“Isn’t it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?”
– Mark Twain
Here is the next stop in my DON’T BUY MY BOOK! Blog Tour. Hey, don’t blame me. Lee let me in.
Seriously, thank her for her generosity and kindness by commenting at the bottom of this post, will you?
We live life with no sure light but that which we carry within us. We sail into the darkness with an uncertain map made of the perishable paper of our flawed perceptions.
“When you have made a mistake, think not: ‘This is misfortune’ think rather: ‘To bear this worthily is good fortune.’”
– Marcus Aurelius
In the cursed Samuel McCord, I wanted to make, not a hero, not even a protagonist, but merely a man who finds himself with terrible “gifts” and a propensity to screw up when he wants to do right.
A lot like each one of us, right?
How many times have you gambled on forgiveness and been bitten by the act?
Samuel, too.
But when Samuel spares a coven of dragons and gives them a renewed chance at life, he sets into motion consequences that will trigger the terrible San Francisco earthquake of 1906.
How can he live with that?
How do any of us live with the consequences of well-intentioned acts gone terribly awry?
Bram Stoker has Dracula say: “We learn from failure, not from success.”
But at what cost?
Samuel rescues a British girl from rape. Being with him will be a death sentence so he leaves her with friends on rough Parisian streets.
Decades later, he runs into her again: the famous courtesan Cora Pearl
From the 1836 Sidhe kidnapping of Princess Victoria to a 1867 encounter with the Chinese Celestial Dragon, Qing Long to his Red Wedding beneath the Rouen Cathedral and betrayal by the werewolves of Paris to contesting with brutal Paris Surgeons in the Hotel Dieu …
Samuel strives to do the right thing and mostly fails epically … much to the delight of Samuel Clemens and the dismay of 11 year old Nicola Tesla.
Excerpt:
Samuel is standing atop the dirigible, that is really a star-craft, holding up the Xanadu, considering if he should just step off into the stormy ocean far below.
It would be but fitting punishment for screwing up royally, dooming San Francisco to the revenge of the celestial dragon, Qing Long. Rind, the Angel of Death, whose blood flows through his veins, appears behind him:
No. I wouldn’t give my enemies the satisfaction of self-destruction. Besides, Meilori would think I had believed she deserted me.
A voice of icicles murmured behind me. I should not have been able to hear it what with the howling winds shrieking all about me. But you always hear Death’s voice no matter your circumstances.
“Eternity is a long time to brood over what you should not have done.”
I turned around, the gale force winds threatening to blow me off the dirigible despite my resolve to stand my ground. The storms in my life always had that effect on me. Rind, the Angel of Death, was in an odd costume.
Rind, the name she asked me to call her, was clothed in a black uniform that I had never seen before. In a time when it was scandalous to show a bit of ankle, the skirt was just above the knee. The tunic was tight with collars studded with silver bent-arm crosses. The tunic’s buttons were silver skulls. On her right sleeve was a red band in whose center was a circle of white blazing with another black bent-arm cross. I had seen that symbol in India.
The Sanskrit word for it was svastika. It meant “Lucky.” Rind had a dark sense of humor. But then, again, she was the Angel of Death after all.
It was downright chilling to see that the hurricane winds didn’t even muss a single strand of her long silver hair which matched the color of my own that was flying like a mane of a winged stallion.
I spoke to her with the assurance that she would hear me. Death might not grant your pleas, mind you. But she heard them all the same.
“Suicide is running from your mistakes. A man cleans the mess he makes, Rind. I aim to go to San Francisco a few years from now after Qing Long has a chance to cool down some. I’ll clean up this mess then.”
“And if you cannot?”
I shrugged, “Then, I will try to learn from this mistake to become a better man and go on to ease the suffering this mistake has caused in any way I can.”
“How Marcus Aurelius of you, Samuel.”
“I’ll try to be a mite better and not get poisoned.”
“That was not how he died.”
“Well, being Death, you would know.”
Despite the name of my tour, would you consider buying my book? It is but 99 cents, has a free short story at the end, and a Readers’ Discussion Section at the back for book clubs.
Write an honest review for it and get a free Neil Gaiman audio book! How cool is that?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Roland Yeomans was born in Detroit, Michigan. But his last memories of that city are hub-caps and kneecaps since, at the age of seven, he followed the free food when his parents moved to Lafayette, Louisiana. The hitch-hiking after their speeding car from state to state was a real adventure. Once in Louisiana, Roland learned strange new ways of pronouncing David and Richard when they were last names. And it was not a pleasant sight when he pronounced Comeaux for the first time.
