The Kiss

(close-up) (by Auguste Rodin)

Artwork that Jake and Charlie come across during their exploration of a London museum, the sculpture of Auguste Rodin (pronounced "Road-ann").  This particular piece caused them some... difficulty, in a charming sort of way... while still fascinating both of them.  It is one of Rodin's most well-known works. 

The piece most are familiar with his Thinker, the man sitting on a ledge, hunched over while resting his chin on a single arm... lost in contemplation about something.  Every viewer wants to know what he's so lost in thought about! 

The Kiss in white marble.

Here is The Kiss in bronze.

It's a beautiful work of art.  It's interesting to hear various viewer's interpretation of it.  Compared to other relationship pieces that Rodin completed, this couple is completely free from the rock.  They merely sit on it, and that, alone, seems to communicate something about their autonomy.  The singularity of their relationship.  The caring, tender nature of their touch also speaks volumes about the connection they have. 

As "explicit" as some may wish to describe it, the relaxed, affectionate manner of the kiss is almost protective.  Almost a guard against outside interference, as if the kiss itself marks an agreement to their exclusive love. 

A very powerful piece of art.  And its effects are not lost on the young Jake Sloan and Charlie Beckwith.  To read more, follow them in the Jake Sloan Adventures, book 3, Choke Point (2016).

I submitted Trident's Flame to the 2017 Book Pipeline/Script Pipeline competition.  Submissions are taken during this half of the year, reviewed and evaluated, and then winners are announced early 2017.  It isn't something I've ever done before, so I'm a exited to see what happens. 

This past Fall I submitted a Film Treatment for Trident's Flame to Chris Bueno, of Ocean Avenue Entertainment, the first such submission I've made for a film.  I keep receiving feedback from readers that the book and writing style are well-suited for film.  That has been encouraging to hear.  We shall see.

I'm still looking for an agent.  The industry has fluctuated so much in the past several years; predicting when the market is "flush" with agents is tough.  I've sent out many apps in the past, but I believe it was at a time when the market was relatively weak.  I've another set of targets now, which I plan to write-up and send out when I can get a break from editing and writing (not to mention full-time teaching)!

Here are some testimonials for Script Pipeline/Book Pipeline:

One of my favorite Bookfessions posts.  I love maps in the novels I read, too.  In fact, I produced several for the Jake Sloan Adventures.  The trouble has been with the publisher (CreateSpace, owned by Amazon).  Apparently, their platform has difficulty getting them to show up in the e-book format. 

There were several in Sanctum Threat (book 2); I had several more in Choke Point (book 3).  But I've had to take them out.  I just can't have people expecting an image in a Kindle book and then not seeing it. 

Perhaps some day.  Hopefully, when I can get the series purchased by a publishing house, they won't have the same issues.  Then, let the maps be IN! 

Book 4 of the Jake Sloan Adventures, Force Multiplier, begins in Monterey, California, but after the news of a family friend being on a hijacked airliner that crash-lands in Tahiti, the family takes off to help find him.  Reasons for the crash become apparent: namely, a small group of al Qaeda agents trying to smuggle something into the U.S. 

Suddenly, the family is on the hunt for terrorists and Guevara agents who are tracking through the jungles of Moorea, an island 11 miles from Tahiti. 

Charlie Beckwith, and her two colleagues from ASIS, join her on the island before the crisis builds to a small war.  The peaceful Polynesian island becomes a battle-ground for Iranian commandos, double-agents, and Guevara operatives... one in particular that Jake has faced before.  The one that sent him into the arctic waters of Alaska.

Upcoming Jake Sloan books include:

4.  Force Multiplier

5.  Escape Velocity

6.  Bone Breaker

7.  Depth Charge