Sample Sunday - Excerpt from Chapter Thirty Four of Storm Rising

   After sunset, they headed back toward the Villa. Renato pulled the car off the main road and parked. The sun was now well below the horizon, and the moon was beginning to rise in the east.

   Kevin leaned forward. “What about guards? Does he have anyone patrolling that road?”

   Renato turned and shook his head. “I have never seen anyone on the road after dark, but it is possible. I have something that may prove useful in the trunk.”

   The three climbed out of the car, and moved to the rear of the car. Renato opened the trunk and pulled out a pair of night vision goggles. He handed the goggles to Kevin. “Give them a try.”

   Kevin took the goggles and put them on. “I don’t see anything. You sure these work?”

   Renato laughed. “You have to power them on. Here, let me,” he said, and flipped a switch on the side.       

   “There, now what do you see?”

   Startled by the sudden illumination, Kevin took a step back. “Wow! This is incredible. It’s like daylight out here. Does this thing have thermal?”

   “I am afraid they are not that sophisticated. However, they will show us anyone hiding in the shadows. Why don’t you take a look at the hill, see if there is anyone up there?”

   Kevin turned and scanned the hillside leading up to the Villa. After several minutes, he turned back and shook his head. “I didn’t see anyone, but that doesn’t mean anything. There could be a patrol, and they just weren’t in visual range.”

   “That is possible. May I see them?”

   Kevin removed the goggles and handed them to Renato. Renato set them back in the trunk, reached toward the back, pulled out a large metal case and set it on the ground. “We must be very careful with this,” he said, as he gently opened the case.

   Kelli and Kevin moved closer to get a look at the contents. When the contents were in view, Kelli gasped and took several steps back. “Is that what I think it is?”

   Renato turned his head and looked up at Kevin and Kelli. “Yes, it is C4, and there is enough here to blow Miguel Garcia and his bodyguards straight to hell.”

   Kelli looked at Renato, his jaw clenched tight. “No, Renato, even hell is too good for this son of a bitch.”

   Kevin knelt down next to the case, eyeing the contents. “So, what’s the plan?”

   “We will set the charges at three places along the road coming down from the Villa, five to six meters apart. Garcia is a creature of habit, and leaves the Villa at precisely nine o’clock in the morning.”

   Kelli stepped closer, eyeing the case. “And how do you know he’ll do that tomorrow morning?”



I am sorry to say that this will be the last "Sample" posted for Storm Rising - A Kelli Storm Novel. All of the previous post will remain in the archives so you can go back and read them if you like. As soon as I am further into the second book I do intend to post teasers. If you would like to know how Kelli gets out of this, you can download a copy today for only .99 cents from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iTunes(iBook Store), or Smashwords.com.

The End of Sample Sunday?

For those of you that have been following this blog for any length of time know, every Sunday I post an excerpt from my current novel, Storm Rising. Sad to say, but I believe this Sunday will be the last for Sample Sunday. At least for this book. As I get further into Storm Warning, the next book in the series, I may find myself posting Sneak Peeks, little teasers if you will, from that book.

If you are new to my blog, you can follow back in the archives to catch up on the chapter excerpts. Better yet, download your copy from Amazon, B&N, iBook, or Smashwords for just .99 cents. (Where can you find a better bargain for a 5 Star Crime fiction?)

Before I sign off, I just wanted to say "Thank you!" to all of my followers, and to all the people from around the world that have visited my humble blog.

Another Five Star Review for Storm Rising

5.0 out of 5 stars    Great read

Kelli Storm is a great character. There is just enough back story about her that you really understand where is coming from and why she reacts the way she does.

If you like fiction crime books this one will really draw you in. It begins well (no slow start like a lot of books) and ends with you wanting to know what happens next. Thank goodness Kenneth Hoss is promising a sequel. Great start to a promising new author.

Sample Sunday - Excerpt from Chapter Thirty Three of Storm Rising

Wednesday September 30th, 7:02 A.M. - Mexico

Somewhere in the desert, southwest of Juarez

   The sun was just above the horizon as the three made their way back to the truck. As they drew closer, Angelo began waving, and abruptly stopped when he saw they were not alone.

   “Que esta pasando? What are you doing with him?” he shouted.

   Kelli approached him and placed a hand on his shoulder. “It’s okay, Angelo, we’re just going to question him. Entienden?”

