Fiction Novelist RUSTY BLACKWOOD’S December Newsletter 2019 …

• Posted on 27th December 2018
• in Derwood Goes Caribbean, Newsletters, The Perils of Autumn
• by admin

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DECEMBER NEWSLETTER 2018

Heartfelt greetings of the season to my readers, fans and followers! I hope each of you had a memorable Christmas, and are looking forward to New Years and 2019. I sincerely hope the coming year will bring restored freedom, hope, peace and respect to all.

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This has been such a busy month, not only for me but for everyone, and I think that is the norm whether you plan it or not. There is always something to do, something needing done, and constant wonder of it all. I have been busy not only with Christmas prep, but with my writing. I had hoped to have been able to release my new romantic fiction drama, The Perils of Autumn, before the end of this year, but that was not to be. However, this catching story will be releasing in early January 2019. It will be available in paperback, hardback, and Kindle on Amazon, as well as other fine online book outlets.  It will also be available on KOBO at all Chapters. I truly hope you will check it out, and in the meantime, catch the official theatrical trailer by taking this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiyiF8nDt44

 

I have also begun work on the follow-up novel to The Perils of Autumn entitled, Return to Autumn, which I will be creating throughout this coming year. I am very much looking forward to returning my readers to Landon Lawns Stables and introducing them to a few new characters as the story plays out to its touching end.

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My favourite genre to write is romantic fiction drama, but I also enjoy writing comedy, especially creating tales and adventures to immerse the controversial Derwood J. Tugbottom into. The unpredictable Derwood has become a legend in his time; he has also become one of my most beloved characters. In mid-to late January 2019, I will be bringing Derwood’s newest adventure to you, entitled Derwood Goes Caribbean. Once again, he has departed on yet another unforgettable adventure, this time on the high sea. As always, he finds himself in a few precarious situations, but his stalwart friend, Scotsman Robert McEwen, is right by his side, doing his utmost to steer his English friend in the right direction – which is not an easy task – especially knowing that his main nemesis, Daniel Harrogan, is aboard ship.

Derwood has been updating readers through my Rusty Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/writerrusty/?ref=ts. Do be sure to catch his reports as time grows closer to the release of his new adventure.

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While you are waiting for The Perils of Autumn to release, please enjoy this excerpt from Chapter 47: A Routine Procedure

The woman’s snarky remark took them all by surprise, but Autumn was not about to be drawn into another needless confrontation. She remained quiet, centering her attention on a current copy of Musings in The Meadows. Her eyes had zeroed in on the coverage of the recent steeplechase, along with the interview with Cyril.

Miffed at no reply, Agnes snarked, “Did you not hear me, Autumn?!”

“Yes, I heard you. The entire department could hear you; need I remind you of that?”

“Oh!” Agnes snapped in frustration. “You truly are incorrigible!”

“No, Agnes, that would be you with your insipid remarks. This is not the time nor place for them, and I refuse to debate you on them or anything else right now. We are all concerned about Cyril, you included. I do realize this, even if you would not give me the courtesy by stating so. I feel it will benefit each of us if we can just concentrate on other things, like the local newspaper here. Have any of you read it?”

Each of them shook their head. Autumn had only seen it by chance but couldn’t help reading further into the steeplechase coverage. The article started off amazingly accurate. The coverage of the race was written so vividly that anyone who had not been there could have witnessed it as if they were, but the further it went, the more inaccurate it became, especially the piece written by Clive Batten. His coverage of the steeplechase was fine, in fact it was most exciting to read, however his interview with Cyril fell far from the mark of good journalism. Had he been writing for a Hollywood gossip rag, then one could have taken his disgraceful commentary into account, after all the juicier the better, it sells more copies, but the words he wrote were nothing short of lies…

Exclusive report for Musings in The Meadows by staff reporter, Clive Batten …

Following this outstanding race today, I had the opportunity to speak with the top three winners, beginning with third-place winner Brownstone Manor from Anderson-Ryder Stables, owned and ridden by Mason Gentry. Brownstone Manor is a fine young thoroughbred, new to the field, but has what it takes to cross the finish line triumphantly, and Mason Gentry is a seasoned contender. Second place went to High-Stepping Onyx of Bluegrass Acres, owned and ridden by the youngest entrant today, twenty-five-year-old jockey, Daniel Maddox. Young Maddox, one of the youngest members of The Meadows Equestrian Community, is an up and coming contender, and he showed his stuff today. This young buck is the one to watch in the future, you can place your bets on that. Top place in today’s race went to the previous three-time recipient of this honor, Sir Dapper Dan of Landon Lawns Stables, owned and ridden by Cyril Landon. Landon is the oldest contender today, is well-known in these parts, having ridden his fine stallions for many years at numerous events throughout Kentucky, but the now four-time winner of The Meadows Spring Steeplechase, Sir Dapper Dan, is Landon’s pride and joy. Landon is also the owner of the celebrated 1969 Triple Crown winner, Devil May Care, as well as this year’s contender, Fenn’s Fancy.

