August 29, 2008 by Karl.

Good evening, my friends,

Yes, after a month of waiting, due to Florida storms, the contract for my second book, “From China with Love” arrived, I signed it and sent it on its way to Florida, with a publication date of “early 2009″, which I hope is VERY early in 2009; but we’ll see.
The final draft of the manuscript has been edited and is ready to go. I hope you’ll “hang in there” with me. The story is worth the wait and will keep you in suspense throughout until you reach another unexpected ending.

We spent part of today with the Bahia Bay Residents Group, packing another 100 boxes to send to our brave troops in Iraq. We had at least 15 people helping, and got the boxes done in just over two hours. We’ve had fantastic support through donations of goods and money from our neighbors and friends throughout the coastal bend area, and want to thank them all.

One of our troops was back on R & R, and stopped by to tell us how much he and his men and women appreciated our support. He told tales of different items we sent and how they were received. A box of five soccer balls was a big hit among the Iraqi children.

We try to include a toy or box of crayons in each box for the troops to share with the local children. I think I told you before how a gift of a toy could save the lives of our troops. The recipient may see the giver another day and warn him of a roadside bomb or ambush.

I hope to hear from my new publisher with a more definite publication date, but regardless, another book is on its way.
Thanks for caring enough to visit often. Keep in touch. I’ll miss you if I don’t see you visit at least once a week.

Until then, Via con Dias, my friends,

Karl

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August 7, 2008 by Karl.

Good evening, my friends,

We just returned from another Corpus Christi “Hooks” baseball game, which the Hooks lost (AGAIN)!! 9-7 with a home run by the opponents in the ninth inning…arrgh!!

I’ve noticed a great amount of interest lately by friends in various foreign countries, and I want to thank you all for dropping by to read what I’ve written here. We hope you’ve ordered my first book, “Signs of Our Times”, and are looking forward to my next, “From China with Love”.
(If you go back a few entries, you’ll find the first chapter of this book in my blog - it’s been changed a little since then, but will still give you an idea of the story line - it’s filled with suspense.)

Let your friends in other countries know about me an my novels. They make great Christmas presents. Hint!

I also see I have a very recurring visitor from East Peoria, Illinois, my old stomping ground when I was a teenager. Whoever you are, thanks for dropping by so regularly. If you have time, drop me a line at carhop2007@sbcglobal.net and let me know what you think of my writing. I enjoy all the feedback I can get. It lets me know if I’m doing a good job or not.

It’s also great to know someone from near my home town thinks enough to visit so often. Thank you.

On other subjects, many of “our” troops are coming home!! We took the binder out of Starbucks, as the addressees are returning within the next few months. We thank all of you who “adopted” one of our troops. We got a lot of feedback from several who received letters or packages from you, and they really appreciated your thoughts and efforts. So did we! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Nothing is too good for OUR troops.

We go out to the airport on the 13th to welcome back Wallace Tinnin - our “adopted” soldier who is returning from fifteen months in Afghanistan. Welcome home, Wallace. His brother just returned to Iraq. Say a prayer of thanksgiving for Wallace’s return and another to safeguard his bother.

I’m still awaiting the contract from Bluewater Press, so we can get on with publishing “From China with Love”. I have no idea of the time frame for publishing the novel, but hope to have it out to you in time for Christmas, if not earlier.

So, hang in there and have faith. Believe me; this novel is worth the wait. Four more are done and awaiting their turn, so keep coming back to see when they will be published.

But, it’s late, and Carol is calling me to come to bed. By now you know who the boss is around here. Goodnight, my friends,

Via con Dias,

Karl

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