Mystery series. I won’t say any more about it right now, but once Preston gives me the green light, I’ll post my review. I will say it’s a keeper!

Blogs/Author Pages/Writing Sites I’d Like to Share

I’ve expanded this section from being only about blogs that I follow but also introduce you to some new authors and a few writing sites. I have one to share today:

Alice S. Hill – a write-a-holic from Zimbabwe. She’s the author of When The Tree is Dry. Check out her site!

Once again, we’ve reached the end of another ramble.  Hope you’ve found something of interest or at least useful for your own writing.  Until the next time, thank you for reading!

© Copyright 2017 Randall Krzak. All rights reserved.

The Kurdish Connection – Out Now!

KURDISH SCAVENGERS UNCOVER A CACHE OF NERVE GAS IN IRAQ AND OFFER THEM TO KURDISH FIGHTERS IN TURKEY. THE SPECIAL OPERATIONS BEDLAM ALPHA TEAM MUST SECURE THE WEAPONS BEFORE THEY CAN BE USED.

In their daily struggle for survival, Iraqi Kurdish scavengers uncover a cache of chemical weapons. They offer the weapons to Kurdish rebels in Turkey and Syria to assist in their quest to free an imprisoned leader and create a unified homeland. After receiving a tip from an unlikely source, the newly formed Special Operations Bedlam team is called to arms. Can the team recover the weapons before it’s too late?

Randall’s Ramblings, February 12, 2017

Mother Nature seems to be confused. Over the past week, we’ve had pleasant temperatures for this time of the year. Since it’s winter, I think I’d prefer snow to rain and fog. Not the snowfall the Northeast just received, but a nice covering where I don’t have to clean the driveway but we can look out the window and watch the wildlife nibbling at the smorgasbord we set out for them.

I woke up to rain but perhaps I’ve spoken too soon. Large snowflakes are falling!

Did you have a birthday this week? If so, here’s a few others who had one, too: Charles Darwin, naturalist and influential theorist of evolution (On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection); George Meredith, English poet and novelist; William Henry Fox Talbot, photography pioneer, produced the first book with photographic illustrations (The Pencil of Nature); Roy Fuller, poet and novelist; Boris Pasternak, Russian novelist and poet (Dr. Zhivago); Alex Comfort, English physician and author (Joy of Sex); Amy Lowell, poet; James Stephens, Irish writer (The Charwoman’s Daughter, The Crock of Gold); Brendan Behan, Irish playwright and poet (The Hostage, The Quare Fellow); Alice Walker, Pulitzer prize-winning author (The Color Purple); Sir Thomas More, English statesman and writer (Utopia); and Sinclair Lewis, novelist of satire and realism. (Arrowsmith, Elmer Gantry).

Recognize anyone? Even if you didn’t, I hope you had a memorable special day.

Available Through Your Favorite Bookseller (or at least Amazon and Barnes&Noble!)

WOW! What a week it’s been since the release of my debut novel, The Kurdish Connection! I never thought I’d be fortunate enough to have this happen. All of the hard work doing the research, writing, and editing has paid off. Many thanks to Gene and his staff at Moonshine Cove Publishing, LLC, and all of my reviewers on the two subscription writing sites I use.

I’ve already received two five-star reviews on Amazon:

Outstanding Debut 5-Star! – Very apropos to today & Randy really knows his stuff. Well-written and thought-provoking. Worth every second of reading time. Get your copy today! This is an outstanding debut. I hope to read more from this author.

Great Book – 5 Star! – Outstanding book. I read this with interest from the first page. The characters are completely believable and the setting can only be described as “war torn”. Once you start it, you can’t put it down.

I hope there will be more to follow. My thanks to those who have already downloaded or ordered the paperback version.

My Work in Progress

I spent a great deal of time on social media this week, getting the word out about The Kurdish Connection. Even so, I was able to complete chapter seven of Dangerous Alliance and post it to the writing sites for review. I’m now writing the next chapter and hope to complete it over the coming week.

I hope to be back to a more normal blog posting soon, to include a review of the latest novel I’ve read and blogs I’ve been following.

Once again, we’ve reached the end of another ramble.  Hope you’ve found something of interest or at least useful for your own writing.  Until the next time, thank you for reading!

© Copyright 2017 Randall Krzak. All rights reserved.

 

 

The Kurdish Connection – Editorial Reviews

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Editorial Reviews of the Kurdish Connection:

“The Kurdish Connection-a compelling read. A story of friendship, danger and intrigue.”-Ann Everett, Amazon Best Selling Author.

“… Randall’s authentic voice adds a powerful push to keep a reader turning the pages.” -Janet Taylor-Perry, author of The Raiford Chronicles, The Legend of Draconis Saga, and April Chastain Intrigues.

