Rob’s Update: Happy Halloween!

Week 45 of 2024

Greetings all

I hope everyone is having a happy Halloween. The grandbaby’s getting loot right now and will be in a costume contest in a bit. She’s adorable.

I, of course, RAWRed at her. I am Opazilla!

Before I get into the update, here’s a shout out to all at FactoryCon! Wish I could be there.

This was a week of errands for me, so was less productive than normal, but it was to be expected. One of those errands involved running up to Iowa and back in sort of a Smokey and the Bandit kind of thing. It’s a good thing, though, that helps us all out through the year.

Reka's Grasp
Reka’s Grasp

We’ve had a great couple of opening weeks with H.Y. Gregor’s Reka’s Grasp, which you can get here: amazon.com/dp/B0DK4JWFL4. It’s a fantastic book and I’m honored to be a part of it, and in fact, a part of Jon R. Osborne’s excellent Milesian Accords universe.

The best part of it all right now is we’ve just about got Tugarin’s Revenge in the can! Yep, this is book 2 of the Vechnoye Saga and it comes out in three weeks.

Stay tuned next week for a cover reveal.

But wait, there’s more! Chernobog’s Wrath, the conclusion to the Vechnoye Saga comes out on December 27th. It’s like an extension to Boxing Day.

Side note: Does anyone really know what Boxing Day is? Sure, I could look it up, but what’s the fun in that. You all tell me, because I’m curious.

Oh, and there’s even more! I just got House of Owls, the 6th book in the main thread of the Milesian Accords from Jon this week so it’s in the pipeline.

All the magic, myth, and mayhem you could ever want over the next few months!

Anyway, we’re about to roll into the holiday season and I’ll be honest, it’s been a long time since I looked forward to a holiday season as much as this one. Last year, the grandbaby and parents hadn’t yet moved to Anthony, so while we had some great times, it was only when they could come visit.

This year, however, I’m getting to be a part of it all on a daily basis. Best thing ever, I have to say.

What I’m Listening To

Tool’s cover of Led Zeppelin’s No Quarter. This is such a great song, and Tool’s version is even darker than the original. Fantastic stuff.

Quote of the Week

October 31st also happens to be the birthday of one of my favorite authors, Dick Francis. He had quite a life, becoming a pilot in the RAF during WW2 and a champion steeplechase jockey before earning status as one of the best mystery writers ever.

By the way, if anyone wants to give me a few thousand dollars so I can go to the Cheltenham Festival some day, I’ll let you. I’ve not actually seen a steeplechase race live and it’s one of those things you need to see from close up.

Anyway, here’s a great quote from The Edge, one of Francis’ best where an investigator for the Jockey Club goes undercover on a train traveling across Canada.

“Thought before action, if you have time”
– Dick Francis, The Edge

Dragon’s Tidings

Quilt Guild day on Saturday. Show your guild membership card for 10% and get cookies!

New Mythology Works in Progress

Reka’s Grasp is out. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0DK4JWFL4.

Tugarin’s Revenge is out on November 22nd.

Chernobog’s Wrath on December 27th.

It’s going to be epic.

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • The Feasting of Vengeance (87,339)

Upcoming Events

  • Market Faire, November 30, Anthony, KS
  • Kris Kinder, December 14, Kansas City, Mo
  • ChattaCon, January 17-19, Chattanooga, TN
    chattacon.org/
    I’m the Toastmaster!

New Releases

This week we have a new (old) series from William S. Frisbee, Jr., the Conglomerate Trilogy. It’s a previously released series but with new edits, new art, and new awesomeness. If you liked The Last Marines series, you’ll love The Return, first book in the series. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0DKP5V9MT.

This week’s pre-release is Shadow Wired: Alliance by Gustavo Bondoni, the third book in his Shadow Wired series. This has been one of my surprise series of the year—some series have good individual books but not a good finish and vice versa. Not Shadow Wired! Each individual book is a great story, and all three lead up to a great finish to the trilogy. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0DLBWJRYP.

And don’t forget Reka’s Grasp! Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0DK4JWFL4.

Tracked Items

My Weight Today: 364.2lbs

Updated Word Count: 242,000

Firehall Sagas Archives: 758 entries

Let me know if you have any suggestions on the website, this email, or cool story ideas at rob@robhowell.org. Especially let me know of suggestions you have for the Spotlight section.

Have a great week, everyone.

Rob Howell

Creator of the Firehall Sagas Universe

Rob’s Update: Short and Sweet

Greetings all

Reka's Grasp
Reka’s Grasp

The day got away from me so it’s an abbreviated post this week. This are going well, making progress on projects, especially The Feasting of Vengeance.

But of course, we’re still proud of the release of Reka’s Grasp by H.Y. Gregor. It’s an amazing book, as shown by the great reviews. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0DK4JWFL4.

It gets even better soon as we’re about a month away from the release of Tugarin’s Revenge, the sequel to Reka’s Grasp. Expect a cover reveal soon!

Again, it’s short and sweet this week, but maybe some times you like it if I’m not long-winded for a change.

Have a great week everyone.

Rob’s Update: Reka In Your Grasp!

