Sent off a completed Novella yesterday, now we wait to hear from the publisher…tick, tock.  Is tock a word? Amazing how insecure we are about our writing. I suppose someday one gains more confidence in his work. We wait…

Off to Honolulu to visit good friends who sailed there from Mexico last year. It will be my first ‘real’ visit (stopped there to refuel on the way to and from the orient courtesy of Uncle Sam , didn’t see a thing, but at least I was armed!) The pleasure of being there in moderate summer temperatures after a summer in Mexico( 98degrees, 72%h today)  alone makes the trip worthwhile! I  hope to purchase a ‘notebook’ to allow me to keep my blog up to date. I have been traveling so much, my posting is practically non-existent. My many fans (2 that I know of.) have been more than patient with me over this difficult last year. I lift a glass of Silver Patrone to you both and to any lurkers who remain anonymous.

Tomorrow we take the boat to the faraway land of Miramar to go fishing and snorkeling, perchance to catch as well as fish.The hope is that I will clear my head of the last Novella enough to return to the long suffering novel hidden somewhere in my computer. I will stay in touch.

Happy to report that I have just finished a new Novella ( first draft) it will be in edit for a bit then on to the publisher.       I have also started a new adventure based on the characters from  Night of the Machetes Will keep you posted on progress. More news about traveling soon.

Just added new effects! You can follow me on Twitter!

I have been trying to tie my web, Twitter,Facebook,and Linkedin accounts all together in one neat package. Thanks to my friend Pam who has spent a good part of her only day off helping me (Thank you!) I think we are close! This post is kind of a test.

I am happy to announce that my friends novel; Greed a Love Story by Douglas Beach is now available.  Doug and his wife Denise worked tirelessly over the last several months before his passing to make their dream come true.  Doug was able to see the completed cover art for his novel and enjoy the distinction of receiving two awards for his efforts; The editors Choice Award, and the prestigious Rising Star designation. These awards are based on the excellent quality of the writing,his worthy credentials, and the topic and timeliness of the book. The book is available at Amazon,Barnes and Noble, Borders, and iUniverse. I urge all of my friends to buy or download this book. Rich in the history and lore of Arizona it offers a story of love, plenty of action,the lure of gold , the devastating effects of greed, and a chance of redemption.  Help us reach the goal of five hundred copies sold  so that the book will be moved into general production and become available in bookstores everywhere. It’s a great read.

You may purchase copies of the book or have it downloaded on your e-book through:

iUniverse.com

http://www.iuniverse.com/Bookstore/BookSearchResults.aspx?Search=douglas%20beach

Amazon.com

http://www.amazon.com/Greed-Love-Story-Douglas-Beach/dp/1450268730/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1293567611&sr=1-1

BarnesandNoble.com

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Greed/Douglas-Beach/e/9781450268738/?itm=1&USRI=greed+a+love+story

Borders.com

http://www.borders.com/online/store/TitleDetail?type=1&catalogId=10001&simple=1&defaultSearchView=List&keyword=greed+a+love+story&LogData=%5Bsearch%3A+5%2Cparse%3A+8%5D&searchData=%7BproductId%3Anull%2Csku%3Anull%2Ctype%3A1%2Csort%3Anull%2CcurrPage%3A1%2CresultsPerPage%3A25%2CsimpleSearch%3Atrue%2Cnavigation%3A5185%2CmoreValue%3Anull%2CcoverView%3Afalse%2Curl%3Arpp%3D25%26view%3D2%26type%3D1%26nav%3D5185%26simple%3Dtrue%26book_search%3Dgreed%2Ba%2Blove%2Bstory%2Cterms%3A%7Bbook_search%3Dgreed+a+love+story%7D%7D&storeId=13551&sku=1450268765&ddkey=http:SearchResults

Doug’s website

http://doug-zihuatanejobayfishing.blogspot.com

Hello everyone. On a beautiful afternoon in Zihuatanejo, Mexico we scattered the ashes of my best friend Doug, into the calm waters of the bay. Watching were his wife, a few close friends, and several curious dolphins. Mixed with the ashes were flower petals from local shops and of course many tears. He continues his journey to Mother Earth and the four winds

This particular day was chosen because it is a day of pleasant memories for Doug and his lovely wife Denise. This is the week of celebrations dedicated to The Virgin of Guadalupe. When Doug and Denise first came to Zihuatanejo they witnessed this same celebration and were deeply moved by the sincerity and devotion shown by the participants, not to mention the countless bands, parades, and late night revelry that accompany this sacred holiday. Every one of Doug’s friends agreed that this was a fitting day to return Doug to mother earth.

I shall miss my friend and confidant, and personally feel this world is lessened by his passing. We must consider ourselves lucky to have had the opportunity to know such a good man. Until the time we join you, we bid you farewell brother.

Great news! I have been informed that my short story The Invitation will be published in January @ carnalpassions.com

This story turned out to be a little too steamy for my mainstream publisher Champagne Books so good folks at Carnal Passions were kind enough to have a go. I will keep you all informed as the story progresses toward publishing.