He has a Bachelor’s degree in English Education and a Master’s degree in Psychology. He has been a teacher, counselor, book store owner, and even a pirate since he once worked at a tax preparation firm.
So far he has written thirty-four books. You can find Roland at his web page: www.rolandyeomans.blogspot.com or at his private table in Meilori’s. The web page is safer to visit. But if you insist on visiting Meilori’s, bring a friend who runs slower than you.
And there’s Roland! Doing what Roland does best. Spinning wild and captivating tales. Don’t buy this book. Buy all of them!
My Quote of the Week: “Lighthouses don’t go running all over an island looking for boats to save; they just stand there shining.” Anne Lamott
DMS says
Roland has an amazing tour going on. Been loving catching it all over the blogosphere. Great excerpt!
~Jess
Roland D. Yeomans says
Thanks, Jess. And thanks for following my blog! 🙂
Gina Gao says
This sounds like a good read. Thanks for sharing!
http://www.ficklemillennial.wordpress.com
Roland D. Yeomans says
I write books that I would like to read. Give my book a 99 cent gamble, will you, Gina?
Victoria Marie Lees says
I'm loving these pictures, Lee! I believe book discussions can only help writers connect to their readers. All the luck with your new release, Roland. I like the book cover. Thanks for sharing this with your followers, Lee.
C. Lee McKenzie says
He's always a visual delight, then there's those words and the way he has with them. Thanks for the visit! Please come back.
Roland D. Yeomans says
I write movies in my head that come out as novels. 🙂 I am so happy you like the pictures I have chosen to evoke the spirit of my tale,Victoria. Lee, you are so kind to say that of my prose!
Tyrean Martinson says
Love the complexity of your main character and his ability to survive his own screw-ups. Congrats, Roland!
C. Lee McKenzie says
I wish I could survive my own screw ups. I need to hire Roland to write my script.
Roland D. Yeomans says
Lee, I have hours to think of a way out of Sam's' problems, only seconds to think my way out of my own!! 🙂
Tyrean, I wanted to create a man who breathed on every page. Thanks for liking him!!
Crystal Collier says
Whew! Dragons and earthquakes, courtesans… Altered history is a blast, eh? Too fun.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Seems as if all bases have been covered. . .very well.
Roland D. Yeomans says
I think I may have written my own version of GAME OF THRONES! 🙂 Thanks for liking my novel and for having me on your blog, too!
Nicola says
I'm turning into a Roland groupie 🙂 So great to join him on his tour. Congrats, Roland!! Thanks for hosting, Lee. Wish you both a great week.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I love groupies! Great to have you with me in this group.
Roland D. Yeomans says
I think of you as a friend, Nicola. 🙂 All those who enjoy my books have paid me the greatest compliment! Thank you.
Lynda R Young says
I like that you've got a Readers’ Discussion Section at the back of the book.
Roland D. Yeomans says
I don't know if they still have book clubs but there are Goodreads Forums that could use it, too. I'm glad you think it a good idea.
Melissa says
Sounds great! Congratulations, Roland.
Hi, Lee. 🙂
Roland D. Yeomans says
Thanks so much, Melissa!
Jacqui Murray says
What a fun post, If Roland's book is anything like this, it's a winner.
Roland D. Yeomans says
Jacqui, the ghost of Mark Twain thinks it's as much fun — but then, he says that is because he is in it!! Take a 99 cent gamble on it, maybe?
Joylene Nowell Butler says
I won a copy of your book thru Roland's post!!! Yay. Thanks, Lee. I'm looking forward to reading it. And I will, as soon as my tour is over. Best!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Congratulations! And good luck on your tour, Joylene.
Roland D. Yeomans says
Like Lee wrote: best of luck with your own tour!! I was so happy when your name was drawn. 🙂
Joylene Nowell Butler says
Thanks to you both!
nashvillecats2 says
Congrats Roland what a wonderful book.
Hope all goes well with the sales.
Yvonne.