   Angelo nodded. “I understand. But it is dangerous to do this. You do not know these people. Son muy peligrosas.”

   “Yes, Angelo, we know they’re dangerous people, but we need to talk to him. We have to find out if Garcia is still alive. I need to know.”

   While Kelli attempted to calm Angelo, Kevin and Dan unceremoniously dumped their captive in the back of the truck. They walked back around to the front and waited for Kelli to get Angelo calmed down.

   She managed to get him to agree to drive them and their captive back to the border. Kelli and Kevin climbed into the cab with Angelo, while Dan watched their charge in the back.

Wednesday September 30th, 9:48 A.M. - El Paso, Texas

Somewhere in the desert west of El Paso

   When they crossed back into the U.S., Chris was waiting for them. He and Kevin got into a heated argument over their captive. Chris insisted they release the man and let him cross back into Mexico.

   Kevin was not going to let that happen. He pulled Chris to one side and made it clear to him that this was their one shot at getting new information on Garcia and his cartel.

   Chris finally agreed and drove them back to the shack. When they arrived, Dan and Kevin dragged the bound man into the shack and threw him on the floor.

   Kelli walked in, looked at the man, then at Dan. “Your Spanish is better than mine. Make him understand that we only want to know where Garcia is and what happened at that compound last night.”

   Dan nodded, squatted down next to the man, and pulled the gag from his mouth. “Queremos saber donde Garcia es ahora.”

   The man shook his head. “No puedo decirles, me matarán.”

   Dan looked up at Kelli and shook his head. “He’s not going to talk. He’s afraid they’ll kill him if he does.”

   Kelli looked down at the man, then back to Dan. “You tell him if he doesn’t tell us, I’ll take him out and stake him down in that dry creek bed. And I’ll leave him there for the animals and insects.”

   Dan stared up at her and frowned. “Damn, I’ve never seen this side of you. When did you get so dark?”

   “When that son of a bitch killed my partner and tried to kill me. Now, tell him.”

   “You wouldn’t really do that, would you?”

   “If I don’t get the information I want, I just might. Now, are you going to tell him?”

Looking for an Indie Author to Spotlight

If you are interested in being "Spotlighted", please contact me on Twitter @kennhoss via DM with your contact information. I've run out of victims, er, volunteers and I am looking to post a new Spotlight next Sunday.

Sample Sunday - Excerpt from Chapter Thirty Two of Storm Rising

Tuesday September 28th, 10:15 P.M. - Mexico

Somewhere in the desert, southwest of Juarez

   As Kelli, Kevin and Dan made their way toward their destination, they could hear the weapons fire taper off. By the time they came within sight of the buildings, it had ceased entirely. The three crouched low, using what cover they could find.

   Kelli scanned the scene and noted several bodies strewn across the compound. She looked over at Kevin and Dan. “I count six dead or wounded,” she said in a loud whisper. “But I can’t tell if they’re good guys or bad guys. And there’s no way to know how many more are up there.”

   Kevin moved next to her. “Look over to the right. There’s no light at that end. I think we can work our way around and get in closer.”

   Kelli nodded. “Yeah, that just might work. We’ll just go back out a little and then work our way up to that end. Good thinking, Kevin.” She turned on her heels and motioned Kevin and Dan to follow her.

   They walked out another fifty yards and began making their way to the far end of the compound. As they neared the buildings, Kelli motioned for the two men to drop, as she fell forward. She eased back toward the Kevin and Dan, staying on her belly. Kevin looked puzzled as she drew up next to him.

   “There’s someone standing just in the shadows of that building, facing west. If I hadn’t seen the cherry on his cigarette light up, we would have walked right into him.”

   Kevin lifted his head and looked in the direction of the building, then back to Kelli. “He doesn’t look like a Federale. You think maybe it’s one of Garcia’s men?”

   Kelli shook her head. “Shit, I don’t know. It could be. Then he could be from a rival cartel. Why don’t you go up there and ask him?” She sighed and rolled her eyes.

   Kevin pushed himself to his knees. “Well shit, why don’t I just do that?”

   Kelli reached out and pulled him down. “Are you fucking nuts? Shit, Kevin, I thought you would know sarcasm when you heard it. Now keep down.”

