Friday, January 11, 2019

Take the Time



I get my hair cut, what little I have left, about every ten days. I’m sort of particular, in that I get a modified flattop. Instead of looking like the top of an aircraft carrier, I like it rounded on the sides almost in a crew cut fashion.

Kim, the owner, or Sue do my hair and have been doing so for at least two years, probably longer. We’re friendly. We say hi, participate in small talk. Probably the same as you do with your barber or hair dresser.

I watch Kim’s hands fly using an electric razor as well as with a scissors. Her expression is serious. Frowning, squinting, snipping. Once she begins cutting, there isn’t much said by either of us. I recognize, as she does, that her business is made in volume, not in the cut. So, I let her work and I’m sure she appreciates that.

Towards the end of my most recent visit, I remarked to her that her hands are so skilled. That caused her to blush. She stopped for a moment and pointed to a scar on her wrist. She said that when she was younger and still living in Korea, she was working in a factory and had an accident where she nearly lost her entire arm. She was only nineteen or twenty, but her doctor would not cut off her arm unless he had to.

She went on to say that the doctor had to insert a wire to serve as a tendon so she could flex her two middle fingers. It was touch and go and for a time, neither she nor her doctor were sure whether or not the surgery would be successful. Even at that, she had to endure two more surgeries. The only thing remaining from that accident is the small scar on her wrist and one on her shoulder that I never saw or knew existed.

Almost as an aside, she explained in embarrassment that some people notice her scar and wonder if she had tried to do harm to herself. She said, “Why would I do that? I have a wonderful life!”

Finally, she said that at age twenty-one, she came to the United States to begin a new life. She didn’t know anyone and didn’t have a job. She was terrified, but it was something she had wanted to do. She left her family behind to start brand new. Today, she married and now owns her barbershop.

The remarkable thing to me is that for about two years, I’ve been getting my hair cut by her or one of her associates and I never knew her story. I never knew her background. In fact, I can’t recall ever noticing the scar on her wrist. And the only way I found out anything about her was when I complemented how skilled her hands were.

I Took the Time to extend myself, to complement her, and she responded.

You know, we move through our lives moment by moment, hour by hour, day by day, and I wonder how many other stories there are. People we come into contact with, smile at, small talk with, transact with, and move on. We don’t get to know them even on a semi-personal level, certainly not on an intimate level.

I see kids in the hallway who I say hello or good morning to. I have teachers and staff members who I work with in my building. Many I know some things about. Others, well, not so much. Those same kids, those same adults I work with, I wonder what stories they have. What their secrets are. What their stories are. What their worries, their hopes, their dreams are. As one superintendent used to ask me when I saw him, “What keeps you up at night?” My conversation with Kim, my barber, caused me to wonder that about the kids I see and the adults I work with.

And it occurred to me that I don’t know them as well as I should, not the kids and not the adults. Perhaps, they don’t know me either. That’s on me, not them. My bad.

Perhaps, our bad.

I’m wondering if we might extend ourselves a little. It could begin with a complement or a comment. We might uncover a wonderful, sometimes a tragic, story. We might find something amazing and interesting that might warm our heart. We might discover that there is a similarity, a sameness between the two of us. We might encounter a revelation that causes us to appreciate that unknown clerk, that unknown mail carrier, that unknown kid sitting in the back of the room, walking the hallway, sitting in the cafeteria by him or herself. The person whose mailbox is next to mine, yours. Only if we Take the Time. If only. Something to think about . . .

Live Your Life, and Make A Difference!

To My Readers:

My new book, Spiral Into Darkness launches on Thursday, January 17 on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Currently, it is Available for Preorder! Use the promo code: PREORDER2018 to receive a 15% discount at http://www.blackrosewriting.com/suspense…/spiralintodarkness   

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

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, Spiral Into Darkness, 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.

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


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

Friday, December 21, 2018

Gifts for Any Season



I’ve written before about preparing for Christmas. Typically, we make a list and exchange it. As I get older, my list has certainly changed over the years. I mean, I love music and movies, and I do collect them. A lot of them. And, I can always use a dress shirt and tie as I weed out my closet from time to time.

But as I stated, at my age and as I continue to get older, my list has changed. So have my priorities. I would like to share with you some gift ideas that are unbelievably inexpensive. These gifts do wonderful and magical things to one’s heart and soul. So much so, that as you give them, not only do they benefit the giftee, but they also benefit the giver.

Kindness
It costs nothing, but what a wonderful difference it can make in one’s life. And, it can be given in any number of ways: a gentle touch, a smile, a small note, letting a car go ahead of you as you travel in and out of a parking lot, buying the meal for the car behind you in a drive through. Just about anything.

Listening
So many times we want to be heard. At times, maybe a lot of the time, no advice or sage wisdom isn’t needed (or wanted). But to give the gift of your presence, your time, your ear, can not only bring about the peace in someone’s soul, but it can bring about peace in your own.

A Smile, A Hello, A Have A Good Day
They cost nothing. Nothing at all. But, the receiver is welcomed. There is a connection, even for a brief moment. You never know how much something like that can impact someone’s day. And did I say they cost nothing? Yes, I guess I did, but it’s important to remember that.

A Text Message, Phone Call
Back about twenty or thirty years ago, Bell Telephone had a slogan, “Reach out and touch someone!” When there is distance and time between you and someone you love, a simple text or phone call out of the blue can make someone’s day. You know how you feel when you receive one, right? And the nice thing is that it further connects you and doesn’t let the two of you drift apart.

I Love You
Those three words are magical. Right up there with “You mean a lot to me!” or “I’m thinking about you!” The thing is, we don’t hear that enough. We take it for granted. We assume. But then something might happen and we never again have that chance to say that to someone who is important to us. Don’t let that happen. Don’t let moments pass by. Don’t put it off. Again, you never know . . .

Some gift suggestions from an older guy who has seen and experienced quite a bit in life. My wish and my gift to you. Something to think about . . .

Live Your Life, and Make A Difference!

To 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, Spiral Into Darkness, 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.

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


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

Photo by Rachel Cook, Unsplash