Road Trip: BBQ And A Brawl (The Unbelievable Mr. Brownstone Book 19)
Page 20
James thought that over for a few seconds before shaking his head. “But I don’t really miss it. I don’t mind kicking ass when I need to, but this shit with Nadina and all the investigation stuff is annoying, even when I’m not having to deal with Davion.”
“Okay. As long as you’re happy, I’m happy.” Shay smiled. “I’m the same. I don’t mind the occasional tomb raid, but I don’t miss doing them constantly, and I honestly thought I would. I thought I needed the danger, but I don’t.”
James let out a long, contented sigh. “Yeah, I got everything out of my system, and having Nadina’s barbeque only reminded me of what I like about mine. I’m happy to have a kid coming. I’m happy with my daughter, and I’m happy with my life.”
“Good.” Shay stood and walked toward the kitchen. “Next time, maybe don’t use so many artifacts. I’d go and grab a few of my own, but I’ll have Lily do it instead, just to be on the safe side.” She grabbed the lid for the ice cream from the counter and put in on before opening the freezer. “I’m happy, too. Maybe it’s not a big surprise, but not constantly risking my life or having strange magical foes try to kill me has actually been pretty damned satisfying.”
James grunted. “Yeah, it is. I’m ready to go back to my own place and just have a relaxing time cooking barbeque.”
Shay poked her head around the refrigerator to grin at James. “You haven’t worked through the implications, have you?”
James frowned. “What implications?”
“You just saved a celebrity chef,” Shay explained, her grin growing wider. “One of the most celebrated chefs in the country, or pitmaster, whatever you want to call her. You saved her from a high-profile kidnapping. You see, the media’s gotten used to dealing with you. They know they can’t call you and have you talk, especially after that little interview in Denver.”
James frowned. “Meaning what?”
Shay looked far too happy. “I bet there’s an army of reporters watching your restaurant. The minute you arrive, they are going to swarm you like hungry locusts.”
James scrubbed a hand over his face. “Shit. Maybe I’ll take a few more days off.”
Alison Brownstone
Have you tried the Magic Ops series from TR Cameron yet? Book one is Magic Ops and it’s available at Amazon and through Kindle Unlimited.
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Author Notes
May 30, 2019
THANK YOU for not only reading this story but these Author Notes as well.
(I think I’ve been good with always opening with “thank you.” If not, I need to edit the other Author Notes!)
RANDOM (sometimes) THOUGHTS?
I think I find the thought of talking to a lot of people more romantic (or businesslike) than the reality of actually talking to a lot of people.
I enjoy talking, but I find it a bit energy-sapping when I talk to people, especially strangers, non-stop. It isn’t that I don’t like people. Far from it. It’s just mentally taxing, or perhaps emotionally taxing might be a better description.
That could be why I like reading so much. I get to enjoy talking and communication (if vicariously watching it happen between characters) without the energy suckage.
I understand there are others who get energized when they are talking to people. I’m the guy who doesn’t understand that. I enjoy working on creative problems with people, for sure. I’m also the person who (after a long week at the 20Booksto50k(™) conference) just wants to hide and write.
Are you that way? Do you find constant interaction with others energy-creating or energy-reducing (or neither)?
I think I baked this desire for solitude into the character of James Brownstone. It’s often said that our first main character (Bethany Anne for me) is a reflection of us, or perhaps the person we want to be.
(I’d be good with having her power and money, not so much her fetish for shoes and clothes (that’s my wife.))
Now, with Brownstone, I’ll admit to writing in my KISS preference and BBQ love (yes to sauce. Dry rub is nice, but there better be some sauce with it. No to vinegar-based sauce as well. I come from Texas, so tomato-based sauce is my preference. If you want to argue this, do it in a short story ;-). )
I’m not a dog lover (they are fun, but I don’t want to have one) like Brownstone, and I enjoy cats when someone else has to deal with them and their “better than you” attitude.
But, if I had to choose, I’d probably go with a...damn... I’m thinking cat, but probably would go with a dog. At least the dog would give me love and affection when I’m ready for it. A cat would probably figure out how to give me the finger when I want to pet it. and I’ve had a cat climb up my leg before.
I probably still have the scars from the claws.
AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS
One of the interesting (at least to me) aspects of my life is the ability to work from anywhere and at any time. In the future, I hope to re-read my own Author Notes and remember my life as a diary entry.
Somewhere in the sky between Dallas and New York.
Off to Book Expo, New York for a fun week of talking to people and meetings! Lots and lots of meetings.
A lot of them.
Damn.
The people are great (the ones I already know), and I’m happy to meet them again. The business is solid, and we are growing our backlist, producing our own audio (and selling the rights to many more), and looking to acquire software to help us manage our production capabilities.
But it just requires sooo many meetings ;-)
(Yes, all of these meetings, should they be at lunch or dinner, are tax write-offs. At least something good comes out of it.)
However, I wouldn’t trade any of it for a quieter life.
I’m living the dream.
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Ad Aeternitatem,
Michael Anderle
Other series in the Oriceran Universe:
THE DANIEL CODEX SERIES
I FEAR NO EVIL
THE UNBELIEVABLE MR. BROWNSTONE
ALISON BROWNSTONE
SCHOOL OF NECESSARY MAGIC
SCHOOL OF NECESSARY MAGIC: RAINE CAMPBELL
FEDERAL AGENTS OF MAGIC
THE LEIRA CHRONICLES
REWRITING JUSTICE
THE KACY CHRONICLES
MIDWEST MAGIC CHRONICLES
SOUL STONE MAGE
THE FAIRHAVEN CHRONICLES
OTHER BOOKS BY JUDITH BERENS
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