The Season

Like many of you, we decorated the house inside and out. We put up our tree and went shopping. We’re watching all the Christmas movies even though we’ve seen those dozens of times and even though we can recite the dialog along with the actors. We’re listening to holiday music, the only time of the year we can do that. Emily is between semesters, so she is home. Hannah has been home since she teaches in our district. We’re almost ready . . . I think.

Still have to bake. There will be last minute items to purchase. We have to pack for a trip back home to Wisconsin so we can spend time with family and friends. So, maybe we’re not almost ready. No, probably not.

I watch some of the kids walking the hallways of our school and I wonder what kind of planning and preparation is going on in their homes, in their lives. I know there are some who depend on the school for their breakfast and lunch, so I wonder how much, or if, they will eat over the break. As I purchase that shirt or sweater or gift card, I wonder what, if anything, these kids might find under their tree, if they have a tree. As my family and relatives divvy up who will make and bake and bring food and snacks for the annual gathering, I wonder what these kids have to look forward to, what might be on their table.

I’m very much aware of you, the adults, who walk our hallways, who put on a brave face and who teach our kids each day. I know some of you are carrying with you tremendous burdens that most don’t know about. You wear a smile and put on a brave face and say not much of anything or nothing at all, though each minute of each day, you carry with you that unwanted burden. Death. Illness. Financial struggle. Loneliness.

The holidays are supposed to be a season of joy, a season of happiness. For many of us, it is.

But . . .

For many, it isn’t.

I don’t mean to take away any of your joy. I don’t mean to make you sad and unhappy. I only write this to remind you, us, that there are many who will go without. Go without special meals. Go without the company of others. Go without the presents. Go without . . .

Something to think about . . .

Live Your Life, and Make A Difference!

For My Readers:

Just In Time For The Holidays! My new book, Spiral Into Darkness is Available for Preorder

The cover description reads as follows:

He blends in. He is successful, intelligent and methodical. He also has a list and has murdered eight on it so far. There is no pattern. There are no clues. There are no leads. Two adopted boys, struggling in their own world, have no idea they are the next targets. Neither does their family. And neither does local law enforcement.

There have been several reviews already:

“I had this book for one day and already finished it. From the first pages, it draws you in. Great story about a madman going around and killing people for no reason, or so we think. Another great page turner.” Brent F., Librarian

“Look for strong writing and a great deal of suspense in this well-crafted thriller.” Joan Livingston, author of the Isabel Long mystery series

“Powerful! The best to date. Masterful use of imagery and the ability to manipulate the reader's emotion! An outstanding read!” T Storke

“Another excellent read – this author doesn’t disappoint. Fast-paced, intrigue and unexpected twists.” S. King

Use the promo code: PREORDER2018 to receive a 15% discount at http://www.blackrosewriting.com/suspense…/spiralintodarkness   

My book, Caught in a Web was named as a PenCraft Literary Award Winner for Thriller Fiction! I was nominated by a reviewer and received notification in the last week or so. It is also on the list for “one of the best crime thriller books of the year!” by Best Thrillers. I am both proud and humbled.

Thanks to all who have read Caught in a Web. If you are interested in a copy on either Kindle or in Paperback, you can find it on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CKF7696  or on Barnes and Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/caught-in-a-web-joseph-lewis/1128250923?ean=9781684330249

If you do read Caught in a Web or any of my other books, please leave a rating and a review. I would appreciate it. Thanks for this consideration!

Caught in a Web:

The bodies of high school and middle school kids are found dead from an overdose of heroin and fentanyl. The drug trade along the I-94 and I-43 corridors and the Milwaukee Metro area is controlled by MS-13, a violent gang originating from El Salvador. Ricardo Fuentes is sent from Chicago to Waukesha to find out who is cutting in on their business, shut it down and teach them a lesson. But he has an ulterior motive: find and kill a fifteen-year-old boy, George Tokay, who had killed his cousin the previous summer.

Detectives Jamie Graff, Pat O’Connor and Paul Eiselmann race to find the source of the drugs, shut down the ring, and find Fuentes before he kills anyone else, especially George or members of his family. The three detectives discover the ring has its roots in a high school among the students and staff. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CKF7696

Book One of the Lives Trilogy, Stolen Lives:

Two thirteen year old boys are abducted off a safe suburban street. Kelliher and his team of FBI agents have 24 hours to find them or they’ll end up like all the others- dead! They have no leads, no clues, and nothing to go on. And the possibility exists that one of his team members might be involved. http://tinyurl.com/Stolen-Lives-J-Lewis         

Book Two of the Lives Trilogy, Shattered Lives:

Six men escaped and are out for revenge. The boys, recently freed from captivity, are in danger and so are their families, but they don’t know it. The FBI has no clues, no leads, and nothing to go on and because of that, cannot protect them. http://tinyurl.com/Shattered-Lives-J-Lewis         

Book Three of the Lives Trilogy, Splintered Lives:

A 14 year old boy knows the end is coming. What he doesn’t know is when, where or by whom. Without that knowledge, neither he nor the FBI can protect him or his family.

http://tinyurl.com/Splintered-Lives-J-Lewis         

The Lives Trilogy Prequel, Taking Lives:

FBI Agent Pete Kelliher and his partner search for the clues behind the bodies of six boys left in various and remote parts of the country. Even though they don’t know one another, the lives of FBI Kelliher, 11 year old Brett McGovern, and 11 year old George Tokay are separate pieces of a puzzle. The two boys become interwoven with the same thread that Pete Kelliher holds in his hand. The three of them are on a collision course and when that happens, their lives are in jeopardy as each search for a way out. http://tinyurl.com/Taking-Lives-J-Lewis

Connect with me on Social Media:

Twitter at @jrlewisauthor

Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/Joseph.Lewis.Author

Amazon at: http://www.amazon.com/Joseph-Lewis/e/B01FWB9AOI /

Photo: Janko Ferlic, Unsplash