Roland D. Yeomans says
Thank you, Yvonne! 🙂
Vidya Sury says
Wow! What a treat, Lee! Roland Yeomans is amazing–Can't wait to read his books, which I just happily discovered, are all available on Amazon and accessible to me. I like his sense of humor. Visiting you is always a pleasure! And yes, we do learn more from our failures than our successes. Great inspiration, what with NaNoWriMo around the corner.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Good luck with NaNoWriMo, Vidya!
Roland D. Yeomans says
Well, Vidya, my many mistakes give me lots of opportunities to learn that is for sure! You made my morning by saying you like my sense of humor and are thinking of buying some of my books on Kindle! 🙂
Vidya Sury says
Oooh! Thank you Roland! 🙂 Just got your email. Thrilled! My very first audiobook–and this will always be very special to me! Thank you, Lee! 🙂
Melissa Sugar says
Congrats to Roland. I just love his voice. He is telling the truth about pronouncing last names in Louisiana. His author bio makes me laugh. I have to read the book, now.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Hope you will! You'll enjoy it.
Roland D. Yeomans says
Only people who live or have lived in Louisiana understand the name confusion in my bio. 🙂 I hope you will read my book now. The ghost of Mark Twain knows you will enjoy it — but that is only because he is in it!
Liz A. says
Most things that go wrong started with the best of intentions.
Roland D. Yeomans says
Don't they though 🙂
Yvonne Ventresca says
Congrats on the book! Sounds fascinating! And yes, Lee is kind and generous. 🙂
Roland D. Yeomans says
Thanks, Yvonne!
Shooting Stars Mag says
Congrats on your new release! Thanks for sharing.
Roland D. Yeomans says
Thanks, Shooting Stars Mag!
Beverly Stowe McClure says
Thirty-four books is a lot of books. Congratulations on your latest, Roland, and on all the others. You have a great sense of humor too. Good luck.
Roland D. Yeomans says
The ghost of Mark Twain claims all the credit for my sense of humor! 🙂
Susan A Eames says
Congratulations, Roland – you deserve to succeed with all the hard work you're putting into your tour.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
Susan A Eames says
Congratulations, Roland – you deserve to succeed with all the hard work you're putting into your tour.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
Roland D. Yeomans says
Thanks so much, Susan. Cross your fingers for me!
Annalisa Crawford says
Congrats Roland – your tour is epic, I'm seeing you everywhere!
Roland D. Yeomans says
Thank you, Annalisa. I am trying to at least keep my name in the public eye! Like Mark Twain says: If you cannot be successful, be epic about it! 🙂
Carrie-Anne says
Roland's book has a great premise, and I adore the name Samuel! If I ever have a child before I'm too old, and it's a boy like I've always dreamt about, he'll be named Samuel.
Congratulations to Roland!
Roland D. Yeomans says
In the 21st Century, Father Renfield tells McCord that his first name means in Hebrew: God has heard. And that often in his long life, Samuel has been the answer to the prayers of the hurting. 🙂
Elephant's Child says
Congratulations Roland.
Regrets can be wasted energy – unless we act on them can't they?
Lee mentioned Midnight. Hiding from us?
Roland D. Yeomans says
Thanks, Elephant's Child. Regrets are only useful if they motivate us to learn from the mistakes that birthed them and go forward. Living forward by always looking back is how many of us stumble on life's path!
Mason Canyon says
Great excerpt and congrats on your blog tour, Roland. Oh, and hi to Midnight. I like that tomorrow has no mistakes and we can charge into with so much promise.
Roland D. Yeomans says
Midnight waves his paw back! I am happy you like the excerpt. In tomorrow's excerpt on D.G.'s blog, the Apache, Elu, and Samuel walk the early morning streets of Paris with chilling results. 🙂
Misha Gericke says
I like stories where the choices a character made in the past impacts the story in the present.
Roland D. Yeomans says
I have taken to making the first chapters of my books earlier incidents that have consequences in the body of the main story, Misha. It makes the story seem more like reality to me that way and hopefully, it seems that way to the reader, too!
Shady Del Knight says
Hi, Roland & Cheryl Lee!
Roland has a witty writing style. Even the About the Author piece made me smile. I like that! There is also an abundance of wisdom to be found in his writing. As the familiar trope reminds us, no good deed goes unpunished, and the misadventures of Samuel McCord provide documentation. In an effort to help, Samuel intervenes at pivotal moments in history. His well intended meddling sets the universe on a trajectory that ironically causes harm at future points on the timeline.