BLURB – THE INVITATION

Clarke had it all; young, independent and good looking, women liked him and he loved them. He spent a good portion of his time chasing the elusive “woman of his dreams”. One problem he admitted; the dream woman changed, from week to week, often from moment to moment. That fact, once a minor annoyance became a major stumbling block when he realized he could never catch a myth.  Michelangela changed it all. From the moment he first saw her he thought she could make the dream come true. His life became one mission; to meet her and to capture her heart. What he discovered not only shocked him, it became a defining moment in his life.

Our visit to Zihuatanejo over, we bid our dear friends goodbye and climb aboard our bus. The bus leaves on time at 12:30PM. Since we traveled this section at night on the way down we missed whatever sights might be worth while. I am anxious to see the countryside in this the tropical portion of our trip. We head up the coast to Lazaro Cardenas our first stop. The Pacific Ocean is to our left,I watch the big rollers crashing to the shore and long to be on the beach. We wave farewell to the Pacific and look to the lush overgrowth to our right.Huge broad -leafed trees and many plants that alas I am unable to name, but are beautiful none the less. Soon we begin climbing from sea level into the mountains. The road is good here, some two lane, some four and well maintained. I can determine some of the names of the small villages but most remain anonymous because I am unable to spot a road sign or name above some little shop. The larger towns I know; Uruapan, and Patzcuaro. I am struck by an interesting sight on the outskirts of one town; a sculpture of a huge guitar. My guess from a speeding bus is the statue is over thirty feet tall! The name of the town; Paracho or more formal; Paracho de Verduzco . This is what the Mexicans call “The Guitar Capital of the World”. It is certainly the guitar capital of Mexico. The home of many famous guitar manufacturers, I am told by friends who should know, that the best instruments are made here and are known throughout the world. I will put this city on “must visit” list for the future.Another example of the gems to be found scattered throughout the mountains of Mexico.
Our highway winds through the mountains, to the rolling green hills around the beautiful lake country by lake Chapala a popular area for foreign settlements where many Americans and Canadians live year around.
In what seems like a very short time we are in the suburbs of Guadalajara, the journey made short by the magnificent scenery. From here we travel on paths we have passed before. Soon darkness will fall, we will watch more movies(probably the same ones we watched on the way down!) or read. Hopefully sleep will come at some welcomed point. My back is killing me, at this point all I can think about is my king-sized select comfort bed …waiting for me…calling me. We should make Guaymas by tomorrow afternoon.Unless something mind-blowing happens along the way I will now sign off on this adventure, the demands of traveling have caught up to me and I am deep down tired. Happy trails to all of you.

I will attempt to write an account of our bus journey from Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico to Zihuatanejo, Guerreo, Mexico. I do not have a Blackberry or any such device so must rely upon internet cafes for communication. This is unreliable at best and will require hurried bursts of copy written under less than ideal conditions. Basically what I am saying is; no time for edits and proof reading….consider this as a warning!

Because of the delay at Guadalajara our bus didn’t leave until 10:30PM. I drank a couple of beers at the bus station to better use the time which put me in a better frame of mind for the trip. One of the funny (as in ha-ha) things about Mexican bus drivers is that they never eat at the bus stations. This is all well and good except that in lieu of taking their meal during down-time at the station, most often the first order of business after they get back on the road is to stop at their favorite local restaurant (or stand). The significance to the paying customer is simple; after waiting who knows how long for the bus to leave, you are on the road for only ten or fifteen minutes before you stop again so the driver can get his to go order for food. This un-scheduled stop can last up to another fifteen minutes.
I know, I know you say what’s the difference, you are retired….what’s the hurry. I try to tell myself the same thing every time it happens, but alas, I guess it must be the American mind set, or perhaps my German/ English heritage that makes me crazy over inefficiency. Speaking of efficiency or the lack thereof; did you know that in most of the luxury buses there is a little compartment underneath the bus in front of the baggage section but behind the cockpit where the driver sits, that is a sleeping compartment for the relief driver. No kidding, he crawls in there to sleep, kick-back, whatever while the bus zips down the road, only to spring out at the designated station, clean shirt in hand to take over the driving duties. The other driver takes his place in the little hideout to catch some zzzzss until it’s his turn at the wheel. I love this stuff. I can’t imagine that happening in the US, probably some union thing would prevent such a wonderful idea.
As you have no doubt deduced by now I have nothing to say about the trip from Guadalajara to Zihuatanejo. It was dark and I slept most of the way. I faintly recall a couple of stops along the way, but never bothered to de-bus to check them out.
I do know that shortly after sunrise we pulled into Zihuatanejo, claimed our backpacks and made for a hot breakfast at a nearby restaurant. After a decent breakfast consisting of omelets, beans, tortillas, and juice, we called our good friends (whom I spoke of in an earlier post) who picked us up and whisked us off to our room by the sea.
I will post some interesting (I promise) items about the return trip soon. Cheers!