Week 43 of 2024

Greetings all

This week is all about the release of Reka’s Grasp, which comes out tomorrow! However, that’s the official date. For subscribers, you can get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0DK4JWFL4.

Reka's Grasp
Reka’s Grasp

The devil lies in still waters.

Grad school applications are Nikita Baird’s biggest problem—until a friend dies in her arms after a sinister accident. Rusalka and Baba Yaga were just fairy tales—until they aren’t. Soon Niki can’t deny the truth. Something inhuman lurks in the river.  

Worse, her own roommate just might be the killer.

Ryan Fortner, Crypto Division, works alone since his partner died on their last case together. Now he needs Niki’s help, even if he doesn’t want it. Together they plunge into a realm of shrouded histories, dredging up more than just folklore.

Niki and Ryan must navigate the currents of myth, tragedy, and redemption to stop the drownings—before the river’s grasp can’t be broken.

Be prepared for me to blast that out on Facebook and Twitter, along with having a link for it next week here in this space. H.Y. Gregor knocked this out of the park, and it’s a worthy addition to the already awesome Milesian Accords universe created by Jon R. Osborne.

For me, this was a week of getting things done. I made good progress on The Feasting of Vengeance, though it’s one of those weeks that the total didn’t really rise because I realized a chunk just didn’t work and cut it out. I wrote a new chunk, a better chunk, to replace it though.

We also had two days of errands this week. One was a fairly normal Wichita go to all the places thing, but the other was to deal with maintenance of our big quilting machine. It needed the work and the closest place is Hennessey, OK, which is about an hour and a half away.

The wife and I took this time to do the trip together, and we did a number of other errands. One of those was replacing my phone. I had a Note 9 from 2017 or so and I’d have kept using it except it was getting really difficult to charge. I’m still dealing with the frustrations of “improved technology.” It’s an S24 Ultra, for those who’re interested.

Anyway, I’ve still got things to do for the RedFish festival, so I’m off!

Remember, Reka’s Grasp is awesome!

What I’m Listening To

Losing It, by Rush. This is a truly amazing elegy about people who were once brilliant at something, but age has taken away some of their skill.

Here’s a particularly relevant lyric to me now:

The writer stares with glassy eyes —
Defies the empty page,
His beard is white, his face is lined
And streaked with tears of rage.

Thirty years ago, how the words would flow
With passion and precision,
But now his mind is dark and dulled
By sickness and indecision

And he stares out the kitchen door
Where the sun will rise no more…

Whoof. The song came out on Signals in 1981. Me in junior high didn’t really grok that song, but now, it really resonates.

Quote of the Week

I might as well give the closing quote from Losing It. It’s too powerful not to include it.

Sadder still to watch it die
Than never to have known it
For you — the blind who once could see —
The bell tolls for thee…
– Rush, Losing It

Dragon’s Tidings

We’ll be at the RedFish Festival in Harper on Saturday!

New Mythology Works in Progress

Reka’s Grasp is out. Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0DK4JWFL4.

Tugarin’s Revenge is out on November 22nd.

Chernobog’s Wrath on December 27th.

It’s going to be epic.

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • The Feasting of Vengeance (82,009)

Upcoming Events

  • Market Faire, November 30, Anthony, KS
  • Kris Kinder, December 14, Kansas City, Mo
  • ChattaCon, January 17-19, Chattanooga, TN
    chattacon.org/
    I’m the Toastmaster!

New Releases

This week’s release is Shadow-Wired: Doomsday, the second book in Gustavo Bondoni’s Shadow Wired series. Do you like non-stop action in a techno-thriller? If so, this book—and this series—is for you! This series left me saying, “Give me more Gustavo!” and has caused a number of our early readers a lot of lost sleep as they just couldn’t put it down! Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0DJQB6V69.

Your pre-release this week is Reka’s Grasp! Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0DK4JWFL4.

Tracked Items

My Weight Today: 360lbs

Updated Word Count: 237,000

Firehall Sagas Archives: 758 entries

Let me know if you have any suggestions on the website, this email, or cool story ideas at rob@robhowell.org. Especially let me know of suggestions you have for the Spotlight section.

Have a great week, everyone.

Rob Howell

Creator of the Firehall Sagas Universe

Rob’s Update: Fall Fest

Week 42 of 2024

Greetings all

Reka's Grasp
Reka’s Grasp

The big news, of course, it the impending release of Reka’s Grasp a week from tomorrow. I’ve said it’s brilliant and I was right! It’s by H.Y. Gregor and is a great addition to Jon R. Osborne’s Milesian Accords series.

I spent a goodly amount of time this week working on a thorny knot in The Feasting of Vengeance. I had a battle spring up out of nowhere and I needed to work through both the POV and the tactics.

It’s interesting writing MilSF. I’m constantly trying to come up with new tactics. I try not to use the same sort of thing over and over because I find that boring, so it forces me to do a bunch more research and thinking.

Still, I got about 5k written in the novel. I’m this close to clearing 80,000 which puts me in close striking reach.

I also spent a goodly amount of time working on Anthony’s Fall Fest. It’s fallen to me to help with a lot of this sort of thing, as much as anything because I’m experienced at it. I also kind of like running events.

