StanleyWheeler

Fun Fact: Following Abercromby's defeat at Carillon/Ticonderoga, he granted permission to Colonel John Bradstreet to undertake a bold mission that would have greater consequences than the taking of Ticonderoga. Bradstreet had mastered the use of flat-bottomed boats. Each boat could haul 25 men and supplies along the waterways. General Shirley had discovered Bradstreet and put him in charge of the bateau supply service on the Mohawk River, which served as the vital link between Albany and the western outposts, including Oswego. Bradstreet's plan was to lead an attack on Fort Frontenac--the hub of the French supply line in the west. In July 1758, Bradstreet was ordered to go up the Mohawk to help General Stanwix complete Fort Stanwix at the carrying place between the Mohawk River and Lake Oneida. From there, Bradstreet would take the fight up to Lake Ontario and to Frontenac at the vital location where the Lake Ontario jointed the St. Lawrence River. All the supplies for France...

 There were two items of note this week. First, regarding this picture: Somebody gave my wife some of these candies a while back. I ate them. I wanted more. When I suggested that she get back in touch with the friend who gave them to her, she went and bought me some. I think these are my new favorite candy: dark chocolate and what looks and tastes like real peanut butter (not the grainy sugar and peanut butter substitute found in America's most popular candy). These are a real treat--in spite of what the writing on the wrapper might lead you to believe. I give them 5 stars and would recommend them to a friend, but only if I were opening a new bag. If I were down to the last few, I would keep them for myself and not say a word about them. Next was the miniature wrestling tournament. By miniature, I don't mean Hobbits, Dwarves, Munchkins, or the little people among us. This is what I'm talking about:  Over a few days, I assembled ten of these American Militia miniatures. They...

 Before I get to the discussion of great villains, let me shout out that I've completed Book 6 in the Tomahawks and Dragon Fire Series. By "completed" I mean that I finished the first draft--it only took me six months longer than it should have. I still have editing and proofing to do. I've sent the last five chapters out to my Skirmish Team for their comments, corrections, and suggestions. That reminds me that a gentleman caught me today to report that he is reading Book 4, Promise of Carnage and Flame , and enjoying the unexpected twists and turns of the story. One thing that reminded me of great villains was the fact that PinUp Noir 2, which features my short story "Monica on My Mind," is available in ebook and paperback. The stories feature knockout blonde bombshells in a variety of settings. Many of those dames in the stories are bad--very bad. You know who else was a blonde bombshell villain? Milady de Winter from Dumas' The Three Musketeers (o...

Interview with Anat Eliraz Author of  Jewels of Smoky Quartz Please tell me a little about your current work in progress. I actually have two WIPs right now. One is the sequel of my published book and continues the adventures of the characters. The story is a portal fantasy where a nurse, who also practices martial arts, finds herself in a new world and needs to use her wit and skills to survive and find her way. In the sequel the readers will learn more about the characters and the world and will get more information about things only hinted in the first book. My other WIP is also a fantasy story that takes place on earth during WW2.   Where did you get the idea for this book or series? It was a December evening and I don't remember if it all started from a conversation with friends or something I saw on TV, but the question that came up was- Do we have free will, or not. The first book revolves around that question. Do you write in more than one genre? I write in the fantasy...

    It's here! PinUp Noir 2 is an anthology of noir tales in a variety of fabulous settings featuring a hot--and possibly toxic--blonde.  My story is "Monica on My Mind," which is set in and takes place right after the events of my novel Smoke . So if you want to revisit Noah Vale or Duncan Kane -- and don't forget Pip -- check it out with the other terrific stories in this anthology.