   Dan looked at them and shook his head. “Are you two through? If you keep it up, we’ll find out who that is sooner than we want. So what’s the plan?”

   Kelli scanned the area, looking for some way to get around the guard. When she spotted a rotting fence, she turned back to Kevin and Dan. “Okay, here’s what we need to do. Dan, how’s your Spanish?”

   Dan looked at her, narrowing his eyes. “Somehow I don’t think I’m going to like this.”

   “It’s our best shot. So, how’s your Spanish?”

   “A little rusty, but I can get by,” he said, his eyes still narrowed.

   “Good. You’ll need to distract this guy while Kevin and I make our way around behind him. Do you see that old fence? We’ll come up behind that. You keep the guard’s attention focused away from there.”

   “And just what the fuck am I supposed to say to this guy? “Hola, me llamo Dan. Noche agradable.” I mean, shit, Kelli.”

   “I don’t care what you say, just keep the bastard occupied. You just need to give us time to get in behind him, that’s all.”

   “Why do I have to be the decoy?”

   “You want me to do it? First, my Spanish is a hell of a lot rustier than yours is. Second, that guy would take one look at me and, well, I don’t want to think about it.”

   Dan shook his head. “No, I didn’t mean you. Why can’t Kevin do it?”

   “Because Kevin doesn’t speak Spanish, and he’s a lot better shot than you are. And don’t say it, I’ve seen both of you shoot.”

Sample Sunday - Excerpt from Chapter Thirty of Storm Rising

Friday September 25th, 4:48 P.M. Brooklyn, New York

90th Precinct

   Dan sounded surprised when she called. He didn’t want to talk on the phone and asked her to meet him at his old precinct. When she asked why there, his reply was vague. He simply said he had people there he trusted.

   She turned off Union onto Montrose, found a spot, and parked. As she was getting out, Dan walked up, pulled the door open, and surprised her.

   “I saw you pull up. We can’t really talk here. I just wanted to be in familiar surroundings. There’s a little diner back up Union, at the corner of Metropolitan, on the left. I’ll meet you there.” He smiled, closed her door and walked back around the front of the building.

   Kelli sat there for a few minutes, feeling confused. Why not just meet at the diner in the first place? She started the car, backed out and made the turn onto Union. Metropolitan was a good eight blocks, and it seemed to her that she was hitting every red light along the way.

   As she approached Metropolitan, she saw the diner on the left. It was a bright reflective building, with gleaming blue trim. She waited for traffic, crossed and parked. She stepped out onto the curb and waited. She didn’t have to wait long.

   She watched as Dan parked and got out. He was holding an oversized pocket folder close as he walked up to her.

   “What’s in the folder?” She felt obligated to ask, even though she already had an idea.

   “This is the sum of my work on Operation Remolino, or Maelstrom in English. If the DEA finds out that I have all this, my ass is as good a cooked.” He tilted his head to one side, his eyes narrowing.

   “Don’t look at me like that. I won’t say a word. Shit, they’d have my ass too. So, what have you got?”

   “Let’s get off the street. I know the guy who owns this place. He’ll let us use his office in the back, fewer prying eyes.”

   Kelli followed Dan inside and toward the back of the diner. He waved at a large, balding man in a white apron. The man motioned them into the kitchen, and led them to an office at the back. He pushed the office door open and stepped aside, allowing Kelli and Dan to pass.

   Once inside, Dan thanked the man, closed the door and walked around to the other side of a small metal desk. He plopped down in the office chair and tossed the folder on the desk.

   “So why do you want this info? You aren’t planning to do anything stupid, are you?” he said, eyeing her intently.

   “It all depends on your definition of stupid,” she countered.

   He looked at her and sighed. “Okay, I’ll give you what I’ve got, on one condition.”

   Kelli crossed her arms and tilted her head. “And what would that be?”

   Dan cleared his throat. “If you’re planning on going after this guy, I want in on it. I spent the better part of a year on that task force, watching them drag their asses. Shit, they could have taken the whole operation down six months ago.”

   “What the fuck were they waiting on? Shit, if they had done that, my partner would still be alive. Why’d they wait?”

   “Farnsworth didn’t think they had enough to get the whole cartel. Shit, I told him I got convictions on less when I was on the streets. The son of a bitch wanted to make sure he had a rock solid case. Hell, he was ready to sit on this for another year.”