Thanks for the book intro and review, Roland and C-Lee!
Roland D. Yeomans says
Thanks for such nice words about my bio — I tried to make it amusing as well as informative. Samuel proves that good intentions do not always end in good results!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Writing that either brings a smile or makes me laugh is always welcome, and Roland does both quite regularly. Thanks Shady.
Chrys Fey says
Maybe dragons caused the earthquake in Seismic Crimes. It could be possible… 😉 Hi, Roland! I am so happy to see you on C. Lee's blog!
Roland D. Yeomans says
You never know, Chrys. Looking forward to taking part in your bloghop next Friday and on your blog for the last stop on this tour Nov. 11th!
C. Lee McKenzie says
This has been one busy month and I'm seeing why! You two are writing and blogging ninjas.
Pat Hatt says
May as well fail and create a new trail, may need to bleed before you can succeed.
And here I was blaming dinosaurs when really it was dragons.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Those dragons were here and stirring things up long ago. The dinosaurs either munched on leafy greens or ate each other. Glad Roland cleared that bit of history up.
Roland D. Yeomans says
Pat, may be on the Dragon Hit list for revealing that secret! 🙂
Elizabeth Seckman says
Sounds like a good read. I'm intrigued.
Love your quote of the week. I wrote it down this summer as a keeper.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Intrigue is at the heart of his stories. That's for sure. Glad you liked the quote. It spoke to me, too.
Libby Heily Author says
All the tidbits are great, but you really had me at 11 year old Tesla. UGH! So cool!
C. Lee McKenzie says
In the audio books, Roland's characters are amazing.
Roland D. Yeomans says
Robert Rossman is doing the audio of DRAGONS OF THE BARBARY COAST for me. He makes me sound great, doesn't he?
Roland D. Yeomans says
Oh, I forgot, Libby. 11 year old Tesla has his black cat, Macak, in these books (he really did have Macak as a young boy who followed him around like a dog.) Macak makes a special visit to Shelly Akton's blog next week, too.
Donna K. Weaver says
Nice! I had a boss once you had a great attitude about mistakes. He said they were great learning experiences. It softened the blow when I screwed up.
C. Lee McKenzie says
My biggest goal is to not make the same mistake three times.
Roland D. Yeomans says
The tuition of mistakes seems steep for wisdom!
Joylene Nowell Butler says
The excerpt is powerful. Yes, buy them all! Congratulations, Roland.
C. Lee McKenzie says
If he keeps writing, I'll have to build a bigger library.
Roland D. Yeomans says
What nice things to say, Joylene and Lee!
H.R. Sinclair, Southpaw says
I knew it! I just knew it was really dragons that did it.
C. Lee McKenzie says
You're so smart. Way ahead of the rest of us. 🙂
Roland D. Yeomans says
Darn those dragons! 🙂
L. Diane Wolfe says
If you're going to fail, do it epically.
Roland D. Yeomans says
That is Mark Twain's motto! 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
I think I'll tattoo that on my hand.
Kelly Hashway/Ashelyn Drake says
I love this post title. Congrats to Roland.
Roland D. Yeomans says
Kelly, Midnight, my kitten, thanks you!! 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
His cat did the titling.
Bish Denham says
As I've read the first I will now run right down to my local Amazon and pick up the second!
Roland D. Yeomans says
So very nice of you, Bish. I pray THE BOWL AND THE STONE is having great sales!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Roland's reverse psychology is working!
Barbara Fisher says
It really is nice to think tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes but I have yet to get through today. Maybe I will sit here and read blog posts all day which would not be a hardship if they are all as good as this one.
Happy to meet you Roland, I had no idea dragons caused the earthquake – you see I learnt something today.
Roland D. Yeomans says
Happy to meet you, too, Barbara. Your nice compliment brightened my morning and will stay with me all day. 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
I'm thinking of hiring Roland to write all my posts.
Roland D. Yeomans says
That's nice of you, Lee! 🙂
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
Yes, buy all of them!
Those dragons caused the earthquake? They skipped that part in the history books.
Roland D. Yeomans says
Thanks, Alex! Yes, history fails to mention many things — like once Jefferson was a traitor to become president (sadly, the truth.)
C. Lee McKenzie says
Dragons cause all sorts of things and never get the credit. We must change that.