“Topical – Engaging – Intriguing – Powerful … A real page turner.”-Rikon Gaites, author of Mummy’s Little Soldier and Darius Odenkirk.

“… Randall Krzak brings his wealth of experience living in this troubled part of the world and his military knowledge to bear in this exciting story…”-John L. DeBoer, author of When the Reaper Comes.

“… a journey full of history, suspense, intrigue, and action…a MUST READ for all!”-Les Stahl, Retired NSA Executive.

“… Readers need to fasten their seatbelts for a fast-paced tale made believable by a writer who knows what he’s writing about.”-Preston Holtry, author of the Morgan Westphal mystery series and the Arrius trilogy (forthcoming).

“A behind the scenes story, ripped from today’s headlines deepening the reader’s understanding of an ancient strife … filled with the sights and smells of the market place and secret meetings, the reader is admitted to the secret heart, the desperate longings of those that must fight and win, or see continued subjugation by their masters…”-Oliver F. Chase, author of Camelot Games, Levant Mirage, Blind Marsh, and Marsh Island

The Kurdish Connection – Now Available!

[image error] The Kurdish Connection is now available in paperback and Ebook through Amazon and Moonshine Cove Publishing, LLC. It will also be available through Barnes and Noble shortly.

Signed copies are also available. Please contact me for details.

KURDISH SCAVENGERS UNCOVER A CACHE OF NERVE GAS IN IRAQ AND OFFER THEM TO KURDISH FIGHTERS IN TURKEY. THE SPECIAL OPERATIONS BEDLAM ALPHA TEAM MUST SECURE THE WEAPONS BEFORE THEY CAN BE USED.

“You must swear by Allah never to say a word of what I’m going to tell you. This is the most important secret. Ever!”

In their daily struggle for survival, Iraqi Kurdish scavengers uncover a cache of chemical weapons. They offer the weapons to Kurdish rebels in Turkey and Syria to assist in their quest to free an imprisoned leader and create a unified homeland. After receiving a tip from an unlikely source, the newly formed Special Operations Bedlam team is called to arms. Can the team recover the weapons before it’s too late?

Randall’s Ramblings, February 5, 2017

Here we are with another cold, wintry day. Yesterday we had a dozen deer near the house, helping themselves to some corn, while the apple tree was filled with a myriad of birds sampling the seeds and suet.

This week’s birthday list includes the following people associated with the writing world: Ralph McGill, editor and publisher of the Atlanta Constitution; Arthur Ochs Sulzberger, longtime New York Times publisher; Jacques Prevert, French poet, screenwriter (The Visitors of the Evening, The Children of Paradise); Russell Hoban, artist and writer (Bedtime for Frances, The Mouse and His Child); Robert Coover, novelist & short story writer; Horace Greely, founder of the New York Tribune; Gertrude Stein, poet and novelist (Three Lives, The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas); James A. Michener, novelist (Tales of the South Pacific); James Joyce, Irish novelist and poet (Ulysses, Portrait of a Young Man); Langston Hughes, African-American poet; and Barbara Tuchman, U.S. historian (The Guns of August). If you had a recent birthday, I hope your special day was a good one.

Coming To Your Favorite Bookseller!

The Kurdish Connection

KURDISH SCAVENGERS UNCOVER A CACHE OF NERVE GAS IN IRAQ AND OFFER THEM TO KURDISH FIGHTERS IN TURKEY. THE SPECIAL OPERATIONS BEDLAM ALPHA TEAM MUST SECURE THE WEAPONS BEFORE THEY CAN BE USED.

“You must swear by Allah never to say a word of what I’m going to tell you. This is the most important secret. Ever!”

In their daily struggle for survival, Iraqi Kurdish scavengers uncover a cache of chemical weapons. They offer the weapons to Kurdish rebels in Turkey and Syria to assist in their quest to free an imprisoned leader and create a unified homeland. After receiving a tip from an unlikely source, the newly formed Special Operations Bedlam team is called to arms. Can the team recover the weapons before it’s too late?

My Work in Progress

With the pending release of The Kurdish Connection and making changes to my website, I haven’t been able to do much else this week. However, I am progressing with chapter seven of Danger Alliance. It will be posted in the next few days to the two subscription writing sites I use for review and comments.

In the meantime, I must concentrate on the launch of The Kurdish Connection, finishing my announcements and author pages for various sites. Exciting times, to be sure! Hope to be back to a more normal blog posting soon.

Once again, we’ve reached the end of another ramble.  Hope you’ve found something of interest or at least useful for your own writing.  Until the next time, thank you for reading!

© Copyright 2017 Randall Krzak. All rights reserved.

 

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