 I got the chance to interview Landon following the presentation in the Winner’s Circle, however he is well known as being a difficult interview for local reporters, and it is true that he is not an easy one to nail down, nor open for questions, let alone display his thoughts on racing, regardless of the venue. However, he does speak highly of his dapple-grey champion, Sir Dapper Dan. When asked, he did not confirm whether he will be riding the fall steeplechase. The interview lasted but five minutes, if that, but I did manage to catch what happened on the way to his awaiting limo. The aging horseman, widower of the late Alice Bowman, may have bitten off a bit more than he could chew today, for it appeared as if he required assistance walking. After staggering to his limo, the possibly inebriated horseman collapsed, requiring help to get inside. He was assisted by his stable foreman William Brown, and Manfred Montgomery, his head trainer. The unconscious Landon was also accompanied by a charming young auburn-haired woman who appeared to have medical knowledge for she quickly saw to his needs. I have no further reports or details other than Landon was not taken to hospital. By the looks of his condition at the time, it is hard to say whether he will be returning to the racing circle, let alone the fall steeplechase, but another blue ribbon being added to his enormous collection is not a bad note on which to go out on, and by the looks of it, he has a new filly to occupy his retirement, so all might not be as bad as it seems.

 “What a crock!” exclaimed Autumn. It was obvious she was livid with what she had read. “Did any of you see this BS?”

 An interested William, inquired, “What are you talking about?”

 “This so-called report by Clive Batten on the steeplechase the other day.”

 Quickly joining them, Manfred asked, “Isn’t it accurate?”

 “Ah, no, it is not, at least the interview with Cyril isn’t,” Autumn remarked, holding her temper in check. “It’s nothing but innuendos and lies.”

 “Let me read it,” insisted Manfred, and he swiftly settled his eyes upon the article.

 “It’s no wonder I wanted to punch their lights out,” William openly declared. “Too bad I didn’t.”

 It appeared to Agnes that whatever lies the article stated could no doubt be laid at Autumn’s feet. As far as she was concerned, every difficulty that had befallen Cyril since his wife’s death was because of her.

 “I haven’t read it, so I cannot form an opinion, though I could just about imagine,” she professed, not caring how it was interpreted by any of them.

 “The guy sure likes to play up Cyril’s collapse, as well as us assisting him as though he was drunk,” Manfred announced sarcastically. “Furthermore, he presents Cyril’s association with Autumn as if it were a tawdry affair, definitely something to question.”

 “The blighter should be made to print a retraction!” William exclaimed as he got to his feet and strode to the window.

 Autumn shook her head, and stated, “Wouldn’t do any good, the damage has already been done. It’s hard to say how many people have read it. Nothing can be done about it now, but I do think it needs to be kept out of Cyril’s hands. Best make sure the copy back at the mansion is confiscated.”

 “That is not for you to decide!” Agnes proclaimed viciously.

 Staring straight at the indignant woman, Autumn questioned, “Why on earth would you want him reading this garbage? What good could it possibly do?”

 “Cyril has saved every report ever written about him and his horses. You know perfectly well how proud he is of his stables; the business he’s built, and the success he’s achieved. It should be his decision as to whether he sees the article, and if it should be done away with or not.”

 Autumn simply shook her head, realizing there was no use talking about it any longer. The thought suddenly occurred to announce their plans to marry. Wouldn’t that get a rise out of her? However, she knew it was not the time or place.

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As I draw this Newsletter to a close, I would once again like to thank each of you who so diligently follow and support my work in the many way that you do. I appreciate and cherish each of you, and I hope I can continue to bring you the quality reading you have come to expect from me.

I would also like to wish all of you a very Happy New Year, filled with the best of health, endless happiness, and ongoing peace.

And as always, please support your local authors, as well as all your local talents in the Arts.

Happy New Year!!!

Rusty B.

Please check out my official website www.rusty-blackwood.com, Like me on Facebook, Follow me Twitter, and Subscribe to my You Tube Channel.

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