There are chains that lift us and chains that bind us. The fault lies not in the chains but in how we employ them. We forge the links ourselves and determine their use. I suppose some chains also drive, propel, or hurtle us. The chain I have on my mind is a motorcycle chain. It's an essential part of the experience of speeding through space and time, even though it's frequently taken for granted*. My bike threw the chain yesterday morning on my way to work. Fortunately, I was able to get it back on pretty easily. Today, the bike goes in for new rear and front sprockets--but the chain is fine.

*I had a college professor who insisted that the expression was "taken for granite" and marked me down on an important paper because of it. She was wrong, wrong, wrong--not that it's still bothering me or anything.

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I continue to wage war against the ranks of blank pages (or screens) arrayed against me. Chapter 17 in Book 6 in the Tomahawks and Dragon Fire series has some particularly interesting revelations that will not be entirely unexpected by astute readers of the series. As for what those revelations may be--only my advance readers will get a peek at that soon. All others must await publication of the tome.

A great idea came to me last night for a novel which I hope to write as a stand alone but which could be expanded into a series. I spent several minutes jotting down thoughts and characters I want to include. So many stories to write. So little time.

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I believe I mentioned The Tyranny of Public Discourse in the last newsletter and believe I had mixed feelings about the book. My feelings are no long mixed. The first few chapters were intriguing and the information was worthwhile. After that it became repetitive and sometimes read like an uninspired translation from another language. I did use the technique proposed in the book, which I think has merit, for a sentencing argument in court this week. My words and point were clear and persuasive. They could not be refuted. Nevertheless, the judge ignored them. That is, of course, no reflection on the book.

I'm currently reading Jeff Wheeler's Doomsday Match and enjoying the simple, quick-paced thriller.

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The Shrinking Zone is on sale for 99 cents - oops - that expired. Back at $2.99 now. If you didn't get it, you still can, but not at 99 cents.

The Troubled Times promotion is live for little longer. Check it out.

The Summer Book Bash is also still available for your reading pleasure.

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Honor Roll with special thanks to these subscribers:

Lois for her stunning review and heroic defense of The Shrinking Zone.

JBudd for reviews of Threading the Rude Eye, In Death Bedrenched, Power to Hurt, The Shrinking Zone, Clamorous Harbingers, Promise of Carnage and Flame, and Truth in Flames

Colleen for leaving ratings for several of my books on Amazon

Rob for leaving a review of Threading the Rude Eye

Michael for leaving reviews of Threading the Rude Eye, and The Shrinking Zone

Mayra for a review of Threading the Rude Eye

Gloria for a review of Threading the Rude Eye

ShannonC for a review of In Death Bedrenched

Jan for reviews of Threading the Rude Eye, Power to Hurt, Clamorous Harbingers, Promise of Carnage and Flame, In Death Bedrenched, The Shrinking Zone, Truth in Flames, Justice in Season, and Justice Resurgent.

Bonnie for a review of In Death Bedrenched.

PAR for a review of Threading the Rude Eye

-There are many other reviews of my books, of course, but I don't know whether those reviewers are also subscribers to this newsletter.