Sort of a short update this week, but that’s really about all I got this time. Have a great week!

What I’m Listening To

The 2019 version of Midway. I actually like it, though I have a number of problems with pacing but it is pretty good in terms of historical accuracy. And it’s never a bad thing when we get to see more Dick Best.

Quote of the Week

Happy birthday to the prolific Nora Roberts!

There’s no reward without work, no victory without effort, no battle won without risk.
– Nora Roberts

Dragon’s Tidings

Fall Fest on the 12th.

20% off fabric and used books in the store

New Mythology Works in Progress

Reka's Grasp
Reka’s Grasp

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (79,422)

Upcoming Events

  • Market Faire, November 30, Anthony, KS
  • Kris Kinder, December 14, Kansas City, Mo
  • ChattaCon, January 17-19, Chattanooga, TN
    chattacon.org/
    I’m the Toastmaster!

New Releases

This week we have Salvage Purgatory by Kevin Steverson, Nick Steverson, and Jason Cordova, the first book in the new Salvage Title universe series The Invasion. If you were wondering what “The Coalition” series was preparing for… it’s here! The first three books will be coming out monthly (look for Salvage Harbinger on November 8), so you won’t have long to wait—jump into the next great Salvage Title series here: amazon.com/dp/B0DJD6YG7J.

Tracked Items

My Weight Today: 359.8lbs

Updated Word Count: 236,000

Firehall Sagas Archives: 758 entries

Let me know if you have any suggestions on the website, this email, or cool story ideas at rob@robhowell.org. Especially let me know of suggestions you have for the Spotlight section.

Have a great week, everyone.

Rob Howell

Creator of the Firehall Sagas Universe

Rob’s Update: The Vechnoye Saga Approaches!

Week 41 of 2024

Greetings all

Reka's Grasp
Reka’s Grasp

Reka’s Grasp, book one of the The Vechnoye Saga by H.Y. Gregor, comes out on the 18th! So about two weeks away.

Check out this awesome cover by Alexandre Rito! Isn’t that beautiful?

This series is set in Jon R. Osborne’s Milesian Accords universe, and involves Russian mythology, which is seriously underused in my opinion. I can neither confirm nor deny, Senator, that houses with chicken legs make appearances in this series.

This story was a joy to edit, except for the part where I had to go back because I got caught up in the story and stopped editing. You all are going to love it.

In terms of The Feasting of Vengeance, I had a slower week than anticipated because some things cropped up. I did make good progress, but not as much as I’d hoped. The things that cropped up are all good, but did take time out of the week.

The preparations for Fall Fest happening in Anthony on the 12th caused part of the delay. We’re going to be doing some neat specials for our customers in the store including a chili cookoff sponsored by the Anthony Chamber of Commerce.

Of note, you should also put down the 30th of November, which is the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Anthony is holding its Market Faire that weekend and it will be a neat Christmas-y weekend celebrating, in part, Small Business Saturday. Just mentioning so you can put it on your calendar.

And with that, I’ve got things to do! Have a great week.

What I’m Listening To

Shiroyama by Sabaton. This is like watching the climactic battle of The Last Samurai, but with a Swedish symphonic metal soundtrack. It’s actually a fabulous song.

Quote of the Week

Francis of Assisi died on October 3rd, 1226, so this seems to be a great time to toss out this quote of his that I love.

” Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”
– Francis of Assisi

Dragon’s Tidings

BalloonFest on the 18th.

Also, check our website (www.reddragonquilts.com) for our May 30% off special!

New Mythology Works in Progress

Reka’s Grasp comes out on the 18th! Followed soon by the rest of the The Vechnoye Saga by H.Y. Gregor.

Rob’s Works in Progress

  • Sowing Spring’s Wrath (3,213)
  • The Feasting of Vengeance (74,841)

Upcoming Events

  • Market Faire, November 30, Anthony, KS
  • Kris Kinder, December 14, Kansas City, Mo
  • ChattaCon, January 17-19, Chattanooga, TN
    chattacon.org/
    I’m the Toastmaster!

New Releases

This week we have the return of Fred Hughes’ Britannia series with Hero’s Legacy. Hazard may no longer be around, but his enemies still are, and they’re going to need to be dealt with! Get it here: amazon.com/dp/B0DHBQW4PR.

This week’s pre-release is Salvage Purgatory by Kevin Steverson, Nick Steverson, and Jason Cordova, the first book in the new Salvage Title universe series The Invasion. If you were wondering what “The Coalition” series was preparing for… it’s here! The first three books will be coming out monthly (look for Salvage Harbinger on November 8), so you won’t have long to wait—jump into the next great Salvage Title series here: amazon.com/dp/B0DJD6YG7J.

Tracked Items

My Weight Today: 362.8lbs

Updated Word Count: 234,000

Firehall Sagas Archives: 758 entries

Let me know if you have any suggestions on the website, this email, or cool story ideas at rob@robhowell.org. Especially let me know of suggestions you have for the Spotlight section.

Have a great week, everyone.

Rob Howell

Creator of the Firehall Sagas Universe