Libby Fischer Hellmann's Blog, page 10
July 5, 2018
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June 28, 2018
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June 25, 2018
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June 3, 2018
Two Chicago Stories
These aren’t new stories, but a friend sent them to me the other day, and in these uncertain times, I thought you might appreciate them.
STORY NUMBER ONE
Many years ago, Al Capone virtually owned Chicago. Capone wasn’t famous for anything heroic. He was notorious for enmeshing the windy city in everything from bootlegged booze and prostitution to murder. Capone had a lawyer nicknamed “Easy Eddie.” He was Capone’s lawyer for a good reason. Eddie was very good! In fact, Eddie’s skill at legal maneuvering kept Big Al out of jail for a long time. To show his appreciation, Capone paid him very well.. Not only was the money big, but Eddie got special dividends, as well. For instance, he
and his family occupied a fenced-in mansion with live-in help and all of the conveniences of the day. The estate was so large that it filled an entire Chicago city block.
Eddie lived the high life of the Chicago mob and gave little consideration to the atrocity that went on around him. Eddie did have one soft spot, however. He had a son that he loved dearly. Eddie saw to it that his young son had clothes, cars and a good education. Nothing was withheld. Price was no object. Despite his involvement with organized crime, Eddie even tried to teach him right from wrong. Eddie wanted his son to be a better man
than he was. Yet, with all his wealth and influence, there were two things he couldn’t give his son; he couldn’t pass on a good name or a good example.
One day, Easy Eddie reached a difficult decision. Easy Eddie wanted to rectify wrongs he had done. He decided he would go to the authorities and tell the truth about Al “Scarface” Capone, clean up his tarnished name, and offer his son some resemblance of integrity. To do this, he would have to testify against The Mob, and he knew that the cost would be great.
So, he testified.
Within the year, Easy Eddie’s life ended in a blaze of gunfire on a lonely Chicago street. But in his eyes, he had given his son the greatest gift he had to offer, at the greatest price he could ever pay. Police removed from his pockets a rosary, a crucifix, a religious medallion, and a poem clipped from a magazine. The poem read:
“The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power, to tell
just when the hands will stop, at late or early hour. Now is the only time you own; live, love, toil with a will. Place no
faith in tomorrow, for the hands may then be still.”
STORY NUMBER TWO
World War II produced many heroes. One such man was Lieutenant
Commander Butch O’Hare. He was a fighter pilot assigned to the aircraft carrier Lexington in the South Pacific. One day his entire squadron was sent on a mission. After he was
airborne, he looked at his fuel gauge and realized that someone had
forgotten to top off his fuel tank.He would not have enough fuel to complete his mission and get back to his ship.
His flight leader told him to return to the carrier. Reluctantly, he
dropped out of formation and headed back to the fleet. As he was returning to the mother ship, he saw something that turned
his blood cold; a squadron of Japanese aircraft was speeding its way
toward the American-fleet.
The American fighters were gone on a sortie, and the fleet was all but
defenseless. He couldn’t reach his squadron and bring them back in
time to save the fleet. Nor could he warn the fleet of the approaching
danger. There was only one thing to do. He must somehow divert them from the fleet. Laying aside all thoughts of personal safety, he dove into the formation of Japanese planes. Wing-mounted 50 caliber’s blazed as he charged in, attacking one surprised enemy plane and then another. Butch wove in and out of the now broken formation and fired at as many planes as possible untilall his ammunition was finally spent.
Undaunted, he continued the assault. He dove at the planes, trying to clip a wing or tail in hopes of damaging as many enemy planes as possible, rendering them unfit to fly. Finally, the exasperated Japanese squadron took off in another direction. Deeply relieved, Butch O’Hare
the carrier.
Upon arrival, he reported in and related the event surrounding his return.. The film from the gun-camera mounted on his plane told the tale. It showed the extent of Butch’s daring attempt to protect his fleet. He had, in fact, destroyed five enemy aircraft. This took place on February 20, 1942, and for that action Butch became the Navy’s first Ace of W.W.II, and the first Naval Aviator to win the Medal of Honor.
A Year later Butch was killed in aerial combat at the age of 29. His hometown would not allow the memory of this WW II hero to fade, and today, O’Hare airport in Chicago is named in tribute to the courage of this great man. So, the next time you find yourself at O’Hare International, give some thought to visiting Butch’s memorial displaying his statue and his Medal of Honor. It’s located between Terminals 1 and 2.
SO WHAT DO THESE TWO STORIES HAVE TO DO WITH EACH OTHER?
Butch O’Hare was “Easy Eddie’s” son.
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June 1, 2018
Another Great Interview with Brian Freeman, ALTER EGO
I interviewed Brian Freeman, who happens to be one of the nicest crime authors I know, on SOLVED! on May 17th. His wonderful Jonathan Stride novel, ALTER EGO, has been out a few weeks now, and it’s terrific! I feel so lucky to be able to read and then talk to authors whom I respect and admire — maybe it will rub off on me! Plus, it’s just fun to talk shop. Hope you enjoy watching it. Let me know in the comments.
Interested in a SIGNED COPY of Brian’s new thriller? You can order it at Author’s Voice.net!
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May 23, 2018
Solved! HOW IT HAPPENED by Michael Kortya
Hi, all. I just realized I haven’t told you that I’ve been hosting a monthly TV interview show called SOLVED! for the past 18 months. (Talk about being late to the party…)
SOLVED! is a one of several shows produced by AuthorsVoice.net, which is owned and operated by the Abraham Lincoln BookShop in Chicago. We broadcast on Facebook LIVE after which each episode goes up on YouTube as well as the Facebook page of Authors Voice.
Yesterday, May 22, I was lucky enough to interview the fabulous Michael Koryta, whose new thriller, HOW IT HAPPENED, just came out. It’s a stellar read — I couldn’t put it down. So I invite you now to watch the interview — and then run out and by the book. You can get a SIGNED copy from Authorsvoice.net!
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May 17, 2018
Facebook LIVE: Solved! Brian Freeman - Alter Ego
Brian Freeman is a #1 bestselling author of psychological thrillers, including the Jonathan Stride, Frost Easton, and Cab Bolton series. His books have been sold in 46 countries and 22 languages. He is widely acclaimed for his “you are there” settings and his complex, engaging characters and twist-filled plots. Brian’s novel SPILLED BLOOD won the award for Best Hardcover Novel in the annual Thriller Awards given out by the International Thriller Writers organization, and his fifth novel THE BURYING PLACE was a finalist for the same award.
May 5, 2018
2018 Evanston Literary Festival Book Fair
The book fair will take place on Saturday, May 12 from 2-5 pm in the 1st floor Community Meeting Room of the Evanston Public Library located at 1703 Orrington in downtown Evanston.
April 23, 2018
Love to listen to thriller & crime fiction?
You’ll also receive a collection of free ebooks just for joining, and the chance to win a $50 bookstore gift card courtesy of NewInBooks!
Check out all the book covers here!
The Grand Prize winner receives an ereader and all participating books. One runner-up receives all books.
https://booksweeps.com/book-giveaway/...
April 18, 2018
WRITERS WORKSHOP
CREATING SUSPENSE
SATURDAY, APRIL 21, 2018
4:00PM – 5:30 PM
Why do readers keep turning the pages? Suspense. Building suspense into your work is an essential element of fiction, no matter what genre you write. In this interactive workshop, award-winning crime thriller author Libby Fischer Hellmann explains how to do it and illustrates techniques you can apply to your writing right away.
http://sewardcitynews.com/2018/04/wri...
